In Part 1 of this 2-part series, we compared the EOS R5 and EOS R5 Mark II’s processing power, AF performance, continuous shooting, and batteries. Here in Part 2, we look at the differences in video features, still image quality and in-camera post-processing, and connectivity.

 

5. Video features

The EOS R5 Mark II adds numerous advanced video features. This includes a different file system that supports the XF-AVC/XF-HEVC S structures, enabling professional workflows not possible with the usual DCF-standard MP4 structure. There is also more freedom to set different colour sampling, bit depth, and codec combinations.  With these enhancements, it now shares many specifications with Cinema EOS cameras, offering better integration when it is used alongside them.

The details of these improvements and new features would require a separate article. We have elaborated on some of them in 7 Game-changing Features on the EOS R5 Mark II. Here’s a summary of some differences not immediately visible in the specifications above.

High frame rate shooting options
EOS R5 Mark II users will have more choices on how they wish to create slow motion videos, possible up to 4K 120p or 2K 240p. They can either use the High Frame Rate movie mode, which creates audio-free footage that plays back in slow motion straight out of the camera (i.e., at a slower frame rate), or in normal recording mode, which supports audio recording, plays back in the same frame rate as recorded, and is intended for editing to taste in post-production.

More accessible RAW video
The EOS R5 Mark II offers the ability to record 4K 60p SRAW, which is less resource-intensive than 8K RAW. Users can also simultaneously record 2K DCI MP4 proxy files.

More flexibility to set colour sampling/bit depth/codec
Besides providing more gamma and LUT/colour profile options than the EOS R5, the EOS R5 Mark II also provides more flexibility over the recording codec and bit depth/colour sampling. Users can now choose to record HDR and Canon Log 2/3 footage in H.264, which has wider compatibility, lower processing requirements, and is ideal for online streaming. It’s also possible to record SDR (standard) videos in the more efficient H.265 codec, which uses advanced compression algorithms that allow better-quality video to be recorded at the same bitrate as H.264.

Longer recording times + Cooling fan grip
The EOS R5 Mark II can record for longer durations before the camera powers off automatically due to internal heat. It also supports an optional grip accessory, the Cooling Fan CF-R20EP, which further extends recording times.

The following table compares cameras’ maximum recording times at 23°C from a cold start.
Note: All durations are approximate.

The Cooling Fan CF-R20EP is a grip accessory that extends video recording times while adding an ethernet port for high-speed wired transmission.

Dual Shooting in addition to Frame Grab
Being able to capture video and high-quality still photos simultaneously increases production efficiency. Both cameras have the 8K/4K Frame Grab feature, where users can extract high-quality individual frames from 8K/4K videos to save as JPEG/HEIF images. In addition, the EOS R5 Mark II has a new Dual Shooting feature, which allows you to simultaneously capture higher quality (approx. 33.2 megapixels; 7680 x 4320) single or continuous JPEG images to the other card slot when recording Full HD (1920 x 1080) video.

Control layout and interfaces

A: Photo/Video switch vs. On/Off switch on top left
B: Tally lamp
C: Multi-function shoe vs. traditional hotshoe

The EOS R5 Mark II’s full-sized HDMI interface addressed one longstanding desire of filmmakers who prefer a more robust, durable connection than the previous micro HDMI interface. In addition, there are three notable updates to the controls and interfaces on the EOS R5 Mark II compared to the EOS R5.

Photo/Video switch
The EOS R5 Mark II features a Photo/Video switch on the top left panel, relocating the On/Off button to the top-right where it is integrated with the Mode dial. This makes it easier to switch quickly between photo and video modes. This is the same layout as the EOS R6 Mark II and EOS R7.

Tally lamp
The new tally lamp on the EOS R5 Mark II lights up so that other people on the set, including the talent in front of the camera, will know when video recording is in progress.

Multi-function shoe
Like most of the EOS cameras released after September 2021 such as the EOS R3, EOS R6 Mark II, and EOS R7, the EOS R5 Mark II features the new Multi-function Shoe. This has a new digital terminal with advanced communication capabilities that can even supply power to compatible accessories, providing a cable-free digital connection to accessories such as XLR microphone adapters.

Video AF performance
The EOS R5 Mark II’s improved AF performance compared to the EOS R5 also translates to better AF and more tenacious subject tracking during video shooting. Also see: EOS R5 Mark II: A Photo & Video Test in the Boxing Ring.

 

6. Metering and in-camera image processing features

The EOS R5 Mark II adds the new Neural Network Noise Reduction and In-camera Upscaling features, along with some other enhancements. However, it also removes some features present on the EOS R5, as the list above shows.

EOS R5 Mark II: Enhanced autoexposure and white balance

The EOS R5 Mark II has more precise exposure metering than the EOS R5, with up to 16 times more metering zones: up to 6144 (96 x 64) zones during still shooting and up to 5184 (96 x 54) zones during UHD video recording compared to the EOS R5’s 384 zones for both still photo and video shooting. This enables the camera to meter light and set white balance more accurately especially when the subject is small in the frame.

