Canon’s R5 and R6 offer a string of excellent features, but which one is the best for you?
Both the Canon R5 and Canon R6 are exceptional cameras that have been warmly received by photographers and Canon users. However, how do these cameras compare with each other, and which one is better suited to your specific needs?
Canon R5 and Canon R6 have been released in July 2020 and on July 09, 2020. Both cameras feature a full-frame CMOS sensor, sensor-shift image stabilization, and built-in wireless capabilities, making them excellent and practical choices for all photographers.
Now is a good opportunity to compare the Canon R5 and Canon R6 and examine what features the Canon R6 has borrowed from its predecessor, as well as how it meets or exceeds the specifications of the Canon R5.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of specs to put the Canon R6 head-to-head with the Canon R5 to see how they compare on paper. Specifications may never tell the whole story, but they are certainly fun to look at, especially when you’re considering an upgrade or switching sides.
| Features | Canon R6 | Canon R5 |
| Sensor Resolution | 20.1 MP | 45.0 MP |
| Low-Pass Filter | Yes | Yes, High-Resolution OLPF |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| In-Body Image Stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Image Size | 5472 x 3648 | 8192 x 5464 |
| Viewfinder | Electronic / EVF | Electronic / EVF |
| Viewfinder Type / Resolution | OLED / 3.69 Million Dots | OLED / 5.76 Million Dots |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.76x | 0.76x |
| Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/200 |
| Continuous Shooting Speed M / E | 12 FPS / 20 FPS | 12 FPS / 20 FPS |
| Buffer Capacity (RAW) | 240 (SD UHS II) | 87 (SD UHS II), 180 (CFexpress) |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/8000 | 1/8000 |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Low-Light Sensitivity | -6.5 to 20 EV | -6 to 20 EV |
| Internal Video Modes | H.264 4:2:0 8-Bit, H.265 4:2:2 10-Bit | H.264 4:2:0 8-Bit, H.265 4:2:2 10-Bit |
| Video Maximum Resolution | 4K UHD @ up to 60p, 1080p @ up to 120p | 8K DCI @ up to 30p, 4K DCI @ up to 120p |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| LCD Size | 3.0″ Diagonal LCD | 3.2″ Diagonal LCD |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.2 | Yes, 5.0 |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 360 shots | 320 shots |
| Weight (Camera Body Only) | 5.45 x 3.84 x 3.48 in. / 138 x 97.5 x 88.4mm | 5.45 x 3.84 x 3.46 in. / 138 x 97.5 x 88.0mm |
Table of Contents
Price and Size
Both cameras are excellent but they are quite different in price. The Canon R5 starts at $3,399.00 and the Canon R6 goes for $1,924.95. The Canon R5 is around $1000 more than the Canon R6. When it comes to size, the Canon R6 measures 5.45 x 3.84 x 3.48 in and weighs 598g, while the Canon R5 is 5.45 x 3.84 x 3.46 in and weighs 738g.
Those are just a few of the surface differences, though. When you dive deeper into their respective displays, designs, sensors and other features, the cameras become even more distinct. To make choosing between both Canon cameras a bit easier, we’ve compared some of the more relevant features to show you how they stack up against one another on paper.
Sensor and Image Stabilization
At first glance, the differences between the two cameras appear minor. The Canon R5 and the Canon R6 measure roughly the same in terms of dimensions and display size. Both cameras are compact and portable, which easily fit into your camera bag. If you are serious about the weight, the Canon R6 weigh slightly less. Sensor technology is another area where the Canon R5 and Canon R6 differ. Both cameras come with excellent sensors, which produce images with greater detail, clarity, and sharpness. But in contrast, the Canon R5 offers a 45 MP sensor and a high-resolution low-pass filter, which could deliver high-detailed images when compared to the 20 MP EOS R6. Both cameras are equipped with great 5-axis image stabilization and there is no new feature to these two cameras, but it could minimize the effects of camera shake, resulting in sharper and more stable images. In terms of image stabilization, the Canon R5 and Canon R6 have an advantage over the Nikon Z5 and Nikon Z6, as the latter two cameras do not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS).
