Canon EOS R3 might not be available until mid-2022, says the camera giant

The Canon EOS R3 camera resting on a map
(Image credit: Canon)

Canon has taken the unusual step of issuing an apology about delays to upcoming products, including the Canon EOS R3, that includes a worryingly distant estimate for their delivery.

The latest "apology and guidance regarding the supply status of products" notice on the Canon Japan website is far from the first we've seen this year, but it does unusually include an estimate for the delays. For the Canon EOS R3 and the new RF14-35mm f/4 L IS USM lens, that delay means "it may take more than half a year to deliver when you place a new order."

The EOS R3 may be a relatively niche camera, given it's a professional mirrorless body that costs $5,999 / £5,879 / AU$8,599. But that's still a pretty shocking delay, given it was announced in September. 

Canon's official reasons for the delay are that "we have received orders for each of the following products in excess of expectations, and due to the impact of global parts supply, delivery delays are occurring."

In a previous statement on September 16, Canon warned of potential delays to the EOS R3 and many of its upcoming RF lenses, due to what it claimed was unexpected popularity. But this is the first time it's acknowledged the "impact of global parts supply", which feels like a significant moment that hints at further issues to come in 2022 for the whole camera industry.

If you've already ordered one of Canon's recent RF lenses, the news is slightly better on that front. Today's statement says that the RF16mm f/2.8 STM, RF100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM and RF400mm f/2.8 L IS USM are all still being shipped, but that "it may take longer than usual to deliver."

Canon says it "sincerely apologizes for the long wait," and if you've already ordered a Canon EOS R3, then the wait could be within that six-month estimate. But for those who haven't ordered the mirrorless powerhouse, you may have to wait until mid-2022 to get your hands on it. 


Analysis: A sign of the camera delays to come

The front of the Canon EOS R3 mirrorless camera

(Image credit: Canon)

From PS5s to MacBooks and cars, the global chip shortage has cast a big shadow over most of tech this year – and cameras haven't escaped the supply chain issues.

In the last few months, we've seen Sony warn of expected shipping delays to five cameras – including the Sony A7S III, Sony A6400 and Sony ZV-E10 – and Fujifilm apologize for delays to its highly anticipated XF33mm f/1.4 lens. The likes of Laowa and Ricoh have also had to either delay releases or warn of supply shortages.

But while this means Canon is far from alone in having to issue a sheepish apology, it's the scale of the six-month delay to the Canon EOS R3 that's slightly shocking. Given the EOS R3 is an expensive professional camera, it's unlikely to affect many people, but it suggests next year is likely to be similarly affected by the now-common shipping delays to new products.

The latest Camera and Imaging Products Association stats for October show that camera shipments are still down compared to this time last year, and that isn't just down to the overall trend of a decline in sales – the global parts shortages have undoubtedly had a big impact, too. 

That's a shame for the camera industry and photographers in general – and as we've explained previously, the global chip shortage is more complicated than it appears. This means that, while some have predicted that the issues will be resolved sometime in 2022, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger has predicted that it won't end until 2023, for laptops at least.

Until then, the best advice is to get your preorders of new products in as early as possible – or follow our tips and tricks on ways to improve your photography without buying a new camera or lens.

TOPICS
Mark Wilson
Senior news editor

Mark is TechRadar's Senior news editor. Having worked in tech journalism for a ludicrous 17 years, Mark is now attempting to break the world record for the number of camera bags hoarded by one person. He was previously Cameras Editor at both TechRadar and Trusted Reviews, Acting editor on Stuff.tv, as well as Features editor and Reviews editor on Stuff magazine. As a freelancer, he's contributed to titles including The Sunday Times, FourFourTwo and Arena. And in a former life, he also won The Daily Telegraph's Young Sportswriter of the Year. But that was before he discovered the strange joys of getting up at 4am for a photo shoot in London's Square Mile. 

Read more
Fujifilm X100VI in the hand
Where to buy the Fujifilm X100VI: current delivery estimates and the best retailers
Canon EOS R1 mirrorless camera with red brick background
Canon EOS R1 review: a five star high-speed powerhouse for pros, with a sky-high price
Sony, Canon, Nikon, GoPro, Fujifilm, Ricoh and Pentax cameras in two rows on a blue and pink background with radar graphic
The 12 most exciting cameras of 2025, from the iPhone 17 to the Sony A7 V
Photo triptych from left to right: the Canon EOS R5 Mark II in the hand, closeup of the Pentax 17 lens, the Fujifilm X100VI in Tokyo street held up to photographer's eye
My 7 favorite camera moments in 2024 – from innovative in-camera AI editing to film making a comeback
Canon compact cameras tipped for a big return with rumored Powershot V1 – and I think that's Canon's most exciting play for 2025
The Fujifilm X-E4 camera sitting outside on a bag
The rumored Fujifilm X-E5 is the camera I'm most excited about in 2025 – here's why
Latest in DSLRs
Nikon Df DSLR camera on a wooden surface by large window, with dusk light
Forget Fujifilm, I've retested 2013's Nikon Df DSLR and it's the ultimate retro camera for these 6 reasons
Monochrome image of a distant wind farm alongside a Canon DSLR camera in the hand with black background
You don't really need a new camera – a $200,000 photo prize was just won with this old Canon DSLR
Photographer holding the Nikon D800 DSLR camera up to their eye while leaning on a tree trunk surrounded by bluebells
I used my DSLR for the first time in years since switching to mirrorless – here are four things I learned
Two cameras sitting next to each other on a wooden table
If DSLR cameras are dead, why are they still so popular? Here are 5 reasons
Prouct photo of the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome with a 16-50mm f/2.8 attached
Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome review: one love
Canon EOS 4000D with 18-55mm lens attached on red background beside a lowest ever price text
This Canon beginner DSLR is so cheap right now it might even tempt you away from mirrorless
Latest in News
Panos Panay and Alexa Plus
Amazon's Panos Panay teases future Alexa+ devices from speakers to possible wearables
Metroid Prime 4
I reckon the Nintendo Switch 2 could launch with Metroid Prime 4 – here’s why
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
New rumors predict a foldable iPhone will launch next year – and cost almost twice as much as the iPhone 16 Pro Max
Pebble smartwatch countdown
Pebble confirms its smartwatch announcement is just hours away
Logo of YouTube Shorts
Is YouTube auto-playing Shorts when you open the app? Well, you’re not alone - here’s how to fix it
Google DeepMind panel discussion
“More sovereignty and protection” - Google goes all-in on UK AI with data residency, upskilling projects, and startup investments