For months, we’ve waited for the Canon EOS R5 and R6.
And for months, it’s felt like neither camera would ever actually appear.
But now we have a date to report:
July 9th.
That’s the when the EOS R5 and EOS R6 will officially launch.
While the full details of the two cameras have yet to be revealed, we do know quite a lot thanks to leaks, as well as Canon’s EOS R5 teaser.
So here’s what we can confidently say about the EOS R5:
- 8K video
- 20 fps with the electronic shutter
- 12 fps with the mechanical shutter
- IBIS
- Dual card slots
Canon has stayed surprisingly quiet regarding the megapixel count, only revealing that “the EOS R5 is set to raise the bar in high level still and video capture empowered by [a] new CMOS sensor and the new DIGIC processor.”
But given the 8K video resolution, you can expect at least 35 MP or so, and previous rumors have offered a plausible figure of around 45 MP.
Note that a 45 MP full-frame sensor at the heart of the EOS R5 would put this camera on the map in essentially every way; the fast continuous shooting, the 8K video, the dual card slots, the IBIS, plus a 45 MP sensor will make this a professional body through-and-through.
That said, the EOS R6 is also shaping up to be a powerful camera in its own right.
And while Canon has confirmed nothing regarding the R6, the ever-reliable Canon Rumors has offered a set of likely specs:
- 20 MP full-frame sensor
- 20 fps with the electronic shutter
- 12 fps with the mechanical shutter
- 4K/60p (oversampled from 5K)
- IBIS
- Dual card slots
- A 5M-dot EVF
- The same AF system as the EOS R5
Assuming these rumors turn out to be true, then the EOS R6 will be positioned a step above both the Canon EOS R and RP, Canon’s two current full-frame mirrorless bodies. The one exception is in resolution, where the EOS R6 falls short (the EOS RP packs a 26 MP sensor, and the EOS R reaches just over 30 MP). But while it’s possible that the EOS R6 will turn out to have a sensor size in the 24-26 MP range, we may be looking at a camera designed for low-light shooting, one that sacrifices pixel count for better high-ISO performance.
Unfortunately, it may be some time before we’re able to do any hands-on comparisons. According to Canon Rumors, the EOS R6 won’t ship until August, with the EOS R5 shipping around a month later (thanks to COVID-related delays).
Also note that the July 9th announcement won’t just cover these two cameras; we’ll also see the release of a number of exciting RF lenses, including:
- A 50mm f/1.8 (a nifty fifty!)
- A 70-200mm f/4L IS lens
- An 85mm f/2 macro lens
- A 100-500mm f/4-7.1 IS super-telephoto zoom
- A 600mm f/11 DO IS lens
- An 800mm f/11 DO IS lens
- A 1.4x teleconverter
- A 2x teleconverter
Personally, I’m most interested to see the 50mm f/1.8, which should offer an affordable way to break into Canon’s mirrorless lineup. But the macro lens (with an f/2 aperture!) and the 100-500mm super-telephoto lens should be exciting, as well.
If you’re interested in any of this equipment, you don’t have long to wait. July 9th is almost here, so prepare yourself for a lot of new options.
Now over to you:
What do you think of these new cameras and lenses? Which piece of gear are you most excited for? Do you plan to buy any of these as soon as they’re released? Share your thoughts in the comments!
