The Canon EOS R5 Mark II has been a highly anticipated update, and if you’re considering upgrading, there are a few things you should know. The original R5 set a high standard for image quality, but the Mark II promises some key improvements that might make it worth the jump, especially for those who shoot both photos and videos.
Coming to you from James Reader, this detailed video shares his hands-on experience with the Canon EOS R5 Mark II after a month of use. One thing that stands out is that Canon didn't drastically change the photo capabilities. The camera still has a 45-megapixel sensor, delivering sharp, detailed images similar to its predecessor. Reader mentions that while he hoped for a slight tweak in color profiles, Canon stuck with their signature warm tones, which work beautifully for skin and landscapes, though they may sometimes require a bit of saturation adjustment. Despite no significant overhaul, the colors and details shine, especially when you feed the sensor good light, giving you contrast-rich and clear shots.
The Mark II does seem to have an edge in sharpness. Reader notes that images look crisper, especially when zooming in on fine details like eyes in a portrait or textures in landscapes. This might be due to how the Mark II handles shadows and blacks, adding a perceived depth to the images. The improved sharpness can also be useful for landscapes, where you want every tiny detail to be clear, even when cropping. This makes it ideal for those who need to maximize resolution without losing quality.
Reader shares how the R5 Mark II performs well when underexposing slightly to preserve highlights, with raw files offering plenty of room for recovery in post. This was particularly noticeable when shooting directly into the sun, where the Mark II managed to hold onto color and detail even after significant edits. If you often shoot high-contrast scenes, this added flexibility is quite helpful.
On the video side, Reader highlights several updates that make the R5 Mark II stand out. One major upgrade is the inclusion of Canon Log 2 (C-Log 2), which offers a more subtle contrast curve and smoother highlight roll-off than C-Log 3. This results in a more natural, film-like look, making it easier to grade footage while preserving detail across bright and dark areas. Reader also mentions how the 4K footage downsampled from 8K remains incredibly sharp, but now has a slightly less digital feel, which is a welcome improvement.
One of the best new features is the improved autofocus. The Mark II not only detects subjects more accurately but can also switch between them seamlessly without needing to dive into the menus. Reader notes that this makes it easier to track moving subjects, even when they’re partially obscured. Another feature he was initially skeptical about but ended up loving is eye-control autofocus. This lets you choose your focus point simply by looking at it, which makes it much faster to set up shots, particularly in dynamic scenes or while traveling. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Reader.
I really hope that Canon will add a 50p 4k fine in the future, for all your review, I agree with every point. Best camera I've ever had, with new L series lenses it's a beast.