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Live Science Verdict

The Canon EOS R5 II is quick, dependable and extremely capable– ideal for wildlife and action shooters. It’s a major upgrade, however might be overkill for more casual professional photographers.

Pros

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  30FPS blackout-free burst shooting

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  In-depth 45MP images thanks to the back-illuminated stacked sensing unit

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  Outstanding for both video and stills

Cons

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  Eye control AF requires work

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  Just suitable with the more recent batteries

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The Canon EOS R5 II is among Canon’s newest high-performance mirrorless electronic cameras, intended directly at severe wildlife, sport and hybrid shooters who require speed, resolution and dependable autofocus all in one bundle. Structure on the initial R5, the Mark II has the very same 45MP resolution (however with a much better sensing unit), however enhances almost every element of its efficiency– from burst speed and AI-powered autofocus to heat management for long 8K video recording. With blackout-free 30FPS shooting, Pre-Capture and a brand-new action concern mode, it’s clear Canon is targeting professional photographers who require to respond rapidly and shoot with confidence.

Specs

Type: Mirrorless
Sensing unit: 45MP complete frame
Lens install: RF install
ISO variety: Native 100-51,200
Viewfinder: 5.76 Million dots
Video ability: As Much As 8K 60p
Weight: Approximate. 1.5 pounds./ 670g
Size: 5.45 x 3.87 x 3.48-inch./ 138.4 x 98.4 x 88.4 mm
Sd card type: CFexpress Type-B and SD UHS-II cards

It sits above the EOS R6 Mark II in Canon’s lineup and acts as a clear upgrade from the initial R5, particularly for anybody irritated by its getting too hot restrictions. Versus rivals like the Sony A1 or Nikon Z9, the R5 II holds its own, providing top-tier specifications on a more compact body.

Canon EOS R5 II evaluation

Canon EOS R5 II: Design

The Canon EOS R5 II fine-tunes the currently exceptional style of the initial R5 with subtle however significant updates that raise its handling and functionality. The magnesium alloy body is robust and weather-sealed– and we can verify that the weather condition sealing genuinely does hold up after an exceptionally damp journey to Pembrokeshire, Wales, to shoot with it. It’s developed to endure extreme shooting environments without including unneeded weight, and it feels rock strong in the hand, with a deep, ergonomic grip that stabilizes perfectly even with much heavier RF lenses.

Button positioning resembles its predecessor, with a couple of little tweaks.

It likewise includes the very same LCD panel on the top-plate, with the controller joystick and vari-angle LCD screen on the back, now with enhanced brightness and responsiveness for outside usage. The 3.2-inch touchscreen stays a standout function, and we discovered it best for shooting macro at difficult angles where we could not browse the viewfinder. We wanted the back dial included up/down/left/ best buttons, however in general, we like the design.

The side of the body includes double CFexpress Type B/UHS-II card slots on one side, and a USB-C charging port, full-size HDMI, mid and earphone jacks and a flash sync terminal on the other– a clear nod to expert workflows.

Canon EOS R5 II: Performance

[19659042]Back-illuminated 45MP stacked sensing unit produces spectacular images

Out in the field, the Canon EOS R5 II seems like a correct setup where it counts. Autofocus is stylish, positive and does a fantastic task of tracking birds in flight or fast-moving items through challenging backgrounds. It locks on and holds focus easily, even in low light. Shooting portable with a long lens felt smooth, thanks to the in-body image stabilization, which works marvels when light is restricted.

Image quality is seriously excellent. The brand-new back-illuminated and stacked 45MP sensing unit takes out loads of information that is kept even when you crop in tight on a far-off topic. We were examining the RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM lens along with the R5 II, and we had the ability to get some spectacular close-up shots with amazing information. We utilized the big LCD screen along with the focus peaking function from the video camera to guarantee our topic was sharp and in focus, which is infamously challenging when shooting macro.

We might just shoot with the 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens, so were rather restricted with shutter speed. With a wide-angle prime, this electronic camera will produce some spectacular astro shots.|Photographed with: Canon EOS R5 II and Canon RF 10mm f/2.8 Macro IS USM lens. Aperture: f2.8, shutter speed: 5 sec, ISO 2,500. (Image credit: Kimberley Lane)Canon EOS R5 II: Functionality

The Canon EOS R5 II is loaded with clever upgrades that make it extremely flexible, specifically for quick action shooting. Among our preferred functions is the blackout-free, constant 30FPS burst rate. Utilizing the electronic shutter, you can fire off full-res RAWs at warp speed with no viewfinder lag, which is a substantial benefit when tracking wildlife. The blackout-free experience keeps you secured on your topic the entire time– no second-guessing if your timing was off. And when Pre-Capture is made it possible for, the video camera will begin recording images when the shutter is half-pressed. We were shooting along with the Sony A7R V, and we actually valued just how much of a distinction this made. Integrate that with Action Priority, and the video camera can evaluate and comprehend the motion of professional athletes for more precise sports photography.

Canon has actually likewise presented Eye Control AF, initially seen in the Canon EOS R3. It sounds excellent on paper, however we discovered it to be a little sluggish and not absolutely precise. We adjusted this function numerous times, however it appeared to be a little off on a lot of events, so we didn’t utilize it for real-world shooting. It’s an excellent function in theory, however it requires to be improved before we can call it a game-changer.

A widely known grievance about the initial R5 was just how much it tended to get too hot when shooting video. On the R5 II, thanks to the integrated cooling fan, you can now shoot up to 8K video with more versatility and be managed longer taping times. This video camera is perfect for anything from wildlife to sports to wedding event photography.

Should you purchase the Canon EOS R5 II?

Purchase it if:

Do not purchase it if:

The Canon EOS R5 II is perfect for wildlife, sports and hybrid shooters who desire a high-end stills and camera in one body. With blackout-free 30FPS shooting, Action Priority, exceptional autofocus and longer recording times thanks to a cooling fan, it’s clear Canon has actually listened to

If you shoot more astro

How we check

Kimberley Lane, E-commerce author for Live Science, has actually checked a wide variety of optical devices, examining cam equipment from Sony, Canon, OM System and more. With over 6 years of photography experience, her abilities cover throughout landscape and seascape photography, wildlife, astrophotography and picture work. Her images have actually been included in a variety of nationwide publications, consisting of Digital Camera World and Cosmopolitan. She has actually likewise added to our sibling website Space.com and Tech Radar, and she routinely utilizes field glasses and telescopes to stargaze in the dark skies of South Wales.