Canon enthusiasts are waiting patiently to find out if the manufacturer will add APS-C sensors to its R-series cameras and a new rumor brings the possibility of a model such as an R7 — perfect for action and wildlife photography — another step closer.

Canon Rumors claims to have been told by “a good source” that Canon plans to launch an RF-mount camera featuring an APS-C sensor in the second half of next year. Furthermore, this sensor will be backside-illuminated (BSI), potentially delivering excellent speed and reduced rolling shutter similar to the level of performance seen on the recently released EOS R3.

I suggested a few weeks ago that the launch of the 16mm f/2.8 STM might be a sign that Canon is plotting an APS-C camera. This tiny, affordable lens is perhaps an indication that, rather than splitting its RF lenses into full frame and APS-C as it did with the EF mount, Canon is making small, compact glass that works equally well on both formats. One of the advantages of the switch to mirrorless is the smaller flange distance (i.e., the gap between the back of the lens and the sensor) is greatly reduced compared to DSLR cameras, the physics of which allows for more compact lenses. It’s possible that Canon has decided to exploit this possibility and keep image circle sizes consistent, regardless of whether a lens is designed with full frame or APS-C in mind.

My amazing Photoshop skills deployed to mock up a Canon EOS R7.

This brings a couple of benefits. Firstly, customers have a smoother transition from APS-C to full frame; in the past, EF-S glass became redundant for anyone upgrading from, for example, a Rebel T8i (a.k.a. 850D) to a 6D Mark II. Nikon, following the same logic as Sony, has kept with this approach to a degree, having already introduced two APS-C sensor mirrorless cameras (the Z 50 and the recently-released Z fc). It has produced both DX and FX lenses for its mirrorless bodies, though, unlike EF and EF-S, you can use the APS-C-intended glass on a full frame body without risking damage to your camera. The only difference is that APS-C lenses don’t produce a sufficiently large image circle to fill the full frame sensor, leaving you with a black circle around your images.

Such a rebel. The Canon EOS Rebel T8i, also known as the infinitely more conservative and far less rebellious 850D.

Splitting the line of mirrorless glass means being able to produce lenses for APS-C cameras that are even more compact, going beyond the advantages lent by the removal of the mirror. The disadvantage is the awkward upgrade route and equally importantly, customer confusion. For whatever reason, manufacturers don’t like putting the letters “APS-C” in their product names, and it’s not unusual for inexperienced buyers to end up with lenses that don’t match their sensor size. Full frame prices have dropped, making the format increasingly accessible and leading to huge swathes of inexperienced photographers buying into these systems. There are countless articles explaining the difference between DX and FX, and it’s not unusual to see people posting on Facebook groups asking why the compact Sony 35mm f1.8 OSS they just bought leaves a black ring around all of the photos they’re shooting with their shiny new a7 III.

The Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS lens. Obviously, the "E" in the product name means that it's designed specifically for Sony's APS-C cameras. Obviously.

The existence of an RF 18-45mm f/4-5.6 IS STM has already been all but confirmed after leaks of internal Canon lens roadmaps (Canon Rumors), though this lens is thought to have been delayed, along with a couple of others. This slow, variable aperture lens would make an ideal kit lens for an R-series APS-C camera, were it to come to market. This suggests that an affordable crop-sensor camera is potentially on the way, especially when you take into account lenses patented by Canon, most recently an RF 16-30mm f/4-5.6. Admittedly, patents aren't always an indication of what the future holds, and Canon files a wide range of designs in order to protect its research, however broad and speculative that research might be.

Where the theory of a forthcoming APS-C camera doesn’t quite hold up is one small detail: this rumor suggests a backside-illuminated sensor. Canon has just deployed the technology for the first time in the R3, which has enabled the blistering transfer speeds of 30 frames per second from its 24-megapixel sensor when using the electronic shutter and dramatically reducing rolling shutter. This marks a significant step forward for Canon, bringing them up to speed with Sony. This is cutting-edge technology (for Canon, at least), and a backside-illuminated sensor is not something that you put inside an entry-level APS-C camera: it's unnecessarily advanced and far too expensive.

The Canon EOS 90D. No rebels here, thank you. This camera is far too serious for such indulgences.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Andy Day is a British photographer and writer living in France. He began photographing parkour in 2003 and has been doing weird things in the city and elsewhere ever since. He's addicted to climbing and owns a fairly useless dog. He has an MA in Sociology & Photography which often makes him ponder what all of this really means.

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Color me simple but I believe Alex just released a similar article on Fstoppers a few days ago. Though it’s good to have all of you keeping all of us well informed.

True, but this one is much longer. Still, it is based on rumours, isn't it?

I think an R7 should be a FF body. Possibly with the R6 sensor but less image stabilization, an old processor for a lower frame rate, and maxing video out at 4k 60. The price difference between that R6 sensor and a nice APSC sensor had to be so small. With this, they can get rid of the R and RP. I know they want APSC R mount bodies, but they also need an updated, cheap FF body with Nikon and Sony having cheaper FF bodies