Canon RP Review 2025 – A Digital Camera with Analog Feel

Why the Canon EOS RP Fits My Passion

As someone who loves analog photography, I’m always looking for something unique in a digital camera. With the Canon EOS RP, I’ve found exactly that. Here’s why it stands out and why it deserves a detailed Canon RP Review 2025:

1. The Analog Feel of a Canon EOS 500N

For me, the Canon EOS RP feels like the digital successor to the analog Canon EOS 500N. From its handling to its ergonomics and overall impression, it reminds me of my old EOS 500N. An added bonus: I can use my old lenses from the 500N with an adapter. 100 points for analog vibes!

2. The Shutter Sound

The Canon EOS RP’s shutter sound is pleasantly surprising. It sounds like a mirror flipping up – warm, soft, and mechanical. This small detail makes shooting with the RP even more enjoyable and enhances the analog experience.

3. The Viewfinder – (Almost) Like an Optical One

The electronic viewfinder on the Canon EOS RP feels almost like an optical one. That’s impressive, as many electronic viewfinders can feel artificial. Here, I feel like I’m looking through real glass – a huge advantage for someone like me, who comes from the analog world.

5. A Wide Range of Lenses

The Canon EOS RP offers exceptional flexibility when it comes to lens options:

• Old EF Lenses: With an adapter, I can seamlessly use my old EF lenses, which greatly expands my creative possibilities.
• New RF Lenses: Canon's RF lenses are extremely sharp. In particular, the RF 35mm f/1.8 is the sharpest lens I’ve ever used.

If you prefer a more analog look, older EF lenses might be a better choice. They add a certain softness to the image, which enhances the analog feel.

6. Color Reproduction

Even though I rarely shoot in color, I can confirm what everyone says about Canon’s color reproduction: it’s simply Canon. The colors are natural, balanced, and vibrant. Especially in my product photography, I’ve noticed that I hardly need any post-processing. This saves me tremendous time on editing, which I don’t enjoy doing anyway.

7. Spot-On Metering

I’ve used many cameras, but none match the reliable metering of the Canon EOS RP. The results are almost always perfect – even in challenging lighting conditions or backlight situations.

9. Software for JPG Recipes

What many people don’t know is that there’s dedicated software "Canon Picture Styles" for creating JPG recipes for Canon EOS cameras. While the software is admittedly a bit outdated, it gets the job done. With it, you can create custom picture styles on your computer and then upload them to your camera.

10. Digitalizing Analog Negatives

I also use the Canon EOS RP with the incredibly sharp 35mm f/1.8 lens and a macro extension tube to digitize my analog negatives. I’ve tested many cameras and lenses for this purpose, and this setup has proven to be the best for me. The sharpness of the 35mm lens ensures excellent detail, while the RP’s reliable metering and color accuracy make the digitized results look outstanding with minimal post-processing.

Is It the Perfect Camera?

I’ve spent years searching for the “one camera” – classic G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). Is the Canon EOS RP the answer for me?

I can’t say definitively, but here’s how I put it: If I had to choose one camera and one lens to use for the rest of my life, it would be the Canon RP with the 24-105mm standard zoom.

Why the Canon RP with the 24-105mm Is My Go-To Camera for Life

Why I Chose the Canon RP Should Be Clear by Now – But Why a Zoom Lens?

Doesn’t it lack aperture speed? No bokeh? I think this is often overrated. The key is to remember: This is a full-frame camera.

• At 35mm with an f/4.5 aperture, I get a depth of field equivalent to about f/2.8 on an APS-C camera.
• At 50mm and an f/5 aperture, it’s roughly equivalent to f/3.1 on APS-C.

For low-light situations, this is more than sufficient for me. The Canon RP delivers excellent images even at ISO 12,000. Plus, the standard zoom lens includes image stabilization, which offers additional advantages in challenging lighting conditions.

Images

Here is a comparison of the Canon EOS RP and the Canon EOS N500 / REBEL G: