Canon EOS R: the full test on PackshotCreator studios

The latest product innovation from the digital photography giant tested on the latest PackshotCreator photo studio. Canon lent us its new Canon EOS R camera for several days. The PackshotLab invited an independent photographer, Éric Valdenaire. The specialist in art photography tested and compared this new camera with the Canon EOS 6D Mark II SLR model. Speed tests during the shooting process were performed on automated photo studios controlled by the PackshotCreator software.

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The PackshotCreator R3 Mark II 360 photo studio

How did you get started with this new hybrid camera from the Canon range?

Eric Valdenaire: Overall good. It is less bulky and less heavy than its big brothers: the Canon EOS 6D and 5D. The absence of a mirror also offers less vibration and therefore limits camera shake blur when shooting.

What makes it different from traditional SLR cameras?

Eric Valdenaire: Apart from the absence of a mirror, a new set of specific lenses dedicated to the Canon EOS R has appeared: the RF range. With in particular the 35 mm f :1.8 ; 50 mm f :1.2 ; 24-240 mm f: 4-6.3 ; 85 mm F1.2 ; 24-105 mm f4 and the 28-70 mm f : 2. The adapter ring, supplied with the camera, can be mounted between the lens and the body when using old EOS lenses.

 

Eric Valdenaire with the PackshotMacro DIS photo studio

On which systems did you use and compare the Canon EOS-R and Canon EOS 6D Mark II?

Eric Valdenaire: Both Canon cameras have been used with the 360 photo studio PackshotCreator R3 Mark II and PackshotMacro DIS photo studios. These are systems designed to automate product photography, working with compatible Canon and Nikon cameras. Both studios are equipped with multi-source LED lighting and 360° turntables. All compatible cameras, studios, turntables and lights are fully software controlled.

Comparative productivity tests made by the photographer:

Duration of a shooting in Focus Stacking mode: Canon EOS R VS Canon EOS 6D Mark II 6 equally

Focus Stacking (or Hyperfocus) is simply a stack of shots with shifted focus made during the shooting by the PackshotCreator software. It avoids the usual progressive blur effect caused by an opening value that is too low. This function allows you to take several pictures of a product with different focus areas. These photographs are then compiled to produce a single image with perfect sharpness.

• The visual created: still image of a ring
• The test process: made on a stack of 16 images with the Hyperfocus software feature
• The photo studio: PackshotMacro DIS controlled by PackshotCreator software

Quickshot Mode	Canon EOS 6D Mark II		Canon EOS R
	Photo shooting	Final result	Photo shooting	Final result
OFF	1’05’’	1’25’’	45’’	1’32’’
ON	17’’	23’’	18’’	24’’

Results of the comparison Canon EOS R / Canon EOS 6D Mark II:

Shooting time to create a 360° animation: winner Canon EOS R

The 360° animation of a product was carried out in an automated photo studio, the PackshotCreator R3 Mark II. The user selected and programed the desired number of images to compose the 360° animated visual. For the test, 24 or 72 images were taken. The software synchronized the camera with the turntable. The operator then triggered the shooting via the software interface.

• The visual created: 360° animation of a boot
• The test process: 24 or 72 photos taken during a 360° rotation of the turntable. The visuals were either photographed on a white background or on background removal mode directly by the software with the AutoMask feature (below).

• The photo studio: PackshotCreator R3 Mark II controlled by PackshotCreator software

Shooting mode	Turntable speed		Number of images	Canon EOS 6D Mark II		Canon EOS R	Increased productivity
Normal	Normal		24	1’33’’		1’17’’	17%
Normal		Slow	24		1’33’’	1’16’’	18%
Normal		Fast	24		1’34’’	1’15’’	20%
Normal		Normal	72		4’08’’	3’37’’	13%
AutoMask		Normal	24		2’48’’	2’32’’	10%
AutoMask		Slow	24		2’50’’	2’30’’	12%
AutoMask		Fast	24		2’53’’	2’31’’	13%
AutoMask		Normal	72		7’29’’	6’38’’	11%

Conclusion :

What about the increase in productivity for creating 360° animations with the Canon EOS R?

For all the images I created during these tests and comparisons, no significant difference in quality was observed. On the other hand, I noted a clear difference in productivity during the shooting phase to create a 360° animation. The use of the Canon EOS R generated a productivity gain between 10 to 20%, compared to the Canon EOS 6D Mark II, depending on the different shooting modes.

How about to make a Focus Stacking?

Creating a visual in Focus Stacking mode (video below) increases the time gap between the two cameras, still in favour of Canon’s new hybrid camera. It would be interesting to determine whether this time saving during this type of shooting, as during 360° shooting, is related to the absence of the (mechanical) mirror or to the optimization of the image acquisition process.

The time difference is minimal on an animation, but is major for operators with a large volume of products visuals to be produced on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis.