Canon EOS R5 Mark II Review

Canon’s EOS R5 Mark II stands out as the company’s latest high-end, full-frame mirrorless camera. This model introduces a Stacked CMOS sensor and incorporates many advanced autofocus features from Canon’s flagship R1 model.

Canon’s marketing slogan for the EOS R5 Mark II is “Master the moment,” emphasizing its high-performance capabilities. Positioned as Canon’s top-resolution camera, the EOS R5 Mark II succeeds the original R5, which debuted in 2020.

Canon EOS R5 Mark II Store Links at B&H, Adorama.

Key Features and Specifications

1. Sensor and Processing: The EOS R5 Mark II features a newly designed 45-megapixel full-frame back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor, distinct from the sensor in the original R5. It is powered by the latest DIGIC X processor and DIGIC Accelerator dual image processors.
2. ISO Range and Image Quality: The camera’s native ISO range spans from 100 to 51,200, expandable to ISO 50-102,400. It offers in-camera upscaling of up to 4x the original resolution without quality loss, alongside deep learning noise reduction that reduces noise by 2 stops.
3. Burst Shooting: The EOS R5 Mark II supports continuous shooting at 30 frames per second (fps) with the electronic shutter, or 12 fps with the mechanical shutter. Pre-burst shooting can capture up to 15 frames in RAW or JPEG/HEIF before the shutter is fully pressed.
4. Viewfinder and Eye Control: It features a blackout-free electronic viewfinder with a 5.76-million-dot resolution. The advanced eye control autofocus (AF) lets you select focus points or subjects by simply looking at them in the viewfinder. Compared to the R3, this system offers improved performance with a higher pixel count sensor, enhanced LEDs, a larger eye detection area, and a faster eye movement detection speed.
5. Autofocus System: The new Dual Pixel Intelligent AF system includes an advanced tracking algorithm capable of detecting subject movement and avoiding obstacles by estimating the head area. The Action Priority subject tracking mode uses deep learning to track sports actions like football, basketball, and volleyball at up to 60 fps, detecting and prioritizing the main subject and action poses.
6. Subject Tracking: It can now recognize additional subjects such as horses, airplanes, and trains, along with people, animals, and motorsport vehicles. The Registered People Priority mode can detect and prioritize up to 10 faces, even in profile, and save them for quick recognition.
7. Image Stabilization: The camera offers up to 8.5 stops of image stabilization through a combination of in-body stabilization and lens stabilization. High precision white balance and metering with up to 6,144 zones ensure optimal exposure for even the smallest subjects.
8. Build and Durability: The EOS R5 Mark II has a magnesium alloy body that is both dust- and weather-resistant, maintaining the same level of weatherproofing as its predecessor.
9. Video Capabilities: Key video specifications include 8K RAW recording at 60p for up to 120 minutes, 4K recording at 120p and 60p (oversampled from 6K), and 2K or Full HD at 240p in XF-HEVC S / XF-AVC S formats. The camera provides 16+ stops of dynamic range, minimal rolling shutter, Canon Log-2 / Log-3 / HLG profiles, custom pictures, proxy movie support, and 4-channel 24-bit audio.
10. Connectivity: The EOS R5 Mark II includes a full-size HDMI port, dual SD UHS II and CFexpress type B memory card slots, and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. The Multi-Function Shoe supports data communication and power for various accessories.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon EOS R5 Mark II is priced at £4,499 (body only) in the UK and €5,149 in Europe. It is also available in a kit with the RF 24-105mm F4L lens for £5,749 / €6,549. The camera will be available starting in August, with a recommended price of $4,299 in the US, representing a $400 increase over the original model, though inflation-adjusted costs may be lower. A kit with the RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens is available for $5,399.

