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While the Canon EOS R, EOS Ra and EOS RP will continue, the full-frame Canon EOS R5 45Mp will be the flagship hybrid camera from Canon. It's designed to appeal to professional photographers and videographers, and is a step up from the 20Mp full-frame Canon EOS R6 announced at the same time.
What's amazing is that after complaining about Canon's habit of only allowing 4K recording with several of its cameras (including the EOS 5D Mark IV and EOS R), the Canon EOS R5 is capable of recording uncropped 8K footage to a CFexpress card. What's more, it can do so with autofocus tracking in action. That's quite an advance, but there's a 20-minute limit.
You can order the new Canon R5 in our store and discover the many packs available: Our Canon R5 bundles
Camera type: Mirrorless
Announced: July 9, 2020
Sensor: 45Mp Full-frame Dual Pixel CMOS AF II
Processor : Digic X
Lens Mount: RF
Sensitivity range: Stills: ISO 100-51,200 expandable to ISO 50-102,400, Film: ISO 100-25600, expandable to ISO 51,200
Counting: 384-zone counting with evaluative counting (linked to all AF points), partial counting (approx. 6.1% of viewfinder at center), spot counting: Center-weighted spot metering (approx. 3.1% of viewfinder at center), Center-weighted average metering
Shutter speed range: 1/8000sec-30 seconds and Bulb
File formats: Raw + Jpeg/HEIF, MP4
Maximum continuous shooting speed: Mechanical shutter: 12fps, electronic shutter: 20fps
Maximum video resolution: Uncropped 8K video, internal raw recording at up to 29.97fps in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log (H.265) or 4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265 ), internal uncropped recording of 4K video at up to 119.88fps in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log (H.265 ) or 4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265) 4:2:2 10-bit in Canon Log or 4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ, 4K output over HDMI at up to 59.94 fps
Autofocus system: Dual-pixel CMOS AF II phase detection with 5940 points in photo mode and 4500 points in video mode
Viewfinder: 5.76 million dot 0.5 inch OLED electronic viewfinder with 120 fps display and 0.76x magnification
Display: 3.15 inch, 2.1 million dot, variable angle touch screen
Autofocus: Dual-pixel CMOS AF II with Advanced Animal AF (recognizes dogs, cats and birds) supported in all video modes with 100% coverage and up to 1053 "AF segments
Stabilization: In-body image stabilization (IBIS) that works with the IS lens and provides shutter speed compensation up to 8 stops
Storage: Two slots, 1x CFexpress, 1x SDXC UHS-II
Dimensions: 135.8 x 97.5 x 88mm
Weight: 650g / 738g with card and battery
Inside the Canon EOS R5 is a new full frame sensor with 45 million effective pixels. Canon has introduced a new version of its Dual Pixel CMOS AF sensor, called Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, which allows for impressive autofocus functionality in the EOS R5.
For example, 100 percent of the sensor's vertical and horizontal space is covered by the autofocus (AF) system and 5,940 AF points can be selected. In addition, detection and tracking are improved with better eye detection performance and it is capable of detecting human heads and animals, including dogs, cats and birds.
The animal detection, combined with the maximum speed of 12 frames per second continuous with the mechanical shutter and 20 frames per second with the electronic shutter, should be a major plus for anyone shooting birds in flight.
According to Canon, the EOS R5 can focus in 0.05 seconds, which is a new world record, and in light as low as -6EV.
More good news: all autofocus functions are available in all video modes.
Interestingly, although the Canon R5 has lower resolution than the 50.6 Mp Canon EOS 5DS and 5DS R, a newly designed optical low-pass filter means that Canon claims to be able to resolve more detail than those cameras.
While the dual-pixel CMOS AF II sensor has photodiodes that work in pairs to enable phase-detection focusing, it also has some interesting additional features. With the EOS 5D Mark IV, for example, Canon introduced Dual Pixel Raw, which allows three types of post-capture image adjustment using Canon's Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software.
Micro Image Adjustment allows you to slightly shift the focus, Bokeh Shift allows you to move blurry highlights horizontally, and Ghost Reduction can help reduce the impact of artifacts such as flares.
The Canon R5 now introduces Dual Pixel Raw - Portrait Relighting. This allows you to select the relevant area in a portrait and adjust the exposure of your subject without affecting the background
In-camera image stabilization (IBIS) is now an expected feature, and while Canon has previously relied on lens-based stabilization, the EOS R5 has 5-axis IBIS. It also steals the IS crown with a claimed shutter speed compensation of 8Ev. That's the difference between 1/500 sec and 1.3sec!
