Canon EOS R5 II: How to Turn Weaknesses into Strengths

The Canon EOS R5 II is building on its previous version’s triumph, with increased performance and improved features. It has better heat management, faster processing, better autofocus, and more. It is chosen by many photographers and videographers. But, like all cameras, it has its flaws. In this post, we will explore some of them, that might help you improve your photography.

Overheating is reduced, but not completely eliminated.

The overheating was one of the biggest issues with the first version of the EOS R5 during 8K video sessions. It has been reduced considerably, but it is still present. You might still have some problems with it if you are using it in warm environments. 

Actionable tips:

• To prevent the heat from building up, you can shoot in small segments.
• Also, you can use an external fan, which will significantly reduce the heat.
• If it is not really required to use 8K, you can use 4K for better heat management. It still offers excellent quality footage.
• The Canon EOS R5 II is equipped with accurate overheating warnings. So take advantage of it and let it cool down.

Battery life: Still juicy?

The Canon EOS R5 II has enhancements in battery efficiency, but it is still challenging due to high power consumption. 

Actionable tips:

• The most basic solution is to buy extra batteries, especially for long shots. The new battery model LP-E6NH gives a little extra power, but to have a safety net, you still need more.
• Use its power saving features, like avoiding using the live view mode. Or turning off the Wi-Fi or the bluetooth if you don’t need it.
• For longer sessions, use the battery grip, which doubles the battery life.
• When you work in a studio environment, the best choice is an AC adapter. It gives you power for as long as you want.

Premium camera with a premium price.

The Canon EOS R5 II is not cheap at all. Its high price tag of approximately £3,500 is due to the advanced technology. It is still a significant investment for many photography enthusiasts. If you plan to use its advanced features often, then go for it. 

Actionable tips:

• Before you rush to buy lenses, you should consider renting them first. Find out which ones work better for you.
• To cover its cost, you should sell your old cameras if you don’t need them. The used photography equipment sells pretty well if it is well cared for.

Low light performance.

There’s improved low light performance with the new Canon R5 II; it offers a better noise control at high ISO. But compared to the Sony A7S III, some photographers might consider it inferior in low light environments.

Actionable tips:

• It offers better flexibility when you use RAW files. It allows you to have more control in post processing, while maintaining the quality.
• If you can, use your camera with fast lenses, like the f/1.2 or f/1.4, the noise will be reduced.
• The improved IBIS in the EOS R5 II helps you to stabilise the shots in low light. So you can use slower shutter speeds without any motion blur.

The learning curve.

The EOS R5 II has advanced features, the same as its older brother. There are UI improvements, but it still needs to dedicate some time and effort to master them. If you upgrade from a DSLR camera, it can feel a little more difficult to learn the R5 II.

Actionable tips:

• Take time to customise the menu and buttons to your shooting preferences.
• There are a lot of tutorials online about the Canon EOS R5 II. Take advantage of them, and you might find some new tricks.
• Dedicate more time to practice with the advanced features, such as autofocus and video modes.

If you are interested in the Canon EOS R line, please see our other post about the Canon EOS R6, R7, R8: Camera.

For more useful information about the Canon EOS R1, please visit the official Canon website.