Canon EOS R5 Mark II Review: Would Owners Buy It Again?
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this review was made: We did not test this camera in person. This verdict is based on our reading of expert reviews and hands-on reports, listed at the end. One source is an early first-look on pre-production units, and we found little independent data on long-term reliability or service experiences, so we say so below. Our method.
Excellent for hybrid and action shooters, hard to justify for casual stills
Reviewers praise the stacked 45MP sensor, the much-improved subject-tracking autofocus, the eye-control focus point selection and the rich video options. The drawbacks are the premium price, overheating that one reviewer called unpredictable on longer sessions, and stills at very high ISO that are not as clean as the first R5. It is a strong tool if you shoot action, portraits or hybrid photo and video work, but owners of the original R5 and casual stills shooters may not feel the gain is worth the cost.
Check current price on Amazon → Prices and availability change often, so we don't list them here.Buy it again if you…
- shoot a mix of photo and video and want 8K and C-Log options
- photograph sports, wildlife or fast action and need quick, smart autofocus
- need a weather-sealed professional body with dual card slots
Skip it if you…
- mostly shoot stills in good light and already own the first R5
- plan long, continuous 8K or 4K 120 video without a cooling accessory
- are on a tight budget or just starting out in photography
The Canon EOS R5 Mark II is a premium full-frame mirrorless body with a 45MP backside-illuminated stacked sensor, dual card slots (UHS-II SD and CFexpress Type B) and advanced video modes up to 8K.
It is premium-priced, so this review focuses on whether the gains justify the cost. We read expert reviews, and note where evidence is thin.
What owners say, at a glance
Bars show our editorial summary of how consistently owners praise or complain about each area across all sources — not a lab measurement.
The key specs
| Sensor | 45MP backside-illuminated stacked, full frame |
|---|---|
| Burst | 30 fps electronic, 12 fps mechanical (Engadget) |
| Video | 8K RAW up to 60p, 4K up to 120p, C-Log 2 |
| Cards | UHS-II SD plus CFexpress Type B |
| Battery | New LP-E6P pack; older packs lack the power for the full feature set |
What reviewers love
What reviewers complain about
How it holds up over time
We found no long-term durability data and no source describing service, warranty or delivery experiences for this body, so we cannot speak to those. The Cameralabs piece is a first look on pre-production units and says final heat and battery results were still pending.
Tips from reviewers
- Use CFexpress for 8K RAW and sustained bursts.
- Consider the cooling grip for long video sessions, though Canon admits the most demanding modes gain only minutes.
- Buy the newer battery type; older packs lack the power for all features.
Pros and cons
What owners love
- Fast, accurate subject-tracking autofocus
- Stacked sensor with reduced rolling shutter
- Rich video options including 8K RAW and C-Log 2
- Dual card slots and good weather handling
- Steady battery life reported
What owners complain about
- Premium-priced
- Overheating limits in demanding video modes
- High-ISO stills not as clean as the original R5
- Some handling quirks such as IBIS wobble at wide angles
Other options buyers compare
These are the kinds of bodies most often weighed against the R5 Mark II.
| Model | Style | Consider it if… | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS R5 Mark II (this review) | 45MP stacked hybrid body | You shoot action or hybrid photo and video | See on Amazon |
| Sony Alpha 7R V | 61MP high-resolution body | You want maximum stills resolution | See on Amazon |
| Original Canon EOS R5 (new or used) | Previous-generation 45MP body | You want to save and do not need the stacked sensor | — |
Weighing a professional hybrid camera?
Check the current price, bundles and lens kits on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions
Does the R5 Mark II still overheat?
Canon states time limits in the most demanding modes, such as 18 minutes of 8K RAW 60p without the fan grip, and one reviewer found overheating unpredictable on long sessions.
Is it worth upgrading from the original R5?
Fstoppers says portrait, hybrid and action shooters see real gains, while stills-only shooters have less reason to upgrade.
What memory cards does it use?
One UHS-II SD slot and one CFexpress Type B slot; CFexpress is needed for 8K RAW and sustained bursts.
Does it need a special battery?
It uses the new LP-E6P pack; Canon says older packs lack the power for the full feature set.
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Sources we analyzed
- Cameralabs: Canon EOS R5 Mark II first look — specs, heat limits, weaknesses (pre-production units)
- Engadget: Canon EOS R5 II hands-on — autofocus, burst, stabilization, cards
- Fstoppers: Is the Canon EOS R5 Mark II worth the upgrade? — pros, cons, overheating, who should upgrade
Figures reflect each source as of October 21, 2026 and may change. We summarize owner feedback in our own words and do not reproduce retailer reviews.