Canon R5 vs R6mII

shroob · Dec 5, 2022

Hello everyone,

I currently use a Nikon D500 with Tamron 150-600 G2 and have done for about 2 years. This was my first camera and I'm looking to upgrade. I have decided on either a Canon R5 or R6II with the RF100-500 lens. I'm also considering getting the 800 f11 or 1.4x TC.

I mainly shoot birds. Occasionally small mammals. However, birding is my primary hobby.

I cannot decide between the R5 and the R6II. I was hoping if I asked here people would help make the decision for me. Please note, where I am the price difference is minimal.

I am currently leaning towards the R5 simply because of the extra megapixels which will allow me to crop more. The birds are often quite far away.

For all other features the R6II is meant to be better (autofocus, low light, FPS, battery life, pre-burst shooting). However, I'm not sure if 24 MP will be enough if I need to crop.

Please could you give me your thoughts and recommendations on which camera to buy.

Thanks in advance.

Quarkcharmed · Dec 5, 2022

shroob said:
Hello everyone,

I currently use a Nikon D500 with Tamron 150-600 G2 and have done for about 2 years. This was my first camera and I'm looking to upgrade. I have decided on either a Canon R5 or R6II with the RF100-500 lens. I'm also considering getting the 800 f11 or 1.4x TC.

I mainly shoot birds. Occasionally small mammals. However, birding is my primary hobby.

I cannot decide between the R5 and the R6II. I was hoping if I asked here people would help make the decision for me. Please note, where I am the price difference is minimal.

I am currently leaning towards the R5 simply because of the extra megapixels which will allow me to crop more. The birds are often quite far away.

For all other features the R6II is meant to be better (autofocus, low light, FPS, battery life, pre-burst shooting). However, I'm not sure if 24 MP will be enough if I need to crop.

Please could you give me your thoughts and recommendations on which camera to buy.

Thanks in advance.

If the price difference doesn't bother you, I'd say go for the R5.

shroob · Dec 5, 2022

Quarkcharmed said:
shroob said:

Hello everyone,

I currently use a Nikon D500 with Tamron 150-600 G2 and have done for about 2 years. This was my first camera and I'm looking to upgrade. I have decided on either a Canon R5 or R6II with the RF100-500 lens. I'm also considering getting the 800 f11 or 1.4x TC.

I mainly shoot birds. Occasionally small mammals. However, birding is my primary hobby.

I cannot decide between the R5 and the R6II. I was hoping if I asked here people would help make the decision for me. Please note, where I am the price difference is minimal.

I am currently leaning towards the R5 simply because of the extra megapixels which will allow me to crop more. The birds are often quite far away.

For all other features the R6II is meant to be better (autofocus, low light, FPS, battery life, pre-burst shooting). However, I'm not sure if 24 MP will be enough if I need to crop.

Please could you give me your thoughts and recommendations on which camera to buy.

Thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

If the price difference doesn't bother you, I'd say go for the R5.

The price difference is 'only' the equivalent of 700 USD. I rationalize it as I'll be using the camera for years so it's not that much difference over the course of time.

Thanks for the input.

RDM5546 · Dec 5, 2022

shroob said:
Quarkcharmed said:

shroob said:

Hello everyone,

I currently use a Nikon D500 with Tamron 150-600 G2 and have done for about 2 years. This was my first camera and I'm looking to upgrade. I have decided on either a Canon R5 or R6II with the RF100-500 lens. I'm also considering getting the 800 f11 or 1.4x TC.

I mainly shoot birds. Occasionally small mammals. However, birding is my primary hobby.

I cannot decide between the R5 and the R6II. I was hoping if I asked here people would help make the decision for me. Please note, where I am the price difference is minimal.

I am currently leaning towards the R5 simply because of the extra megapixels which will allow me to crop more. The birds are often quite far away.

For all other features the R6II is meant to be better (autofocus, low light, FPS, battery life, pre-burst shooting). However, I'm not sure if 24 MP will be enough if I need to crop.

Please could you give me your thoughts and recommendations on which camera to buy.

Thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

If the price difference doesn't bother you, I'd say go for the R5.

Click to expand...

The price difference is 'only' the equivalent of 700 USD. I rationalize it as I'll be using the camera for years so it's not that much difference over the course of time.

Thanks for the input.

R5 is best for those who want cropping headroom.

R6 MK II is for those that really do very little cropping.

