The Canon EOS R5 Camera Review: Why Buy Canon EOS R5 Camera?

Canon cements its dominance in the camera world with yet another release, the undisputed Canon EOS R5 mirrorless camera. The Canon EOS R5 is nothing short of the excellent quality Canon has always produced. Designed with the professional photographer, videographer, and photo enthusiast in mind, the camera boasts a high resolution, raw performance, and great speed.

As an avid photographer, I have had the privilege of testing and going over the Canon EOS R5 on multiple occasions. Every time I run into the R5 camera, I am always quick to throw at it tons of productivity and color-critical work and take it to the edge of its comfort zone. But, impressively, the device consistently manages to pull stunts and pass all tests with flying colors.

About the Canon EOS Series

The Canon EOS R5 is a member of the EOS mirrorless camera series along with its earlier siblings, the Canon R, RP, and R6. And although their prices restrict them to buyers willing to pay a four-figure price clause, the devices check a lot of boxes in what you may require out of a professional camera.

Although many special add-ons are eminent, most features in its predecessors still live on in the EOS R5 model. On the R5, Canon paid special attention to picture quality with a powerful 48 MP full-frame CMOS sensor with 8k video recording support. The other sweet spot, we’d say, is a powerful processor that makes a joke of any photography task and makes the camera a speed demon. Also, a host of tech features are all meant to elevate your photography experience.

Technical Specifications

Exclusive Features

Below are exclusive features all meant to give you the perfect photography experience.

•       Superior Sensor

Canon routinely scores high in the picture quality departments, and they nailed it again with a laudable 48MP CMOS sensor. This full-frame sensor is much larger than the 20.1MP and 30 MP dual-pixel CMOS sensors on the EOS R6 and EOS R models, respectively. The larger sensor on the R5 collects more light and delivers better (less noise) in low light. As a photographer, you also get more control over the depth of field.

The enormous sensor can capture images with lifelike visuals, true-to-life details, and vibrant colors. And besides the ordinary 4K video recording up to 120p, the powerful sensor also supports 8K DCI footages at 30/25/24 fps. With the 8k 30fps raw recording, you should expect crisp and eye-popping videos with nature’s own depth of color. Additionally, the device can capture 35MP frame grabs while recording the cinematic 8K footages.

The other genius of this camera lies in its ability to work in poorly lit setups. The Can EOS R5 offers sensitivity from ISO 100-51200, expandable to ISO 102400, which makes it suitable for various lighting conditions. Not to mention that there is a bulb mode for even longer exposures during low-light photography.

•       Twitch-Free Performance

Functional features worth mentioning are the multiple HDR modes that make for more realistic images with fine details that almost pop at you. Even more, if speed is what you care about, then speed has been emphasized for you with the DIGIC X image processor. Courtesy of the DIGIC X processor, CMOS sensor, and RF lenses, you get a winning blend of neck-breaking performance and superb real-life photography.

How thoughtful of the makers to include a multiple exposure mode. The mode lets you capture between two and nine images and merge them into one single image in-camera.  

As with the EOS R6 model, the EOS R5 is the only other model that offers 5-axis In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS). The IBIS feature combines with the lens’s IS to make up for camera shake and deliver up to 8 stops of protection.

Aside from that, the camera is powered by a solid 2130mAh LP-E6NH battery that can stand up to 320 shots when using the EVF and 470 when using the LCD screen. Should you require more than one battery, the brand new BG-R10 Battery Grip will let you incorporate a second battery (LP-E6/N/NH). Not just that. The EOS R5 camera is also backward compatible with older LP-E6 series batteries such as the LP-E6N.

•       Autofocus and Subject Tracking

Do you often find yourself working with moving subjects? Well, it is a cakewalk to capture a subject on the move with the R5’s high-speed continuous shooting of up to 20 frames per second with the electronic shutter.

And if subject tracking is anything to go by, then the canon R5 camera should be on top of your list. Thanks to the Dual Pixel CMOS AF II focusing system, the R5 prides itself as the world's fastest AF camera that can track split-second movements and focus in as little as 0.05 seconds.

Furthermore, the Canon R5 can recognize and track eyes and faces, and vehicles from much further away than its predecessors. Like the R6, the R5 is equipped with deep-learning-based automatic face, eye, and animal AF tracking modes that enable it to automatically track human eyes and faces and animals such as dogs and flying birds.

•       Dual Displays

Also fitted is an intuitive and highly responsive 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD monitor on the rear that showcases detailed visuals with maximum realism and vibrant colors. It was clever of the manufacturer to feature the Vari-angle design with a flexible tilt range. This flexible, foldable screen design lends to the safe storage and makes the device perfect for vlogging and high angle and low angle shooting. Not just that. There is a status LCD screen at the top-right panel of the device that gives you quick access to the settings at a glance.

•       Durable Weather-Proof Construction

The Canon R5 body looks as solid as it feels premium and has been constructed from superb quality magnesium-alloy material that can take a serious beating. The durable construction couples with robust paint coating to help the device defy scratches, rust, wear, and elements and hold its shine for decades to come.

In design matters, the R5 includes a rear panel just like the EOS R6. And as on the EOS R camera, the EOS R5 features a top plate with an LCD status panel and mode button. Just where you expect them to be, you’ll find the AF-On button, the Magnification button, Info Button Playback and Delete buttons, and the Quick button which opens the Quick Control screen. The Quick Control screen gives instant access to 10 key camera controls.

•       Unlimited Connectivity

The Canon R5 mirrorless camera provides a wide offering of connectivity options and includes a microphone port, headphone jack, remote control port, USB-3 port, and an HDMI connection. It is also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, making it easy to connect to wireless networks, sync with other gadgets, and share images and recordings on site.

The memory card compartment on the right offers dual slots. While one is dedicated to the SD UHS-II card, the second supports the CFexpress type B card.

There isn’t much to complain about here save for overheating when shooting 8k video or 4K video at 120p or 60p. Although the manufacturer promises a 20-minutes time frame before the camera overheats, the camera will often overheat before the 20-minutes when subsequently shooting lots of high speed and high-quality modes such as 8k video recording. Once the camera overheats, the video time available reduces, and other video modes become inaccessible. But as long as you restrict the camera to 4k 30p videos, you shouldn’t encounter this limitation.

The other downside is the R5 camera isn't cheap, but quality products on the market seldom are. A brand new Canon R5 for sale can set you back as much as a small car. However, canon r5 deals are well worth the investment considering their top-class quality.

Another area that needs work is the Mode dial on the R5 instead of the traditional shooting mode dial. Like on the EOS R, you may find the Canon mirrorless r5 camera easier to use and neat. However, it is much slower when you frequently switch between shooting modes.

Wrap Up                                                                             

Let me guess: you are a pro photographer or photography enthusiast who has probably had a fair share of poorly-made knock-off cameras that leave a lot to be desired. Thankfully, Canon brings you the powerful, pro-quality R5 camera that will loyally answer the call of duty and is undoubtedly up to the task. So, would we recommend the Canon EOS R5 camera to you? Of course, we'd.