DPReview: Review of the Canon EOS R5

[privatebydesign]

You basically just said "move to another brand and don't invest in Canon RF glass." Is that really what Canon wants or needs in this shrinking market?

I don’t care if the tool for the job you or I need is a Canon or not. Let each company live and die by the products they make my whole point is the product Canon have made is a remarkable improvement over previous models in every single respect yet is getting slated, there is simply no relation to the camera they have made and the reaction it is receiving. None. This feeding frenzy of denouncement and criticism is out of all proportion to the camera they have made, it is not a dud, it does not need a recall, it does exactly what they say it does which is more than any other camera at the price point. If those capabilities align with your needs you have found the tool you need, if not move on.

Nobody else does 1 second of 8k for well under $4,000.

 

[BeenThere]

I am with you. I have the R5 and have been shooting it for 2 days now. I have used only EF lenses; my 600 f/4 IS II and an old 400 5.6 non-IS to see how the IBIS works. I have been nothing but stunned in a positive way. Great IBIS on the non-IS lens, awesome AF on all lenses, and super image quality of the 45mp sensor. I am shooting in the baking Florida sun and no over-heating when shooting stills and then short 4k60 vid clips. I generally shoot only 2-3 min. clips and it has worked great so far. I could not be happier at this point. For my type of work it seems like I may have found a real winner at less than 4K dollars. I will take it and run.

Nailed the eye focus on these shots. I assume you were using the eye focus option?

 

[Bert63]

Bro.. Google canon r5 announcement. It’s literally what Canon led with! Lol. “8K No Crop.”

Come on now.

It does 8K, no crop. Problem? It’s on you.

Come on now?

I must be the only person left on the planet who expects mechanical/electronic realities to exist within the realm of what’s actually possible..

Did you know that repeatedly using the launch mode on the 2008 Nissan GT-R can wreck the transmission? No kidding, it’s right there in the manual. Did you ever see it in advertising? Of course not. All you saw was 0-60 in 3.4. Only a complete idiot would believe that repeatedly abusing the transmission would have no effect. That, or they thought Nissan had somehow overcome the laws of physics.

 

[dtaylor]

I don’t speak for Canon, but they would probably prefer a potential customer to move to another brand Instead of continuously bad mouthing the Canon brand.

Try reading their quarterly report and claiming that.

Canon's RF glass, DPAF, full backwards compatibility with EF lenses, color science, and ergonomics meant Canon was setup to dominate mirrorless. They just needed the bodies. Which is another way of saying they just needed the DIGIC and sensor readout performance. So they finally get to that level with the 1DX mark III sensor, this new 45mp sensor, and DIGIC X, and release two stellar R bodies. R bodies with specs that influencers initially didn't believe could be real. R bodies that Sony guys were drooling over.

And what happens? Canon apparently forgets to heatsink the DIGIC chip.

This would be like watching the last moments of a Bulls vs. Jazz game in the 90s. Jazz have been ahead all 4th quarter, the clock is ticking, Michael Jordan squares up and throws the perfect 3 point shot at the buzzer to win the game. Only the crowd then realizes he threw the ball at the wrong basket.

Of course Jordan never made a mistake like that. Someone please explain to me: why is Canon making mistakes like that?

 

[Deleted member 384473]

It does 8K, no crop. Problem? It’s on you.

Come on now?

I must be the only person left on the planet who expects mechanical/electronic realities to exist within the realm of what’s actually possible..

Did you know that repeatedly using the launch mode on the 2008 Nissan GT-R can wreck the transmission? No kidding, it’s right there in the manual. Did you ever see it in advertising? Of course not. All you saw was 0-60 in 3.4. Only a complete idiot would believe that repeatedly abusing the transmission would have no effect. That, or they thought Nissan had somehow overcome the laws of physics.

... You’re late to the party. Taking stills then want to use 8k? 4KHQ? Problem? It’s on Canon.

I can’t have this exact convo again.Look at the thread. Add a fan. Look how fast I dismantled your physics argument. It doesn’t matter. Not the camera for hybrid video shooters. Simple and plain.

 

[HotPixels]

Try reading their quarterly report and claiming that.

Canon's RF glass, DPAF, full backwards compatibility with EF lenses, color science, and ergonomics meant Canon was setup to dominate mirrorless. They just needed the bodies. Which is another way of saying they just needed the DIGIC and sensor readout performance. So they finally get to that level with the 1DX mark III sensor, this new 45mp sensor, and DIGIC X, and release two stellar R bodies. R bodies with specs that influencers initially didn't believe could be real. R bodies that Sony guys were drooling over.

And what happens? Canon apparently forgets to heatsink the DIGIC chip.

