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Home → Cameras and Lenses

Canon EOS R5 vs EOS R6

By Nasim Mansurov 12 Comments
Last Updated On July 12, 2020

With Canon releasing two mirrorless powerhouses in the form of EOS R5 and EOS R6, many might be wondering about the actual differences in key specifications between these two cameras. Although the two cameras share similar-sized bodies, they are quite different ergonomically, as well as functionally. The Canon EOS R5 is aimed at photographers who want to be able to shoot 45 MP high-resolution stills and 8K video, while the EOS R6 is a general-purpose camera with a 20 MP sensor, limited to 4K video shooting. Let’s take a look at both cameras in more detail and compare the two cameras side-by-side.

Canon EOS R5 vs EOS R6 Camera Body Comparison

First, let’s take a look at the ergonomic differences between the EOS R5 and EOS R6. We will start with the view of the front of the camera:

Canon EOS R5 vs EOS R6

Both cameras look very similar in their front view, with very minor differences. The biggest differences to note here are the remote port flap on the EOS R5, which is not present on the EOS R6, as well as the all-rubber design, vs partly plastic design of the EOS R6.

When looking at the top of the cameras, however, we can see pretty big differences between the two cameras:

Canon EOS R5 EOS R6 Top View

While both cameras follow Canon’s traditional top dial with the multi-function button (M-Fn), the Canon EOS R5 has a digital top LCD screen that displays all the relevant information, as well as a button that helps illuminate the information at night. The EOS R6, on the other hand, has a traditional PASM dial in that same location, as well as a plain rear dial. Canon went with the same functional Mode dial on the EOS R5 as on the original Canon EOS R camera instead (in fact, the Canon EOS R and EOS R5 look nearly identical from the top).

The back view of the two cameras is functionally identical:

Canon EOS R5 vs R6 Back View

The only big difference here is the smaller LCD screen of the EOS R6.

Overall, it looks like the biggest difference ergonomically between the EOS R5 and R6 is the top LCD screen, as well as the larger LCD screen of the EOS R5. Let’s move on to the camera internals.

Canon EOS R5 vs EOS R6 Specifications Comparison

Aside from differences in resolution and video specifications, the two cameras have a few other functional differences. For example, the Canon EOS R6 has an inferior electronic viewfinder (EVF), a smaller 3.0″ LCD screen with less resolution, no top LCD screen, inferior WiFi features, and a different memory card configuration. Both cameras offer Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF II autofocus system and can shoot up to 12 FPS using mechanical shutter and up to 20 FPS using an electronic shutter.

Let’s take a look at the specifications of the two in more detail:

Camera FeatureCanon EOS R5Canon EOS R6
Sensor Resolution45.0 MP20.1 MP
Low-Pass FilterYes, High-Resolution OLPFYes
Sensor TypeCMOSCMOS
In-Body Image StabilizationYes, 5-axisYes, 5-axis
Sensor Size36.0 x 24.0mm36.0 x 24.0mm
Image Size8192 x 54645472 x 3648
Pixel Pitch4.40 µm6.56 µm
Image ProcessorDIGIC XDIGIC X
ViewfinderElectronic / EVFElectronic / EVF
Viewfinder Type / ResolutionOLED / 5.76 Million DotsOLED / 3.69 Million Dots
Viewfinder Coverage100%100%
Viewfinder Magnification0.76x0.76x
Built-in FlashNoNo
Flash Sync Speed1/2001/200
Storage Media1x CFexpress / 1x SD UHS II2x SD UHS II
Continuous Shooting Speed M / E12 FPS / 20 FPS12 FPS / 20 FPS
Buffer Capacity (RAW)87 (SD UHS II), 180 (CFexpress)240 (SD UHS II)
Max Shutter Speed1/80001/8000
Electronic Front-Curtain ShutterYesYes
Exposure Metering Sensor384-Zone Metering384-Zone Metering
Base ISOISO 100ISO 100
Native ISO SensitivityISO 100-51,200ISO 100-102,400
Autofocus SystemHybrid PDAFHybrid PDAF
Focus Points10531053
Low-Light Sensitivity-6 to 20 EV-6.5 to 20 EV
Internal Video ModesH.264 4:2:0 8-Bit, H.265 4:2:2 10-BitH.264 4:2:0 8-Bit, H.265 4:2:2 10-Bit
Video Maximum Resolution8K DCI @ up to 30p, 4K DCI @ up to 120p4K UHD @ up to 60p, 1080p @ up to 120p
4K Video TypeFull-sensor width (oversampled)1.07x Crop
HDMI Out / C-LOG4:2:2 10-bit HDMI Output / Yes4:2:2 10-bit HDMI Output / Yes
Articulating LCDYesYes
TouchscreenYesYes
LCD Size3.2″ Diagonal LCD3.0″ Diagonal LCD
LCD Resolution2,100,000 dots1,620,000 dots
Built-in GPSNoNo
Wi-Fi / Band802.11a/ac/b/g/n / 2.4 GHz and 5 Ghz802.11b/g/n / 2.4 GHz
BluetoothYes, 5.0Yes, 4.2
BatteryCanon LP-E6NH/LP-E6N/LP-E6Canon LP-E6NH/LP-E6N/LP-E6
Battery Life (CIPA)320 shots360 shots
Weather Sealed BodyYesYes
USB VersionType-C 3.1 Gen 2Type-C 3.1 Gen 2
Weight (Camera Body Only)1.43 lbs. / 650g (body only)1.3 lbs. / 598g (body only)
Dimensions5.45 x 3.84 x 3.46 in. / 138 x 97.5 x 88.0mm5.45 x 3.84 x 3.48 in. / 138 x 97.5 x 88.4mm
MSRP$3,899 (check price)$2,499 (check price)

As you can see, both cameras are quite similar in most specifications. However, there are some very important differences between these two cameras that you should be aware of. First of all, the Canon EOS R5 is aimed at those who need a high-resolution camera (such as landscape, architecture, and studio photographers). With its 45 MP sensor and a high-resolution low-pass filter, the EOS R5 is going to deliver very high-detailed images when compared to the 20 MP EOS R6. What’s impressive about the EOS R5, is that it is able to do this at a whopping 12 FPS using the mechanical shutter. That’s a lot of data to process for the camera, so you will need to use a fast CFexpress card (which is only an option present on the EOS R5) to be able to shoot for a longer period of time. However, the EOS R6 has much less resolution, so it is able to store more images in its buffer – 240 full-size RAW images vs 180 on the EOS R5. This means that if you are going to be using these cameras for photographing fast-moving action, the EOS R6 is going to be a better choice (the EOS R6 also has a slightly better low-light sensitivity range, making it better for sports and wildlife photography).

Another big selling point for the EOS R5 is in video features – it is capable of shooting 8K DCI video at up to 29.95 FPS, while the EOS R6 is limited to 4K UHD only (no DCI). The EOS R5 uses the full sensor width to oversample video, while the EOS R6 uses a small 1.07× crop to be able to shoot 4K UHD. Both cameras can record up to 4:2:2 internal video with the H.265 codec and output 4:2:2 10-bit video through their HDMI ports, which is very impressive.

The Canon EOS R5 has a few more advantages. It has a larger 3.2″ LCD screen with more resolution than the EOS R6, and it has a higher-resolution OLED EVF with 5.76 million dots. In addition, it utilizes better WiFi and Bluetooth chips, with both 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz channels (dual band), as well as Bluetooth 5.0. The EOS R6 is limited to 2.4 Ghz WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2.

As expected, the EOS R5 comes with a big price premium of $3,899. In comparison, the Canon EOS R6 will retail for $2,499.

Which Camera Should You Get?