With the exception of the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM and RF600mm f/11 IS STM, the IBIS works in tandem with the lens stabilization to provide the best possible result. This is facilitated by the improved communication between the lens and the camera body, made possible by the 12-pin connection of the RF mount.
As for video, the Canon R5 is capable of shooting 12-bit 8K raw video at 29.97 frames per second. It is also possible to shoot 4:2:2 10-bit in Canon Log (H.265) or 4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265).
In simple terms, an 8K video image is equivalent to a 35Mp image and shooting in 4:2:2 10-bit with Canon Log means there should be plenty of opportunity to adjust/grade the images after capture. It also means that the EOS R5 can be used with other cameras, including the Canon Cine line, and the images can be adjusted accordingly.
Images are captured using the full width of the sensor, so the video is not cropped.
It is also possible to record 4K video at up to 119.88 frames per second in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log (H.265) or 4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265) 4:2:2 10-bit in Canon Log or 4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ. This should be great news for fans of slow motion video.
If you prefer to record 4K video to an external storage device, there is an HDMI connection that allows you to record up to 59.94 frames per second.
The Canon R5 also has an HQ (high quality) mode that can be enabled for 4K recording. This mode allows the camera to use 8K technology and reduce the output to 4K.
Heat generation is often a concern when shooting high-resolution video. According to Canon, the materials used to build the R5 offer good heat dissipation, and the company's engineers have worked to separate the heat-generating components. In addition, technological advances mean that the Canon R5 uses power much more efficiently than previous cameras and generates less heat.
As a result, the Canon R5 can shoot 8K video for 20 minutes before shutting down to protect it from heat damage. Switch to 4K footage and Canon says heat won't limit recording time.
With 4K images being a bit too long for many computers currently in use, some people may wonder why anyone would want to shoot in 8K.
Well, in addition to being able to capture huge video files with masses of data and detail, it also means you can produce 35Mp still images from film. This can be a huge advantage in some cases, but it's important to remember that shooting video limits the shutter speed (it's generally advisable to use a shutter speed twice the video frame rate) and, of course, you can only shoot for 20 minutes before the camera has to cool down.
Another advantage of 8K video is that you can do dramatic cropping while producing 4K or Full HD video. If you're filming two people in an interview, for example, you only need one camera to film the two together as well as the "cuts" of each. Similarly, when demonstrating a product or technique, you can switch from a full shot of the presenter to a close-up of the product.
While it's good that the Canon EOS R5 has two memory card slots, some photographers may be disappointed to discover that one is a CFexpress card while the other is compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II media.
CFexpress cards are still uncommon and expensive. However, this type of card is necessary to facilitate 8K recording.
Although Canon has introduced a new LP-E6NH battery (7.2V 2130mAh 16Wh) for the EOS R5, it is the same form factor as the LP-6N (7.4V 1865mAh 14Wh) that is used in recent Canon DSLRs and the EOS R. This means that the older type of battery can be used in the R5.
As we now expect, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity is built into the Canon EOS R5 (5Ghz) and it can connect to a smartphone or WiFi network to share files. There is also FTP/FTPS transfer.
The Canon R5 can also be controlled remotely using the Camera Connect and EOS Utility apps, or it can be connected to a PC or Mac via WiFi or a high-speed USB 3.1 Gen 2 connection.
Images can also be automatically transferred to the image.canon cloud platform to share and print images or integrate with Google Photos or Adobe Creative Cloud workflows.
The Canon EOS R5 is built to a similar standard as the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and has magnesium alloy construction and seals. Its handling is also similar, but the layout of the controls has been changed to accommodate the variable angle screen.
As a result, the back of the Canon R5 looks like a mix of the EOS R and the 5D Mark IV. Fortunately, the touch bar (aka M-Fn bar) that adorned the top of the EOS R's rear is gone and there is now a mini-joystick instead. I tried to like the M-Fn bar on the EOS R but was frustrated and am much happier with a joystick control.
Further down, the EOS R5 has a large wheel with a central Set button, just like the Canon EOS 5D IV.
There are also a series of buttons to access and activate key functions. It's good to see a dedicated AF-on button. You'll also be a fan of the grading button that makes image review (chimping) an interesting exercise.
As for the top of the camera, you'll see a mode button with a perimeter dial like on the EOS R. You may prefer to have a mode dial like on the 5D series and other Canon DSLRs (and the EOS R6) because it allows you to set the exposure mode without having to turn the camera on.
To switch from aperture priority mode to shutter priority mode on the EOS R5, for example, you press the mode button and then rotate the dial around it. To switch from photo mode to video mode (or vice versa), you need to press the mode button, then the info button. Then you can use the mode button and the dial to set the exposure mode - or press the appropriate icon on the main screen.
