Build quality of R5 - what is your take? Locked

Folks, I am very interested in how you assess the quality of the R5 as a camera when it comes to the way it is built. I had 40D, 5D MKIIm 5D MKIII and now R5 and so far R5 is most probably the worst of them when it comes to the way it is built.

But then again, it could be my case only and my perception.

Light Pilgrim wrote:

Folks, I am very interested in how you assess the quality of the R5 as a camera when it comes to the way it is built. I had 40D, 5D MKIIm 5D MKIII and now R5 and so far R5 is most probably the worst of them when it comes to the way it is built.

But then again, it could be my case only and my perception.

Personally, I think the R5 is as solid as my old 5D3. I upgraded from the R because I liked how the 5D3 felt. The R is a great camera but just didn't feel right when used to higher end bodies.

It might help if you be more specific on what annoys you with the R5 camera vs your 5D's...

ProDude wrote:

About the ONLY thing that is fairly universal is NONE of these cameras are intended to be outright dropped from above onto a given hard surface. The sensor is pretty well designed and cared for regarding it's stability. So as long as you don't outright abuse the camera it should render years of reliable use.

I find the build quality with my grip on it exceptionally solid with NO creaks or movement of the parts. I was actually most satisfied and surprised that when you apply the grip it has absolutely NO play whatsoever and becomes literally a part of the camera. In the past several bodies I've had with grips felt like add on's and didn't take as this one does, so that pleases me. The buttons are squishy and cheap feeling but rather precise. The dial and everything that moves on it seems well sealed and solid. Even the EVF has yet to fog up in various conditions I would have expected it. So overall I do feel the R5 is worthy of professional use as I give it.

Agreed, I'm curious what the OP has issues with? I don't do much paid work anymore (retired now) but I'm not super careful of my camera and gear. I respect it, I just don't baby it.

A lot of times I just set the camera behind my seat in the car if I'm running around taking pictures.

I use Domke bags, anyone that uses them know they are not heavily padded if at all. Mine have a light padding on the bottom only. I've only have had one camera fail on me and that was found to be a pinched ribbon cable inside. It was under warranty and an intermittent problem so it took 2 trips to Canon to fix but once they replaced the cable it lasted many years before I upgraded.

Feels way better built than my old 5D2 fr memory, I always felt like my 7D was the better camera in every way except ultimate image quality back then.

What are we basing this on? Emotion? The robots that built the camera? Or is there some tangible basis?

In some ways, I don't really understand these questions about build. Sure, Rebels are smaller and 1D bodies are heavier. But the plastic most bodies are made of are pretty durable. With that said, the 1Dx Mark III, 5D Mark IV, R5, and other bodies are metal, magnesium bodies. Externally, the build is the same in that sense. Externally, the flip out screen is the main difference.

Regarding durability, you just never know. It can come down to luck of the draw and your shutter can crap out at 50k or 300k. You can drop two bodies the same and depending on how they land, one might break, the other one might not. I've dropped my R5 from about 4 feet in the air into tile and it's fine. I thought I zipped my camera bag and when I swung it around my shoulder the camera dropped and it turned right on, then I went to do a shoot with it right after.

Light Pilgrim wrote:

Abbott Schindler wrote:

What don't you like about it? I find it at least as well built as my 5D Mark IV, and it's already proven itself in drizzling, windy, cold weather as well as the not-so-careful way I carry it. I'd love to know what you don't like about it.

My brand new R5 had these issues:

1. Dead or stuck pixels on the LCD

2. 50-60 dead/stuck/hot pixels on the sensor

3. Multi-controller joystick was not working properly

I have never had any single issue with any of my Canon cameras before that.

time to take advantage of the warranty... What you have is not right...

Light Pilgrim wrote:

Yes, I took it. The entire back panel will be replaced. I am only answering the question what is not right with R5. Never had this before and I had a ton of Canon gear. My camera spent more time in service than in my hands. Feels like a rushed product.

Dan W wrote:

Light Pilgrim wrote:

Abbott Schindler wrote:

What don't you like about it? I find it at least as well built as my 5D Mark IV, and it's already proven itself in drizzling, windy, cold weather as well as the not-so-careful way I carry it. I'd love to know what you don't like about it.

