Sometimes we receive information that seems outlandish at first, but then we take a look at history and the business case and think that there could be something to it.
We have been told by an anonymous source that Canon is planning to replace the EOS R5 with two models. This is not unprecedented, as we saw what Canon did with the EOS 5D Mark III. If you remember, Canon added both the EOS 5DS R and EOS 5DS to give us 5D series options.
While this strategy may not have been perfect, the higher resolution 5D cameras did pretty well. Though we think it would have been better to launch them all together.
The source claims that Canon will release a EOS R5 Mark II along with a higher resolution model, perhaps the unicorn that is the EOS R5s?
So while this information comes from an unknown source, this idea isn't all that far-fetched.
Keep in mind that this is a CR1 rumor and treat it accordingly.
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If they happen to have bring out 2 identical versions with one at 45MP and another at say 90MP, then I'd probably opt for the 45MP version. If it was 45MP and 60MP then I might opt for the 60MP one.
45MP is the way for 8K video, so a replacement with 60 or what megapixels has a crop or something a videographer not want....
One body, two different sensors. Cost saving while meeting a demand for high MP sensors.
Yet, there's still a need for W.A. L lenses. Zooms are not always the solution, with the exception of the RF 28-70 F2...
But I'm patient, and using my Zeiss Classic EFs.
Today, there are a many and growing number of options at the higher end, and far fewer options at the lower end of the market.
Yes, the market is shrinking…but it’s also changing. Number of cameras sold dropped, but the value of cameras sold has increased, the fraction of ILCs with FF sensors has increased relative to APS-C, etc. Canon’s offerings are consistent with the changing market.
But why do you see a increasing market for high end cameras to need double or more full frame bodys than before?
But for landscape and product photography, that high megapixel count would be a welcomed addition I think.
A few years ago it would have made very good sense to have 2 versions of the 5 series, i.e. one high res and one for sports, but it seems less relevant now. If indeed we did get hi-res and sports versions, I assume we'd be looking at 90MP and 20fps for the hi-res version, and 45MP and 40fps for the sports version (although that would *seriously* undermine sales of R3). But the R5 can *already* shoot 45MP at 20fps, and I'd already taken it as granted that after 3-4 years Canon would be *capable* of producing a successor with 60MP and 30fps, at a price not much higher than the upcoming Z8.
An alternative pairing, which to me would make more sense, would be to have one stills-oriented version and one video-oriented version. Both would be hybrids, but the emphasis on each would differ markedly. The stills version might be 60MP, 20fps, a *tllting* or Panasonic-style tilt/flippy screen and minimal video-features, while the video version would basically be a R5C Mkii.
But my overall verdict is to take this rumour with a bucketful rather than a pinch of salt. I think we'll just get one model - probably 45MP, 30fps, flippy screen, better AF, some AI "features" and just possibly a new more powerful battery.
Just some of the tech that could/will go in the R5 replacement(s):
- ovf sim viewfinder
- stickier af like the r6 ii
-eye control af like the r3
- an extra front button and stronger/nicer body like the r3 (but no built-in vertical grip)
- more megapixels
- built-in vr processing
You could make a case for splitting the R5ii into an R5ii and an R5iiS. Alternatively you could have an R5ii and then an R1 sibling (R2?) with everything except the vertical grip and bigger battery...or they could keep costs down and make it something like an R6ii S to directly compete with the A7r5.
I could be tempted to remortgage if necessary to buy an R2, especially if it could be programmed to chirp melodically like its sci-fi namesake, but a basic r5ii upgrade with 45mp, ovf sim and better af (like the r6ii) would make a hopefully more affordable camera with more manageable file sizes.
The RAW video would be higher than 8K.
Could be more likely early to mid 2024 than late 2023...
The takeaway from that is that while the number of cameras sold has dropped dramatically over the last few years, the cost of those cameras has gone up dramatically as well, and from a value standpoint the market has increased in recent years even as the number of cameras sold continued to fall. In other words, high-end cameras now represent a much larger share of the market than they used to.
Choice is important for consumers, and today more of those consumers want high-end cameras (because the smartphone they spent $800-1000 on is their low-end camera). Hypothetically, say Canon can have 6 camera bodies in concurrent, active R&D. When the low end of the market was much bigger, it made sense for Canon to have 4-5 of those 6 models be entry- and mid-level and 1-2 be high end. Today, it makes more sense for 4-5 of them to be mid- to high-end and 1-2 to be entry level. R&D and model diversity should follow expected sales, and high end bodies (and more importantly, high end lenses) are where Canon (and other manufacturers) are placing their bets.
So Canon was always going to release these two cameras, but is economizing by using the same body. Sounds like Canon.