Camera Review of Canon EOS R5
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Canon Revolutionizing Mirrorless Photography
The Canon EOS R5, a flagship model in Canon's mirrorless lineup, has been a topic of immense interest and anticipation among photographers. Building on the legacy of Canon's renowned camera systems, the R5 promises not only to bring the traditional Canon strengths to the mirrorless world but also to introduce groundbreaking features. Let's dive into an extensive review of this camera.
Design and Build: The R5 inherits Canon's commitment to ergonomics and durability. It feels robust yet compact, fitting comfortably in the hand. The weather-sealed body ensures it’s ready for various shooting conditions, a reassuring feature for professionals. The familiar Canon button layout and the fully articulating touchscreen make the camera both intuitive for Canon users and adaptable for different shooting scenarios, from vlogging to professional studio work.
Image Quality: Equipped with a 45-megapixel full-frame sensor, the R5 delivers images of remarkable clarity and detail. The resolution is ideal for large prints and cropping, with no significant compromise in image quality. The dynamic range is impressive, preserving details in shadows and highlights, a crucial aspect for challenging lighting situations.
Autofocus Performance: The R5's autofocus system is a standout feature. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system covers nearly 100% of the frame with 1,053 autofocus points. The Eye AF is strikingly accurate, not just for humans but also for animals, making it a boon for wildlife and portrait photographers. The AF is fast, reliable, and performs exceptionally well in low light.
Speed and Performance: The R5 can shoot up to 20 fps using its electronic shutter and 12 fps with the mechanical shutter, putting it on par with dedicated sports cameras. This speed, combined with its robust autofocus, makes it an excellent choice for action and sports photography.
Video Capabilities: The R5 steps into the professional video domain with its ability to shoot 8K video at 30p and 4K at up to 120p. The quality of the video is stellar, with the option to record in 10-bit 4:2:2 internally. The inclusion of C-Log and HDR PQ offers great flexibility for color grading in post-production. However, the camera's tendency to overheat when shooting in 8K has been a point of contention and may limit its use in long-duration video projects.
In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS): The 5-axis IBIS system is a first for Canon’s full-frame mirrorless cameras. It offers up to 8 stops of stabilization, depending on the lens used. This feature significantly enhances handheld shooting capabilities, particularly in low-light conditions or when using slow shutter speeds.
Connectivity: The R5 includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing for easy image sharing and remote control through Canon’s Camera Connect app. Additionally, the camera supports automatic image transfers to Canon’s cloud service, which is a useful feature for backup.
Battery Life: Battery life has been improved compared to earlier mirrorless models, but it’s still behind most DSLRs. For intensive shooting days, carrying spare batteries is advisable.
Price: As a flagship model, the EOS R5 comes with a premium price tag. It’s an investment suited for professionals and serious enthusiasts who require the high-resolution, speed, and video capabilities it offers.
The Canon EOS R5 is a significant step forward in mirrorless technology. It combines high-resolution imaging, advanced autofocus, and professional-level video in a compact, ergonomic body. Despite some concerns over video recording limitations, it stands as one of the most capable and versatile cameras on the market. The R5 is not just an evolution of Canon’s camera lineup; it's a well-rounded tool that meets the demands of professional photography and videography, setting a new benchmark in the imaging world.
The Canon EOS R5, a high-end full-frame mirrorless camera, boasts a range of impressive specifications designed to cater to both professional photographers and serious enthusiasts. Here's a detailed overview of its key specs:
1. Sensor:
Type: Full-frame CMOS sensor.
Resolution: 45 megapixels.
Size: 36 x 24 mm.
2. Image Processor:
Processor: DIGIC X.
3. ISO Range:
Native ISO Range: 100 - 51,200.
Expandable ISO Range: 50 - 102,400.
4. Autofocus System:
Type: Dual Pixel CMOS AF II.
Points: 1,053 automatically selectable points.
Coverage: 100% horizontal and 100% vertical coverage with Face + Tracking and Auto selection AF.
5. Continuous Shooting Speed:
Mechanical Shutter: Up to 12 fps.
Electronic Shutter: Up to 20 fps.
6. Image Stabilization:
System: 5-axis In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS).
Effectiveness: Up to 8 stops of shake correction.
7. Video Capabilities:
Maximum Resolution: 8K DCI at 30p, 4K DCI/UHD at up to 120p.
Formats: 8K RAW internal video recording up to 30p, 4K internal recording up to 120p in 4:2:2 10-bit (H.265/HEVC) with Canon Log or HDR PQ, Full HD up to 120p.
Output: Clean HDMI output at 4K 60p.
8. Viewfinder:
Type: OLED Electronic Viewfinder (EVF).
Resolution: 5.76 million dots.
Refresh Rate: Up to 120 fps.
