Should I Get the Canon EOS R5 Mark II or the EOS R3?

The R5 II and R1 now shadow the EOS R3, the former performance leader of the MILC lineup.

Check out the R5 II vs. R3 specification comparison along with the visual comparison of these cameras. What are the differences between the Canon EOS R5 Mark II and the R3? Here are the R5 II's advantages:

• 45-megapixel imaging sensor vs. 24 (the difference is big, but not everyone wants the higher resolution)
• 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 processors for exceptionally fast and intelligent AF and AE calculations
• IBIS provides up to 8.5 stops of shake correction vs 8 (while 8.5 is better than 8, the difference seems modest)
• Improved Eye Control AF (potentially a big deal if the R3's Eye Control was not compatible with your eye)
• Adjustable frame rates (30, 20, 15, 12, 10, 7.5, 5, 3, 2, and 1 fps)
• 6144-zone metering vs. 384-zone (more areas evaluated yields potential improvement in auto exposure results)
• 8k vs. 6K (higher resolution is better if you use 8k)
• Pre-recording (3 or 5 seconds) (hindsight is far clearer than foresight)
• HDMI Type-A vs. Type-D
• Neural Network upscaling (2x larger in both dimensions to 179 megapixels) and noise reduction processing in camera
• 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 GHz vs. 802.11ac (5 GHz)
• Holds 4260 mAh of power in the vertical grip vs. 2750 mAh
• Considerably smaller and lighter (without vertical grip)
• Lower price (though R3 promotions are equalizing this advantage)

Here are the R3's advantages:

• Supports high-speed continuous shooting for 150 RAW images vs. 93
• Custom high-speed continuous shooting supports higher frame rates
• Up to 1/64000 shutter speed vs. 1/32000 (crazy fast vs. extremely fast)
• Smart Controllers (powerful controls after some acclimation)
• 4.15 million dot LCD vs. 2.1 million
• Integrated vertical grip, LAN port, and GPS (outstanding grip ergonomics, the grip, port, and GPS are available accessories for the R5 II)
• Superior dust and weather resistance (with both bodies significantly sealed, will we notice the difference?)
• More controls and buttons (these make the camera faster and easier to use. And, more complicated?)
• More powerful 2750 mAh LP-E19 battery pack vs. 2130 mAh (but the R5 II holds 4260 mAh in the vertical grip)

While most photographers will find the R5 II better suited for their needs, a niche group of photographers will find the R3's advantages important.

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 R3