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The Canon EOS R5 II is considered one of Canon’s newest high-performance mirrorless cameras, aimed squarely at critical wildlife, sport and hybrid shooters who demand pace, decision and dependable autofocus multi function package deal. Constructing on the unique R5, the Mark II has the identical 45MP decision (however with a greater sensor), however improves practically each side of its efficiency — from burst pace and AI-powered autofocus to warmth administration for lengthy 8K video recording. With blackout-free 30FPS capturing, Pre-Seize and a brand new motion precedence mode, it is clear Canon is concentrating on photographers who have to react shortly and shoot confidently.
Specs
Kind: Mirrorless
Sensor: 45MP full body
Lens mount: RF mount
ISO vary: Native 100-51,200
Viewfinder: 5.76 Million dots
Video functionality: As much as 8K 60p
Weight: Approx. 1.5 lbs. / 670g
Dimension: 5.45 x 3.87 x 3.48-inch. / 138.4 x 98.4 x 88.4mm
Reminiscence card kind: CFexpress Kind-B and SD UHS-II playing cards
It sits above the EOS R6 Mark II in Canon’s lineup and serves as a transparent improve from the unique R5, particularly for anybody pissed off by its overheating limitations. In opposition to opponents just like the Sony A1 or Nikon Z9, the R5 II holds its personal, delivering top-tier specs on a extra compact physique.
Canon EOS R5 II evaluation
Canon EOS R5 II: Design
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- Giant and detailed LCD display screen
- Intuitive button format
- Totally weather-sealed for worry-free wildlife images
The Canon EOS R5 II refines the already glorious design of the unique R5 with delicate however significant updates that elevate its dealing with and value. The magnesium alloy physique is powerful and weather-sealed — and we are able to verify that the climate sealing actually does maintain up after an extremely moist journey to Pembrokeshire, Wales, to shoot with it. It is constructed to face up to harsh capturing environments with out including pointless weight, and it feels rock stable within the hand, with a deep, ergonomic grip that balances properly even with heavier RF lenses.
Button placement is just like its predecessor, with a number of small tweaks. The lock perform has now been built-in into the on/off swap, which wraps across the mode dial on the right-hand facet of the highest plate. Having the ability swap positioned right here makes it simpler to flick on and off with the best thumb, which we desire over the unique R5. Nonetheless, with the lock perform being set in-between on and off, we generally set it to lock accidentally. Canon has additionally changed the unique on/off swap with a devoted photograph/video swap, making it quicker to leap between capturing modes — an excellent transfer for hybrid shooters.
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It additionally options the identical LCD panel on the top-plate, with the controller joystick and vari-angle LCD display screen on the again, now with improved brightness and responsiveness for out of doors use. The three.2-inch touchscreen stays a standout function, and we discovered it excellent for capturing macro at difficult angles the place we could not look by way of the viewfinder. We wished the again dial featured up/down/left/proper buttons, however total, we just like the format.
The facet of the physique options twin CFexpress Kind B/UHS-II card slots on one facet, and a USB-C charging port, full-size HDMI, mid and headphone jacks and a flash sync terminal on the opposite — a transparent nod to skilled workflows.
Canon EOS R5 II: Efficiency
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- Again-illuminated 45MP stacked sensor produces beautiful photographs
- Handles noise effectively
- Correct autofocus
Out within the subject, the Canon EOS R5 II seems like a correct setup the place it counts. Autofocus is snappy, assured and does a superb job of monitoring birds in flight or fast-moving objects by way of difficult backgrounds. It locks on and holds focus effortlessly, even in low gentle. Taking pictures handheld with an extended lens felt easy, because of the in-body picture stabilization, which works wonders when gentle is restricted.
Picture high quality is severely spectacular. The brand new back-illuminated and stacked 45MP sensor pulls out a great deal of element that’s retained even if you crop in tight on a distant topic. We had been reviewing the RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM lens alongside the R5 II, and we had been in a position to get some beautiful close-up pictures with unimaginable element. We used the massive LCD display screen alongside the main focus peaking function from the digital camera to make sure our topic was sharp and in focus, which is notoriously difficult when capturing macro.
