R5 or R5 Mark II as a Second Body to the R7?

[k1riby]

Hey everyone, I'm an R7 owner and primarily use my camera for wildlife and macro, which it handles perfectly with the RF 100-500mm and RF 100mm f2.8. Now I'm looking for a full-frame "Do-It-All Workhorse" as a second body to take care of everything else: landscapes, portraits, event photography, and general shooting. The decision is between the R5 and the new R5 Mark II. My core question is: How relevant are the Mark II's upgrades for use cases that are not action or high-speed video? The original R5 is appealing due to its price and still offers 45MP, which is great for landscapes and portraits. The R5 Mark II, on the other hand, features a Stacked Sensor, a further improved AF system, and more features. But will I truly notice this added value in everyday shooting of static subjects like landscapes or during portrait sessions? I don't need the Mark II's maximum FPS since the R7 covers the action discipline. The choice boils down to this: Does the R5 II offer enough tangible benefits in terms of image quality or user experience (e.g., the even smarter AF or marginally better IBIS) to justify the price difference and make it the more future-proof package, or is the R5 the smarter choice for my specific needs, allowing me to acquire more excellent RF glass sooner? I look forward to your input, especially from anyone who has upgraded from the R5 to the R5 II and noticed a real benefit for non-action photography. Thanks!

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

This is a tough decision for a camera that will be used primarily for static subjects.  For your use case, the one feature that you might enjoy is the inbody focus stacking on the R5 Mark II.  Precapture buffer does nothing for static subjects.  The R5 Mark II also has eye control AF but again not potentially useful for your use case.

Similar performance will be seen in available shutter speeds and ISO.  There's only half a stop difference in IBIS compensation.  The cameras themselves have a 4-year manufacturing difference.  The AF on the R5 Mark II would be slightly faster. The Mark II is quite a bit thicker than the original R5 and heavier.  

The standard sensor in the R5 may also perform better for static images providing greater DR in shadows over the the stacked sensor in the Mark II which is primarily designed for higher readout speeds.  

Video consideration should your needs change.  If you will use the camera for any video at all, buy the R5 Mark II, noting that both line skip in 4k 60.  The Mark II has more video codecs, a full size HDMI port and c-log 2.  The passive cooling on the Mark II is much improved over the original.  The battery grip BG-R10 has been discontinued (R5) if this is something you're interested in.  There are two battery grip options for the R5 Mark II.  One has a fan.  

I am inclined "feel like" your use case is one of those unique scenarios where the R5 Mark II might not be a justifiable expense.

Let's see what others say 🙂

[jrhoffman75]

What about R6 Mark II?

[shadowsports]

Great point John.  I considered mentioning that previously but he said that he was going to do landscapes and it sounds like he wanted the extra resolution.  The R6III scheduled to be announced next month will be 32 megapixels.  So this is certainly another option as well.   

[ebiggs1]

"Now I'm looking for a full-frame "Do-It-All Workhorse" as a second body to take care of everything else: landscapes, portraits, event photography, and general shooting."

If you are not shooting professionally and for hire and have a "must get the picture regardless", why do you need a "a second body to take care of everything else..."? Now, if you just want another camera or a new camera I am all in by all means go get it. I understand that believe me on that one. However, first decide what your R7 is not doing that you want it to do. Otherwise, I guarantee you will get the wrong or at least lesser model.

And, of course a newer camera is always going to have better specs otherwise what's the point.

"... it handles perfectly with the RF 100-500mm and RF 100mm f2.8."

Have you thought about how this will change? You better unless you are planning to buy new lenses too.

[johnrmoyer]

So far as I can remember, EOS R5 will save DPRAW files and EOS R5 Mark II will not. 

DPRAW processing in Canon DPP software can move the focus point slightly or increase the apparent depth of field slightly.