Should I Get the Canon EOS R5 Mark II or the EOS R6 Mark II?

Let's compare the Canon EOS R5 Mark II to the Canon EOS R6 Mark II.

Check out the R5 II vs. R6 II specification comparison along with the visual comparison of these cameras. What are the differences between the Canon EOS R5 Mark II and the R6 II? Here are the R5 II's advantages:

• 45-megapixel backside illuminated (BSI) imaging sensor vs. 24 non-BSI (the difference is big, but not everyone needs the higher resolution)
• 6.3 ms electronic shutter imaging sensor readout speed vs. 14.5 (the faster readout speed is most advantageous for fast movement)
• DIGIC X plus DIGIC Accelerator vs. DIGIC X
• 6144-zone metering vs. 384-zone (more areas evaluated yields potential improvement in auto exposure results)
• Up to 1/32000 shutter speed vs. 1/16000 (extremely fast vs. really fast)
• Individual files are rapidly saved during pre-continuous shooting vs. a consolidated file written after the capture ends (the individual files create a significantly faster workflow in-camera and during post-processing)
• Upgraded AF system, including improved subject detection (especially for photographing subjects in motion)
• Eye Control AF vs. no (dramatically faster AF point or area positioning)
• AF at EV -7.5 vs. -6.5 (darker is better, but EV -6.5 is extremely dark)
• 5.76 million Dot EVF vs. 3.69 for improved viewing experience
• Blackout-free EVF vs. no (tracking a moving subject while continuously shooting is considerably easier)
• 14-bit with electronic shutter vs. 12
• Adjustable frame rates (30, 20, 15, 12, 10, 7.5, 5, 3, 2, and 1 fps)
• 2.1 million dot LCD vs. 1.62 million
• 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)
• Up to 8k DCI 60p RAW, 4k DCI 60p SRAW, 4k DCI 120p MP4, 2k DCI 240p vs. 6K 60fps, 4K UHD 60 fps, FHD 180 fps
• Full-size HDMI Type-A port vs. micro type D
• Tally lamp vs. no (informs subject that movie is being recorded)
• 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E and 6 (6, 5, and 2.4 GHz) vs. 2.4 GHz
• CFexpress Type B plus SD vs. dual SD (CFexpress Type B is considerably faster but larger and more expensive)
• Neural Network upscaling (2x larger in both dimensions to 179 megapixels) and noise reduction processing in camera
• Includes a top LCD panel
• Speedlite shooting with electronic shutter supported
• Slightly raised Magnify, Info, and Q buttons
• New LP-E6P battery pack

That is a solid list.

Here are the R6 II's advantages:

• Up to ISO 102400 and 204800 vs. 51200 and 102400 (at the same ISO settings, the R6 II will have less noise when viewed at the pixel level. However, the R5 II image properly downsampled to 24 MP should appear similarly clean. The highest ISO settings are unusable)
• 40 fps vs. 30 (having faster continuous shooting available is an advantage, but 30 fps is really fast)
• 6K 60p ProRes RAW available (external recording only, with in-camera FHD proxy, 10-bit)
• Lower price

While few would choose the R6 II over the R5 II for features and capabilities, that last bullet, the lower price, makes this camera a great value and a top seller.

If you have not already done so, order the R5 II immediately if you have even a remote interest in it.

More Information

Canon EOS R5 Mark II

Canon EOS R6 Mark II