Should I Get the Canon EOS R5 Mark II or the EOS R5?
Is upgrading to the Canon EOS R5 Mark II from the EOS R5 worth the upgrade cost?
Check out the R5 II vs. R5 specification comparison along with the visual comparison of these cameras. What are the differences between the Canon EOS R5 Mark II and the R5? Here are the R5 II's advantages:
- 45-megapixel backside illuminated (BSI) imaging sensor vs. non-BSI
- 30 fps full-bit depth (14) RAW frames per second vs. 20 fps 12-bit (30 is considerably faster than 20, which is also fast. Remember that focus bracketing uses the electronic shutter, which drops the bit depth to 12 on the R5)
- 6.3 ms electronic shutter imaging sensor readout speed vs. 16.3 (the R5 II is better suited for rendering fast action, such as a bird taking flight)
- Pre-continuous shooting (hindsight is far clearer than foresight, and recording an image of an action in the near past is game-changing)
- DIGIC X plus DIGIC Accelerator vs. older DIGIC X (enables processing performance improvements)
- Up to 1/32000 shutter speed vs. 1/8000 (extremely fast compared to what was historically the fastest)
- Significantly upgraded AF system, including improved subject detection (vast improvement, especially for photographing subjects in motion)
- Eye Control AF vs. no (dramatically faster AF point or area positioning)
- AF at EV -7.5 vs. -6 (darker is better, but EV -6 is already extremely dark)
- 6144-zone metering vs. 384-zone (more areas evaluated yields potential improvement in auto exposure results)
- Brighter and blackout-free EVF vs. no (tracking a moving subject while continuously shooting is considerably easier)
- In-body image stabilizer provides up to 8.5 stops of shake correction vs 8 (while 8.5 is better than 8, the difference seems modest)
- Adjustable frame rates (30, 20, 15, 12, 10, 7.5, 5, 3, 2, and 1 fps)
- Up to 8k DCI 60p RAW, 4k DCI 60p SRAW, 4k DCI 120p MP4, 2k DCI 240p vs. 8K 30p RAW, 4K DCI to 120 fps (the video capabilities are noticeably improved)
- Canon Log 2, Log 3 vs. Canon Log
- Simultaneous proxy recording at 8K 30p MP4 with Full HD MP4 proxy
- Pre-recording (3 or 5 seconds) (hindsight is far clearer than foresight)
- Waveform monitor, false color, and tally lamp vs. no
- Full-size HDMI Type-A port vs. micro type D
- Longer record times before overheating, with cooling vents and the CF-R20EP cooling fan grip is available
- Integrated workflow with Cinema EOS, RAW/MP4
- Anti-flicker along with High-Frequency Anti-Flicker that evaluates the scene and precisely adjusts the shutter speed to avoid banding and flicker, including from LED signage
- Speedlite shooting with electronic shutter supported
- Next-generation multi-function shoe capable of data communication and power delivery supporting new accessories
- Neural Network upscaling (2x larger in both dimensions to 179 megapixels) and noise reduction processing in camera (with JPG output only)
- SuperSpeed Plus USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB Type-C vs. 3.1 Gen 2
- 6, 5, and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi vs. 5 and 2.4 GHz
- Power switch was moved to right side, a stills and video switch replaces the former power switch (the switch capability is a big upgrade, but the shape and position will drive R5 users crazy)
- Slightly raised Magnify, Info, and Q buttons (the raised buttons are easier to locate, especially in the dark)
- New LP-E6P battery pack
- Slightly lighter
What are the Canon EOS R5 advantages over the R5 II?
- Now discounted for a lower cost
The R5 II has the overwhelming advantage in all regards aside from price. Especially if your subjects moves, the R5 II is worth the upgrade cost.
However, the R5 is an outstanding camera, and the release of the R5 II does not change that. Especially with the R5 substantially discounted (while it lasts), those with less demanding needs may find that the R5, having the same resolution, is sufficient and that the R5 II is not worth the additional cost.
Landscape photographers must weigh the R5 II's advantages more carefully than wildlife and sports photographers. Videographers will prefer the R5 II.
If you have not already done so, order the R5 II immediately if you have even a remote interest in it.
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