Canon_Guy · Dec 5, 2022

I think it is a simple decision: if 500mm (+1.4x) is sufficient for your use, take R6II since it is just better camera.

If you will crop significantly, take R5. Just bear in mind that R5 has notably worse noise at 100% at higher ISOs.

Robbey TC · Dec 5, 2022

This may be helpful ....

Duade loves the R6ii but ... will stay with the R5 .... he explains his findings very well

Quarkcharmed · Dec 5, 2022

Canon_Guy said:
I think it is a simple decision: if 500mm (+1.4x) is sufficient for your use, take R6II since it is just better camera.

Better for what?

Canon_Guy said:
If you will crop significantly, take R5. Just bear in mind that R5 has notably worse noise at 100% at higher ISOs.

Looking at the noise at 100% view is absolutely meaningless if you compare cameras of different resolutions. We're yet to see the dynamic range measurements for the R6II but I highly doubt they'll be better than the R5.

Caseydc · Dec 5, 2022

I recommend you buy an R6ii now, use it for 4-6 months, and then sell it when the R5ii comes out. That’s what I’m doing. These cameras hold their value really well.

Neil Schofield · Dec 5, 2022

If you shoot BIF, then don’t not overlook or discount the R3, it’s a far superior body in my view, you can use electronic shutter at 30 fps and it locks on and tracks like glue, you will have a wider focus area on the 800f11, and it handles the 100-500 with TCs very well, but most importantly for serious BIF no rolling shutter

Canon_Guy · Dec 5, 2022

Quarkcharmed said:
Canon_Guy said:

I think it is a simple decision: if 500mm (+1.4x) is sufficient for your use, take R6II since it is just better camera.

Click to expand...

Better for what?

As a camera in general sum of its specs and performance.

Quarkcharmed said:
Quarkcharmed said:

If you will crop significantly, take R5. Just bear in mind that R5 has notably worse noise at 100% at higher ISOs.

Click to expand...

Looking at the noise at 100% view is absolutely meaningless

Not in the case OP would crop a lot. I am just pointing this fact out since when cropping a lot we get closer to the 1:1 so the noise is more apparent.

Overally I do agree with you.

Quarkcharmed said:
if you compare cameras of different resolutions. We're yet to see the dynamic range measurements for the R6II but I highly doubt they'll be better than the R5.

:-D :-D :-D DxO measured 14.26 for R6 and 14.58 for R5. No real world difference at all. So even if R6II had the same DR as R6, it does not matter at all.

Canon_Guy · Dec 5, 2022

Neil Schofield said:
If you shoot BIF, then don’t not overlook or discount the R3, it’s a far superior body in my view, you can use electronic shutter at 30 fps and it locks on and tracks like glue, you will have a wider focus area on the 800f11, and it handles the 100-500 with TCs very well

R5 / R6II does not handle 100-500 with TC very well?

Neil Schofield said:
, but most importantly for serious BIF no rolling shutter

shroob · Dec 6, 2022

Robbey TC said:
This may be helpful ....

Duade loves the R6ii but ... will stay with the R5 .... he explains his findings very well

Yes, his video is what made me consider the R6II. It's interesting he chose to stick with the R5 solely for the MP, which suggests that's the most important feature.

shroob · Dec 6, 2022

Neil Schofield said:
If you shoot BIF, then don’t not overlook or discount the R3, it’s a far superior body in my view, you can use electronic shutter at 30 fps and it locks on and tracks like glue, you will have a wider focus area on the 800f11, and it handles the 100-500 with TCs very well, but most importantly for serious BIF no rolling shutter

I do shoot BIF sometimes. However, the R3 is 'only' 24 MP, the same as the R6II. It's also quite a bit more expensive. The reason why I'm leaning towards the R5 over the R6II is the extra MP.

It's my understanding the R5 and R6II do not have noticeable rolling shutter.

Canon_Guy · Dec 6, 2022

Well the rolling shutter is still notable but the limit is pushed further.

Quarkcharmed · Dec 6, 2022

Canon_Guy said:
Quarkcharmed said:

Canon_Guy said:

I think it is a simple decision: if 500mm (+1.4x) is sufficient for your use, take R6II since it is just better camera.

Click to expand...

Better for what?

Click to expand...

As a camera in general sum of its specs and performance.

I can see the R6II has a higher high speed frame rate (40 vs 30). Not sure if it makes it a better camera.

