Canon EOS R5 Mark II Review & First Impressions

The long-awaited Canon EOS R5 Mark II has has been announced, and it's making waves in the underwater photography world. This 45-megapixel full-frame mirrorless marvel is more than just an upgrade – it's a revolution. With lightning-fast readout speeds, an enhanced autofocus system, and jaw-dropping 8K/60p RAW video capabilities, this camera is poised to redefine underwater imaging. 

But does it warrant an upgrade for current R5 users? Let's plunge into the details.

Key Features That Make a Splash

1. Turbocharged Performance: 
   (a) Faster readout speeds for reduced rolling shutter;
   (b) Improved burst shooting for capturing quick marine life.

2. Next-Level Autofocus:
   (a) Enhanced tracking system for elusive underwater subjects;
   (b) Potential game-changer for fast-moving marine life shots.

3. Video Prowess:
   (a) 8K/60p RAW recording for stunning underwater footage;
   (b) Expanded video options for versatile underwater filmmaking.

4. Full-Frame Sensor:
   (a) 45 megapixels for detail-rich underwater landscapes;
   (b) Excellent low-light performance for deeper dives.

Is It Time to Take the Plunge?

For DSLR holdouts still clutching their Canon 5D Mark IV's, the switch to the R5 Mark II is a no-brainer. It's like trading your trusty snorkel for state-of-the-art scuba gear.

However, current R5 users might need to weigh their options carefully. The decision largely hinges on the autofocus enhancements. If you're constantly chasing swift pelagics or elusive macro subjects, the upgraded tracking system could be your ticket to capturing that perfect shot.

The Proof Is in the Plunge

While these upgrades look fantastic on paper, the true test will come when we finally get the chance to take one of the cameras underwater. We're eagerly anticipating the arrival of underwater housings to put the R5 Mark II through its paces underwater.

• Cutting-edge 45 megapixel full-frame back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor
• RF lens mount for versatile lens options
• Advanced DIGIC X processor with DIGIC Accelerator co-processor for lightning-fast performance
• Blazing 30fps RAW burst shooting in electronic shutter mode
• 1/250 mechanical flash sync speed, 1/160 electronic flash sync speed for flexible lighting options
• Innovative Pre-continuous shooting mode for capturing decisive moments
• Revolutionary Dual Pixel Intelligent AF and AF modes: Action Priority, enhanced Canon Eye Control AF
• Upgraded In-Body Image Stabilization for sharper shots
• Stunning 8K/60p and 4K/120p video recording capabilities
• Professional-grade RAW and C-Log2 Recording capability
• Dual card slots: CFexpress Type B and UHS-II for ample storage
• Crystal-clear 5.76 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder
• Long-lasting LP-E6P battery with improved power output
• Compact dimensions: 138.5mm x 101.2 mm x 93.5mm
• Lightweight build: 746 grams

The Canon R5 Mark II shares DNA with its predecessor, but it's evolved to meet the demands of underwater imaging. Both cameras boast a 45 megapixel sensor with similar dimensions and controls, ensuring a familiar feel for R5 users. However, the subtle body differences suggest we'll need new underwater housings for the R5 Mark II – an important consideration for divers planning an upgrade.

So, what's really new? The R5 Mark II brings a stacked sensor with faster readout speeds, enhanced burst shooting, a revolutionary autofocus system, eye movement control AF, faster 8K video frame rates, and professional-grade C-Log2 recording. These upgrades promise to elevate your underwater photography and videography to new depths.

While the original R5's autofocus is already impressive, the R5 Mark II aims to set a new standard. For videographers not already using the Canon EOS R5 C, the R5 Mark II's specs are truly enticing. However, the R5 C might still hold appeal for some, depending on whether new R5 Mark II underwater housings will be compatible with the cooling battery grip – a compatibility we suspect is unlikely.

The new buzzword in underwater photography world is "faster readout speeds", especially after Sony's groundbreaking global shutter in the a9 III. While the R5 Mark II doesn't feature a global shutter, its new 45 megapixel "stacked" sensor and DIGIC Accelerator co-processor significantly reduce rolling shutter effects. This means crisper photos of quick-moving marine life and smoother video footage without the "jello effect."

The stacked sensor also enables an impressive 30 fps RAW burst shooting with the electronic shutter. While many underwater photographers using strobes may not need such high speeds, the R5 Mark II can sync with strobes in electronic shutter mode (albeit at a 1/160s sync speed). Paired with fast-recycling strobes like the Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duos or Marelux Apollo IIIs, you'll be ready to capture split-second underwater moments in challenging low-light conditions.

It's worth noting that, like other stacked sensor cameras (e.g., Nikon Z8 or Z6 III), there may be a slight trade-off in dynamic range. Initial tests by Petapixel showed some increased noise compared to the original R5. For underwater shooters frequently capturing high dynamic range scenes (like wide-angle sunburst shots), this might be a consideration. However, for most underwater applications, the benefits likely outweigh this minor drawback.

Canon has potentially created the world's most advanced autofocus system with the R5 Mark II. Building on their already excellent Dual Pixel Autofocus, Canon has introduced game-changing capabilities. Most notably, the R5 Mark II can maintain focus on your chosen subject even if another object briefly passes in front of it – a common occurrence in bustling underwater environments.

This feature, combined with improved overall autofocus speed and acquisition thanks to the Digic accelerator, could be transformative for underwater photographers. Imagine tracking a sea turtle through a school of fish or maintaining focus on a tiny nudibranch as other marine life swims by. We're eagerly anticipating our upcoming dives to put this system to the test in real underwater conditions.

Building on the groundbreaking 8K video capabilities of its predecessor, the R5 Mark II takes things up a notch. It now offers 8K video recording at up to 60 frames per second, matching the performance of the Nikon Z8 and Z9. With improved in-body image stabilization and higher frame rates, capturing smooth handheld underwater footage should be a breeze. While 8K displays are still relatively rare, this resolution allows macro videographers to crop significantly to 4K, providing more reach and additional b-roll options. For those seeking to capture ultra-slow-motion footage of quick-moving marine life, the camera also boasts 4K recording at up to 120 frames per second.

The R5 II expands its video capabilities with RAW video recording and a new C-Log2 profile. Logarithmic profiles capture more detail in highlights and shadows, offering greater dynamic range and flexibility in post-production. While RAW video might be overkill for most users outside of professional productions, the C-Log2 profile is an exciting addition that many enthusiast underwater videographers will appreciate.

The original Canon EOS R5 faced criticism for its limited recording times at high frame rates and resolutions due to overheating. Our initial tests showed the camera lasting about 20 minutes at 8K and 4K/120p before shutting down. Subsequent firmware updates significantly improved this performance, and the Canon R5C design eliminated these issues entirely. The R5 Mark II introduces a cooling accessory grip, but it's unclear if any underwater housings will be compatible with this add-on. If not, we'll need to conduct additional overheating tests to assess the camera's performance in underwater conditions.

Given the popularity of the Canon EOS R5 Mark II, we expect all major housing manufacturers to release compatible options. Nauticam has already unveiled an anodized aluminum housing, available now at Bluewater Photo. We anticipate Ikelite's polycarbonate housing for the R5 Mark II to follow soon. In the coming months, we expect to see anodized aluminum housings from Marelux, Isotta, and Aquatica as well. Rest assured, as soon as housings become available, we'll be putting the R5 Mark II through its paces underwater. Stay tuned for our hands-on reviews and insights!

Macro lenses are essential for capturing detailed images of small underwater subjects, typically those golf ball-sized or smaller.

Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM: This lens is ideal for photographing small, shy subjects due to its longer working distance. It's also a crucial tool for supermacro photography when paired with a macro diopter. The RF version outperforms its EF counterpart, offering additional magnification with a supermacro 1.4:1 ratio. While it features a spherical aberration control ring, we don't recommend using this underwater as it creates a soft effect.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS (with EF-EOS R Adapter): This versatile macro lens is excellent for small, elusive subjects thanks to its longer working distance. When combined with a macro diopter, it's perfect for supermacro photography.

Canon RF 85mm f/2.8 Macro Lens: While this lens seems promising on paper and comes at an attractive price point, its autofocus performance underwater is severely limited due to its extremely slow-moving focusing barrel.

Recommended Wet Diopters

Nauticam Super Macro Converter: The Nauticam SMC-1 is a top-tier wet diopter for capturing razor-sharp macro and super macro images. Its strength and clarity make it a favorite among super macro enthusiasts, especially when used with the Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens.

Kraken +13 Diopter and Weefine +13 Diopter: These diopters offer quality comparable to the Nauticam SMC at a more budget-friendly price. They provide excellent supermacro capabilities without being overly challenging to use. For the ultimate in magnification, consider the Kraken +23 or Weefine +23, though these can be more demanding to master.

Bluewater +7 Diopter: For underwater photographers just starting out, we highly recommend the Bluewater +7 diopter. While it doesn't offer as much magnification as other options on this list, it pairs excellently with mid-range "kit" lenses and the Canon 100mm macro lens for enhanced close-up capabilities.

For a comprehensive overview of underwater macro wet lenses, check out our detailed guide.

Fisheye lenses for wide-angle shots provide an incredibly broad field of view. Unlike their rectilinear counterparts, these lenses can focus much closer to subjects but may introduce barrel distortion at the image edges. Interestingly, this distortion is less noticeable underwater due to light refraction.

Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L circular fisheye (with EF-EOS R Adapter): This lens is the top choice for full-frame fisheye photography. At 8mm, it creates a unique circular fisheye effect with self-vignetting. For traditional fisheye images without vignetting, simply zoom to 15mm to capture stunning ultra-wide angle shots.

Rectilinear wide-angle lenses maintain a broad field of view without the distortion typical of fisheye lenses. They're ideal for photographing large marine life like sharks and capturing expansive reef landscapes, often allowing closer zooming to subjects.

Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM: This is our top pick for rectilinear wide-angle photography with EOS R series mirrorless cameras. Thanks to the RF mount's reduced flange distance, this lens delivers exceptional corner sharpness for a rectilinear lens. Note that it does produce some vignetting at 14mm, so it's best used as a "16-35mm" equivalent. Underwater photographers typically use rectilinear wide-angle lenses for subjects that are too distant to fill the frame with a fisheye lens, such as sharks, whales, sea lions, and dolphins.

Canon EF 16-35 f/2.8 III Ultra-Wide Zoom lens (with EF-EOS R Adapter): This lens is an excellent choice for those new to wide-angle photography without strict budget constraints. It's particularly useful for capturing images of larger marine life that can't be approached closely enough for fisheye lenses, including sharks, whales, sea lions, and dolphins.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II Wide-Angle Lens (with EF-EOS R Adapter): This lens has been the go-to rectilinear wide-angle option for Canon full-frame cameras. It has led the pack in recent years for corner sharpness, speed, and price, though this may change as more photographers opt for the version III.

Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L Ultra Wide-Angle Lens (with EF-EOS R Adapter): If you're after the widest possible lens, the Canon 11-24mm offers an incredibly broad field of view. It's perfect for expansive reef scenes, large shipwrecks, and ultra-wide shots where fisheye distortion isn't desired. However, it's larger, heavier, and pricier than other wide-angle options.

The Canon R5 Mark II is ideal for photographers seeking the most advanced autofocus tracking system available. While we still need to test its subject detection capabilities, new improvements allow the camera to ignore potential distractions, focusing solely on your intended subject.

For videographers demanding exceptional resolution at high frame rates, the R5 Mark II delivers. While 4K at 120 fps satisfies many, the addition of 8K video up to 60 fps is particularly valuable for underwater shooters, putting this camera on par with the Nikon Z8 and Z9.

Ultimately, the Canon R5 Mark II is for those who demand the best that Canon has to offer. While Canon may have intended the EOS R1 to be their flagship model, the R5 Mark II truly takes that crown. At $4299, it offers flagship-level features at a competitive price point.

The Canon EOS R5 Mark II continues the trend of lightning-fast cameras from industry leaders Sony, Nikon, and Canon. Its new stacked sensor and rapid readout speeds enable shooting up to 30 frames per second in RAW format with strobes using the electronic shutter. However, this comes with a slight trade-off in dynamic range, which we plan to investigate further in our underwater tests.

Perhaps the most exciting feature of the Canon R5 Mark II is its cutting-edge autofocus tracking system. It stands out with its ability to ignore potential distractions, maintaining focus on your intended subject. For underwater photography, this feature alone might be enough to convince hesitant photographers to make the switch to the Canon EOS R5 Mark II.

Are you excited about the possibilities the Canon EOS R5 Mark II brings to underwater photography? Its advanced features promise to push the boundaries of what's achievable beneath the waves. Whether you're capturing intricate details of small marine life or filming larger sea creatures, this camera seems poised to deliver exceptional results.

We're eagerly anticipating the opportunity to put the R5 Mark II through its paces in various underwater scenarios. In the meantime, we'd love to hear your thoughts. What aspects of this camera excite you most for your underwater photography or videography? Are there specific features you're particularly keen to see in action underwater?

As a video powerhouse, the Canon R5 Mark II boasts impressive features, including a new C-Log2 profile and 8K video up to 60fps. While current Canon R5C users might not rush to switch, it's a significant upgrade from the original R5. For underwater use, we'll need to conduct further tests to ensure it doesn't overheat too quickly without the cooling battery grip.

The Canon R5 Mark II is an exciting update after a long wait, solidifying its position as Canon's true flagship camera.