After months of waiting, it’s finally official:
Canon is releasing two new R-series mirrorless cameras, both of which will ship before the summer is out.
The Canon EOS R5
The first of these is the highly-anticipated Canon EOS R5, a full-frame body that offers 8K video, 20 frames-per-second shooting via the electronic shutter (12 fps via the mechanical shutter), in-body image stabilization, and dual card slots (1 CF and 1 UHS-II SD).
But while we’ve reported on plenty of R5 details, it’s only now, thanks to Canon’s announcement, that we can fill in any knowledge gaps.
The Canon EOS R5 will pack a 45-megapixel sensor, which makes the R5 the highest-resolution camera in Canon’s mirrorless stable, and the second highest-resolution camera in Canon’s full-frame lineup (just after the 5DS/5DS R pair, both of which sport 50.6 megapixels). Combine this with the 20/12 fps shooting speeds, and you’ve got yourself some truly awesome capabilities, both for landscape and other high-resolution shooting, as well as for serious action photography.
The EOS R5 is also equipped with top-notch autofocus features, including Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF II technology, human and animal eye detection, and a whopping 1053 AF zones.
Much of the debate around mirrorless versus DSLRs has centered around electronic viewfinder capabilities, so we’re happy to reveal that the EOS R5 will offer a class-leading 5.76M-dot EVF, which is a significant step up from the (excellent) EVF on the EOS R, and puts the EOS R5 on par with the Sony a7R IV and the Panasonic S1R. This will ensure a better all-around shooting experience with an extremely life-like display and may satisfy even some of the more pro-OVF photographers.
Canon also notes that the EOS R5 will offer “weather, drip, and dust sealing on par with the EOS 5D series,” which suggests that the EOS R5 should be able to handle shooting in difficult weather, a requirement for landscape and wildlife photographers in particular.
Bottom line:
The EOS R5 is the best kind of generalist camera, one that suits nearly any genre of photography, from action to wildlife to landscape and more, and does it all at the highest level.
Of course, a camera this powerful doesn’t come without a significant price tag, but the EOS R5 will drop at a reasonable $3900 USD (body only).
The Canon EOS R6
As for the Canon EOS R6, you get a lot of the same features, but with a lower ($2500 USD) price tag.
This includes in-body image stabilization, identical autofocus specs, and dual card slots (albeit 2 UHS-II SD compared to the 1 SD/1 CF design on the EOS R5).
As you might expect, Canon has made several cuts compared to the EOS R6, primarily in terms of resolution. The R6’s full-frame sensor includes just 20.1 megapixels, the EVF offers a (still-respectable) 3.69M-dot resolution, and video capabilities top out at 4K/60p.
Canon also claims that weather sealing is “on par with the EOS 6D series,” which isn’t especially comforting for more serious shooters, but which is better than nothing and should be able to hold up in light rain or snow.
In many ways, the EOS R6 feels like the far more compelling option compared to the R5, at least for non-professional shooters. For nearly $1500 USD less, you get powerful IBIS, dual card slots, blazing-fast shooting speeds, impressive autofocus, and 4K/60p video (which is more than enough for even more serious videographers). You can also expect an excellent high-ISO performance from the EOS R6, as implied by its expansive native 100-102400 ISO range (compared to the 100-41200 ISO range on the EOS R5).
The main disappointment here is the 20 MP sensor, which feels low compared to the EOS R5, the EOS R, the EOS RP, and the 6D Mark II (all of which sit at 26 MP and above). But 20 MP is enough for most purposes, and the bigger pixels should guarantee top-notch low-light performance.
Lenses
Canon has also officially announced a Canon RF 100-500mm f/3.5-7.1L IS telephoto lens ($2699 USD), an RF 600mm f/11 IS STM ($700 USD), an RF 800mm f/11 IS STM ($899 USD), and an RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM ($600 USD).
Note that these cameras and lenses will begin shipping at various points over the next few months. You can expect the EOS R5 before July is out, however, and the EOS R6 toward the end of August.
Comparison video
So if any of these cameras or lenses interest you, go ahead and put in a preorder! You don’t want to miss out.
Now over to you:
What do you think about this announcement from Canon? Are you more interested in the EOS R5 or the EOS R6? And will you consider purchasing any of the lenses? Share your thoughts in the comments!