Canon EOS R6 vs R5
- EOS R6 vs R5 - The Similarities
- EOS R6 vs R5 - Sensor Resolution
- EOS R6 vs R5 - Low Light Performance
- EOS R6 vs R5 - Video Recording Capability
- EOS R6 vs R5 - Ruggedness
- EOS R6 vs R5 - Price<
- Mirrorless design
- New RF lens mount
- In-Body 5-axis stabilization
- Full Frame format sensor
- 1/8000th second top shutter speed
- Hybrid PDAF autofocus
- Weather sealed body
- 100% EVF viewfinder coverage
- Articulated rear viewscreen
- Sensor resolution
- Low light performance
- Video recording capability
- Build ruggedness
- Price
Canon EOS R6 vs R5, which camera is right for you?
Both of these cameras are Full Frame format autofocus mirrorless system cameras from Canon. Both use Canon’s large diameter RF lens mount as well. What makes you choose one over the other in the Canon EOS R5 vs Canon EOS R6 debate? It depends on a few basic factors.
Both cameras are extremely sophisticated imaging and videography cameras. While neither one is a full-fledged cinema camera, one definitely edges the other out.
Another difference between the Canon EOS R5 vs Canon EOS R6 is the resolution of the sensor. Low light capabilities are also different. Build ruggedness is different as well.
And finally, one costs about 2/3rds of the other brand-new. Of course, you can save money in both instances by shopping on an online platform like MPB. More on that in a bit.
Table of Contents
EOS R6 vs R5 - The Similarities
Canon EOS R6
For starters, let’s see what these two cameras have in common:
Canon EOS R5
As you can see, both cameras have amazing specs, so choosing EOS R5 vs R6 will come down to some very specific differences, namely:
So, let’s get down to examining the EOS R5 vs R6 differences, and see which camera meets your needs and desires.
EOS R6 vs R5 - Sensor Resolution
Canon EOS R6
Right away, most of us can see that the biggest difference between the EOS R6 vs R5 is the sensor resolution. The R5 has a sensor with 45.0MP, while the R6 has 20.1MP sensor resolution.
That’s pretty significant. The EOS R5 sensor has more than double the resolution, megapixel-wise, of the EOS R6 sensor. Real-world resolution has many variables, but we’ll just use these numbers as a basis for this discussion.
A high-resolution sensor is often desired by working professionals or other serious and advanced photographers for creating huge enlargements or simply for having the most resolution to work with for post-processing.
Canon EOS R5
With that in mind, though, we do well to remember that it was Canon’s 2002 release of the Full Frame 11.1MP EOS 1Ds that effectively surpassed the resolving power of 35mm Kodachrome film. That camera once and for all ushered in the current era of professional digital imaging capability. And that camera sold in the $8,000 price range when new! I’m counting my blessings.
Indeed, a 45.0MP sensor has much higher resolution than a 20.1MP sensor when comparing the Canon EOS R5 vs R6. But 20.1MP is almost double what that 20-year-old Kodachrome killer had with its 11.1MP sensor, so it’s nothing to look down on.
In fact, there is one huge advantage for some photographers to use the 20.1MP sensor R6 instead of the higher resolution one in the EOS R5…
Learn More:
EOS R6 vs R5 - Low Light Performance
Canon EOS R6
All other things being equal, a lower megapixel sensor will have larger pixels than one jam-packed with megapixels, giving that sensor better low-light performance. The Canon EOS R6 vs R5 edges out the high-megapixel sensor in this regard.
Examining the specs of the Canon EOS R5 vs R6, it doesn’t look as though the 20.1MP EOS R6 has that much of an advantage. But that’s just on paper.
Canon EOS R5
In real-life shooting, the images provided by the R6 in low light and at higher ISO values are superior. What the R6 gives up in pure resolving power is compensated by smoother images with less noise in those shooting situations.
Event photographers will probably value that low-light performance over having more megapixels. In the Canon EOS R5 vs R6 debate, many wedding photographers will gladly opt for the better low-light performance as well.
EOS R6 vs R5 - Video Recording Capability
Canon EOS R6
Checking out the video recording capability of the Canon EOS R5 vs R6, they both offer 4K UHD recording. But, the EOS R5 also has both 4K and 8K DCI. That’s not a typo, 8K video!
If you’re wondering, DCI is just slightly different from UHD in 4K video, with DCI being a true cinema format. Having 8K video is huge compared to 4K - the frame sizes go from 2160x3840 (4K UHD) to 4320x7680 (8K DCI) in the R5.
Does this mean that the EOS R5 can replace a true cinema camera? No. If your primary business is video, a cinema camera offers extra benefits and features such as longer battery life (a really big deal, trust me), better dynamic range, timecodes, codecs, and other cinema specific functions.
EOS R6 vs R5 - Ruggedness
Canon EOS R5
In looking at these two cameras in this EOS R6 vs R5 head-to-head comparison, there’s a difference between a serious user’s camera and a pro’s camera when it comes to ruggedness of the camera build.
The R6 is a fine camera that can handle part-time professional use. But the R5 is a true, full-fledged, pro-level camera with all of the extra ruggedness that implies.
Looking at and holding the EOS R5 vs R6, you can even tell in the heft of the R5 and its extra controls on the body that it’s designed as a pro series camera. That’s not to say that the EOS R6 isn’t usable by working pros. As I noted earlier, it has become an in-demand camera for tons of professional wedding photographers.
EOS R6 vs R5 - Price
Canon EOS R6
A big decision maker for many photographers considering the Canon EOS R6 vs R5 is going to be the price, and that’s very understandable. The Canon EOS R6 is about 2/3rds of the price of the Canon EOS R5.
You can save yourself a good bit of money if you shop used, though…
For many of my major camera and lens purchases, I like to shop at the online platform MPB. You can save a lot of money on high-ticket photography gear when you purchase them as used equipment.
I frequent MPB for their large selection of high-quality cameras plus their excellent customer service. When you make a purchase, you get a 7-day return window on most items, and a generous 6-month warranty on most items, too.
When you’re ready to make your decision on the Canon EOS R6 vs R5, check out MPB for their latest cameras!