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The R5 II additionally produces beautiful astro photographs with minimal noise at most ISO ranges. We had been solely ready to make use of very brief shutter speeds because of solely having a 100mm lens at our disposal, however the photographs had been clear, the celebs had been sharp, and the noise solely began to grow to be distracting once we bumped the ISO up above 5,000. And even then, noise discount instruments in modifying software program have grow to be so good that even photographs with numerous noise would nonetheless be salvageable.
Canon EOS R5 II: Performance
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- 30FPS blackout-free capturing
- Eye management AF wants perfecting
- 8K video recording
The Canon EOS R5 II is full of good upgrades that make it extremely versatile, particularly for quick motion capturing. One in every of our favourite options is the blackout-free, steady 30FPS burst fee. Utilizing the digital shutter, you’ll be able to hearth off full-res RAWs at lightning pace with none viewfinder lag, which is a large benefit when monitoring wildlife. The blackout-free expertise retains you locked in in your topic the entire time — no second-guessing in case your timing was off. And when Pre-Seize is enabled, the digital camera will begin capturing photographs when the shutter is half-pressed. We had been capturing alongside the Sony A7R V, and we actually appreciated how a lot of a distinction this made. Mix that with Motion Precedence, and the digital camera can analyze and perceive the motion of athletes for extra correct sports activities images.
Canon has additionally launched Eye Management AF, initially seen within the Canon EOS R3. It sounds nice on paper, however we discovered it to be slightly sluggish and never completely correct. We calibrated this function a number of instances, but it surely appeared to be slightly off on most events, so we did not use it for real-world capturing. It is a good function in concept, but it surely must be perfected earlier than we are able to name it a game-changer.
A widely known grievance concerning the authentic R5 was how a lot it tended to overheat when capturing video. However on the R5 II, because of the built-in cooling fan, now you can shoot as much as 8K video with extra flexibility and be afforded longer recording instances. This digital camera is right for something from wildlife to sports activities to wedding ceremony images.
Do you have to purchase the Canon EOS R5 II?
Purchase it if:
✅ You shoot fast-action: It is clearly designed with wildlife and sports activities images in thoughts.
✅ You are a hybrid shooter: It is unbelievable for photograph and video work.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You are a newbie: The Canon EOS R5 II will likely be overkill and costly. Begin with one thing just like the Canon EOS R8.
❌ You desire a small and light-weight physique: The R8 is the smallest full-frame, or think about a crop-sensor mannequin.
The Canon EOS R5 II is right for wildlife, sports activities and hybrid shooters who desire a high-end stills and video digital camera in a single physique. With blackout-free 30FPS capturing, Motion Precedence, glorious autofocus and longer recording instances because of a cooling fan, it is clear Canon has listened to the wants of action-focused creators.
You must positively think about the R5 II should you’re critical about fast-moving topics, want high-resolution photographs, or desire a digital camera that may shoot pro-quality video with out compromise. It is also an excellent match for anybody upgrading from the unique R5.
Nonetheless, should you’re a newbie, informal consumer or largely shoot landscapes, the R5 II could also be overkill, each by way of value and energy.
If this product is not for you
If the R5 II is overkill, otherwise you need one thing smaller, the R8 continues to be good for wildlife and is Canon’s most light-weight full-frame digital camera.
Learn our full Canon EOS R8 evaluation
It will not attain the identical burst speeds, however for picture high quality and determination, the 61MP Sony A7R V is difficult to beat.
Learn our full Sony A7R V evaluation
If you happen to shoot astro greater than wildlife and have to prioritize low gentle capabilities, the Sony A7 IV is outstanding.
Learn our full Sony A7 IV evaluation
How we take a look at
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We examined the Canon EOS R5 II over 10 days, specializing in real-world efficiency throughout quite a lot of situations. The digital camera was taken to Skomer island to {photograph} puffins, the place the digital camera’s autofocus, burst pace and topic monitoring had been pushed to the restrict — alongside its weather-sealing! We obtained essentially the most out of its decision and element by capturing bugs and flowers in our backyard utilizing the 100mm macro lens, and we used it for astrophotography in a Bortle class 5 space.
