Testing the R5 vs. R6

May 21, 2024

Yesterday, I had the chance to test out a new camera—the Canon R5. Before I dive in, let me clarify that I’ve thoroughly studied the technical specifications, so please don’t ask about any technical details. My goal was purely to see if I could notice a significant difference between my current Canon R6 and the R5. Opinions on the R5 are divided in blogs and videos; people either love it or hate it.

The first thing that struck me was how stunning the colors looked on the R5’s display. For the first time in years, I managed to capture a bright blue sky while shooting at the beach. Some might argue that it’s all about the photographer, but when I took the same shot with my R6, the sky was blown out. Despite my best efforts in Lightroom, I could barely restore any color to the picture. The photograph from the R5, however, was straight-out-of-camera, with colors that were vibrant and beautiful.

The difference in color rendering between the R6 and R5 was clear and impressive. While the R6 is a fantastic camera, the R5’s ability to capture such vivid colors straight out of the camera was a game-changer for me. This experience highlighted the importance of having the right equipment to achieve the desired results in photography.

Turning to my right, I took the below picture with my R6, and had to add the sky in because there was barely any color in the sky.


One of the key reasons I wanted to try the Canon R5 was because of my constant need to crop my photos. I typically shoot with an 85mm f/1.2 lens, and although I strive to frame my subjects perfectly, I often find myself getting lost in the beauty of the landscape. LOL.

With the R6, cropping isn’t always straightforward, and the more I crop, the more the images lose their sharpness. I was curious to see if the R5, with its higher resolution, would make a difference in maintaining image quality despite heavy cropping.

The R5 didn’t disappoint. Its 45-megapixel sensor provided plenty of room to crop without sacrificing sharpness. This was a game-changer for me, allowing more flexibility in composition and enabling me to enjoy both my subjects and the stunning landscapes without compromise. The improved resolution meant that even after significant cropping, the images remained crisp and clear.

This experience reinforced the importance of having the right equipment to meet my specific needs as a photographer. The Canon R5’s high resolution has made a noticeable difference in my workflow, offering greater creative freedom and ensuring my cropped images retain their quality.

The crop was just as sharp as the original picture. Wow, those 45 megapixels really come in handy. I also noticed immediately that the pictures from the R5 were much easier to edit. The R6 tends to add more magenta and a lot more contrast to my photos. Over time, I’ve developed a different editing process for the R6 images, but I often find it challenging to get the skin tones just right.

With the R5, however, the editing process felt smoother and more intuitive. The colors were more accurate straight out of the camera, which made fine-tuning much easier. Skin tones, in particular, were more natural and required less adjustment, saving me valuable time during post-processing.

Overall, my experience with the Canon R5 was eye-opening. The increased resolution allowed for precise cropping without losing sharpness, and the improved color accuracy significantly streamlined my editing workflow. For anyone considering an upgrade, the R5’s capabilities in these areas are truly impressive.

I tested the Canon R5 one more time, mainly to address some issues I had with the autofocus (AF) system during my initial use. It turned out to be a photographer error— in my rush to use the camera, I mistakenly programmed the wrong buttons with the wrong AF points.

This time, I took my time to set everything up correctly, and I can confidently say that the AF system performed perfectly and was incredibly fast. The R5’s autofocus locked onto subjects with precision and speed, making it a reliable tool for capturing sharp images in various conditions.

Overall, my second test confirmed that the R5’s AF system is exceptional when properly configured. This experience has solidified my appreciation for the camera’s advanced features and reaffirmed its value for serious photographers.

Thanks again to my model – Olivia – for helping me take some quick shots to test out this fine camera. The big announcement that the Canon R5 MarkII is about to be released this summer, will surely help lower the prices of the Canon R5. So maybe ……..just maybe………I will be saving up for a new camera.

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photography by Jeannine mccloskey+ 

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