Lab – Canon EOS R3: Eye Control AF, a gadget function? – Digital

Along with all the automatisms that we describe in our review of the EOS R3 autofocus, Canon has reintroduced a technology pioneered in the 1990s: Eye Control AF. After calibration, this function, whose name could be translated as “eye autofocus control”, displays an aiming reticle which is positioned where the photographer gazes into the electronic viewfinder. The observed zone is then directly selected and the point achieved by triggering halfway.

Unfortunately, we cannot show you in pictures how this feature works since the viewfinder is disabled during image acquisition via HDMI. In addition, Eye Control AF is not available in video. We recommend that you watch the official video presentation of the function which (quickly) shows how it works.

A good performance? Yes, but…

After many tests, we can say that the system is quite impressive and efficient. If the “wow” effect is there, however, it quickly fades. Eye Control AF indeed requires a particular effort which will undoubtedly induce a certain eye fatigue in sustained use. The “trembling” aspect of the reticle is also destabilizing, because our gaze is never perfectly still. Note that retinal detection depends on the individual’s eye and can be improved after several calibrations.

Managing the autofocus zone with the eye is not that simple and will require training over several days. Ditto, adding additional information in the viewfinder doesn’t help focus on the action. Finally, using such a function when the scene to be photographed is very fast or with many protagonists seems really complex. And we will not evoke these situations where the photographer must himself elbow to achieve his shot.

It’s hard to imagine Eye Control AF in the heat of the moment

As it stands, the Eye Control AF seems to us to be a bit of a gadget function, but it has the merit of working well. It is difficult for us to see the use of the system democratize in the field and in the professional world. As we point out in our grip and our article dedicated to the autofocus of the EOS R3, the automatisms are excellent and undoubtedly constitute the best current solution. Indeed, the autofocus of the EOS R3 is formidable as much on the follow-up as on the detection of the subject, and is shown in many cases faster than our simple glance.

By default, Eye Control AF turns on and off on the fly using the SET button, which can however be reassigned if desired by the user. It will thus be able to constitute an additional solution for a specific scene such as the one presented by Canon in its promotional video. Curing an error in judgment made by the EOS R3 is also possible.

Bravo for the innovation

At the end of the day, we would like to salute Canon, which does not hesitate to bring its share of innovation and originality, without compromising on overall performance or rejecting its more classic heritage. The more daring can try to tame the Eye Control AF, but relying on more traditional autofocus management remains an excellent choice.