This would be like watching the last moments of a Bulls vs. Jazz game in the 90s. Jazz have been ahead all 4th quarter, the clock is ticking, Michael Jordan squares up and throws the perfect 3 point shot at the buzzer to win the game. Only the crowd then realizes he threw the ball at the wrong basket.

Of course Jordan never made a mistake like that. Someone please explain to me: why is Canon making mistakes like that?

How do you know that Canon "forgot to heatsink the DIGIC chip?" It's absurd to think that you can make that judgement. Are you an engineer on this type of product? Have you opened up and examined the camera?

This product is everything that Canon said it would be. The outrage is phony outrage stoked by some Youtubers who may as well work for Sony.

 

[Deleted member 384473]

How do you know that Canon "forgot to heatsink the DIGIC chip?" It's absurd to think that you can make that judgement. Are you an engineer on this type of product? Have you opened up and examined the camera?

This product is everything that Canon said it would be. The outrage is phony outrage stoked by some Youtubers who may as well work for Sony.

Well I do think it’s safe to assume canon was aware of the heat issue back in October from the patented adapter that would help dissipate heat.

 

[HotPixels]

You mean 5-10 minute 8k shots every 2-4 hours depending on weather.

Totally misleading. You get 20 min of 8K if you choose it. Most will use at most a few minutes.

If for some reason you get the heat warning, you can use 4K24 and HD and take stills...same as other cameras.

 

[Bert63]

Try reading their quarterly report and claiming that.

Canon's RF glass, DPAF, full backwards compatibility with EF lenses, color science, and ergonomics meant Canon was setup to dominate mirrorless. They just needed the bodies. Which is another way of saying they just needed the DIGIC and sensor readout performance. So they finally get to that level with the 1DX mark III sensor, this new 45mp sensor, and DIGIC X, and release two stellar R bodies. R bodies with specs that influencers initially didn't believe could be real. R bodies that Sony guys were drooling over.

And what happens? Canon apparently forgets to heatsink the DIGIC chip.

This would be like watching the last moments of a Bulls vs. Jazz game in the 90s. Jazz have been ahead all 4th quarter, the clock is ticking, Michael Jordan squares up and throws the perfect 3 point shot at the buzzer to win the game. Only the crowd then realizes he threw the ball at the wrong basket.

Of course Jordan never made a mistake like that. Someone please explain to me: why is Canon making mistakes like that?

The level of “mistake”, if any, depends wholly on your perspective and expectations.

My expectation was an exceptional stills camera with some video capability on the side. Not a video camera that can also take stills.

I also thought “wait and see...”

Call me silly.

 

[Colorado]

Can somebody make a website that tracks the current "that"s it, Canon is doomed, I'm switching to Sony!" flaw in the R5? Because I'm getting dizzy.

First it was that the leaked specs said only 200 shots per battery and people were all like I'm switching to Sony! Only now that the camera is in some (lucky) people's hands they are seeing battery life that is completely fine. I don't see any battery life complaints anymore.

Then it was that the EVF, while improved, is completely inferior to an OVF. A quick video was posted showing it incapable of tracking a BIF. I'm switching to Sony! Only now (over at places like fred miranda) people are posting pics of birds and bees and dragonflies and everyone is raving about animal auto focus. I don't see any EVF complaints anymore.

Then it was the camera overheats. That's it I'm switching to Sony! Glossed over was the fact this was (mainly) about the high end video modes that no other camera offers and more standard video modes remain available.

Then the Sony ARXiiiv7Xii was released and everyone was like THIS is what we mean by hybrid mirrorless. 95% video focused with postage stamp, "social media ready" stills. I'm switching to Sony! If this is the camera you want/need then fine. But I'm an amateur photographer not videographer and 12 MP is not going to cut it.

Then it turns out the new Sony overheats too just not as quickly. Or as quickly, depending on who was doing the tests. The conversation quickly changed to "well yeah, but the Canon doesn't cool down fast enough". That's it, I'm switching to Sony!

Then someone posted an anecdote of the R5 overheating in the desert after 2000+ shots in a couple of hours. If there ever was an advertisement for a 1-series camera it would be taking 2000+ shots of motor cross in a couple of hours in desert.

Now the complaint is while the R5 does seem to be performing to spec, Canon misled us with their teaser ads. I was expecting medium format dynamic range and sharpness, best in class IBIS, best in class auto focus, light weight, infinite battery life, zero lag EVF with the video capabilities of a professional IMAX camera. I was duped into thinking I could shoot a full wedding flip a switch and record an IMAX movie in the same session. Without changing batteries. That's it, I'm switching to Sony!

