New Canon EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mk II mirrorless cameras

Canon introduced two new mirrorless cameras – the flagship model EOS R1 and the advanced model EOS R5 Mark II. With the new cameras, I had the opportunity ahead of time at the event in Munich, where we could photograph and film the training of basketball players and breakdance dance creations.

Video from the briefing where we had the opportunity to try the new cameras. The video also includes most of the slides from the presentations at the briefing

As I am not a sports photographer and certainly not a professional photographer, my goal was not to make a compositionally great shot that could also be used on the front page, but I set myself the goal of “catching” the automatic focus and taking a shot that would not be in focus on the basketball players , or dancers, but for example on the background behind them. I took at least 200 shots with each camera, but I didn’t manage to take a photo that didn’t focus on the action of people on the deck or dance floor.

The EOS R1 mirrorless camera is equipped with advanced features that will enable sports and news photography professionals to take perfect shots. Canon EOS R5 Mark II is intended for creative professionals.

The new cameras are designed to take professional photography and video recording to a higher level, providing a more efficient way of working and an intuitive user interface with assistive technologies based on the new Accelerated Capture image processing platform and deep learning. “Accelerated Capture” forms a tandem of the new DIGIC Accelerator processor with the proven powerful DIGIC X image processor and the newly developed high-speed image sensors that both models are equipped with. DIGIC Accelerator enables the processing of large volumes of data and uses deep learning technology. Thanks to this combination, a significant increase in performance has been achieved and new functions have been made available in several areas, including autofocus, continuous shooting and image quality.

Both the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II use new image sensors, allowing for higher shutter speeds and faster sensor readouts, with the EOS R1 achieving a 40% reduction in rolling shutter compared to the EOS R3. This means that in this area it is now fully comparable to the EOS-1D X Mark III’s mechanical shutter. A 60% reduction has been achieved with the EOS R5 Mark II, so both models are highly capable of capturing fast action without any reduction in image quality or dynamic range.

With a new image processing platform, both the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II achieve higher image quality through deep learning image enhancement and in-camera noise reduction. When using JPEG or HEIF formats, it is possible to produce images with four times the resolution and noise reduction in the camera. Users can also crop and enlarge images in the camera, making it much easier to send photos without having to edit them through separate apps

The new cameras are equipped with the latest version of the Dual Pixel CMOS system – Dual Pixel Intelligent AF. It includes several improvements, including more accurate object tracking, face detection, upper body detection, and avoiding obstacles or other players. The new “Action Priority” mode automatically identifies the typical movements of basketball, football and volleyball players, recognizes and tracks the main subject in fast and attractive situations, and helps to make an attractive picture. Users also have the option to register specific faces such as players, celebrities, politicians and the like to follow and give them permanent priority over other people in the frame.

Both models feature advanced Eye Control AF that is twice as powerful as the EOS R3 in both models, including a sensor with a higher pixel count, more advanced LEDs, a larger eye detection area, and an updated detection algorithm that enables a precise and instinctive way selecting the object you want to track in a complex scene.

The cameras are also equipped with a serial pre-shooting function, which allows you to take up to 20 pictures (for the EOS R1) or 15 frames (on EOS R5 Mark II) in HEIF/JPEG or RAW format at any frame rate before you press the shutter button so you don’t miss any key moment. Of course, both models feature large viewfinders with high brightness and resolution without dimming, while the EOS R1 camera offers a resolution of 9.44 million points, while the EOS R5 Mark II camera has increased brightness, twice as much as the EOS R5.

Stabilization for both cameras reaches a power of up to 8.5 EV, so you can take photos even in poor lighting conditions or in other difficult situations.

The EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II offer 12-bit RAW video recording internally to the memory card as well as Cinema EOS Movie Recording formats along with Canon Log 2 and 3 with proxy video recording now fully supported between two cards and with four-channel sound. This significantly expands the possibilities of professional video production and provides excellent quality and creative flexibility regardless of the scenario. Both cameras also allow simultaneous recording of high-resolution photos and videos in Full HD when connecting an external recording device via the HDMI type A port.

