"RT" stood for "Real Time".

The fixed pellicle mirror drastically shortened the shutter lag.

The camera was developed for professionals. If you press the shutter button halfway, the camera is immediately ready to take a picture.

It takes just 0.008 seconds for the first curtain of the shutter to open and the second curtain to close after the film is exposed.

The camera also offers burst speed of 5 fps, predictive AI Servo AF, auto bracketing, multiple exposures, six AE modes and manual metering, and 15 custom functions.

The Canon EOS 650 (the first EOS), 620 (the second EOS), 600 and RT models differ in terms of operation only in nuances. Almost all controls are in the same place and have identically designed buttons.

Of course, the EOS RT also offers the option of activating "RT mode" on the main dial and thus reducing the shutter release delay to 0.008 seconds; one of the custom functions, for example, allows a shutter release delay of 0.04 seconds - like the Canon F1.

All Canon EF lenses have a built-in focusing motor - this set the Canon EOS system apart from many other competitor systems, as these used a motor in the camera body at the beginning of the autofocus era and the movement of the lens elements by a drive rod ("rod autofocus" / "screw autofocus") towards the lens.