R5 Mark II or R3 for sports and news?

[Sportseditor123]

I'm a sports editor of a weekly newspaper and I use a 7D with 2.8 70-200 and 2.8 24-70 lenses.

Looking to upgrade. I'm torn between the R5 Mark II and R3. I would use it primarily for sports and general news. Family and landscape shots would be secondary uses.

High school fields and gyms are often low light (night football is that eternal challenge). Bigger lenses are likely out since I take extensive notes at games and can't hold a monopod at the same time. Heard the R3 is better in low-light with high-ISO, but I will crop on some images so I'm wondering if the 45mp of the Mark II would be better than the 24mp of the R3. And I hear the Mark II has an amazing autofocus system. Not sure if it's better than the R3.

In overall image quality, is the Mark II better since it has newer technology than the three-year-old R3?

Our full-time photographer uses a Nikon D6 (1DX Mark III equivalent) with a 300 lens. Pretty high-quality images. I considered the 1DX Mark III, but I'd rather upgrade to mirrorless.

Regardless, what newsprint does to photos is pretty sad. Images look great in the online paper, though.

I appreciate any input. Thank you in advance.

[wq9nsc]

You will love the 1DX III for sports!  Fast focus, great low light performance, and untouchable reliability in any conditions you shoot in.

Rodger

[Sportseditor123]

It’s the Mark II, but I’m sure it will be good. Thanks!

[wq9nsc]

I misread that, I still own two 1DX II bodies and both still get frequently used.  Sensor performance is very close in real world conditions to the 1DX III sensor and it will work very well for you!

This was an event I shot back in 2021 and the game photos were captured with a 1DX III using an EF 400 f2.8 and a 1DX II with a 70-200 f2.8.  Both cameras were frequently in the 5 digit ISO range and both did fine.  

https://rodgersingley.smugmug.com/Central-Catholic/Football-1082021

Rodger

[chrishoesel]

Like most have said, the R3 will be your best choice in your case.  (or the R1) If anything, the battery life and performance under duress will disqualify the R5II or any other body for your purposes.  I have the R5M2 and R5C.  Wish I had bought the R3.