Did you tell us what lenses you're shooting? Your EOS 5DIV is already as good as it gets at 30MP. You might get a bit better performance at 20MP that is essentially the 1DXIII sensor in the R6, but I'd never willingly move down in pixel resolution, certainly not for a marginal improvement when I can probably throw faster lenses at the problem. You'd need to commit to RF lenses too, especially the RF 28-70 f/2L to justify making a change and supporting your shelter photography. There might be an EF lens for the 5DIV that is a better option than changing cameras and lenses. Are you capturing in RAW today? Using ETTR techniques? Shooting at f/2 to f/5 for capable lenses? That is: are you maximizing your current top-tier EOS DLSR?

Thanks CHG_CANON. If I went for the R5, I would plan to keep my EF lenses and use the EF-to-R lens adapter, which raises another good question - does that degrade performance or image quality with the R5?

I shoot with the Canon 24-105 mm f/4L, Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6L, Canon 100 mm f/2.8L macro, and Tamron 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 lenses. My shelter photos are usually taken with the 24-105 mm lens in the 70-100 mm range. I typically shoot around f/7.1-8.0 to get the depth of field I like.

I do use ETTR (thanks to you, I should add), and I shoot exclusively in RAW.

I'm not at all unhappy with the 5DIV. I love everything about it, including its low-light performance and relatively low noise, especially compared to the 7D and 7DII I used to use. I just read about the R5 and started wondering and drooling. Self-inflicted GAS attack.

Your EF lenses may be a bit sharper on the various EOS R bodies, because of the way the mirrorless cameras achieve focus. But overall, they'll behave the same, for both focus speed and focus accuracy. The noticeable sharpness difference comes from the native RF lenses, especially the super premium fast offerings that are as sharp wide-open as any stepped down aperture of their corresponding EF models.

Your 100L macro is a wonderful portrait lens. Certainly not as flexible as the zoom for a maybe scared animal, but that would be the lens I'd consider and just crop from the 30MP of the EOS 5DIV if I have difficulty getting closer with a fixed 100mm. Since the lens has IS, I'd shoot as slow as possible to allow for options in ISO and aperture.

Thanks again, CHG_CANON. I really appreciate your comments and your expertise. Lots of good thoughts and information here.

That 100mm macro really is a superb lens.

I have another kitten shoot tomorrow (that sounds terrible, doesn't it?), and I think I'll take your advice and give the 100mm macro another go. I had switched to the 24-105 mainly because it allows me to zoom out and get full-body shots more easily in confined spaces. But the 100mm does let me shoot at slower shutter speeds and larger apertures, and I can also use my macro ring light for shooting into dark, confined spaces like crates and carriers. (Yes, I should be able to do that with the 24-105mm lens, too, except that I misplaced the macro flash adapter ring for that one.) A standard external flash often casts unwanted shadows.

As for the R5 vs 5D question, am I correct in interpreting your overall message as "Stick with the 5DIV as long as you still love it"?

This question is for the Canon 5D Mark IV users here who have bought, tried, or switched to the Canon R5 mirrorless.

What do you think? How well do you like the R5 compared to the 5D, and why? Is the change worth it? How does the R5's EVF compare to the 5D's optical viewfinder?

I love my 5D and often use it for indoor (cat adoption) photos, but I am tempted by what I've read about the R5's low-light capability, animal eye focus, and image stabilization. I have tried mirrorless cameras in the past and currently use a Sony RX10-IV as my "grab and go" camera, but the electronic viewfinder and shutter lag have always sent me back to the 5D.

I switched from the MKIV to the R5 about a month ago in preparation for an African safari planned for later this year (hopefully). Reasons for switch: exquisite animal eye focus with tracking, meaning once the camera focuses on the eye, it will follow that animal across the entire frame; exceptional EVF which lets you see the effects of various exposures (all mirrorless cameras allow this); exceptional IBIS which also couples with an IS enabled lens; with electronic shutter you can get 20fps if that is important; EF to RF adapter works flawlessly with EF lenses; 45 megapixel sensor allows you to do extensive cropping in PP to create your desired final image. Trade in value of a 5DMKIV in excellent condition is around $1400 at a retail site, maybe $2000 if privately sold.

Thanks!

I used my 5Div for several years, and it’s an EXCELLENT camera, with a wide variety of top flite lenses available. That being said, with around six months experience with the R5, the IBIS and higher pixel count, even without the other improvements, brought me to the conclusion that the R5 is the better machine with a significant list of meaningful changes.
The weight factor of the 28-70 f2 lens is a factor, but the lens is so good that I choose to put up with it. It’s easily the best zoom lens I’ve ever used, and better even than most prime lenses. The RF 100-500 is slightly better than the older EF 100-400, and the extra range is nice though not overly important.
I find the need to open the “back door” of the R5 to get at the menu system an inconvenience compared with the 5Div, mostly because it slows things down when certain setup changes are needed. Most changes are available with the buttons and dials though, once you’ve learned the R5 systems.
I still have both cameras though, but the 5Div is mostly a backup, or occasionally a second camera when a situation makes really fast exchanges important.