When I made the switch from my DSLR to a Canon EOS R5 a year ago, I knew it was going to be a great camera and certainly a step up from what I had been using before, but I had no idea exactly how much of a revolution it would be.
Here are five reasons why the R5 will still reign supreme in 2022, despite the fact that other firms are pushing the technology envelope further and announcing new mirrorless solutions.
Autofocus Animal
It is common knowledge that the focusing technology included in Canon’s newest mirrorless cameras is one of the most advanced available in today’s market. However, unless one has personal experience with the method, it is difficult to adequately convey how beneficial it is. The autofocus is nearly faultless right out of the box, and with a little bit of effort spent adjusting the settings, it can go very close to being perfect.
This is true regardless of whether you are using the camera for still images or video, and it has completely changed the way I think about focusing as well as the way I shoot. As a photographer who specializes in headshots and portraits, I’ve found that knowing the camera will get the focus spot on every time, especially with the added feature of eye-tracking, has been an incredible sense of freedom.
In retrospect, I didn’t know how much time and effort I spent thinking about focus while using my previous camera. Since this barrier has been eliminated, I’ve discovered that it’s simpler to get the compositions I want and that they allow for greater creative expression. The same guiding idea applies whether I am in or outside of my studio, or if I am working with video. The more I use the camera, the more confident I get in its focusing capabilities.
A love letter to the EVF and LCD
Without getting into the discussion about whether or not DSLRs are still relevant, let me say that I was skeptical when the EOS R has launched a few years ago. As a lifelong Canon DSLR and SLR shooter, the whole idea did not interest me. This is without getting into the discussion about whether or not DSLRs are still relevant.
Because of the camera’s more compact size and the prospect of giving up my optical viewfinder, I decided to hold off purchasing a replacement until I saw what else Canon had up its sleeve. And I am quite happy that I did not rush things.
After using the R5 for about an hour, I was convinced that mirrorless cameras, electronic viewfinders (EVFs), and LCDs are the future of photography. In regard to the LCD, I found that I instinctively began to utilize the touchscreen for everything, including the selection of menu items, the choice of AF points, the composition, and the review.
On the other hand, the LCD with my DSLR was solely used as a review screen, but on the R5, it has developed into an essential component of my workflow. The touch responsiveness is reliable, and navigating the menus and other available options has become noticeably less difficult.
Even though the LCD is fantastic, the electronic viewfinder (EVF) has been the feature that has amazed me the most. Due to the fact that the majority of my work is completed within the studio, the concept of an EVF was originally intimidating to me.
When I wasn’t interested in seeing a preview of the exposure, I assumed that the electronic viewfinder (EVF) would not be as useful as an optical viewfinder. Boy, was I mistaken about that! Because of how well the EVF works, I often forget that I’m actually staring at a screen. Along the same lines as the LCD screen, the electronic viewfinder (EVF) has not impeded my work in any way and has rather helped to speed things up.
Optimal Usability and Ergonomics in Every Aspect
When I checked out an EOS R about a year ago, I found that I did not enjoy the camera for a number of reasons, the primary ones being the awkward ergonomics and the modifications in the dials from Canon’s earlier models of cameras. The fact that it did not come with a multi-controller and the fact that it was a more compact camera were the two most significant drawbacks for me.
Another reason I delayed making the update was that I first had the impression that the R5 would have a design that was analogous to the EOS R’s. Once more, I am relieved to have been incorrect. Particularly if you are transitioning from a Canon DSLR, the R5’s ergonomics will seem almost immediately familiar to you.
It is somewhat more compact than my 5D Mark III, but the majority of the reduced mass is located where the prism was, which indicates that the body is around the same size. The handling is excellent, and the overall build quality is noticeably better than that of the 5D series of cameras.
The combination of the R5’s superior ergonomics and its user-friendly button and menu structure results in a camera that is nearly foolproof when it comes to its usage. The placement of each and every button and dial on the camera has been carefully considered in order to ensure that using the device is not only simple but also a pleasurable experience.
What can only be characterized as a nearly ideal user experience is further enhanced by the extensive personalization options provided by the dials and menus. Although there are a few little peculiarities to the functioning of the menu and dial, the operation of the R5 can’t be topped as a tool for a professional, and the menus are easy, which is something Canon is known for.
An Abundance of Fantastic Lens Options
When discussing our preferred pieces of photography equipment, we photographers have a tendency to get bogged down in the weeds of technical minutiae, but at the end of the day, what matters most is the quality of the images we capture. And this is when the R5 really shows off its strengths.
Despite the fact that I have had the R5 for close to half a year at the time of the writing of this article, I have not yet acquired a lens from the R series. At first, the price was the primary factor in my decision, but then I discovered that all of my EF lenses could be used with the new body without any problems.
My experiences with previous EF lenses, particularly a 50mm f/1.4, 70-200mm f/2.8 (non-IS version), and 24mm f/1.4, were utilized for all of the observations made about the autofocus that were presented above. When Canon announced a new lens mount, I, along with a lot of other people, was disappointed since it meant that I would have to buy a completely new series of lenses.
Again, I thought that the EF lens adaptor would serve as a stopgap measure until people switched to the new lenses, but it turns out that my assumptions were incorrect. Even though I will eventually upgrade them, I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t continue to use older lenses for the foreseeable future. The performance of my EF lenses is much better than it was on my 5D Mark III, and even though I will eventually upgrade them. In addition, the fact that Canon has gone to such great lengths to ensure that legacy lenses not only function but function adequately with the new system impresses me on many different levels.
Quality, Quality, Again and Again
Image quality is the single most important factor to consider in the long run. The R5 really comes into its own in this particular application. The sensor has a resolution of 45 megapixels, which allows it to capture a great deal of detail, perform exceptionally well at high ISOs, and accurately render colors.
Check out this image of Brandon that was captured right after it was taken with the R5 and a 50mm f/1.4 lens. For fill light, an LED daylight panel was used, and two LED light sticks were arranged in a split pattern. Even without processing, the gradations of color and the tones of the skin seem fantastic.
No Regrets
There are many additional reasons to adore the R5, but if I were to list them all here, this article would become extremely lengthy! I would want to conclude this discussion regarding the R5 by saying the following: Even though I don’t believe it’s possible for a camera to make a person a better photographer, I can say that using the R5 has helped me overcome some of the obstacles that previously prevented me from capturing images. This has enabled me to focus more intently on the subject matter and artistic vision I’m trying to convey, while also making the experience of taking pictures a lot more enjoyable. In my opinion, there is no camera that can unseat the EOS R5 as the best available until either another Canon model or a product from a different manufacturer does so.