That really depends on your needs. If you need a camera for everyday needs, as well as for shooting fast action, the Canon EOS R6 is going to be a great choice, thanks to its 20 MP image sensor, 12 FPS shooting speed, and a much lower price. However, if you need a camera for high-resolution work (such as landscapes, architecture, and studio), the Canon EOS R5 is clearly going to be the better choice.

What do you think about these cameras? Are you planning to buy the Canon EOS R5 or the EOS R6? Please let me know in the comments section below!

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Filed Under: Cameras and Lenses Tagged With: Canon Mirrorless, Canon EOS R5, Canon EOS R6

About Nasim Mansurov

Nasim Mansurov is the author and founder of Photography Life, based out of Denver, Colorado. He is recognized as one of the leading educators in the photography industry, conducting workshops, producing educational videos and frequently writing content for Photography Life. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. Read more about Nasim here.

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Peter
Peter
July 12, 2020 7:16 am

Sad to see there is no GPS in either camera!

6
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Jon
Jon
Reply to  Peter
July 13, 2020 3:13 pm

i’m glad i’m not the only one disappointed by this. when i saw the EOS-1D X Mark II had gps i thought for sure the flagship mirrorless would too. really disappointing, for the price, i have to get a bluetooth module? why?

3
Reply
Peter
Peter
Reply to  Jon
July 14, 2020 6:24 am

Is there anybody here who has used the Canon app to geotag images? Is it a simple nonhassle system? Are the coordinates transferred eg from iPhone to the image file on the camera?

2
Reply
Josh
Josh
July 20, 2020 7:33 am

“However, the EOS R6 has much less resolution, so it is able to store more images in its buffer – 240 full-size RAW images vs 180 on the EOS R5” you do realize that you can choose to take lower resolution photos right? The R5 has a faster card so can outperform the R6.

Also I don’t think anyone has ever hit over 100 on a buffer.

4
Reply
Damien
Damien
July 12, 2020 2:36 am

Hi Nasim, great cameras and article. Worth mentioning the overheating restrictions on R5’s video. 20min initial, then only 3min after 10min cool down. Heat dissipation is unfortunately an issue. (There are also limits with 4K recording. These numbers are from Canon.

3
Reply
Ellie M
Ellie M
January 13, 2021 9:34 am

which one is best for small bird photography

0
Reply
Thomas
Thomas
January 10, 2021 12:20 am

I need your advices. I need to buy the R6 or the R5 mostly for use in a rather dark church. Usually we shoot in ISOs 800-2.500.
Also, most of the time non professional people will use this camera so I will set everything in AUTO.
We do lots of cropping.
I know the R5 gives you the ability to crop thanks to the 45MP but if the photos have noise then it makes no sense.
Are the photos of R5 gonna be clear in these ISO?
Is it better to choose the R6 or the 20MP will be too low for cropping?
Thanks.

0
Reply
Flo
Flo
November 25, 2020 1:03 pm

I bought eos r6 I already have an eos r, I had doubts because I am uncertain if you change with eos r5. you have been of great help, thanks

0
Reply
parthpandya
parthpandya
October 23, 2020 3:49 am

Its really great approach to every perosn joined with Photography and videography

0
Reply
Gabrielle Bramwell
Gabrielle Bramwell
October 8, 2020 6:50 am

I have a Canon EOS R camera bought 18 months ago. I am an enthusiast rather than a knowledgeable photographer. I like to take photos of wild life and landscape. Is it worth my while trying to exchange my camera for the R5 version. Are there new RF long lenses to go with this camera? I have an EF 200-400mm. Again I would like to know if it is worth trying to upgrade.

0
Reply
James Eubanks
James Eubanks
September 14, 2020 9:56 am

Im getting the R5

0
Reply
K.Yogeshwarakrishnan
K.Yogeshwarakrishnan
July 13, 2020 12:46 am

Hi Nasim,

Just Want a Honest Review on the Canon EOS R5 , 600mm F/11,800mm F/11,100-500mm F/4.5 to F/7.1..Waiting for your provide the detailed COmparison and how that scores with Competitors like Sony,Nikon

0
Reply

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