March 15, 2023
Canon R5 Mirrorless Camera
At this time, the R5 is the "flagship" mirrorless camera from Canon.
There have been rumors of a 61 megapixel R5 mark II, perhaps in 2024.
They say a major firmware update for the R5 has replaced the launch
of the R5-II in 2023.
The number "5" is significant. It is more or less the continuation
of the 5D series in the mirrorless world.
The Canon 5d-II has been my main camera for well over 10 years.
It was introduced in 2008, and discontinued in 2012.
The R5 right now sells for $3699 at BH photo.
You can buy a refurbished R5 from Canon for $3329,
saving $360 (but tax will be about $186).
And the refurbished unit just went on sale for $3099,
which makes for a $590 savings.
The Canon R5 was intoduced in July of 2020.
The Canon 1D mark III was introduced May of 2007 and discontinued in late 2009.
The Canon 1Ds mark III was introduced in mid 2007 and discontinued in December of 2011
A quick side note. The Canon R6 is almost the same camera as the R5 for more or less half the price.
The big difference is that you get a 20 megapixel sensor rather than a 45 megapixel sensor.
It is all about image quality (and the ability to shoot 8K video if you shoot video).
(There is now an R6 mark II that is 24 megapixel).
Sensor
It is a 45 megapixel full frame sensor that yields 8192 by 5464 pixel images.
You can have it save 22 megapixel images (5808 by 3872) - as well as other choices.
You can use it in APS_C mode, which gives you 17 megapixels and 5088 by 3392 pixel images.
R mount to EOS adapter
You have choices!
The basic adapter for $99 or one with a control ring for $149.
The price on the gadget with a control ring used to be $199.
The reduced price makes it more attractive.
Also note that a native R lens has a control ring built in,
so having a control ring is sort of part of the R system.
Getting the control ring seems like the smart choice.
Memory cards
The camera has two slots and they are different.
You have a fancy CF express type B slot for the highest performance,
and an SD slot. Once you decide to spend the money for the pricey
CF express cards, you will also need to buy a card reader.
As for the SD slot, you are recommended to get the high speed
UHS-II cards, which are also expensive. As an example, I have
a 128G "Sandisk Extreme" UHS-I card, and it sells for $23 if
I want to get another one. The price for a 64G (half the capacity)
SDXC UHS-II "Sandisk Extreme Pro" card is $83.
The price for a Sandisk Extreme Pro 128G CF express card is $120 right now (March, 2023),
but after waiting a year, the price dropped to $89 (March, 2024).
I ordered one, along with a Lexar card reader that will also read SD cards.
Do you need the fancy fast and expensive cards? You do if you want to use the high
end video features of the camera. If you are doing landscape photography,
probably not.
Other "accessories"
A second battery and an external charger.
Amazingly, the R5 uses the same LP-E6N as the 5D-II.
Note that it actually will come with the LP-E6NH, which has
slightly higher (14 percent capacity) at the same voltage.
A CF express card (and a USB connected reader for one of those).
or just some big and fast SD cards.
Reviews and important articles
There are more reviews online than you can shake a stick at.
The following stand out in some way.
Feedback? Questions?
Drop me a line!
Tom's Digital Photography Info / tom@mmto.org