Canon R5 Mark II: 18 Months Later (Real World Review)
If you’ve ever bought a “dream camera” and then realized the real cost isn’t the price tag—it’s the workflow changes, the storage headaches, and the reliability questions—you’re not alone.
I’ve shot with the Canon R5 Mark II for just over 18 months. It became the primary camera for my video production company and every YouTube video I’ve posted since getting it. It’s absolutely amazing… and it also created problems for me and my workflow.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through:
why I upgraded,
what genuinely impressed me,
what frustrated me the most,
and how you can decide if it’s worth it for your work today.
Why I Upgraded from the Canon R6 Mark II
I loved the Canon R6 Mark II. It was an incredible photo and video camera. But for high-end work that needs top quality on both photo and video, it fell short for me.
What pulled me toward the R5 Mark II:
45MP sensor with 8K-resolution photos (and 8K video)
C-Log 2, a big dynamic range upgrade compared to the R6 Mark II’s C-Log 3
Extras I wanted to explore: RAW video and four-channel audio recording (backups on backups)
But here’s the twist: it didn’t live up to every expectation I had. And that’s where the real-world part of this review matters.
The “Yes, This Elevated My Work” Part
I’m a working video professional, so I need a camera that’s reliable, performs well, and delivers high quality in both photo and video. Surprisingly, the R5 Mark II actually helped elevate me and my production company because of its performance.
1) Photo quality that makes clients say “wow”
The photos are stunning. Having high-res images you can crop into without losing detail is super handy—especially for delivering assets clients can use everywhere.
2) Video quality that looks expensive
The 4K and 8K video is “insanely beautiful.” In the 4K oversampled modes, you get insane detail even at 30 fps.
3) RAW video that changed how the files look
This was the big surprise for me. You can shoot:
8K RAW in 12-bit, or
4K SRAW in 12-bit
That jump from 10-bit to 12-bit made a huge difference. The colors and image from RAW video files were “like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” and I loved it for high-end/spec projects.
4) 4K 120 without the crop
You can shoot 4K 120, and it doesn’t get cropped like it does on many Sony cameras. That’s a big deal if you care about keeping your field of view.
5) Dynamic range that feels more lifelike
C-Log 2 gives you more dynamic range, letting you see more in the dark areas and bright areas—making the image feel more lifelike.
6) Autofocus upgrades that actually help on paid work
Autofocus performance is incredible with a lot of upgrades, including:
an updated processor with “AI,” and
register people priority, where you take a photo of someone and the camera prioritizes them when detected
That’s been great for weddings and corporate events, and it’s a real quality-of-life improvement.
Design + Workflow Upgrades That Matter Day-to-Day
Some features don’t sound exciting until you’re on set or deep in editing.
Full-size HDMI (finally)
The R5 Mark II includes a full-size HDMI port, which I was thrilled about because it lets me use full-size HDMI cables across my cameras.
Bigger, higher-res EVF
The EVF was upgraded significantly—bigger and higher resolution than the R6 Mark II.
CFexpress: faster offloads, better value
Using CFexpress cards has been great because they’re cheaper per gigabyte (compared to before) and perform much better—offloading can take seconds versus an SD card.
New LP-E6P batteries
The R5 Mark II introduced LP-E6P batteries to take advantage of advanced features and improve battery life.
Proxy recording: one of the most underrated features
Even though I edit on a MacBook Pro M1 Max with no issues, I still love the R5 Mark II’s internal proxy recording because:
I don’t have to create proxies later in Adobe Media Encoder, and
I get smoother editing performance, which means I can edit faster, do more client work, and make more money.
I even say the camera has basically paid for itself so far.
The Real-World Problems (The Stuff You Only Learn After Months)
This is where the “18 months later” review becomes useful.
1) Overheating (especially above 4K 30)
The camera does have overheating issues, likely because the higher megapixel sensor needs extra processing. I never overheated the R6 Mark II, but the R5 Mark II still suffers from it.
In 4K 24 fine, it hasn’t been an issue and I’ve recorded for long periods.
But in 4K 30+ (even 4K 60), I’ve run into overheating—not just in summer, but even in cooler fall and sometimes winter.
