Canon’s announcement today about the Canon EOS R5 is making me believe that they could let down photographers.
Before I go into this, know that I’m not at all saying the Canon EOS R5 could be a bad camera. I’m saying that the Canon EOS R5 might not be what a photographer would want or need. From what we know and from the information that we’ve been told, the Canon EOS R5 might not even be for photographers. Canon is only releasing more of the video specs thus far. When they were asked by US Press about more features for photographers, Canon simply told us they’re not disclosing that information yet. At the end of the briefing, it lead me to believe the Canon EOS R5 might not even be a camera for photographers, but for video shooters instead.
The New Canon EOS R5 Details Released Today
Here are my notes from the meeting:
First Canon camera with IBIS
Dual Card SlotsSeamless movie integration with Canon’s other Movie Making products
8K video to 29.97 30p full widths of the imaging sensor4:2:2 10 bit with Canon log Or HDRPQ
Dual Pixel CMOS AF is available in all modes and video recording internally
4K video at 120fps
4:2:2 10 bit h.265 or HDRPQ. Non-croppedThe internal and external recording is available
8K video RAW video up to 30 internallyIBIS will have 5 axis to be combined with the lens IS too
1CF express and 1 SD UHS IINo word on resolution yet for the sensor
There are ports for video: don’t have it in specs
Menu system has had changes
Canon held a press announcement webinar today, but this is all the information that the US Press got beforehand. To me, it’s quite puzzling.
Could the Canon EOS R5 Not Be for Photographers First?
A while back, we talked about how this could be the Canon 5D of the EOS R series. Lots of other publications agreed and created their own pieces around this too. But, given everything that we’ve gotten so far, we’re a bit suspicious. We believe the camera might not be mainly for photographers, but instead for video shooters first and photographers second. In our original announcement of the camera, we were told that it would shoot 8K video, 20 fps stills, and have two card slots. But that’s all we have that even remotely hints at it for still shooting. However, there’s a vital part of the press release that gives us hope:
“Canon’s EOS R5, the first of the next generation of full-frame mirrorless cameras planned for EOS R System, will include a newly developed CMOS sensor. The new sensor will enable enhanced features such as high-speed continuous shooting up to approximately 20 frames-per-second (FPS) when using the silent shutter and up to approximately 12 FPS when using the mechanical shutter –A feature professional sports and wildlife photographers will find to be extremely impactful on their ability to capture fast-moving subjects. “
So then why would Canon continue to only give us video specs and nothing in regards to photo? It could be that Canon sees the future is all about video first and stills second. In the same way the Canon 5D Mk II changed the industry and made lots of video shooters begin using DSLRs, the Canon EOS R5 could be a video camera that makes photographers start shooting on a camera built for movie making first. The more questions I asked in the press meeting, the more suspicious I grew. We were told something along the lines that one can imagine it would have all the ports that someone needs for video. So, what does this mean for the industry?
- There could be a more significant emphasis on LED lighting that’s portable and affordable vs. strobes.
- It has to have at least a 33MP sensor.
- Expect other ports to be in the camera.
I really hope I’m wrong and that Canon has found a way to push photography further. The still image can be a million times more effective than a movie clip or a frame in the hands of the right photographer.