For the purpose of professional work, there are several features ensuring a fast and stable connection and reliable options with several paths to destinations for photos/videos, which applies e.g. when reporting, for which there is support for the C2PA content authenticity format, or when viewing the first shot sequences of a film. Standard file naming, separate folders for photos and videos, and advanced tagging in the News ML-G2 standard are also supported. Both cameras support an integrated Wi-Fi6E/11ax 6 GHz interface, making them the first EOS cameras to offer a new level of transmission speed. In addition, the EOS R1 supports 2.5Gb/s Ethernet connection and dual-threaded FTP directly in the body, while the EOS R5 Mark II enables 2.5Gb/s Ethernet transmission via an optional grip.

The camera was designed for elite sports photographers to never miss a moment in the fast-paced world of sports and news photography. Autofocus, along with speed, is the key to achieving previously unattainable results. The EOS R1 is currently the only one equipped with a cross-type autofocus system that excels in demanding conditions, such as shooting through a tennis net, picking out smaller subjects and focusing on vertical details in situations where the subject in the AF area lacks horizontal detail. This latest Canon technology requires a completely new Dual Pixel CMOS AF sensor arrangement, in which the Gb pixel photodiode section is rotated 90 degrees to ensure AF tracking sensitivity along both the vertical and horizontal axis of the sensor, guaranteeing users fast and accurate results and the ability to capture even images that could not be captured before.

The camera is equipped with a super-quick and silent electronic shutter with AF tracking capable of shooting 40 fps and 20 frames in continuous pre-shooting. Users can thus readily monitor the scene without sacrificing image quality. The standard resolution of 24.2 megapixels is optimal for high-speed performance, but is expandable up to 96 megapixels with the help of deep learning. Deep learning is also practical for enlarging images and reducing noise in the camera. Faster flash sync speeds up to 1/400s shutter speed, improved white balance and image exposure evaluation mean greater consistency and versatility for different genres.

The EOS R1 camera also excels in the field of hybrid multimedia functions with a resolution of 6K at 60 fps, 4K at 120 fps, or Full HD at 240 fps.

The EOS R1 has a durable new design weatherproof body with an attractive surface texture and an integrated vertical grip. Shooting with a high-resolution electronic viewfinder, anti-fog and a wide viewfinder remains comfortable even when shooting a long sports match. Newly added is the two-stage AF-ON button, which allows instant activation of two programmable functions with one button, so photographers can quickly react to the changing action in front of them.

The EOS R5 Mark II follows on from the previous EOS R5 model and pushes the boundaries of possibilities for emerging genres. It is intended for creative photo storytellers and hybrid users who are ready to take their work to a new level. The device can be used in a wide range of areas, from wildlife photography to capturing weddings and other events to filmmaking and reporting.

The EOS R5 Mark II was designed to capture even fast-moving subjects, including all the details. It is equipped with a new revolutionary layered BSI sensor with a resolution of 45 megapixels. Autofocus, AF tracking and an electronic shutter with a speed of 30 fps with a suppressed rolling shutter effect allow users to work efficiently in fast-changing action situations. The continuous pre-shooting mode creates 15 images before you even press the shutter, advanced image enlargement allows you to achieve a resolution of up to 180 megapixels with exceptional noise reduction and preservation of even the finest details.

The EOS R5 Mark II excels especially in the field of hybrid multimedia and works perfectly within the Canon Cinema EOS system, including shared functions and formats. Compared to the EOS R5 model, the EOS R5 Mark II offers 8K 60p resolution using the full width of the sensor, 12-bit internal recording in RAW format and 4K video resolution up to 120p with sound. The new grip with a cooling fan has been designed specifically for long uninterrupted filming when documenting events, interviews and live broadcasts in high quality.

The EOS R5 Mark II has a compact and lightweight design, but with a number of significant improvements, such as twice as bright and a larger anti-fog viewfinder, making it an indispensable tool for hybrid creatives looking for top performance and versatility in one package.

The most important technical specifications

View Gallery