Canon_Guy said:
Canon_Guy said:

Canon_Guy said:

If you will crop significantly, take R5. Just bear in mind that R5 has notably worse noise at 100% at higher ISOs.

Click to expand...

Looking at the noise at 100% view is absolutely meaningless

Click to expand...

Not in the case OP would crop a lot. I am just pointing this fact out since when cropping a lot we get closer to the 1:1 so the noise is more apparent.

You said 'worse noise', so worse than what? Pixel-level noise only makes sense to compare against a camera with similar resolution, e.g. Nikon Z7II.

Canon_Guy said:
Overally I do agree with you.

Canon_Guy said:

if you compare cameras of different resolutions. We're yet to see the dynamic range measurements for the R6II but I highly doubt they'll be better than the R5.

Click to expand...

:-D :-D :-D DxO measured 14.26 for R6 and 14.58 for R5. No real world difference at all. So even if R6II had the same DR as R6, it does not matter at all.

So what would make it 'better'?

Canon_Guy · Dec 6, 2022

Quarkcharmed said:
Canon_Guy said:

Quarkcharmed said:

Canon_Guy said:

I think it is a simple decision: if 500mm (+1.4x) is sufficient for your use, take R6II since it is just better camera.

Click to expand...

Better for what?

Click to expand...

As a camera in general sum of its specs and performance.

Click to expand...

I can see the R6II has a higher high speed frame rate (40 vs 30). Not sure if it makes it a better camera.

Look better if you only found this difference so far. But yes, faster (and adjustable) frame rate is one the better things on R6II.

Quarkcharmed said:
Quarkcharmed said:

Quarkcharmed said:

Quarkcharmed said:

If you will crop significantly, take R5. Just bear in mind that R5 has notably worse noise at 100% at higher ISOs.

Click to expand...

Looking at the noise at 100% view is absolutely meaningless

Click to expand...

Not in the case OP would crop a lot. I am just pointing this fact out since when cropping a lot we get closer to the 1:1 so the noise is more apparent.

Click to expand...

You said 'worse noise', so worse than what?

Worse than without significant cropping.

Quarkcharmed said:
Pixel-level noise only makes sense to compare against a camera with similar resolution, e.g. Nikon Z7II.

Quarkcharmed said:

Overally I do agree with you.

Quarkcharmed said:

if you compare cameras of different resolutions. We're yet to see the dynamic range measurements for the R6II but I highly doubt they'll be better than the R5.

Click to expand...

:-D :-D :-D DxO measured 14.26 for R6 and 14.58 for R5. No real world difference at all. So even if R6II had the same DR as R6, it does not matter at all.

Click to expand...

So what would make it 'better'?

You'd better aim this question to people for who 0.3 EV difference in DR is something important.

Quarkcharmed · Dec 6, 2022

Canon_Guy said:
Quarkcharmed said:

Canon_Guy said:

Quarkcharmed said:

Canon_Guy said:

I think it is a simple decision: if 500mm (+1.4x) is sufficient for your use, take R6II since it is just better camera.

Click to expand...

Better for what?

Click to expand...

As a camera in general sum of its specs and performance.

Click to expand...

I can see the R6II has a higher high speed frame rate (40 vs 30). Not sure if it makes it a better camera.

Click to expand...

Look better if you only found this difference so far. But yes, faster (and adjustable) frame rate is one the better things on R6II.

That's basically the only significant advantage.

For my purposes, having 45Mp is much more important than having 40fps (I don't even need 20).

Canon_Guy said:
Canon_Guy said:

Canon_Guy said:

Canon_Guy said:

Canon_Guy said:

If you will crop significantly, take R5. Just bear in mind that R5 has notably worse noise at 100% at higher ISOs.

Click to expand...

Looking at the noise at 100% view is absolutely meaningless

Click to expand...

Not in the case OP would crop a lot. I am just pointing this fact out since when cropping a lot we get closer to the 1:1 so the noise is more apparent.

Click to expand...

You said 'worse noise', so worse than what?

Click to expand...

Worse than without significant cropping.

Cropping always increases overall noise, it's not something specific to the R5.

Canon_Guy said:
Canon_Guy said:

Pixel-level noise only makes sense to compare against a camera with similar resolution, e.g. Nikon Z7II.

Canon_Guy said:

Overally I do agree with you.