What’s New

The most significant update in the EOS R5 Mark II is the adoption of a Stacked CMOS sensor, enhancing the camera’s speed and performance. This allows for 8K video recording at 60p and burst shooting at up to 30 fps. If 30 fps is excessive, the camera can be adjusted to shoot at 20, 15, 10, or 5 fps. The sensor also incorporates Canon’s Dual Pixel AF technology, though it lacks the cross-type arrangement of the EOS R1 and does not support saving Dual Pixel RAW files.

Eye-Control AF

The updated Eye-Control AF system, introduced in the R1 and refined for the R5 Mark II, allows for subject selection by simply looking in the direction of the subject. The new sensors and algorithms enhance performance, particularly for users wearing glasses, and include an eyeglasses detection mode to improve accuracy.

DIGIC Accelerator Co-Processor

The EOS R5 Mark II features the ‘DIGIC Accelerator’ co-processor from the R1, designed to handle complex AI algorithms. This processor improves exposure and white balance algorithms and supports advanced features.

Pre-Capture

Similar to the R1, the R5 Mark II can pre-capture up to 0.5 seconds of action in stills mode and 3 or 5 seconds of video, helping to ensure that you capture the moment you intended.

Action Priority Modes

The R5 Mark II incorporates Action Priority AF modes derived from machine learning, trained on different sports to recognize specific actions. It can track the ball and prioritize players based on the action, with modes for football, basketball, and volleyball.

Pre-Registered Person Priority

The camera allows registration of up to ten sets of ten people, prioritizing them in scenes. This feature is useful for events like sports or weddings where specific individuals need to be highlighted.

AI-Derived Noise Reduction and Upscaling

Post-capture options include AI-based upscaling of images to four times their original resolution and neural network noise reduction. These features are available for JPEG or HEIF images, with noise reduction applicable to RAW files as well.

Blur/Out-of-Focus Detection

The R5 Mark II can detect and tag the most precisely focused images in your shot, facilitating the selection of sharp images from your burst sequences.

Anti-Flicker

The camera includes anti-flicker options to synchronize with light sources that flicker at 100 or 120Hz, and a high-frequency anti-flicker mode for LEDs. This helps to minimize visible banding but may reduce maximum shooting speeds.

Video Features

The Stacked CMOS sensor enhances video capabilities, including 8K RAW recording and advanced features such as waveforms, false color displays, and zebras. It can record high-quality footage to CFexpress cards while capturing lower-resolution footage to SD cards.

Dual Shooting

The R5 Mark II supports simultaneous recording of UHD 8K JPEGs and Full HD video on separate cards. This feature requires the LP-E6P battery and allows for up to 7.5 fps for stills.

Accessory Grips

The camera can be paired with the BG-R20 battery grip, compatible with previous R models, or the new BG-R20EP grip with an Ethernet port for added connectivity.

Body and Handling

The R5 Mark II’s body closely resembles the original R5, with a new power switch and control layout. The camera maintains a well-proportioned grip and comfortable controls.

New Menu Section

The EOS R5 Mark II introduces a new olive green menu tab for control customization, simplifying access to shooting and playback settings.

Viewfinder

The 5.76M dot OLED panel viewfinder features redesigned optics for Eye-Control AF and improved brightness. The rear screen remains a 3.2-inch, 2.1M dot touchscreen.

Verdict

The Canon EOS R5 Mark II is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, offering enhanced speed, advanced autofocus capabilities, and comprehensive video features. Its new Stacked CMOS sensor and DIGIC Accelerator co-processor elevate its performance, making it a top choice for professionals seeking a versatile and powerful mirrorless camera. The additional features, such as improved Eye-Control AF and advanced pre-capture options, further solidify its position as a leading option in Canon’s lineup.

Pros:

• +180MP In-Camera Upscaling
• +8K 60p RAW video
• +30fps burst shooting
• +Predictive AI autofocus

Cons:

• -Some banding in tough light
• -Upscaling for JPEG/HEIF only
• -Noise reduction is fiddly

Canon EOS R5 Mark II Store Links at B&H, Adorama.

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