Except for my initial cameras that I learned photography on, I am not sentimental about my gear. I view gear as tools to get the images I seek. In deciding whether or not to upgrade to new equipment, I read the reviews, look at the purported benefits, then ask myself whether those benefits would advance my photographic goals and whether I think those benefits are worth the cost. I feel no compulsion to keep gear that is working well within it's original design limitations, if the current model offers features that will improve either the quality of my images or improve my success rate. I do not have to keep my gear an arbitrary number of years. By the same token, I do not buy the new bright an shiny object that I believe will not advance my photographic goals.

So after a year of heavy usage, was the decision to upgrade to the R5 the correct one. For me, the decision is a resounding yes for the reasons below. Your usage and decision points my well be different. This post coincides with a belated review of my images for the last year or so.

Versatility and simplification of kit: Professionally and personally, I shoot a wide range of images, high resolution macros, product, birds and other wildlife, landscapes and grandchildren as well as a fair degree of miscellaneous. I used three bodies, a Canon 7D Mark II, a 5D Mark IV, and a 5DSr. The R5 pretty well matches or exceeds the strengths of each of those bodies.

Better focusing system: The camera's ability for focusing on the eye of flying birds and active grandkids is a game changer. It's not that I didn't get successful shots in the past. It's that I get the successful shot more frequently. Also, I can use certain lenses, such as my 100-500mm with a teleconverter, or my RF 800mm and still have auto focus

Better low light performance. The ability to get clean results at ISO 5000 is of particular benefit when shooting birds and kids in less that stellar light.

The IBIS works in conjunction with the image stabilization in the lens to extend the number of sharp images I get when hand holding in dim light. I also carry my tripod less.

The focus bracketing programs has gotten me more successful stacks. The reason is that I don't have to wait 2 seconds in between shots, for the camera to settle down after the shutter and the mirror move at the end of the preceding shot. Outside, there is less chance for wind movement or light change in a 50 pic stack where it takes two or three seconds to stack the image as opposed to 2 minutes. In my studio, the difference in time may mean that the cactus flower does not yet begin to close when brought inside.

The mirrorless design has worked well with novel lenses, like my 800mm f/11 lens or lenses that have been improved over their EF version the 100-500 zoom.

What brought it home to me was a set of wood duck shots I took this past week with my 800 f/11 on my R5 shooting at 5000 ISO.

I am not advocating for anyone to upgrade their equipment. Nor am I seeking to promote Canon gear over its competitors. I am just stating the reasons I upgraded and my evaluation of the upgrade.