My brand new R5 had these issues:

1. Dead or stuck pixels on the LCD

2. 50-60 dead/stuck/hot pixels on the sensor

3. Multi-controller joystick was not working properly

I have never had any single issue with any of my Canon cameras before that.

time to take advantage of the warranty... What you have is not right...

Like the old wise tales, never buy a car built on Monday lol. But everyone makes a lemon once in a while. It just stinks when it's you that gets that lemon... Most places give you 30 days for a return/swap, is that an option for you?

Light Pilgrim wrote:

Folks, I am very interested in how you assess the quality of the R5 as a camera when it comes to the way it is built. I had 40D, 5D MKIIm 5D MKIII and now R5 and so far R5 is most probably the worst of them when it comes to the way it is built.

But then again, it could be my case only and my perception.

I miss the tank-like build quality of the 5DMIV but not its heft and weight. From the first R body I owned, it did feel to be more fragile than the 5DMIV. However, in actual use, my R (and now R6) have taken as much beating without any problem (used it in dusty conditions, under the rain, etc) as long as I pair it with weather sealed lens too. Even my RP has been able to withstand the elements including heavy snow in Sapporo.

Maybe you were unlucky, which is no excuse for a sloppy camera build especially from Canon.

Light Pilgrim wrote:

Yes, I took it. The entire back panel will be replaced. I am only answering the question what is not right with R5. Never had this before and I had a ton of Canon gear. My camera spent more time in service than in my hands. Feels like a rushed product.

I am fairly certain Canon had to do similar repairs on previous cameras including the 5D series ones. You just happen to have experienced an outlier, but certainly not something unprecedented

I feel R5 at par with my 5D mk IV and a bit better built than my 5D mk ii

Larawanista wrote:

Light Pilgrim wrote:

Folks, I am very interested in how you assess the quality of the R5 as a camera when it comes to the way it is built. I had 40D, 5D MKIIm 5D MKIII and now R5 and so far R5 is most probably the worst of them when it comes to the way it is built.

But then again, it could be my case only and my perception.

I miss the tank-like build quality of the 5DMIV but not its heft and weight. From the first R body I owned, it did feel to be more fragile than the 5DMIV. However, in actual use, my R (and now R6) have taken as much beating without any problem (used it in dusty conditions, under the rain, etc) as long as I pair it with weather sealed lens too. Even my RP has been able to withstand the elements including heavy snow in Sapporo.

Maybe you were unlucky, which is no excuse for a sloppy camera build especially from Canon.

I think you might be confusing weight with sturdiness. I had the 5D3 for many years before moving to the R. The R doesn't feel as sturdy but mostly it felt Rebelish if that makes sense. Not a bad thing, just not what I liked after owning a few pro bodies. Now that I have the R5, I feel back at home with the familiarity of the 5D.

The R5 is built with a magnesium alloy frame, just like the 5D's, about as sturdy and light as you can get. The Glass prism that are in the higher end DSLR's weigh a lot as you know from your 5D. That I don't miss at all. What I do miss with the mirrorless is the old mirror slap sound when you click the shutter. It's stupid I know I but been shooting for over 45 years with 35mm SLR's and DSLR's and that sound is almost expected, but instead we now hear a squishy sorta sound from the shutter leafs. Again its stupid and I'm not complaining, its just the way things work now...

It's a shame some folks have issues with this camera. IMHO it's about as solid as a camera gets outside of the 1D's and maybe the new R3 coming out this month (maybe lol). I do feel for Light Pilgrim, no one likes receiving a defective product.

ProDude wrote:

About the ONLY thing that is fairly universal is NONE of these cameras are intended to be outright dropped from above onto a given hard surface. The sensor is pretty well designed and cared for regarding it's stability. So as long as you don't outright abuse the camera it should render years of reliable use.

I find the build quality with my grip on it exceptionally solid with NO creaks or movement of the parts. I was actually most satisfied and surprised that when you apply the grip it has absolutely NO play whatsoever and becomes literally a part of the camera. In the past several bodies I've had with grips felt like add on's and didn't take as this one does, so that pleases me. The buttons are squishy and cheap feeling but rather precise. The dial and everything that moves on it seems well sealed and solid. Even the EVF has yet to fog up in various conditions I would have expected it. So overall I do feel the R5 is worthy of professional use as I give it.

The only thing I miss from the grip, that was on the EOS R version, is the additional USB-C port that could be used for charging. Wish they had left it on and included the USB-C charger with the BG-R10 as well.