Canon R5 Anticipation for R5 Mark II?

[jcass]

Having been on an upgrade cycle of 7 to 8 years, I confess that I am likely to purchase an R5 Mark II on introduction after having my R5 for a year and half. That'll be two firsts for me: upgrading after only 1 1/2 years, and buying a camera at intro. Of course, this is depending on an actual release and the final specifications of the camera.

I love my R5 and plan to keep it as a second body. There are a couple of features though that just keep tugging me down the road to upgrade:

1. Pre-buffer shooting. I always miss birds launching by a hair and would like to take photos of lightning. In sports, I have a good sense for the moment of the action, this can only help.
2. Auto-focus improvements, especially QPAF and low light AF. The R5 is fantastic, but it does hunt in low light and improvements in the R6 II and R8 AF have been lauded. I admit, this is a weakness of mine and I can use all the help that I can get.
3. Increased resolution/size of viewfinder and display. My eyes just ain't what they used to be. My unicorn is the articulating viewfinder.
4. Multi-function hot shoe. My old flashes suffice, but the incompatibility moving forward is frustrating.
5. Stacked sensor... dynamic range... improved low light image quality. No complaints in my R5, but can you imagine it being better!

I'd like to know what other folks think about the Mark II... should the February announcement actually occur. I think it will. What features do or don't matter to you?

 

[Jake Shoots Birds]

Stacked sensor leading to better low-light ISO and AF performance (not that the R5 isn't already good)
I hope Jan is correct that the mechanical shutter remains. I just don't think the systems are fully ready yet.

If the resolution stays at 45MP (as Jan suggests) or increases then the prospect of an electronic-only shutter and a stacked sensor means a HUGE jump in tech, which would signal flagship prices and not an R5. So like you, I'm happy to have the option for when I will need it. I've been on a list for this one for a while, so I'm hoping I get in early, even if that's end of summer on shipments.

 

[MrSparks999]

If it lives up to the hype, I think this new R5 might have to be a present to myself later this year. That'll give me time to figure out how to get the wife on board with the decision.

Remember it is easier to seek forgiveness than permission.

 

[Dave Williams]

I'm definitely up for the new R5ii when it's launched. I reluctantly bought an R7 as a back up camera to my R5 and I have to say I'm not that keen on it tbh. I love the ergonomics of the R5 and would hope they are almost identical for the R5ii with the exception of the video switching being as it is with the R7, the R5 is too time consuming to switch in a hurry. I would like to see the return of the slot in rubber cup around the viewfinder too, as a spectacle wearer I soon wear them out and replacing the one on the R5 looks like it's a return to CPS job which is ridiculous.
Other than that I'd happily accept two CFexpress cards instead of the SD one, would certainly welcome better AF although it's pretty good already but could be better, especially for small subjects like birds in bushes and BIF with messy backgounds. A boost in ISO performance is always welcome but that wouldn't be my top priority. Controlling the number of FPS on electronic shutter is an essential upgrade as it's soul destroying going through your huge number of files deciding which to delete after shooting at 20fps.
Finally sort the R5 overheating problem, that's a must.
What I'm asking for shouldn't result in a ridiculous price increase either.
Those who want the gadgetry of the R3 and R1 can pay the increase but when I read some of the questions asked about how to operate their cameras I do wonder how many folk actually need those high end bodies as they are more than they can handle it seems.

 

[Archibald]

Finally sort the R5 overheating problem, that's a must.

Overheating has never been a problem while I have had the R5. That's because I use it as a stills camera.

Heavy digital processing inherently creates heat. And it is not linear - it hits a wall at higher gigahertz. This limits the practical clock speed of processors. That's why clock speeds of CPUs have leveled out after increasing for many years, and why clock speeds on laptops are less (to conserve the battery). Multi cores help to get around the speed and heat-generating problem to an extent.

Dedicated movie cameras need to process a ton of data and generate a lot of heat. They require special cooling to be able to do that without overheating.

I'm really hoping that the R5 II doesn't come with a cooling fan or other cooling provision because it would increase the weight and bulk, and the price too.

 

[Dave Williams]

Overheating has never been a problem while I have had the R5. That's because I use it as a stills camera.

