Canon EOS R5 vs R6: Differences You Should Know About

Looking for an overview of the Canon EOS R5 Vs R6? You have come to the right place.

Officially announced by Canon on July 9th, the EOS R5 and EOS R6 are Canon’s newest R series models and now, arguably, the frontrunners of the mirrorless camera market.

Whether you’re a DSLR user looking to switch over to a mirrorless system or someone who’s used mirrorless cameras since their inception and is just wanting to upgrade, you may be eyeing Canon’s new models and wondering: What’s the difference? And which is right for me? Read below to see the two camera’s most major differences and similarities so you can better apply their specs to your needs.

Price

R5’s MSRP: $3,899.00

R6’s MSRP: $2,499.00

One of the biggest differences between the two cameras is price. In exchange for a cheaper price, the R6 loses some of the features that the R5 possesses.

Megapixel Count

R5: 45 megapixels

R6: 20.1 megapixels

Though much less than the R5’s 45 megapixels, the R6’s 20.1 megapixels is still very versatile and it also means the R6 has a slight advantage in low-light since the pixels are larger. The R5’s larger pixel count will allow for greater flexibility in cropping and in the size of prints that can comfortably be made.

Image Processor

R5: DIGIC X

R6: DIGIC X

Both cameras utilize Canon’s DIGIC X image processor, introduced in February 2020. This image processor allows for advanced processes like high-resolution recording, image stabilization, and Dual Pixel CMOS AF II.

Autofocus

R5: Dual Pixel CMOS AF II

R6: Dual Pixel CMOS AF II

The R5 and R6 have nearly the same autofocus abilities. Both cameras have 1,053 Automatic AF zones that cover 100% of the imaging area.

The autofocus is also workable in very low-light with the R6 having a slight advantage due to its lower megapixel count. These features allow for quick and accurate autofocus no matter the situation.

Stabilization

R5: 5-axis IBIS

R6: 5-axis IBIS

Both cameras have 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which can deliver 8 stops of shake correction when used in tandem with certain RF and EF lenses.

ISO Range

R5: 100-51,200, expandable to 102,400

R6: 100-102,400, expandable to 204,800

These cameras will both perform well in the dark, but the wider ISO range in the R6 gives it a bit more flexibility in low-light.

Video

R5: 8K up to 29.97 FPS, 4k up to 119.9 FPS

R6: 4k up to 60 FPS, 1080p 120 FPS

Both cameras will serve any filmmaker well with their high resolution and framerate. But the R5’s higher resolution will allow greater mobility in cropping and in taking snapshots from videos.

Memory Card Slots

R5: 1x CF express card slots and 1x UHS-II SD card slot

R6: 2x UHS-II SD card slots

Top LCD Screen

While the R6 has a traditional mode dial, the R5 instead features a small LCD screen that can be used to change the mode and view camera information, mostly exposure settings.

Canon EOS R5-R6 Top

Photos Per Second

R5: 12 FPS mechanical shutter and 20 FPS electronic shutter

R6: 12 FPS mechanical shutter and 20 FPS electronic shutter

Both cameras have high-speed continuous shooting, which gives better abilities to capture decisive moments whether that is in wildlife or at a wedding.

Wi-Fi And Bluetooth

R5: 5 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

R6: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

While both cameras have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, the R5 has a faster Wi-Fi speed.

Durability

The R5 and R6 both feature dust- and water-resistant sealing and a magnesium alloy body. In terms of shutter durability, the R5 is rated at approximately 500,000 cycles whereas the R6 is rated at 300,00 cycles.

Front LCD Screen

R5: 3.2” touchscreen w/ 2.10 million dots

R6: 3.0” touchscreen w/ 1.62 million dots

The displays of both cameras are touchscreen and are able to be popped out of the camera and swiveled around to almost any angle. But the R5’s display is slightly larger and possesses a higher resolution.