9. LCD Screen:
Type: 3.2-inch Vari-angle touchscreen.
Resolution: 2.1 million dots.
10. Storage:
Media: Dual card slots – 1x CFexpress card slot (Type B), 1x SD UHS-II card slot.
11. Connectivity:
Wireless: Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Wired: USB Type-C (USB 3.1 Gen 2), HDMI (Type C), Microphone and Headphone jacks.
12. Build and Design:
Body: Magnesium alloy body with dust- and weather-resistant sealing.
Dimensions: Approximately 138.5 x 97.5 x 88.0 mm.
Weight: Approximately 738 g (including battery and SD memory card).
13. Battery Life:
Battery: LP-E6NH lithium-ion battery pack.
Battery Life (CIPA): Approx. 320 shots (using EVF), 490 shots (using LCD monitor).
The Canon EOS R5 is equipped to handle a wide range of photography and videography needs, from high-resolution landscapes and portraits to fast-paced sports and wildlife, as well as professional-grade video production.
Camera Critiques
While the Canon EOS R5 is a highly advanced and capable camera, like any technology, it does have its weaknesses. It's important for potential users to be aware of these limitations to make informed decisions. Here are some of the noted weaknesses of the Canon EOS R5:
Overheating in Video Mode:
One of the most discussed weaknesses of the EOS R5 is its tendency to overheat, particularly when shooting in high-resolution video modes (such as 8K and 4K at 120 fps). If you couple this with an outdoor shooting environment, or in direct sun you will wish it wasn’t water sealed. This can limit continuous recording times and may require downtime for the camera to cool, which can be a significant hindrance for extended video shoots. If you intend to use it as a standalone video camera you are going to have substantial difficulties and we recommend looking into a Cinema camera instead, or utilizing an external recorder.
Battery Life:
The battery life of the EOS R5, while improved over previous mirrorless models, still falls short of most DSLRs. Intensive use, especially with high-resolution video recording and continuous shooting, can drain the battery quickly. This necessitates carrying spare batteries for prolonged shooting sessions. We use a battery grip to help with this and always carry around 6 to 8, or more batteries if we plan on photographing a longer event like a wedding. We usually require about 5 to 6 batteries in a hybrid use during a full wedding day, if we don’t really focus all that much on video and only take occasional clips. We also keep the camera in airplane mode, and turn the camera off while not in direct use.
File Size:
The high-resolution sensor of the R5 produces large file sizes, especially when shooting in RAW or 8K video. This can lead to rapid consumption of storage space on both memory cards and hard drives, necessitating significant storage solutions and possibly affecting workflow efficiency. We find that file sizes are not as much of an issue as cards have gone down in price, however you will need to spend a substantial amount if you intend to use video as well as photography features. We utilize 1TB CF Express Cards.
Cost:
The R5 comes with a premium price tag, making it a significant investment. This cost factor extends beyond the body to additional expenses such as high-speed, high-capacity CFexpress cards, extra batteries, and potential cooling solutions for videographers. It’s not a cheap camera, but it does deliver.
Complex Menu System:
Some users have found the menu system of the R5 to be complex and extensive. While this is a common trait in feature-rich cameras, it can be overwhelming for users, especially those new to Canon’s ecosystem. Sometimes you need to google how to do something simple, because otherwise you’ll spend hours going through menus to find it.
Limited CFexpress Card Compatibility:
As of its release, the R5's CFexpress card slot is compatible with a limited number of cards, which can be more expensive than other types. This can add to the overall cost of using the camera to its fullest potential, especially for professionals who require significant storage capacity. We wish it had dual CF express cards, but you can work with what it has professionally. The biggest issue with not having dual CF express cards is that you cannot have video redundancy, nor can you have raw file redundancy. jpegs might do the job if there is no other option, but as working professionals we prefer to see complete redundancy.
Weight and Size:
While the R5 is more compact than a traditional DSLR, it is still one of the heavier and larger models among mirrorless cameras. When paired with certain lenses, the setup can be quite hefty, which might be a concern for users looking for a lighter system. Among the top end of cameras we would not consider it a heavy camera, but for those not accustomed to professional cameras, they may find it surprising.
Adaptation to New System:
For photographers transitioning from Canon DSLRs or other camera systems, adapting to the mirrorless system of the R5, particularly in terms of handling and operational differences, may require a learning curve. We reccomend adopting canon’s new system if you are upgradeing, as it will allow you to take advantage of new lens designs.
Despite these weaknesses, the Canon EOS R5 is still regarded as a groundbreaking camera in the realm of mirrorless technology, offering exceptional image quality, autofocus performance, and video capabilities. However, understanding these limitations is crucial for users to assess how the camera aligns with their specific photographic or videographic needs. Do we recommend this product? Absolutely. Despite it’s limitations in a few areas the camera overall is a strong performer.