Canon_Guy said:

if you compare cameras of different resolutions. We're yet to see the dynamic range measurements for the R6II but I highly doubt they'll be better than the R5.

Click to expand...

:-D :-D :-D DxO measured 14.26 for R6 and 14.58 for R5. No real world difference at all. So even if R6II had the same DR as R6, it does not matter at all.

Click to expand...

So what would make it 'better'?

Click to expand...

You'd better aim this question to people for who 0.3 EV difference in DR is something important.

I was referring to your statement that the R6II is just a better camera.

Canon_Guy · Dec 6, 2022

Quarkcharmed said:
Canon_Guy said:

Quarkcharmed said:

Canon_Guy said:

Quarkcharmed said:

Canon_Guy said:

I think it is a simple decision: if 500mm (+1.4x) is sufficient for your use, take R6II since it is just better camera.

Click to expand...

Better for what?

Click to expand...

As a camera in general sum of its specs and performance.

Click to expand...

I can see the R6II has a higher high speed frame rate (40 vs 30). Not sure if it makes it a better camera.

Click to expand...

Look better if you only found this difference so far. But yes, faster (and adjustable) frame rate is one the better things on R6II.

Click to expand...

That's basically the only significant advantage.

Look better if you only found this difference so far.

Quarkcharmed said:
For my purposes, having 45Mp is much more important than having 40fps (I don't even need 20).

OK, no problem with that. Still this thread is not about you and it does not mean it is not a better feature if one owner does not benefit from it.

Quarkcharmed said:
Quarkcharmed said:

Quarkcharmed said:

Quarkcharmed said:

Quarkcharmed said:

Quarkcharmed said:

If you will crop significantly, take R5. Just bear in mind that R5 has notably worse noise at 100% at higher ISOs.

Click to expand...

Looking at the noise at 100% view is absolutely meaningless

Click to expand...

Not in the case OP would crop a lot. I am just pointing this fact out since when cropping a lot we get closer to the 1:1 so the noise is more apparent.

Click to expand...

You said 'worse noise', so worse than what?

Click to expand...

Worse than without significant cropping.

Click to expand...

Cropping always increases overall noise, it's not something specific to the R5.

Agreed, that is why I did not write it is specific only to R5. I only pointed that it out that in case of huge crop, noise will be more significant since on a pixel level the noise of R5 is quite pronounced due to the small pixel size.

Quarkcharmed said:
Quarkcharmed said:

Quarkcharmed said:

Pixel-level noise only makes sense to compare against a camera with similar resolution, e.g. Nikon Z7II.

Quarkcharmed said:

Overally I do agree with you.

Quarkcharmed said:

if you compare cameras of different resolutions. We're yet to see the dynamic range measurements for the R6II but I highly doubt they'll be better than the R5.

Click to expand...

:-D :-D :-D DxO measured 14.26 for R6 and 14.58 for R5. No real world difference at all. So even if R6II had the same DR as R6, it does not matter at all.

Click to expand...

So what would make it 'better'?

Click to expand...

You'd better aim this question to people for who 0.3 EV difference in DR is something important.

Click to expand...

I was referring to your statement that the R6II is just a better camera.

Correct, it is.

Anyway thank you for your contribution

.

BirdShooter7 · Dec 6, 2022

shroob said:
Neil Schofield said:

If you shoot BIF, then don’t not overlook or discount the R3, it’s a far superior body in my view, you can use electronic shutter at 30 fps and it locks on and tracks like glue, you will have a wider focus area on the 800f11, and it handles the 100-500 with TCs very well, but most importantly for serious BIF no rolling shutter

Click to expand...

I do shoot BIF sometimes. However, the R3 is 'only' 24 MP, the same as the R6II. It's also quite a bit more expensive. The reason why I'm leaning towards the R5 over the R6II is the extra MP.

It's my understanding the R5 and R6II do not have noticeable rolling shutter.

It depends on the particular situation, I’ve gotten some pretty epic rolling shutter with the R5 in electronic shutter while panning with flying birds. The subject typically looks fine but if there’s something vertical in the background it will obviously be leaning.

Mike Engles · Dec 6, 2022

It seems that within your post, you actually have the answer.

Even the superior AF of the R62 will not compensate for fewer pixels, if you take pictures of distant animals and if you cannot get closer to them. The R5 goes into noise very quickly unless you like what the exotic NR applications do.

The best solution is an R5 and get in closer.

Canon R5 vs R6mII

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