Canon EOS R5 and Canon EOS R6: Hi, I have a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, which is a great camera but weighs a ton. I'm looking at the R5 or the R6 as replacements. I love bird photography...

janewynn

Hi, I have a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, which is a great camera but weighs a ton. I'm looking at the R5 or the R6 as replacements. I love bird photography scenery like waterfalls and when i feel safer, on stage acts. The R5 sounds better for birds, where cropping is needed, and the R6 is better for low light. I'm anxious to here opinions from this group

Jane

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

For birding I would say the R5 would be your best choice because of the higher resolution. This assumes you do most of your photography in bright conditions. Both cameras are outstanding, especially compared to the 5D4 for focus and speed. The R5 also allows for 1.6 crop-sensor mode. I use this frequently when additional reach is needed. This turns 45 megapixels to around 19. About the same as the R6. Of course you have to decide whether an additional $1300 is worth it. 😬 As for the weight differential, I don’t notice a difference between the 5D4 when using long lenses.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Our opinions are fine, but read reviews and look for comparisons online.

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

Jane, I faced the same decision recently. I sold my 5D IV here on the Hog. So the $$ to invest was not a criteria, but researching the Canon "R" camera and listening to the advice of Ken Rockwell I went 'light' with the RP and the 24-105 (non L). We just returned from a three week driving trip through Yellowstone and the Black Hills, and I'm in love with this combination. I'm just now processing those photos, but I'll say the camera is a delight and so light it made photography fun again.

I carried a 7DII with the 100 - 400 L II and a 1.4 III extender and was I happy that my Grandson was along on the trip as he handled this monster. This next week this rigging also goes on the block. Take a minute and read what Ken has to say on this camera and lens. https://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/rp.htm. His advice led me to a new level of thinking. Norm

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You might want to rent one or find a shop where you can handle one or both candidate EOS mirrorless bodies. The EOS 5DIV weights 31oz and the EOS R5 weights 25.5oz. A difference of 6 ounces isn't a real difference at all.

Haydon

As Tom mentioned, the R5 would be a better choice for birding but if weight saving is the main goal, you won't find any substantial saving going to mirrorless unless you go micro four thirds. Both the Canon RF 85 1.2 & RF 50 1.2 weigh more than the EF counterpart. As to the going with the R6 I myself wouldn't go backwards in megapixel on a new purchase considering you have Mark IV.

ncshutterbug

janewynn wrote:

Hi, I have a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, which is a great camera but weighs a ton. I'm looking at the R5 or the R6 as replacements. I love bird photography scenery like waterfalls and when i feel safer, on stage acts. The R5 sounds better for birds, where cropping is needed, and the R6 is better for low light. I'm anxious to here opinions from this group

Jane

Jane, I did exactly the same thing. Back problems forced me to put down my Canon 5D MKIII and after much research I went with Ken Rockwell's recommendation and got the RP and have never looked back. I loved that 5D with all my heart, and have to say that the RP is just as fabulous. I have L lenses but I use the Tamron 28-300 and love it too. The L lenses are wonderful but made for weight lifters

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

My opinion. When you hang a lens on either The 5 or the 6. It wont make a big (about 8 oz) different in weight. So unless the 5d4 is not doing something for you. I would sick with it. But if you MUST have new gear go for the R5 as it Canons flagship and the R6 is not. ( I wish I had these kinds of problems)

AntonioReyna Loc: Los Angeles, California

I have had many of the Canon pro series cameras, including the 1DsII, the 5DII and 5DIII and then got the 6D and 6DII bodies. But my current favorite combo, as with you, is the RP with the 24-105STM lens as it is very light, gives me a good range and great images. I also have the 24-105/4L lens but use the much lighter STM lens. I love the face detection focusing and the flexible LCD as this combination allows me to keep up with my busy granddaughter and other moving subjects. I would like to also say that the EF-RF adapter works great and I use an EF 20/2.8 and the 40/2.8 lens for an even more compact kit. I am very happy with the RP but am thinking about the R5 or R6 in the near future.

twosummers Loc: Melbourne Australia or Lincolnshire England

You should give the EOS R a try - terrific camera and resolution between the R5 and R6. Much cheaper too.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Tomfl101 wrote:

For birding I would say the R5 would be your best ... (show quote)

I really don’t get using crop mode if it’s not a crop lens. I’d just shoot in full frame and crop in post.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

janewynn wrote:

Hi, I have a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, which is a great camera but weighs a ton. I'm looking at the R5 or the R6 as replacements. I love bird photography scenery like waterfalls and when i feel safer, on stage acts. The R5 sounds better for birds, where cropping is needed, and the R6 is better for low light. I'm anxious to here opinions from this group

Jane

My friends in Florida wetlands have been using the R5 with great results on birds in flight. They have all paired this camera with the Canon 100-500. This lens has proven itself as a great all purpose wildlife lens. My only complaint would be that I wish it had the same range as the Sony 200-600.

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Like it was said earlier - unless you have tons of $$$$$ to buy all new R lenses also - you wont feel a weight difference. Infact - with the lens adaptor I almost feel like it is more to hold. But I did replace my 5Dmiv for a R5 and the speed is amazing, resolution is amazing etc.... But there is a learning curve that I'm still in. I missed many shots at my last shoot and... I'm still not IN LOVE. If you have the money to spend - take a good look at Sony too. I wish I had.

Capn_Dave

I have both the R5 and R6 and prefer the R6 for birding. Why might you ask" it is the file size of the R5 photos. It really eats up disk space and lengthens your Post Processing time. Unless you have all kinds of storage space and computing power the R6 is much a better choice. when you are shooting 20 frames per second you can really eat up a lot of computer resources quickly. As far as image quality goes you cannot tell the difference between the two cameras images unless you really really zoom in on a subject. 20mp is plenty. The R6 does have an advantage in low light also, due to the pixel size being larger and able to capture more light. Both cameras are awesome and are pretty much the same. If you are going to do videos I would lean to the R5, for anything else, it's a toss up

APSHEPPARD

I have the R5 and the above advice to you is "spot on" to my experience. I would add that I bought the 24-240 instead of the 105 that is pushed in the kit. With the crop factor available this gives you up to 384 mm capability in a very lightweight package.