REVIEW- CANON R5 mk II CAMERA

I’m a big fan of the original R5 , launched back in 2020 and it is both my main and back up camera body , so when Canon launched the updated R5 mark II back in 2024 it has been the one new camera body i wanted to get my hands on. Nearly a year later has the weight been worthwhile ?

front image R5

Unpacking the camera for the first time , it all looks very familiar , the front profile and rear profile are almost identical. There has been a slight change to the top control layout , the on off switch has moved to the right hand side and is now incorporated with the lock function and the video / still selection button takes the place of the power button on the left hand side . That being said the feel and weight seem very similar to the original version . So exterior wise it’s almost the same , with a solid well built feel . It’s under the skin things start to get interesting.

In common with the original R5 you get slots for two memory cards , one CF express and one SDHC card plus an upgraded battery , the Canon LP-E9P. The older style batteries will still work but may affect some of the more advanced functions. The electronic view finder has been improved and enlarged and is more comfortable to use .

The viewfinder also brings the Eye Control Focus feature over from the R3. It includes infrared sensors around the eyecup that read the position of your eye, so you can choose where the camera focuses simply by looking at it. Eye Control requires calibration, though it’s pretty simple to do. The R5 Mark II prompts you to look at a dot in the viewfinder while holding down the M-Fn button to register the position of your eye. I have to say this function was a little hit and miss , maybe due to my set up of the camera and the limited time i had to test the body , but on the day it worked it was a game changer.

The 3.2-inch touch LCD swings out to the side and twists to face forward, up, or down so you can set up shots from more interesting angles more easily. The LCD is clear (2.1 million dots) with excellent off-angle viewing quality and adjustable brightness—you can pump up its backlight to cut through glare on sunny days.

The menu and set up screen will be familiar to most Canon users . Set up of the basic camera controls and functions is a fairly easy process and along with it’s predecessor this camera is highly customisable.

Image quality is excellent, i have used the R5 for a few years now and the new kid on the block definitely outperforms its older sibling. Noise seems to be better controlled , so absolutely no problem here. ( see sample images below ) So the big question , should you buy one ? Absolutely and unquestionably it’s a big fat yes. This is a superb camera , packed with features , easy to use and reliable.

Canon R5 Mk II technical and key features:

Utilises a revolutionary 45 Megapixel back-illuminated, stacked CMOS sensor
Image stabilisation with 8.5 stops compensation
Uses DIGIC X + DIGIC accelerator for high-speed data capture and analysis
Dual Pixel intelligent autofocus with groundbreaking Eye Control AF
8K60P RAW in-camera recording with Full HD MP4 and oversampling
Features electronic viewfinder, twice as bright as the original R5
Capture 30 shots /sec with the electronic shutter and blackout-free display
Capture 30 shots /sec with the electronic shutter and blackout-free display
3.2” vari-angle LCD monitor shows waveform, false colour, and zebra display
Features dual memory card slots, supporting CFexpress Type B and SD
Camera size 138.5 x 101.2 x 93.5mm , weight 746g
Sensor , full frame 36 x 24mm

The Canon EOS R5 Mark II Digital Camera Body features a new full-frame back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor, a first for the EOS 5 series. The R5 II shoots incredible 45-megapixel photos at 30fps, combining rapid speed and crystal-clear resolution. In-camera neural network noise reduction also enhances the maximum ISO sensitivity of 51,200, resulting in cleaner and more detailed images.

The EOS R5 Mark II’s Dual Pixel Intelligent AF and DIGIC Accelerator set new benchmarks in performance. Users can simultaneously capture videos and still images, thanks to the DIGIC Accelerator’s ability to process large volumes of data at speed across the dual memory card slots.

The R5 II’s Dual Pixel Intelligent AF also ups the game, ensuring sharp focus on moving subjects, even when the selected person is momentarily out of sight. In Action Priority mode, the camera detects athletes in sports like football, basketball, and volleyball, dynamically adjusting the active AF area to respond to specific actions, such as goal shots and bodily poses.

The R5 Mark II debuts the impressive eye-control autofocus system, with twice the performance level of the Canon EOS R3. The R5 II version features a higher pixel count sensor, enhanced LEDs, a larger eye detection area, and an updated detection algorithm. Simply look at a subject to select an AF area or a subject to track. Newly developed optics and a revised line-of-sight algorithm enhance the system’s accuracy and broaden the effective angle.

The R5 II’s 8.5-stop Image Stabiliser enables handheld shooting with slow shutter speeds, while customisable controls allow you to configure the camera to match the scene and your shooting style. The camera also includes an internal cooling system. Its heat-dissipating graphite sheet and aluminium plate allow for longer shooting time without the worry of an overheating device.

Deep learning AI enables up to four times (180 megapixels) in-camera image upscaling, producing high-resolution versions of photos suitable for cropping or printing at larger sizes. This advanced technology, combined with the back-illuminated sensor, reduces noise with RAW image processing, resulting in smooth, detailed images even at high ISO sensitivities.

In addition, the R5 II also has the ability to recognise and capture the shots you don’t take. ‘Pre-continuous shooting’ means the camera captures up to 15 shots in the split second before the shutter button is pressed completely. The frames are continuously buffered and then written to the memory card when the shot is taken. This feature is the perfect solution for sport and wildlife photography when you miss the perfect shot by a mere moment.

The Canon EOS R5 II camera is built to withstand frequent use with a rugged yet lightweight body. In challenging environments, the R5 II can withstand temperatures of 1 – 40°C at 85% humidity. It features a dust- and water-resistant magnesium alloy body, making it a reliable choice for demanding shoots. The camera also features a versatile 3.2” vari-angle LCD monitor, a high-resolution EVF with an anti-fog design, and a wide viewfinder eyepiece. Its dual memory card slots support both CFexpress Type B and SD (UHS-II) cards.

In the box

EOS R5 body , shoe cover , camera cover , strap . LC-E6E Battery charger , LP-E6P battery pack , cables and user manual

images taken using the Canon EOS R5 mk II