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    Canon EOS R5 Mark II sensor resolution likely to stick at 45mp but with new AI features [CR2]

    By 440 Comments Canon EOS Rumors 2 Mins Read

    The Canon world is preparing for the lauch of two massive cameras, the EOS R5 Mark II and EOS R1. We expect to hear official word about both cameras by the end of May 2024.

    We have reported in the past that Canon would move the EOS R5 Mark II to 60mp, but we have now heard multiple mentions of the camera sticking to the 45mp resolution. Which we don't think will hurt sales or hearts in any meaningful way.

    New “AI” Features Coming

    There will also be new “AI” autofocus features appearing in the EOS R5 Mark II for the first time. There are a few things that I'd love to see, but we'll wait and see what “AI” means in this regard. Both the EOS R5 Mark II and EOS R1 will sport first ever AI features.

    What's an “AI” feature we'd like? How about a way to have the autofocus track a specific face/person, no matter what else is going on in the frame?

    Now, from the land of crazy talk… we're just throwing it out there.

    “Canon has actively discussed subscription features for camera bodies, what that looks like, we weren't told, maybe it's something, maybe it's nothing. It hasn't worked out well for the auto industry or Canon's own online product(s).”

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    Go to discussion...

    440 comments

    3. However, the only thing that has to be better /much better for me to get interested in updating my R5 is speed/responsiveness and AF. More specifically I do not want it hunting when trying to find a bird in the sky or waking up. Or to be more specific (and reasonable) I want DSLR speed and efficiency.

      Maybe it's me because I know members use R5 confidently for BIF (and Alan was very kind to share his very smart method to pre-activate R5 by pressing the shutter button when grabbing his R5 so as to be ready when targeting birds).

      Yet, when I want to grab and take a picture of a target on air or even on the ground, my D850 with 500PF is the most valuable, speedy and dependable combo I ever had. The same applies to D500 instead of D850 with more difficult targeting though due to its crop factor.

      Recently, for far and rather static (or even flying) targets I started using R7 with RF100-500 and I am satisfied. This is more versatile than R5 with RF100-500 and RF2X although there are special cases where this combo was necessary. Of course, someone can get just R7 with RF100-500 and use in many cases.

      EDIT: Also, a better, faster sensor is always welcome.
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    5. Subscription is something I personally dislike extremely. Buying features is a totally different thing. Just my opinion.
      Same for me. For all the 'smart' things in my house I only bought things that are able to be controlled locally, without talking to someone else's computer.
      It would suck if your camera features stop working because it can't reach the internet to check subscription statuses.
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    6. "Of course Canon would stick with 45 MP, it's just a sign that their lenses can't resolve any better than that. Other manufacturers with better lenses aren't afraid to raise the MP count."
      —Sony troll user​
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    7. Give us AI that ignores sticks and twigs when hunting for birds. Grab focus on the bird that's perched inside a thicket or forest. Do THAT automatically, and Canon will own the bird photography market.
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    9. I'm not overly keen on a subscription model, and for what? However I would be interested in buying custom feature sets (one time purchase). Something like specialized/specific auto focus tools for bears, or birds, or elk/deer, or whatever your interest may be. My thoughts would be a special AF mode for a particular subject(s) instead of the one size fits all "animals". Just a thought. As long as I'm wishing, I'd like to have my hair back. Maybe?
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    10. The resolution rumor is very good news, I think. There are tradeoffs that come with more resolution. With current technology, 45MP is probably a little more than optimal, but it keeps the 8k video shooters happy. I would be happy with something in the lower 40's.
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    12. Z9 and much later Z8 will include a bird AF option. I believe Canon will follow. Or they can improve the existing one to get the same one to make it equally effective. We don't know. When we are out taking pictures, we may encounter other creatures equally interesting. We would not like to have to change AF settings...
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    13. What I would love from Canon is to have a direct file transfer from the camera to the computer, with or without cable.
      Also, better connectivity with your smartphone. The app it's still too laggy.

      I love the idea of keeping those megapixels lower, but I think Canon should have a 100mp camera, maybe R5s. I've seen many studio photographers going for Fuji medium format.
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    14. I was definitely one of the few people hoping for more resolution, but it is what it is I guess! I'm sure there are thousands if not hundreds of us!

      Jokes aside, if Canon moves to a subscription service for bodies I am very likely out. I'm content paying for a better feature up front (or even later - I was one of the few that paid for c-log on my 5DIV), but if this is a recurring fee for use of a product I already purchased, then I'm pretty off-put by that idea. I would hope any subscription service means that the service keeps delivering new things, like meaningful changes, but if it's extracting money from me for a body and features I bought ages ago, or if my features get disabled when I cease my subscription, then I'm not ok with that.

      I tend to buy every other cycle at best. If that strategy no longer saves me money in the long run because of a subscription model, then I really have to take a hard look at any future purchases.
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    15. It would suck if your camera features stop working because it can't reach the internet to check subscription statuses.
      Oh boy, I didn't even think of that. That would be an immediate non-starter for me. I go over a week without a connection/power often enough
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    16. Meh... I'm more interested in a photo-centric camera for things that move slowly (travel, portraits, landscape etc.), so if that rumour's true, I guess I'll just save money and get the original R5 instead.

      Rumors of Fuji revving the GFX100s to a Mk2 version might start to look tempting to me though, if Canon's not moving past 45mpix.

      As for the subscription rumour, honestly I'd be happier paying for firmware upgrades than just having none - so it's something I'd consider for sure.
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    17. It would suck if your camera features stop working because it can't reach the internet to check subscription statuses.

      I suspect it would be something along the lines of a built-in SIM with a subscription cellular plan providing connectivity and cloud upload, not some photographic feature it needs to check for a license before use.
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    18. If they are going to convince prospective buyers to ditch the current well-liked and respected 45MP, and fork out $4K for the privilege of using another 45MP camera, then they will need a seriously compelling set of new features, here\'s a few ideas:

      1) Giant improvement in read-out speed (zero rolling shutter) and low-light sensitivity that matches or at least come close to the R3.

      2) 2nd Gen eye-controlled AF that matches what\'s in Apple\'s Vision Pro headset.

      3) Quad-pixel AF that will go toe-to-toe with the best Sony has to offer.

      I know it\'s a big ask but they had 4 years since the original R5 was released and the competition is pretty stiff.

      Canon needs to surpass not just what\'s available today but what Sony and Nikon will bring as the A7R mark VI and Z8 mark II
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