Video and Image Capabilities
When it comes to video capabilities, both the Canon R5 and Canon R6 offer impressive video capabilities, including the ability to record up to 4:2:2 internal video with the H.265 codec. Additionally, they can output 4:2:2 10-bit video through their HDMI ports. In practice, the Canon R5 could record its exceptional video capabilities, including the ability to record 8K video internally. The Canon R6 only records 4K videos. If you’re serious about high-quality videos, the Canon R5 is worth trying out.
The Canon EOS R6 offers advantages for fast-paced action and sports photography compared to the Canon EOS R5. The lower resolution of the EOS R6 allows it to store more images in its buffer, accommodating 240 full-size RAW images compared to the EOS R5’s 180. This extended buffer capacity on the EOS R6 means you can capture more consecutive shots without experiencing a slowdown in burst mode.
High-Resoltuion LCD Screen
It’s important to note that LCD screen on both cameras. The Canon R5 comes with a 3.2″ Diagonal LCD compared with Canon R6’s 3.0″ Diagonal LCD. The high-resolution LCD screen could display images with greater clarity, sharpness, and detail. Additionally, the Canon R5 which utilizes better WiFi and Bluetooth chips is equipped with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels, making it a dual-band system. Additionally, it incorporates Bluetooth 5.0 technology. On the other hand, the EOS R6 is limited to 2.4 GHz WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2 capabilities.
Lens Selections
Some camera lenses are suitable for Canon R5 and Canon R6 you’d be opting to consider.
1
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
Canon
2
Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
Canon
3
Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM
Canon
4
Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM
Canon
5
Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Canon
What types of Photography are Canon R6 and Canon R5 Good for?
Here’s a comparison ranking of the Canon R6 and Canon R5 for five different photography types
Portrait Photography
| Features | Canon R5 | Canon R6 |
| Higher Resolution | 45.0 MP | 20.1 MP |
| Advanced Eye Autofocus | Excellent | Excellent |
| High ISO Performance | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Continuous Shooting | Excellent | Excellent |
Both the Canon R6 and Canon R5 are well-suited for portrait photography, but they offer slightly different advantages:
With its impressive 45.0MP resolution, the Canon R5 produces stunning images that showcase exceptional details and sharpness. Moreover, its advanced eye autofocus guarantees precise focus on the subject’s eyes.
In terms of the Canon R6, it offers several advantages over the Canon R5. Its continuous shooting speed of up to 12 fps (mechanical shutter) allows for capturing multiple frames in quick succession. Additionally, its lower resolution of 20.1 MP enables the capture of excellent portrait images with abundant detail and clarity.
Sports/Wildlife Photography
| Features | Canon R5 | Canon R6 |
| Fast and accurate autofocus | 12fps continuous shooting with a mechanical shutter | 12fps continuous shooting with a mechanical shutter |
| Max Resolution | 8192 x 5464 | 5472×3648 |
| Crop factor | 1.6x (crop) | 1.6x (crop) |
When it comes to the fast and accurate autofocus, these two cameras come with 12fps continuous shooting with a mechanical shutter, which could capture fast-moving subjects in sport and wildlife photography and also offer reliable tracking performance. In terms of maximum resolution, the Canon R5 offers an impressive resolution of 8192 x 5464 pixels, while the Canon R6 provides a resolution of 5472 x 3648 pixels.
Landscape Photography
| Features | Canon R5 | Canon R6 |
| Megapixels | 45 Megapixel | 24.2 megapixel |
| Sensor Size | 36.0 x 24.0mm | 36.0 x 24.0mm |
| Weather Sealing | Yes | Yes |
| Compact and Portability | Yes | Yes |
he Canon R5 features a 45-megapixel sensor, while the Canon R6 has a 24.2-megapixel sensor. The higher megapixel count of the Canon R5 allows for greater image detail and the potential for larger prints or more extensive cropping while retaining quality. On the other hand, the Canon R6’s 24.2-megapixel resolution still provides ample detail for your landscape photography. Weather sealing is indeed an essential factor when it comes to landscape photography, as it helps protect the camera from the elements and ensures its durability in various weather conditions. Both the Canon R5 and Canon R6 are equipped with weather sealing, making them suitable choices for landscape photography in challenging environments.
1
Canon R5
Canon
2
Canon R6
Canon