It's good to see a monochrome LCD screen at the top of the R5, just to the right of the viewfinder. It's handy for checking the exposure mode and button settings if the variable angle screen isn't flipped over.
When the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV came out, we wondered why a camera with such good video quality had a fixed screen and were told it was for durability. There's also an argument that truly dedicated videographers invest in an external monitor.
However, Canon seems to have reconsidered their position. It's great to have a variable angle screen on the EOS R5. It's much easier to shoot at head height or below, while keeping the size and weight of the kit down. Plus, because the screen is touch sensitive, you can control the camera with a few keystrokes.
Canon quickly saw the benefits of touch control and integrated it well into their cameras without detracting from the physical controls.
And let's not forget that the Canon R5 is a hybrid camera, which means that its viewfinder is electronic, so it can be used for filming.
As usual, it's helpful to increase the screen brightness when shooting outdoors, especially in direct sunlight, and it's handy to be able to view the histogram to make sure you don't lose too much of the highlights or darken the shadows.
Like the EOS R, the EOS R5 has a 0.5-inch OLED viewfinder. But Canon has improved the resolution from 3.69 million dots to 5.76 million dots in the R5. That's the same resolution as the viewfinders in the Panasonic Lumix S1R and S1. In addition, the frame rate has increased from 60 frames per second in the EOS R to 120 frames per second in the R5. This means there is a lot of detail visible and movement looks natural.
Like the main screen, the R5's viewfinder provides an excellent overview of the image with all camera settings applied.
Going through the images of the R5 on a computer, we confirm what we saw in the viewfinder and on the rear screen, it generally captures very attractive images with lots of detail and pleasing colors.
As already mentioned, the Canon EOS R5's viewfinder and screen give an accurate preview of the image you are about to capture. This means that there are no excuses for accidentally underexposed or overexposed images. We find that the easiest way to set exposure compensation on the R5 is to use the control ring on some RF lenses. The advantage is that it responds immediately, so you don't have to press any buttons to wake up the camera or select the exposure compensation control.
At the lower sensitivity (ISO) settings, the Canon R5 captures a lot of detail and the images look natural. Looking at an image on a 27-inch screen, it feels like you're back at the scene of the shooting. If you zoom in, the details keep coming and the edges are well handled without excessive sharpness.
If you increase the sensitivity, you'll see a little noise appear in the raw files, but it's not excessive. We're not too worried if we were to shoot at the maximum native sensitivity setting (ISO 51,200), but the results at one stop below (ISO 25,600) are very good and a better choice if possible.
There is an extended maximum sensitivity setting of ISO 102,400, which could be useful on occasion, but we generally avoided it because there is a lot of visible noise in the raw files and the Jpegs looked too smooth.
The Canon R5 features a dual-pixel CMOS phase detection AF II system with 5,940 AF points in photo mode and 4,500 in video mode. This means there is excellent coverage on the screen and you can target very small subjects.
Like the Canon R6, the R5's autofocus performance is very impressive. We think the R6 has a slight advantage, perhaps because of its larger photoreceptors (aka pixels), but the R5 is still very good.
The subject detection (which can be set to human or animal) and can be combined with the eye detection is very good and is incredibly useful. It has an amazing ability to spot eyes and keep them sharp.
It also does a good job of distinguishing between humans and animals and can find eyes when they are very small in the frame.
There is no doubt that the Canon R5 is capable of producing very high quality video. The results in 4K HQ (high quality) mode are extremely good. It's some of the best video we've ever seen, with the same natural look and appealing colors seen in photos.
The autofocus system also delivers the results in video mode, it's worth switching from animal to human detection.
Add to this the R5's excellent IBIS (in-body image stabilization), which gives handheld images a very stable look and allows you to watch walking images, and you have a very attractive video camera.
The only snag is the most commonly reported heat generation issue. Canon has set a limit of 20 minutes for recording 8K images. The camera has to shut down and cool down before you can record another clip.
Not surprisingly, shooting in 4K HQ mode also generates a lot of heat as the camera processes the 8K data to output in 4K. Short clips every few minutes are no problem, but we found that if you shoot at 25p for 30 minutes non-stop, the camera won't let you shoot anymore until it cools down enough. We waited 20 minutes after shooting a 30-minute clip in 4K at HQ, then we were able to shoot again.
By turning off the HQ option, the Canon R5's 4K video recording capability is greatly increased. We were able to shoot for over 3 hours before running out of time and battery (having run out of two batteries). This is better than with the Canon EOS R6, but perhaps Canon can expand the R6's 4K shooting capability with a firmware update?
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