Canon EOS R5 Vs R6

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The question on many photographers’ minds is, which is better the EOS R5 and R6?

The EOS R5 is an 8K powerhouse, which makes it superior to video, but it also has a 45-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor for stills.

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However, the EOS R6 is no slouch in either sector, and it features a better ISO performance and low-light AF (autofocus).

These cameras also share many core specs, such as in-body image stabilization. So, there is a lot to unpack about both of them.

These two are among the best mirrorless cameras on the market. That said, let’s unpack their features and compare them.

Key Specifications

EOS R5

Image Resolution: 45 Megapixels
Burst Shooting: 12fps
Connectivity: Built-in Wireless
Display: 3.2″ Fully Articulating Touchscreen
Lens Mount: Canon RF
Lens Type: Full-Frame CMOS
Video Resolution: 8K (4320p)
Viewfinder: 5760k dot Electronic
Dimensions: 5.43 x 3.84 x 3.44 inches
Weight: 26.03 Ounces

EOS R6

Image Resolution: 20 Megapixels
Burst Shooting: 12fps
Connectivity: Built-in Wireless
Display: 3.2″ Fully Articulating Touchscreen
Lens Mount: Canon RF
Lens Type: Full-Frame CMOS
Video Resolution: 4K (2160p)
Viewfinder: 3690k dot Electronic
Dimensions: 5.43 x 3.84 x 3.48 inches
Weight: 23.99 Ounces

Autofocus

Canon EOS R5 Vs R6 – Autofocus

The EOS R5 and R6 have the same AF capabilities, such as the all-new Dual Pixel CMOS AF II phase detection powered by the Digic X chip.

Not just that, they even have the same Deep Learning AF feature found on the flagship EOS-1D X Mark III.

The R6 offers better low-light autofocus thanks to more ISO sensitivity. It’s even capable of autofocusing down to -6.5EV.

This is the equivalent of a dark room lit with a single candle. The R5, the other hand, can autofocus down to -6EV.

However, the EOS R5 is the undisputed winner for pure speed, with Canon boasting that it has the best AF speed in the world at just .05 seconds.

Burst Shooting

Canon EOS R5 Vs R6 – Burst Shooting

The EOS R5 and R6 have superfast continuous shooting modes of up to 20fps with the electronic shutter and 12fps with the mechanical shutter.

But, while they have the same raw speeds, they have different buffer depths because of the other resolutions in their respective image sensors.

Connectivity

Both cameras have the same physical connections, such as a 3.5mm port, microphone, micro HDMI, and USB-C.

However, they have different remote terminals, with the R5 having an N3 terminal and the R6 having an E3 terminal.

Both cameras have Bluetooth 4.2 and WiFi (2.4 GHz) for wireless connectivity.

However, the R5 supports dual-band WiFi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), which makes it better than Canon’s flagship, the EOS-1D X Mark III, in this regard.

Design

Canon EOS R5 Vs R6 – Design

You’ll have to look at both cameras closely to realize that the EOS R6 is more significant than the EOS R5. It’s slightly bulkier but with the same depth and height.

It’s also considerably lighter at 24 ounces than the R5, just over 26 ounces.

This difference means you lose the shooting data display on the top, so you’ll have to rely on the touch display to see how you’re set up.

Resolution

Canon EOS R5 Vs R6 – Resolution

Both cameras have the same sensor size. What’s impressive about the R5 is that it’s not affected by the limitations in high-res sensors, such as limited burst shooting.

So, even at 45 Megapixels, it will produce impressive results.

Video

Apart from the resolution, this is obviously where the most significant difference lies between the R5 and R6.

The EOS R5 can shoot 8K (4320p) raw footage internally up to 30fps and can capture in both DCI and UHD formats.

The EOS R6, on the other hand, doesn’t offer 8K raw footage. Instead, it captures oversampled 5K raw footage, which produces 4K (2160p) UHD video in 8-bit H264 format at up to 60fps.

The EOS R6 can also capture Full HD (1080p) video at 120fps. Full Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus capabilities are available in all video modes on the R5 and R6.

Pricing

The price tag is the most clear-cut difference between Canon EOS R5 and Canon EOS R6.

The EOS R5’s body is priced at $3900 or £4200, while the EOS R6’s body is considerably more affordable, coming in at $2500 or £2500.

Final Thought

To sum it all up, when you round up the differences between these two Canon cameras, they are designed for different photographers.

The EOS R5 is designed for pros who want much from their cameras, such as detailed footage and stills.

The EOS R6, on the other hand, is a more stills-dedicated camera designed for events and sports photographers.