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When Canon launched the original EOS R5 in 2020, it rewrote the rules for high-resolution mirrorless cameras — 45 megapixels, 8K video, and animal eye autofocus in a single body. The EOS R5 Mark II keeps that formula but rebuilds it around an all-new stacked, back-illuminated sensor and a second “DIGIC Accelerator” co-processor. The result is a camera that shoots faster, tracks subjects more intelligently, and manages heat far better than the model it replaces. Here’s our full review.

What Makes the EOS R5 Mark II Special

• New 45MP stacked, back-illuminated sensor — a much faster readout than the original R5, cutting rolling shutter by roughly 40%.
• Up to 30 fps with the electronic shutter (12 fps mechanical) at full 45MP resolution.
• Eye Control AF — look at your subject and the camera focuses there, a feature carried over from the flagship EOS R3.
• 8K 60p RAW video, plus 4K 120p 10-bit and Canon Log 2.
• In-camera upscaling to 179MP via a neural network — genuinely useful for very large prints.
• Pre-Continuous Shooting buffers frames before you fully press the shutter, so the decisive moment is never missed.
• 5.76M-dot OLED viewfinder — the same class-leading EVF found in the EOS R3.

Image Quality

The 45MP sensor delivers superb detail, and the stacked BSI design gives cleaner high-ISO output than the original R5. Native ISO runs from 100 to 51,200 (expandable to 102,400), while the 5-axis in-body stabilization offers up to 8.5 stops of correction with a stabilized RF lens. For stills shooters, the headline is the 30 fps burst with full autofocus — ideal for wildlife and sports, where the original R5 topped out at 20 fps.

Autofocus & Speed

Dual Pixel Intelligent AF recognizes and prioritizes people, animals, and vehicles, and can hold a lock even when a subject is briefly obscured — a real-world fix for birds flying behind branches or athletes crossing each other. Eye Control AF, calibrated once per user, lets you move the focus point simply by looking at it. In practice the AF isn’t just faster than the original R5; it’s noticeably more decisive.

Video

This is the most capable EOS 5-series body for video yet. It records 8K RAW at up to 60p internally to a CFexpress card, 4K at up to 120p in 10-bit for slow motion, and adds Canon Log 2 for maximum dynamic range. Canon also redesigned the heat path, so long 8K takes that forced the original R5 to pause are far less of an issue here — and optional grips extend recording times further.

Design & Handling

The Mark II keeps the familiar, comfortable R5 body — a weather-sealed magnesium-alloy chassis with a 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen. It gains the brighter 5.76M-dot EVF, a new LP-E6P battery that unlocks the fastest burst and video modes, and dual card slots (CFexpress Type B plus SD UHS-II). Three optional grips are available for pros who need extra power and vertical controls.

Full Specifications

Canon EOS R5 Mark II vs the Competition

Verdict

The EOS R5 Mark II fixes almost everything people wanted from the original — faster readout, 30 fps bursts, Eye Control AF, 8K 60p RAW, and far better heat management — without sacrificing the image quality or handling that made the R5 a legend. It’s expensive, but for hybrid shooters who split their time between stills and serious video, it’s one of the most complete cameras money can buy. If you shoot mainly static subjects at normal speeds, the discounted original R5 remains a superb value; for everything else, this is the one to beat.

What Amazon Buyers Say

The EOS R5 Mark II body holds a 4.7 out of 5 rating from 139 global ratings on Amazon. Here’s how the ratings break down:

Read all customer reviews on Amazon

FAQ

Is the R5 Mark II worth upgrading from the original R5?

If you shoot fast action, serious video, or want Eye Control AF and better heat management, yes — the stacked sensor’s faster readout is a genuine leap. If you mostly shoot stills at moderate speeds, the original R5 (now heavily discounted) is still excellent.

Does it overheat shooting 8K video?

Far less than the original. Canon redesigned the internal heat dissipation for the Mark II, and optional grips extend recording times further, so long 8K takes are much more practical.

What memory cards does it take?

One CFexpress Type B slot and one SD UHS-II slot. For 8K RAW 60p and 30 fps bursts, a fast CFexpress card (VPG-400 or faster) is recommended.