We have had a few reports about the Canon EOS R5 Mark II over the last couple of months. We were told back in July that prototype Canon EOS R5 Mark II camera bodies were in the hands of initial testing photographers, which is a very limited number of people and not the YouTubers. We are pretty confident in the truth to that initial rumor for reasons that we can't publish.
Later the same month it was reported that the EOS R5 Mark II would get a resolution bump to 60mp, which was pretty well received once it was reported that Canon would offer multiple resolutions likely using pixel binning like Leica has done with the M11 and Q3.
Now a report that looks like it originated at The Camera Insider shows off a few more specifications somewhat based on the previous rumors here along with added specs. Some of these specifications are obvious upgrades over the original EOS R5 just based off what has happened with other EOS R cameras since the EOS R5 launched.
We don't really have a reliability history in regards to rumors from The Camera Insider, so please take these specifications with the proverbial grain of salt. We tend to publish these sorts of things once they start to appear in our inbox, this specification list did not originate at Canon Rumors.
Rumored Canon EOS R5 Mark II Specifications
https://www.thecamerainsider.com/2023/09/01/rumored-canon-eos-r5-mark-ii-specifications/
- 62mp Stacked CMOS Image Sensor
- Variable resolution of 62mp, 31mp, 15.5mp
- 8K recording up to 60fps internally
- 4K recording up to 120fps internally
- DIGIC X2s Processor
- Dual CFexpress Type-B Card Slots
- Eye control autofocus
- A revised variable angle LCD panel
- 5.76m-DOT 120fps EVF
- Multi-function hot shoe
- New battery, but same form as the LP-E6
- New button layout and controls
- Launch of new Canon camera app at the same time
- Projected February 2024 Announcement
This is the first time that we have seen the “DIGIC X2s” monikor for the camera processor. We do expect a new generation of DIGIC X to make its way to the next generation of prosumer and professional camera bodies. If Canon succeeds in reaching the blazing fast readout speeds they want, a processor performance bump will likely be required. We also expect some additional computational features added that may also need a new generation of processor.
We do believe that the Canon EOS R5 Mark II will launch some time in Q1 of 2024, as there have been some historical based hints over the last few months. One of them being the big discounts that are appearing every now and then on both the refurbished and non-refurbished buying options, currently the EOS R5 is priced at $3099 including the BG-R10 battery grip at B&H Photo (Coupon code BILDBH50).
We have also heard about a few added “spiffs” for dealers on bulk orders of the EOS R5. Retail hints aren't 100%, but they tend to be a good sign more often than not.
I really like the 60mp files/resolution out of the likely Sony sensor in the Q3 and M11.
I just traded in my SL2-S (article coming next week), I could not live with the autofocus performance and the S5 II just isn't "enough" camera for what I wanted to do. I also didn't have time to wait for the SL3/S1 II with basketball and travel over the next 6 months. I will miss a lot of things about SL series.
IMHO, R5 felt like an “almost” camera and R3 didn’t have the resolution I need for the money since I’m more portrait-oriented and not making a living off my sports and wildlife images. If this camera has a stacked sensor with fast readout and a kink-free autofocus I’m in. I really don’t want to have to wait for the mark iii, so honestly this is a make or break camera for me.
If they drop the ball, I might finally make the switch and just go with something like the Sony A7CR because it ticks most of my “need” boxes and it’s compact/great for travel. My lenses are still mostly EF adapted for that reason. Canon has had some missteps in its RF rollout (the aforementioned R7 autofocus issues and the 8k overheating debacle that turned out to be a mostly unforced error in the form of a software limitation). It’s time to make good, even if these mistakes haven’t eroded their market share.
This is how we know this rumor is true. Why would Canon leave the perfect button layout of the R5 alone?
R5 is pretty much perfect for my use cases. this looks to address a couple of real world minor painpoints:
- dynamic range could be better --> BSI sensor
- electronic shutter being all too compromised, both in high iso as well as moving subjects --> much faster readout
- below average battery life, i went for battery grip to get through a day of shooting --> new battery update it seems
- app being too sluggish to actually replace e.g. a remote trigger --> new app
more is better: resolution is apprechiated, i will gladly use 60MP: for every MP generation there was always someone saying
1. "...but xMP is enough, it slows my workflow down..." and then they upgrade and argue the same way again - its bullocks - just get a macbook with M chip or whatever and fill up your hard drives 40% faster - i take the tradeoff any day
2. "but lower resolution is better for noise" - which is not true if you normalise for resolution in photos. in videos it depends on the binning performance (which hopefully will be great with the X2s processor)
3. "but i don't crop", "it's just for instagram" ... same argument as if you're not wearing a helmet when biking, you might regret it, even though its fine most of the time
no word yet on FPS: but i guess it doesnt matter if they nail electronic shutter 20,30 crazy number FPS will be definitely more than enough.
I hope they allow us to adjust the FPS cap for electronic shutter - not just single vs. 20 like in the R5
Stacked or not stacked is another question? R6II was rumored as stacked but didn't turn out that way.
New battery sucks. We just bought new batteries with the last generation. And that also means a new grip probably.
At these specs, I wonder if they are pushing the price up to R3 territory? Seems like something Canon might do, despite the Nikon price structure. But if the specs are true and the price remains around the price of the R5 it'll be a sweet body.
My decision will have to be on whether to get an R5 at a steep discount, or pay up for the new hotness. I was originally holding out for the R1, but recent rumors are putting it at $10k. At the historical $6500 I may have done it just to say I own one. Always wanted a 1 series. It would have been my bucket-list/mid life crisis body. But at $10k just too much.
-Brian
It has its purposes....but I'm definitely planning at this time to pull the trigger on the R5 II.
The larger sensor of the Digital MF GFX system is nice and definitely different than trying to squeeze too many pixels into the smaller FF sensor.
But if you're like me...save your pennies and over time, you can afford to get both...hell I have Leica Monochrome (M10M) and one of their 35mm film cameras in the mix too....and I'm FAR from wealthy....
I just don't by piddly crap throughout the year, I save and save and save and 1-2 times a year I drop some serious coin on something I really want, with no buyers remorse.....
Anyway, if you can....get both...really fun experiences and different.
HTH,
cayenne