The Canon EOS R5 is an excellent mirrorless camera for photography professionals or anyone looking for an extremely powerful option for almost any type of photography, from sports and action to studio portraits and landscapes. It is a 45-megapixel full-frame mirrorless camera capable of shooting 8K video, with impressive Dual Pixel autofocus and excellent ergonomics. It can also shoot 10-bit HDR photos and video for HDR display and is the spiritual successor to Canon’s 5D series DSLR cameras.
It is not a perfect camera, but we think it is an excellent and very competitive addition to a field already crowded with competent full-frame mirrorless cameras with high resolutions. The Canon EOS R5 is finally here, after months of waiting and masterful hints from an exceptionally smart manufacturer. No camera in the recent past has known or, shall we say, deserved such hype.
The Canon EOS R5 is a powerhouse in every sense of the word: its 8K video surpasses that of many of the best movie cameras, its shooting speed puts it on par with the best sports cameras, its 45 MP sensor surpasses all but a few of the best mirrorless cameras, and its proprietary 8-stage image stabilization is the new IBIS champion. That claim still stands, and the EOS R5 remains the best mirrorless camera Canon has made to date.
It is almost certainly also the best Canon camera lens currently on the market. But with the arrival of the Sony A7S III and Sony A1, and Canon’s response with firmware updates for the EOS R5 and the announcement of the Canon EOS R3, is it already on the verge of being overshadowed? Not yet. We tested the firmware updates for the Canon EOS R5, which improve the camera and smooth out its rough edges, while not radically changing its character. It is a fantastic photo camera, one of the best you can buy, but the verdict on its video capabilities is a bit more nuanced.
Design
The EOS R range is now complete, with several options within the range (EOS R, RP, R6, R3), demonstrating Canon’s commitment to its mirrorless future. Old EF lenses, such as those used on Canon’s line of DSLRs, are being eliminated one by one to pave the way for the future of the RF mount, which is located on the front of the EOS R5. Fortunately, you can also use EF and EF-S lenses via an adapter (sold separately) if you have old glass you want to continue using. The EOS R5 is all Canon and very traditional.
If you have been using Canon DSLR cameras for years, this camera will be immediately familiar because the buttons are placed in familiar places and are easy to use. Of course, it is a little different because it is a mirrorless camera and the touchscreen operation and screen use are a little more defined. The screen is rotatable, which is convenient if you want to place it flat for waist-level or overhead shooting, or even flip it over completely, which can be a relief when shooting video, depending on the situation. The screen is of good quality and responds so well to touch that we often, and annoyingly, accidentally moved the autofocus area.
However, we like the fact that the screen can be hidden in the case to prevent scratching. Above the screen is the electronic viewfinder, one of the highest quality specs to be found in an EVF. It is very large and, despite the digital OLED display, has a fast refresh rate (up to 120 Hz) that significantly reduces the “stuttering” that occurs with some EVFs during motion. Battery life is a bit longer, but in our opinion it is worth it because it gives a more traditional feel during use.
Features
Being a 5-series camera, the R5, like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, is a fully weatherproof body. This makes it an absolutely ideal companion for wildlife and nature photography, as it can withstand all weather conditions, from the heat and dust of the African plains to the cold and humidity of the Scottish coast. Unlike Canon’s DSLR models, however, the EOS R5 has in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which moves the image sensor to compensate for camera movement and vibration.
In fact, the camera has an industry-leading 8-stop stabilization, making it perfect for pairing with the long telephoto lenses needed for nature and sports photography to get rock-solid images even when shooting handheld. Speaking of lenses, the R5 features Canon’s state-of-the-art RF connector. With 12 electrical contacts for extra-fast communication between the camera and the lens and a reduced distance between the rear element of the lens and the image sensor.
The RF mount can accommodate lenses that simply were not possible on EF mount DSLRs, including optical marvels such as the Canon RF 800 mm f/11 IS STM. Although it is possible to use Canon EF-mount lenses, as mentioned above, RF-mount alternatives offer ever-improving optical quality and often with a significant reduction in size and weight due to the advantages of the mirrorless mount.
Image Quality
Looking at sensor tests in terms of metrics such as digital noise and dynamic range, one might get the wrong impression about the R5 and Canon sensors in general. In DXO’s list of full- and medium-format cameras, the Canon EOS R5 ranks 16th (at the time of writing) in terms of overall sensor performance in a controlled lab scenario. In the real world, however, things get much more complex. According to DXO testing, the Canon EOS R5’s sensor offers a dynamic range of 14.6 stops, which is by far the company’s best score and puts it in direct competition with other cameras in its class.
In good light, it offers excellent detail and solid color reproduction. Brighter reds still present a challenge: they tend to become harsh. But overall, the R5’s raw files look natural and handle well. The 45-megapixel resolution helps with image quality. Thanks to the many pixels, the R5’s images can withstand significant noise reduction in a program like Photoshop without losing too much detail.