The workaround I actually bought
I ended up buying the $400 cooling fan grip, and it’s been a huge help. You can still overheat in 4K 60, but it lasts significantly longer. Plus, having a second battery is great for long shoots like podcasts or wedding ceremonies.
But yeah… paying $400 on top of the $4,200 camera price was disappointing.
2) No oversampled 4K 60 (and it shows)
This was another big annoyance: the R5 Mark II does not have oversampled 4K 60. You only get oversampled 4K at 24 and 30 fps.
Because the R6 Mark II had oversampled 4K 60 and it was incredibly sharp, going to the R5 Mark II’s softer, “mushy” 4K 60 felt like a downgrade.
If 4K 60 is important to you, I’m blunt about it: the R5 Mark II “really does suck in that case.”
Yes, you can record 8K 60 and downsample in post… but those files are huge, and in that mode you can’t record proxies.
3) File sizes and storage costs are a real factor
The files are much larger than the R6 Mark II—both photos and video.
With the 45MP sensor, you end up with 50MB+ RAW photo files.
Even in the most compressed video format (HEVC long GOP), file sizes are still bigger than the R6 Mark II.
So you have to consider the cost of storage and cards—and in 2026, those aren’t getting cheaper.
4) The grip is… a love/hate requirement
My biggest gripe is the grip. For dedicated video work, I feel it’s necessary—but it makes the camera massive. I got used to the compact form factor of the R6 Mark II, so this felt annoying, even down to storing it in a camera bag.
It does give you more real estate for your hand and can look/feel more professional—but I wish it were an option, not a requirement for reliability.
So… Would I Buy the Canon R5 Mark II Today?
Honestly? No.
Not because it’s a bad camera—it’s been incredible and I don’t regret the purchase.
But because the camera landscape changed.
When it released, it was the best option at the time. But now there are other options—specifically the R6 Mark III and the C50—that are much cheaper, and the R5 Mark II is the most expensive of the three while still missing some features found on the others (like Open Gate and oversampled 4K 60).
I even say if it cost $3,500–$3,800, I’d probably still buy it—but I don’t love needing to pay an extra $400–$500 for a grip just to get a reliable video camera. That’s why I’d lean toward the R6 Mark III or the C50 (which I’m using right now).
A Simple Decision Guide (Actionable Steps You Can Use Today)
Here’s how to apply this review to your own decision without overthinking it.
Step 1: Decide what frame rates you truly need
If you mostly shoot 24/30 fps, you’ll love the oversampled detail and overall image quality.
If 4K 60 is crucial for your work, pause. The R5 Mark II’s 4K 60 is not oversampled and looks softer.
Write down the top 3 deliverables you make most often (ex: weddings, corporate events, YouTube). Then list the frame rates you use for each.
Step 2: Plan for heat and reliability
If you’ll be recording longer sessions at 4K 30+, know overheating can become part of your reality.
If reliability matters (podcasts, ceremonies, long interviews), budget mentally for the cooling grip solution you might end up wanting.
Step 3: Don’t ignore storage (it’s part of the camera cost)
Bigger files mean more cards, more drives, and more long-term storage planning.
Check your current storage situation and ask: Can I comfortably handle much bigger photo RAWs and HEVC long GOP video files?
Step 4: Build a faster editing workflow (steal this)
Proxy recording is a low-key superpower because it removes steps later and helps you edit smoothly.
Turn on internal proxy recording and structure your offload so proxies are ready immediately—so you can start editing faster and finish more work.
Step 5: Match the camera to your “real” needs, not the spec sheet
The R5 Mark II delivered a massive jump in photo/video quality for my company and helped impress clients.
But with newer options available, the “best camera” depends on your needs.
Make your decision based on:
your most common frame rate needs,
how long you record in one sitting,
and how much you want to invest in storage + accessories.
Final Take
The Canon R5 Mark II has been an incredible camera. It elevated my work, helped me deliver stunning photos and filmic-looking video, and even improved my workflow through proxies and faster offloads.
But it also introduced real trade-offs: overheating above 4K 30, soft 4K 60, huge files, and the “almost required” grip for reliable video work.
But what do you think? Would you buy the Canon R5 Mark II?
