After months of vague rumors regarding upcoming Canon mirrorless bodies, we now have specifics on a camera, right down to the name:
The Canon EOS R5.
While still unconfirmed by Canon, the EOS R5 is shaping up to be a powerhouse of a mirrorless camera, sporting a 45-megapixel full-frame sensor, in-body image stabilization (potentially 5 stops, and 7-8 stops with a combined IS lens), and 20 frames-per-second continuous shooting with the electronic shutter (12 frames-per-second with the mechanical shutter).
In fact, the EOS R5 appears to correct most (if not all) of the faults of Canon’s first full-frame mirrorless body, the EOS R:
First, instead of a single card slot, we’re on track to see dual slots in the R5. This is a necessity for pretty much any photographer who requires redundancy in their work, such as professional wedding shooters (after all, you can’t reshoot that big day if your card fails!), as well as professional sports photographers.
The programmable touch bar on the back of the EOS R, which received significant criticism following the R’s release, will be replaced by a scroll wheel.
And, as mentioned above, we should see some impressive IBIS, something which the EOS R left out, and which plenty of shooters see as a key trait in mirrorless bodies.
Astonishingly, the EOS R5 is reported to shoot 8K video at 30 fps and 4K video at 120 fps. While the details of these specs aren’t certain, 8K video of any kind would be a significant upgrade from the Canon EOS R, which offers 4K video at 30p.
So who is the EOS R5 for?
From the specs listed above, it’s clear that the EOS R5 will be aimed at professional shooters. The dual card slots and high continuous shooting rate suggest a body designed for serious sports photographers, wildlife photographers, and some wedding photographers. And while no details on the autofocus system have been released, I suspect that we’ll see something impressive, even compared to the excellent AF offered by the EOS R.
As far as the release date goes, the Canon EOS R5 will supposedly be announced in mid-February, several weeks prior to the late February CP+ show. The camera will likely ship in July.
