Canon EOS R5 Mark II Announced – 45MP, 8K60 Raw Video, New Cooling Grip, Full-Size HDMI

Camera News

by Jakub HanJuly 17^th, 2024

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The new Canon EOS R5 Mark II features a 45MP BSI full-frame sensor with Dual Pixel Intelligent AF, eye control AF, faster readout speeds and a variety of smart features based on Deep Learning. For filmmakers, the camera offers 8K up to 60fps 12-bit raw video internally, as well as 4K 120fps with sound, 4-channel audio, IBIS, better integration with Canon Cinema EOS formats, Canon Log 2, a new cooling grip for longer recording times, and more. The EOS R5 Mark II will be available in August 2024 for $4,299 (around €5,200 incl. VAT in Europe).

Today, the Japanese camera manufacturer Canon announced two new flagship mirrorless cameras: the Canon EOS R1 and the Canon EOS R5 Mark II. In my article, I will focus on the high-resolution 8K model, the R5 Mark II. If you want to know more about the EOS R1, make sure to check our other article dedicated to the camera. Now, let’s take a look at what the new EOS R5 Mark II offers.

Canon EOS R5 Mark II – 45MP fast readout sensor

The camera features a newly developed 45MP full-frame back-illuminated stacked (BSI) Dual Pixel CMOS AF sensor. To faster process all the data from the sensor, the camera utilizes Canon’s DIGIC accelerator and DIGIC X image processor.

Canon claims the readout speed of the sensor is 60% faster (compared to R5) resulting in a better controlled rolling shutter, up to 1/64000 shutter speed, and up to 30fps continuous shooting speed. The sensor, of course, features an IBIS with up to 8.5-stops of stabilization according to Canon.

The EOS R5 Mark II includes the latest generation of Canon’s AF system called Dual Pixel Intelligent AF. This brings various improvements such as:

• Better tracking (subject crossing, upper half of body detection, avoiding obstacles by estimating head area)
• Action priority – Detects sport and moves focus to the point of interest (ball)
• Register people priority – up to 10 people can be registered and the AF system will prioritize them (improved face recognition even in profile). You can save up to 10 files on card (each with 10 faces).

The R5 Mark II now also features the eye control AF feature from the EOS R3, but with some improvements – higher pixel count sensor, larger eye detection area, and eye movement detection speed increased by 2x.

Additional smart features include raw images noise reduction and in-camera 4x upscaling (for 180MP stills) based on deep learning algorithm. Pre-continuous shooting starts buffering 15 frames when the shutter is half pressed and it saves all the images (HEIF/JPEG or raw) when it is fully pressed.

Video features – 8K 60fps raw, 4K 120fps with audio

Canon claims the EOS R5 Mark II offers new features for filmmakers and bring the R5 line closer to Cinema EOS line. The camera offers 8K video up to 60fps 12-bit raw recorded internally. In fact, 8K is only available in raw.

Furthermore, the R5 Mark II offers 4K up to 120fps with audio (line skipping) or up to 4K 30fps video (oversampled from 8K). Aside from 12-bit raw (available for lower resolutions in crop mode), the camera also offers XF-HEVC, XF-AV S (mp4) codecs.

Custom picture profiles now include Canon Log 2, Log 3, Canon 709/BT.709 Std., or PQ/HLG. The camera uses industry-standard file naming (folder structure and file name settings are the same as those of the Canon Cinema EOS line).

The R5 Mark II includes video shooting assist features such as waveform monitor, false color, and zebra display. Other useful functions include pre-recording, proxy recording, AF subject tracking, tally lamp, and HDR movie mode.

Dual shooting enables taking high-resolution photos (even in continuous mode) while shooting a video (uninterrupted). This is the first time EOS cameras can do this. However, it is only possible while shooting FullHD video.

Finally (for the first time in a mirrorless body), Canon equipped the R5 Mark II with an HDMI type A connector (full-size HDMI), which can output raw video signal. The camera also offers up to 4 channels of 24-bit audio recording.

With Canon’s special dual lens, you can capture 3D video for VR goggles and review the footage in a format equivalent to one-eye viewing with VR goggles.

Camera body, accessories

The dust & water-resistant camera body is made out of a magnesium alloy for lightweight and durable construction. The blackout-free EVF features 5.76M dots and Canon claims it is now twice as bright compared to the R5.

The R5 Mark II needs a new battery to record 8K raw video internally. It is called a Canon LP-E6P, and it has the same capacity as the previous LP-E6NH (2130 mAh) but can now sustain a maximum continuous discharge current of 6.0A. The question remains: how long can you record 8K 60fps before the battery dies?

Communication is possible via Wi-Fi 6E or 2.5 Base-T Ethernet (via the optional grip with an ethernet port). Talking about battery grips, there are three new models available for the R5 Mark II:

• Standard grip – includes only additional battery packs and controls for vertical shooting.
• Network grip – includes a 2.5G Base-T Ethernet connector.
• Cooling grip – features an active cooling system that transports heat away from the camera’s internals, therefore prolonging the recording time. It also includes the 2.5G Base-T Ethernet connector.

Price and availability

The Canon EOS R5 Mark II will be available in August 2024, and the price has been set at $4,299 for the body only. The R5 Mark II with an RF 24-105mm F4L kit lens will set you back €5,399. The pricing of the new cooling grip is $399.

What do you think about the new Canon EOS R5 Mark II? Did Canon meet your expectations? Are you invested in the RF mount system? Let us know in the comments section underneath the article.