All these youtube influencers (LOL "influencers") and forum jockeys are once again declaring Canon incompetent and doomed. Yet for some reason this "poorly designed", "poorly engineered", "poorly manufactured" camera that has "horrible battery life", "an unusable EVF", and "overheats if not kept in a freezer" is sold out everywhere and it is likely going to be months before I am able to get my hands on one. If everyone that said they are switching to Sony actually, you know, switched to Sony you'd think it wouldn't be selling like hotcakes.

Or maybe, just maybe, these youtube influencers don't influence anything other than their own echo chambers.

 

[tbintb]

I am with you. I have the R5 and have been shooting it for 2 days now. I have used only EF lenses; my 600 f/4 IS II and an old 400 5.6 non-IS to see how the IBIS works. I have been nothing but stunned in a positive way. Great IBIS on the non-IS lens, awesome AF on all lenses, and super image quality of the 45mp sensor. I am shooting in the baking Florida sun and no over-heating when shooting stills and then short 4k60 vid clips. I generally shoot only 2-3 min. clips and it has worked great so far. I could not be happier at this point. For my type of work it seems like I may have found a real winner at less than 4K dollars. I will take it and run.

Beautiful shots! Which park were those taken at?

 

[HotPixels]

Well I do think it’s safe to assume canon was aware of the heat issue back in October from the patented adapter that would help dissipate heat.

They were aware of it, just like they were aware of the 5DII heating limit of 12 minutes. Canon is a responsible company and unlike Sony doesn't gloss over these things. If anything they are too conservative.

Sony's have a heat limit...have they released anything to help their customers? Fuji has heat limits; have they released anything?

What Canon wasn't aware of was that there would be a guerrilla marketing campaign against them by Sony promoters. And that other sites would play along.

 

[Deleted member 384473]

The level of “mistake”, if any, depends wholly on your perspective and expectations.

My expectation was an exceptional stills camera with some video capability on the side. Not a video camera that can also take stills.

I also thought “wait and see...”

Call me silly.

Wait and see then wait again has been the theme with Canon lately. At least for video hybrid shooters. Again, the R5 looks to be an absolute beast for stills. The animal AF is impressive to say the least.

 

[Jonathan Thill]

And what happens? Canon apparently forgets to heatsink the DIGIC chip.

If you put a heatsink on the chip in an enclosed space it will A.) Take longer for the chip to get hot. This is true. B.) Take much longer for that heat soak heatsink to cool down making the cool down times even longer. A fan will help and we have these on our non weather sealed Cameras but heat is a big issue that we are always fighting on our sealed Cameras.

I am not going to debate this with you because I know for sure no questions not up for discussion. This is what I work on everyday:

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[Deleted member 384473]

They were aware of it, just like they were aware of the 5DII heating limit of 12 minutes. Canon is a responsible company and unlike Sony doesn't gloss over these things. If anything they are too conservative.

Sony's have a heat limit...have they released anything to help their customers? Fuji has heat limits; have they released anything?

What Canon wasn't aware of was that there would be a guerrilla marketing campaign against them by Sony promoters. And that other sites would play along.

How has Canon handled the heat issue with the R5?

 

[scyrene]

But then again, this is the generation of rampaging entitlement and the generation that was never told no now has enough disposable income to bring misery to the masses.

Can we please not make this a generational thing?

 

[Bert63]

Can somebody make a website that tracks the current "that"s it, Canon is doomed, I'm switching to Sony!" flaw in the R5? Because I'm getting dizzy.

First it was that the leaked specs said only 200 shots per battery and people were all like I'm switching to Sony! Only now that the camera is in some (lucky) people's hands they are seeing battery life that is completely fine. I don't see any battery life complaints anymore.

Then it was that the EVF, while improved, is completely inferior to an OVF. A quick video was posted showing it incapable of tracking a BIF. I'm switching to Sony! Only now (over at places like fred miranda) people are posting pics of birds and bees and dragonflies and everyone is raving about animal auto focus. I don't see any EVF complaints anymore.

Then it was the camera overheats. That's it I'm switching to Sony! Glossed over was the fact this was (mainly) about the high end video modes that no other camera offers and more standard video modes remain available.

Then the Sony ARXiiiv7Xii was released and everyone was like THIS is what we mean my hybrid mirrorless. 95% video focused with postage stamp, "social media ready" stills. I'm switching to Sony! If this is the camera you want/need then fine. But I'm an amateur photographer not videographer and 12 MP is not going to cut it.

Then it turns out the new Sony overheats too just not as quickly. Or as quickly, depending on who was doing the tests. The conversation quickly changed to "well yeah, but the Canon doesn't cool down fast enough". That's it, I'm switching to Sony!

Then someone posted an anecdote of the R5 overheating in the desert after 2000+ shots in a couple of hours. If there ever was an advertisement for a 1-series camera it would be taking 2000+ shots of motor cross in a couple of hours in desert.

