topic Automatic selection: Face + Tracking and R6 are much closer to R5/R52 than R6II in terms of focus in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Automatic selection: Face + Tracking and R6 are much closer to R5/R52 than R6II in terms of focus

Bulat — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 18:55:18 GMT

In the technical specifications of cameras on the Canon Europe website, under the “Af selection point” section, several cameras feature a unique mode called “Automatic selection: Face + Tracking.”

Canon R6 – Af point selection: Face + Tracking

Canon R6 Mark II/III – Only manual selections

Canon R3 – Only manual selections

Canon R5, R5 II – Af point selection: Face + Tracking

My question is: What does this “Automatic Selection” refer to, and in which mode is it implemented on the Canon R5 II?

It can’t be a typo or a difference in wording, as the technical information is identical across all the websites. It’s clearly a downgrade of the camera to differentiate between the more expensive and cheaper models. This is also confirmed by my own experience. I must mention that I am very precise about choosing my gear, and I carefully read the manuals. I immediately noticed a decline in autofocus quality on the R6 II compared to the R6. (For anyone who might suggest I adjust my camera settings, I can already say that I have done so, spending about 14 hours testing in real shooting conditions, simultaneously testing both cameras and adjusting parameters like Whole area AF, Case 2 Tracking sensitivity, Accel/Decel, Object detection, Eye detection, Initial priority/Switch subject etc)

My question remains the same: how are these technical characteristics (Automatic selection: Face + Tracking) reflected in the functionality of the Canon R5 Mark II cameras? I’m looking for a real expert (not someone who will just refer me to the manual) or a professional who has used the R6, R6 II/III, and R5 II cameras, to understand what I can expect? From manuals, I cant find any difference in the menu settings in terms of AF between R62 and R52. (I know that there isn’t a separate “Automatic selection: Face + Tracking” point like on the R6 — please, no obvious responses, because I find some answers here are silly, I use top tier lenses such as RF 70-200 and RF 24-70 which are working much better with R6 in terms of AF and thats not my habbit because I use my cameras as a tools, all my firmware up to date (and lenses too) i also done search before posting)

Re: Automatic selection: Face + Tracking and R6 are much closer to R5/R52 than R6II in terms of focu

Waddizzle — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 20:14:04 GMT

“

Canon R6 – Af point selection: Face + Tracking

Canon R6 Mark II/III – Only manual selections

Canon R3 – Only manual selections

Canon R5, R5 II – Af point selection: Face + Tracking “

I am not following what you are saying. The above schedule is confusing me. The term “Face + Tracking? Is something that associate with using a DSLR in Live View mode. I toook a couple screenshots of the R6m2 and R5m2 manuals. I do not see the mode you are referring to.

Re: Automatic selection: Face + Tracking and R6 are much closer to R5/R52 than R6II in terms of focu

shadowsports — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 21:54:39 GMT

Greetings,

I have this menu option on my R5 C. This works with the LCD open or closed. Depending on the lens, you can get 100% coverage across the frame. On the R5 mkII this is called whole area. In this mode, the camera determines the focus point, a face (if you choose people) and will track the subject across the frame. You can associate it with eye tracking as well. Its intended for Servo AF and works in all Creative modes.

I tried it with one subject and it worked pretty well. With multiple subjects it was 50/50. It didn't always identify the subject I wanted when the AF method was One Point.

In Servo AF the focus did better sticking to one subject and tracking while they moved. With face+tracking it's sticky on faces at distance and eyes when closer if enabled.

My R5 C doesn't have Eye Control AF so I'm sure the R5 mkII will track much more accurately. Not only does it use newer focus algorithms, but it also has the option of Eye Control.

I don't wear glasses when I use my camera so Eye Control AF would probably work ok for me. If you wear glasses you could have issues depending on your prescription ‌🤔‌

Let's hear from some of our R5 mkII owners. 😃