*When shooting still photos. For movie recording, DCI: 4800 zones (96x50), UHD: 5184 zones (96x54)

While both the EOS R5 and the EOS R5 Mark II used deep learning technology to improve white balance setting, the EOS R5 Mark II has a new algorithm that further enhances white balance and autoexposure precision, particularly with cloudy skies and human skin tones. Users can achieve more accurate results when leaving the exposure and/or white balance to the camera.

Recording HDR still images

The EOS R5 provided two ways of achieving still images with higher dynamic range straight out of the camera:

- HDR PQ recording, which records the image as a 10-bit HEIF file using the PQ gamma. This retains more tonal information than the usual 8-bit JPEG files, visible even without post-processing.
- HDR mode, which captures three exposure bracketed shots and merges them into a JPEG file.
On the EOS R5 Mark II, HDR still images can be recorded as HDR PQ HEIF files, but there is no HDR mode. However, the HDR video mode remains, and the camera supports the HLG and PQ gammas that are widely used in professional HDR video production.

Increasing image resolution

Both cameras provide a feature to increase image resolution: the IBIS High Resolution mode on the EOS R5, added in a firmware update, and In-camera upscaling on the EOS R5 Mark II. The features work in different ways, as summarised below

While the EOS R5’s feature produces higher megapixel image (approx. 400MP versus the EOS R5 Mark II’s approx. 179MP), the one on the EOS R5 Mark II gives the user more control and flexibility over the original shot. The EOS R5’s feature is more suitable for controlled situations with static subjects, and users will also have to ensure camera stability for the duration of the shot without relying on in-camera or in-lens image stabilisation.

Focus stacking

Both cameras have in-camera focus bracketing, where the camera automatically captures a predetermined number of shots using different focus positions. However, the EOS R5 Mark II can also merge them in-camera with the depth compositing feature.

Only on EOS R5: DPRAW and its related functions

First introduced on the EOS 5D Mark IV, DPRAW (Dual Pixel RAW) is a RAW recording method that utilises the parallax information captured by the unique Dual Pixel CMOS AF pixel structure. It enables images to be enhanced in post-processing in ways not possible with traditional RAW or CRAW recording, such as Portrait Relighting and Background Clarity adjustment. It is available on the EOS R5, but not the EOS R5 Mark II.

To note: Other new features on the EOS R5 Mark II

- Neural Network Noise Reduction
Applies deep learning technology to achieve enhanced noise reduction when processing RAW images in-camera.

- Blur/Out-of-focus image detection
Applicable for JPEG/HEIF shooting in electronic shutter mode, this feature benefits events/sports photographers and other users who take many burst shots of people and need to sort and deliver them as quickly as possible. It detects and marks blurred and out-of-focus images of people for easier image selection.

 

7. Connectivity

The EOS R5 Mark II offers better connectivity features for users who need to transfer photo and video files directly from the camera.

Wi-Fi protocol

The EOS R5 Mark II features the more advanced Wi-Fi 6/6E*, which is capable of faster data transfer speeds, lower power consumption, and supports the latest WPA3 network security protocol. The EOS R5 uses the older Wi-Fi 5 technology.

Both cameras support both the 5GHz and 2.4GHz wireless bands, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and high-speed FTP/FTP-S data transfer.  The EOS R5 Mark II additionally supports SFTP transfer and 2x2 MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output), whereas with the EOS R5, both are only possible with the Wireless File Transmitter WFT-R10.

*6GHz models only

Ethernet (wired LAN) protocol

Both cameras do not have a built-in ethernet port and require an additional accessory for wired LAN connection.

The EOS R5 Mark II has two such accessories available: 
- Battery Grip BG-R20EP (with Ethernet)
- Cooling Fan CF-R20EP

With them, it supports the faster 2.5G BASE-T ethernet protocol.

Meanwhile, the EOS R5 requires the Wireless File Transmitter WFT-R10 for wired LAN connection.

Functionality

Generally, the EOS R5 Mark II has more functionality even without additional accessories. Some major features are as follows:

File transfer via Camera Connect and Content Transfer Professional
Both cameras support wireless connection and file transfer to smartphones via the Camera Connect and Content Transfer Professional apps. However, the EOS R5 Mark II additionally supports a high-speed wired connection and data transfer via a USB-C cable. The EOS R5 Mark II also supports livestreaming via Camera Connect.

Linked shooting and time syncing
The EOS R5 Mark II supports linked shooting and time syncing with up to 10 receiver cameras via wireless LAN out of the box, whereas the EOS R5 requires the Wireless File Transmitter WFT-R10.

 

In conclusion

In terms of features and performance, the EOS R5 Mark II provides a tremendous upgrade over the EOS R5. Action, wildlife, and hybrid shooters, professional video producers, and commercial and editorial photographers and videographers will certainly benefit from it.

The EOS R5 remains a very capable camera, and some existing EOS R5 owners might prefer to stick with their EOS R5 especially if they don’t shoot action, wildlife, or video, or heavily use the few functions that were removed on the EOS R5 Mark II. Other than that, the EOS R5 Mark II value adds significantly with its abundance of possibilities.

 

In case you missed it, read Part 1 for a comparison of the cameras' key performance features such as AF and continuous shooting.