Heavy digital processing inherently creates heat. And it is not linear - it hits a wall at higher gigahertz. This limits the practical clock speed of processors. That's why clock speeds of CPUs have leveled out after increasing for many years, and why clock speeds on laptops are less (to conserve the battery). Multi cores help to get around the speed and heat-generating problem to an extent.

Dedicated movie cameras need to process a ton of data and generate a lot of heat. They require special cooling to be able to do that without overheating.

I'm really hoping that the R5 II doesn't come with a cooling fan or other cooling provision because it would increase the weight and bulk, and the price too.

I have had the R5 overheat when shooting stills many times. I guess if you are at an action hot spot and in high temperatures shooting 20 fps is nearly as bad as video. Video , especially 4k 120fps, will certainly overheat the camera in next to no time. We are now told however that it's safe to continue shooting stills even if the warning light comes on. I do wonder why my first CFexpress card started to crumble bits of plastic and can only guess it became brittle from the heat.
Incidentally, I know many have a resistance to shooting video but I love to dabble occasionally, adds an extra dimension that a still can't capture. Having come from the 1D series to the R5 I'm happy with a larger body too tbh.

 

[Archibald]

I have had the R5 overheat when shooting stills many times. I guess if you are at an action hot spot and in high temperatures shooting 20 fps is nearly as bad as video. Video , especially 4k 120fps, will certainly overheat the camera in next to no time. We are now told however that it's safe to continue shooting stills even if the warning light comes on. I do wonder why my first CFexpress card started to crumble bits of plastic and can only guess it became brittle from the heat.
Incidentally, I know many have a resistance to shooting video but I love to dabble occasionally, adds an extra dimension that a still can't capture. Having come from the 1D series to the R5 I'm happy with a larger body too tbh.

OK, different use case. My R5 is for landscapes, general use, and studio shooting with flash. I rarely shoot bursts with it. That's what my R7 is for. But even then, I shoot at 7 fps and never more than a few shots at a time (basically long bursts with interruptions). Neither camera has ever overheated.

If you need to go at 20 fps for a long time, yes, that is going to heat the camera up. What's the solution? Do you want an R5 II with heat sinks and a fan?

 

[Dave Williams]

OK, different use case. My R5 is for landscapes, general use, and studio shooting with flash. I rarely shoot bursts with it. That's what my R7 is for. But even then, I shoot at 7 fps and never more than a few shots at a time (basically long bursts with interruptions). Neither camera has ever overheated.

If you need to go at 20 fps for a long time, yes, that is going to heat the camera up. What's the solution? Do you want an R5 II with heat sinks and a fan?

IMO Two options, 1) enable a choice of reduced fps rate in electronic 2) sort out the overheating with whatever is needed.

 

[Archibald]

IMO Two options, 1) enable a choice of reduced fps rate in electronic 2) sort out the overheating with whatever is needed.

They might be able to optimize a bit but the heat issue is a tough one that all digital processing is up against.

You could maybe apply ice cubes to the back of the camera. (OK, just kidding.) But here's a guy who combatted R5 heating with cooling devices.

Fixed! Canon EOS R5 Overheating Solved with DIY Internal Heatsink | Cộng đồng làm phim 24 hình/s

Matt from DIY Perks’ YouTube channel managed to significantly improve the overheating problem of the Canon EOS R5. With an improved internal copper...

24hinh.vn

 

[w507]

OK, different use case. My R5 is for landscapes, general use, and studio shooting with flash. I rarely shoot bursts with it. That's what my R7 is for. But even then, I shoot at 7 fps and never more than a few shots at a time (basically long bursts with interruptions). Neither camera has ever overheated.

If you need to go at 20 fps for a long time, yes, that is going to heat the camera up. What's the solution? Do you want an R5 II with heat sinks and a fan?

The camera will also overheat with continued use of the viewfinder, say you are on a leopard for example and need to keep watching it in case you get a chance at a shot. It’s problematic for battery too. It’s sometimes tempting to keep an optical body around for these specific situations.

 

[RedCobra]

The camera will also overheat with continued use of the viewfinder, say you are on a leopard for example and need to keep watching it in case you get a chance at a shot. It’s problematic for battery too. It’s sometimes tempting to keep an optical body around for these specific situations.

I have not experienced this.