The successor for Canon’s first 8K video mirrorless camera has just been announced. The new Canon EOS R5 Mark II is an upgrade from the original EOS R5, initially released in 2020. The first R5 brought groundbreaking features like 8K video footage and a 45-megapixel sensor. The new EOS R5 Mark II promises even more spectacular features for all different types of creators, including a brand new Canon-designed back-illuminated stacked sensor 45-megapixel sensor, improved autofocusing features, 8K RAW video at 59.94 fps, and three optional battery grips to extend shooting time on those long days. Let’s review some of the best new features of this brand-new camera.
Key Features of the EOS R5 Mark II
- New Canon 45-megapixel back-illuminated stacked sensor
- 30fps in electronic shutter
- Improved focus system
- Two new autofocus priority modes
- 8K/59.94p RAW video footage
- 0.5 inch 5.76 million dot OLED EVF
- Updated Video Menus
- Three Optional Battery Grips for More Power, Connectivity, or Cooling.
What’s New About the EOS R5 Mark II?
If you’ve used the original R5, you’ll see many familiar features upgraded in the brand-new EOS R5 Mark II. Faster sensor read-out speeds allow up to 30fps in burst shooting utilizing the new Canon-designed 45-megapixel back-illuminated stacked sensor. Numerous improvements to the autofocus system will help ensure tack-sharp focus. Two new priority modes will allow the focus system to operate just as well in portraits and action sports. 8K video footage has been improved to offer up to 59.94fps in 8K RAW video. Canon has made numerous quality-of-life improvements in the video menu. As well as releasing three optional battery grips for creators needing more battery life from their cameras.
New Canon Sensor
While the new sensor still offers the same amount of pixels as the original EOS R5, this new Canon-designed back-illuminated stacked sensor has many improvements. Most notably, you can expect an electronic shutter performance of 30 fps RAW images due to dramatically improved read-out speeds. Additionally, the camera will start capturing images as soon as the shutter is pressed halfway. Once fully pressed, the camera will write the previous ½ second of images to the memory card. This helps to ensure you’ll always capture the peak of the action during the biggest moments.
Improved Autofocus
The autofocus system, including subject tracking, has been dramatically improved from the previous model. A feature shared with the flagship EOS R1. Subject tracking allows your camera to hold focus while tracking a subject, even when the subject is briefly obscured. The new EOS R5 Mark II also adds Canon’s Eye Control AF. A powerful AF mode that follows your eye in the viewfinder to quickly adjust focus on the fly. Thanks to a new DIGIC Accelerator, you can expect faster-than-ever autofocus performance from the EOS R5 Mark II.
Action Priority Mode
Action Priority Mode is a newly developed AF mode thanks to the DIGIC Accelerator chip. This technology can recognize specific movements in selected sports, automatically adjusting the autofocus point to the player performing that particular action. Currently, this feature works for volleyball, soccer, and basketball. Still, we can expect the list of sports to expand in the future. This new autofocus mode should help sports photographers capture more in-focus images of the most hard-to-capture action.
8K RAW Video
With the EOS R5 Mark II, you can record RAW video at an astonishing 8K resolution up to 59.94fps and in 14-bit. 240 fps can be captured in Full HD and 120 fps at 4K. Many of the video options can record oversampled video that offers even higher sharpness and detail. Another significant quality-of-life upgrade for videographers is the updated menu that uses Cinema EOS terminology. It allows pro videographers to quickly and easily adjust their video settings and novice users to better understand what each setting does. Finally, the EOS R5 Mark II has a full-size HDMI port, waveform monitors, and 24-bit, 4-channel audio recording.
Who Should Buy the Canon EOS R5 Mark II?
The Canon EOS R5 Mark II is indeed a jack of all trades. Its 45 megapixels and 30fps burst shooting are excellent for almost any photographer. Additionally, the 8K video capabilities should satisfy even the most demanding videographers. New and improved autofocus modes make this camera ideal for those who shoot portraits, sports, wildlife, and even news. Not to mention, the Eye Control AF promises to be one of the most useful features seen in this new camera. Combined with the incredible 30fps in burst mode, Action Priority Mode, and one of three battery grips, you’ve got a solid camera for any photographer who needs one that will capture amazing images all day.
EOS R5 MARK II VS EOS R5
| EOS R5 | EOS R5 Mark II | |
| Image Processor | DIGIC X | DIGIC X (with DIGIC Accelerator co-processor) |
| Sensor Type | 45MP CMOS | 45MP Canon designed full-frame back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor (compatible with Dual Pixel CMOS AF) |
| Image File Format | RAW, JPG | JPEG, HEIF, RAW / C-RAW / Dual Pixel RAW/ RAW burst (CR3), C-RAW (Canon original) ;Movies: ALL-I (Time-lapse video only), IPB (MP4) |
| Video | 8K RAW 12-Bit (29.97p) 4K (119.88p) Full HD (60p) | CRAW 8K, S-RAW 4K -14-bit (60p) Full HD (at up to 240 frames per second), 4K at up to 120 frames per second with sound and 8K. Canon Log 2 and C-Log 3 |
| Auto Focus | Phase Detection | Dual Pixel CMOS AF |
| Max Frames in Burst Mode | 20fps | 30fps |
| Connectivity | USB Type-C (USB 3.1), HDMI D (Micro), 3.5mm Headphone, 3.5mm Microphone | USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), Full Size HDMI, 3.5mm Headphone, 3.5mm Microphone |
| Action/People Priority Shooting | No | Yes |
| Eye Controlled AF | No | Yes |
| Simplified Video Menu | No | Yes |
Other Comparable Canon Cameras
The EOS R5 Mark II joins 11 other Canon Mirrorless cameras, each designed to appeal to a specific type of photographer. Regarding megapixels, it can’t be beaten. Still, those looking for even more wildlife, sports, and news features should look to the newly announced EOS R1. The EOS R1 offers additional features that may appeal to those photographers, though at a slightly higher price point. Most notably, the EOS R1 allows up to 40fps in burst shooting and an upgraded OLED EVF with over 9 million dots.
Conclusion
The new EOS R5 Mark II contains some of Canon’s most exciting new features. The EOS R5 was one of the most exciting upgrades to the Canon Mirrorless system when it was released in 2020, and the Mark II is a significant upgrade on an already impressive camera. Between the new autofocus modes, an excellent new Canon-designed sensor, and 8K/60p RAW footage, this camera truly has something for all kinds of creators. No matter what you capture or where you capture it, the Canon EOS R5 Mark II is the workhorse of a camera you’re looking for.