Now the complaint is while the R5 does seem to be performing to spec, Canon misled us with their teaser ads. I was expecting a medium format dynamic range and sharpness, best in class IBIS, best in class auto focus, light weight, infinite battery life, zero lag EVF with the video capabilities of a professional IMAX camera. I was duped into thinking I could shoot a full wedding flip a switch and record an IMAX movie in the same session. Without changing batteries. That's it, I'm switching to Sony!

All these youtube influencers (LOL "influencers") and forum jockeys are once again declaring Canon incompetent and doomed. Yet for some reason this "poorly designed", "poorly engineered", "poorly manufactured" camera that has "horrible battery life", "an unusable EVF", and "overheats if not kept in a freezer" is sold out everywhere and it is likely going to be months before I am able to get my hands on one. If everyone that said they are switching to Sony actually, you know, switched to Sony you'd think it wouldn't be selling like hotcakes.

Or maybe, just maybe, these youtube influencers don't influence anything other than their own echo chambers.

Perfect post.

Please please please f’ing switch already and be done with it. Put a poster of ************* or Sony Northrop on your wall and call it a day. And cancel your preorders on the way so I can get my R5 faster.

 

[cornieleous]

My workflow has not changed at all with the R5 and I am super happy with the Camera. Shame the focus is on what it can't do and not what it can.

• Editing 8K just laughs at my PC so I am transcoding
• The standard 4K looks as good or better then the 4K out of my EOS R and no crop.
• The 1.6 Crop 4K looks much better than the cropped EOS R 4K
• Punching in on the 8K looks awesome - I think I am going to try and setup a 5min clip using the 15-35 with the goal of having 3 or 4 "scenes" all recorded at the same time and just punch in to create scene isolation. I think the detail is there to do it, pass or fail it will be fun to mess with.
• 8K is nuts to work with Example this clip took 2 hours to show up on Youtube as 8K. It is just to test the upload time of 12secs 8k and not a good video, but I have never had 8K before so it still seems cool to me.

The R5 is everything "I" wanted from a Canon Pro body so I am going to be happy.

I'm pretty happy too. Have put it through some extra stills and video paces with all the controversy to make sure it is solid, and no show stoppers yet.

Have you tried the automatic in camera proxies to speed editing of the 8K? I don't even have fast enough cards yet to try. Hoping that works as well as described. I'm also curious about the Wifi transfer of data. I'm lazy and it would be cool to not pull cards in and out of a card reader all the time.

I can run more 4K60 than I ever will need, and I was pleased with how long I got vs. the spec sheet after heating the camera in direct sun for over an hour. Cool down for me after thermal shutdown was only 20-30 mins in air conditioning with moderate airflow, so I think anything I may ever expect from it is covered. The 4K60 eats cards fast! 50GB in 30 mins. I'll probably use this rarely for more than several minutes at a time. 4K30 was a more reasonable 6.5GB and makes better sense for most longer shooting I would do.

The other night I did focus tests in the dark and it was about as fast as focusing in daylight; that is just fun. Where any previous model would have hunted forever and had to be manually focused, this was just effortless. For astrophotography, if I use a non-manual lens, I can now use autofocus to set the lens to infinity on a star instead of zooming in and manually focusing using live view. Focusing on foreground in the dark will perhaps no longer require a flashlight/headlamp. I can get handheld shots in the dark that are quite clean up to ISO12800.

My first EVF ever, and seeing what photos will actually look like with high quality display is pretty useful, although not a big fan of the non natural view for some applications. I may always keep a camera about with an optical viewfinder. They have come a long way though, I really didn't like the EVFs that were available just a few years ago, or the one in my Sony NXCAM. Hoping a big eyecup will become available soon.

The AF performance in all modes is pretty amazing and I like that the user doesn't need to do much, it just kind of works.

The IBIS feels almost at a GH5 level for a full frame. For stills or video its a huge improvement. I'm becoming confident I can leave the tripod in the car unless I'm doing truly long exposures now. I'm able to handhold my 24-105 F4L mk1 (the old one with the blah IS) zoomed at 105mm, at 1/8s and get mostly keepers that are 100% sharp. On the 5D4 I can only manage 1/100, so this is nearly 4 stops better.

The less I listen to all the noise, the more I am feeling pretty good with the R5. Hopefully I will not encounter anything unexpected, but I will continue to press it hard during the return window just as a precaution.

 

[Bert63]

Can we please not make this a generational thing?

Merely making an observation. It is what it is.

 

[Deleted member 384473]

Perfect post.

Please please please f’ing switch already and be done with it. Put a poster of ************* or Sony Northrop on your wall and call it a day. And cancel your preorders on the way so I can get my R5 faster.

Criticism is a good thing, Bert. Remember that.