We were also impressed with Canon’s cRaw format, which allows raw file sizes to be cut in half without a noticeable drop in quality. When shooting in low light, we were able to get usable images up to 12,800 ISO. Starting at 25,600, the noise gets a bit out of control. However, it is rare that we choose such high values. But if you are constantly in this range, you may be better off choosing the Sony or Nikon options.
Video Quality
Although video is not a primary component of my photography, we occasionally produce it for educational purposes. We have most often used video as a source of still images (frames from video sequences) that freeze the behavior of a subject. In the past, the limiting factor in this method has been the file size of the frames, which is about 8 megapixels (24 MB).
The EOS R5’s 8K video function now delivers 35.4 megapixel images at 30 frames per second. This is an incredible achievement if you want to shoot 8K video and still images at the same time. However, if frames are the goal, the R5’s electronic shutter will produce even higher quality action-stopping images at 45 megapixels at 20 frames per second.
All in all, the Canon EOS R5 shoots solid video with competitive dynamic range and good image quality. But if you are looking for film equipment that can shoot all day in bright light, this is not the camera for you. On the other hand, if you just want to shoot B-roll or typical footage in controlled environments, this camera should suit you. If you are looking for the best mirrorless camera specifically for shooting video, consider the Panasonic S1 or the Sony A7S Mark III.
Performance
It is almost hard to say where to begin when talking about the performance of the EOS R5. It’s probably best to summarize them: it’s a superfast, super-strong camera that rarely, if ever, does anything wrong in all respects. Starting with the autofocus system, which is available in a wide range of modes: face detection + tracking, spot, 1 point, extended area, extended area: all around, zone, large vertical zone, large horizontal zone. These modes cover all eventualities, from spot focus in a specific selected area to large zones/areas where autofocus can better handle moving subjects.
Most impressive, however, is the Face Detection + Tracking option. This option offers a wide range of features, from human head detection to animal and bird detection, that can really help you get sharp images every time without having to manually adjust settings. In addition, the autofocus system works very well in low light, as we found when shooting at five-digit ISO in a dimly lit pub. It detects contrast differences down to -6EV, so the presence of candlelight is enough for focus to be plausible. Impressive.
And then there is the body stabilization system, a rarity among Canon EOS cameras. Along with the R6, the R5 is the first camera equipped with this system. Canon claims that the stabilizer can reach up to eight stops, depending on the lens, which is a great help when it comes to camera shake. This can make all the difference when it comes to taking a particularly sharp photo, which is especially important with a full-frame sensor with such a high resolution.
Battery Life
This results in less battery life, but it is easy to turn on the extra frame rate just for the moments when it is needed. We seem to be approaching the clarity of an optical viewfinder, but with all the advantages of an electronic viewfinder. The electronic viewfinder only turns on when you look at it to preserve battery life. It is worth noting that using the electronic viewfinder consumes more battery power than using the rear screen, which we will discuss later in this review.
As mentioned above, the battery life of the R5 is not spectacular. However, this is offset by the fact that it is compatible with older Canon batteries. Although the Canon has a more powerful LP-E6NH battery, it also works with older LP-E6N and even LP-E6 batteries. We have amassed a collection of these batteries over the years and it is nice to still be able to use them when needed. Considering the retail price of the LP-E6NH batteries, you also save a lot of money, because you absolutely need spare batteries with this camera to get through a full day of shooting.
However, there are some disadvantages to using these older batteries. The first and most important disadvantage is that you cannot get the fastest continuous shooting performance ever with these batteries. So if you find yourself shooting in a situation where you need continuous shooting speed, be sure to use a fully charged LP-E6NH battery.
Configuration Option
This is the ideal location to place these image-changing filters, and some third-party manufacturers offer additional options. We have used the adapters with several EF lenses. They work perfectly with the EOS R5 and the three EF-RF adapters, which cost about $99 for the basic adapter, $200 for the adapter with control ring, and $400 for the adapter with drop-in filters. This makes it possible to take mirrorless photos with the R5 or other Canon EOS R series cameras without having to invest in additional glass.
Final Words
The Canon EOS R5 is one of the best cameras on the market, provided you have the money and want that level of image quality and performance. It is fast, has an excellent autofocus system, offers high resolution, excellent video quality with numerous video functions, and can be controlled with sophisticated ergonomics. Who wouldn’t want it? Hybrid photographers who shoot a lot of photos and video with one camera have to balance excellent video quality with the problem of overheating.
Canon has addressed some of these issues with firmware updates, but even then the time available to use the camera’s very high quality 8K and 4K video modes is getting shorter and shorter before the camera shuts down. If you switch to lower quality (but still competitive) 4K or Full HD modes, you don’t have to worry in terms of heat (or shutdown), but there is no longer much of an advantage in terms of video quality over the competition.
