TL;DR
Canon has registered three new EOS R cameras. Rumors point to a retro R8 II (digital AE-1), Canon’s first stacked APS-C sensor, R7 II and R10 II. All expected H2 2026.
Canon has registered three new cameras with wireless certification agencies, a move that usually signals imminent announcements. Rumors point to updates to Canon’s mid-range mirrorless lineup: the EOS R8 II, EOS R7 II, and EOS R10 II. All three are expected to be introduced in the second half of 2026. Most exciting is the R8 II, which could be released in mid-September with retro styling inspired by the legendary 1976 film SLR Canon AE-1, which turns 50 this year.
The AE-1 was one of the most popular cameras loved by amateur photographers for its affordable design. Nikon has already proven that the retro-digital formula works with the Zf, and Canon has reportedly been working on a similar concept for years. Rumored R8 II features include a 32.5-megapixel full-frame sensor, 40fps electronic shutter burst, in-body image stabilization, multi-sample 4K video, and two SD card slots, up from the one on the original R8. Whether the retro styling is cosmetic or extends to film-style image processing modes remains unclear.
The EOS R7 II may be more technically significant. It’s rumored to feature Canon’s first stacked APS-C sensor, a design that moves the circuit behind the sensor for faster readouts, a higher burst speed, and a design that allows for blackout-free viewfinder shooting. Currently, only Fujifilm’s X-H2S offers a stacked APS-C sensor. The resolution can be increased from 32.5 MP to 39 MP. Canon’s entry-level model, the EOS R10 II, is expected with improved autofocus and a deeper burst buffer, but less dramatic changes.
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None of this is confirmed. Canon hasn’t announced anything other than wireless certifications. The memory crisis has driven up the cost of components in consumer electronicsand Canon’s ability to price these cameras competitively will depend on how much the DRAM shortage affects sensor and processing costs. Apple has raised iPhone 17 prices in Japan by 10% due to currency and component pressure, and camera manufacturers face the same headwinds. Three registrations in one batch suggests that Canon is planning a coordinated launch rather than a staggered release. The AE-1 anniversary gives them until the end of the year.
