The Canon EOS R5 Mark II is 2024’s peak underwater digital camera for underwater pictures. It represents an important improve over the unique Canon EOS R5 which has reigned as the arena’s hottest underwater digital camera for the remaining 4 years.
The R5 Mark II includes a 45 megapixel full-frame sensor with extraordinarily speedy readout speeds taking into consideration minimum rolling shutter and a quick burst charge of 30 fps in digital shutter mode. The digital camera’s digital shutter is suitable with underwater strobes making it an underwater motion powerhouse. And the Digic X processor has additionally been mixed with Digic accelerator co-processor utilized by a brand new, cutting-edge autofocus gadget able to ignoring pesky photobombers that may trick the autofocus monitoring mode.
However in all probability most significantly, there were vital upgrades to the Canon R5 Mark II’s video options together with the aptitude of filming 8K, 60 frames in line with moment RAW video. Once this digital camera used to be introduced, we knew we needed to get within the water in an instant and we did! This complete evaluate of the Canon EOS R5 Mark II used to be filmed and photographed in the most productive chilly water diving vacation spot on the planet — Port Hardy, British Columbia, Canada. We spent an improbable week with UB Diving and witnessing herbal wonders starting from more than one pods of Orcas to hooded nudibranchs and playful stellar sea lions. Every underwater photographic state of affairs offered its personal distinctive demanding situations. After dozens of dives with the digital camera – there’s indubitably about it — the Canon EOS R5 is provided for any underwater capturing state of affairs.
Is It Time to Take the Plunge?
For DSLR holdouts nonetheless clutching their Canon 5D Mark IV’s, the transfer to the R5 Mark II is a no brainer. It’s like buying and selling your trusty snorkel for cutting-edge scuba equipment.
Then again, present Canon R5 customers may wish to weigh their choices sparsely. The verdict in large part hinges at the autofocus improvements and 8K/60p video recording. If you happen to’re continuously chasing swift pelagics or elusive macro topics, the upgraded monitoring gadget might be your price ticket to taking pictures that highest shot. Sooner video recording body charges will let you stabilize even the biggest 8K report.
Canon EOS R5 Mark II Specs
- State-of-the-art 45 megapixel full-frame back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor
- RF lens mount suitable with RF and EF lenses (with the EF-EOS R adapter)
- Complex DIGIC X processor with DIGIC Accelerator co-processor for lightning-fast efficiency
- Blazing 30fps RAW burst capturing in digital shutter mode
- 1/250 mechanical flash sync pace with strobes, 1/160 digital flash sync pace with strobes
- Innovative Twin Pixel Clever AF and AF modes: Motion Precedence, enhanced Canon Eye Regulate AF
- Upgraded In-Frame Symbol Stabilization for sharper pictures — as much as 8.5 stops of correction
- Surprising 8K/60p and 4K/120p video recording functions
- Skilled-grade RAW and C-Log2 Recording capacity
- Twin card slots: CFexpress Sort B and UHS-II for plentiful garage
- Crystal-clear 5.76 million dot OLED digital viewfinder
- Lengthy-lasting LP-E6P battery with stepped forward energy output
- Compact dimensions: 138.5mm x 101.2 mm x 93.5mm
- Light-weight construct: 746 grams
Canon EOS R5 Mark II vs Canon EOS R5: What’s New Beneath the Floor?
The Canon R5 Mark II stocks DNA with its predecessor, however it’s advanced to satisfy the calls for of underwater imaging. Each cameras boast a forty five megapixel sensor with identical dimensions and controls, making sure a well-known really feel for R5 customers. Then again, the sophisticated physique variations require a brand spanking new underwater housing for the Canon R5 Mark II for many manufacturers. Ikelite, being the exception, gives an improve equipment for the unique Canon EOS R5 housing.
So, what’s in reality new? The R5 Mark II has a brand new stacked sensor with sooner readout speeds, enhanced burst capturing, a progressive autofocus gadget, eye motion regulate AF, sooner 8K video body charges, and professional-grade C-Log2 recording.
Whilst the unique R5’s autofocus is already spectacular, the R5 Mark II targets to set a brand new same old. For videographers now not already the use of the Canon EOS R5 C, the R5 Mark II’s specifications are actually engaging. Then again, the R5 C may nonetheless dangle enchantment for some, relying on whether or not new R5 Mark II underwater housings will likely be suitable with the cooling battery grip — a compatibility we suspect is not going.
Diving into the Canon EOS R5 Mark II’s Key Options
Stacked Sensor: Sooner Readout Speeds for Sooner Burst Taking pictures and Lowered Rolling Shutter
The brand new buzzword in underwater pictures is “sooner readout speeds”, particularly after Sony’s groundbreaking announcement of the primary world shutter within the Sony a9 III. However what does a “sooner readout pace” in reality imply? Necessarily, it signifies that the engineers at Canon have re-engineered the sensor to procedure symbol information from every pixel nearly instantaneously. This considerably reduces rolling shutter results leading to crisper footage of quick-moving marine existence and smoother video photos with out the “jello impact.”
A stacked sensor additionally allows an outstanding 30 fps RAW burst capturing with the digital shutter. An digital shutter method the R5 Mark II’s sensor information symbol information for a given duration of time fairly than automatically poducing the impact with a bodily shutter. Whilst many underwater photographers the use of strobes won’t want such prime burst speeds, the R5 Mark II can sync with strobes in digital shutter mode (albeit at a 1/160s sync pace). Paired with fast-recycling strobes just like the Ikelite DS230s, Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duos, or Marelux Apollo IIIs, you’ll be able to seize split-second underwater moments in difficult low-light prerequisites that require diminished strobe powers and better burst speeds. That stated, all the way through maximum of our dives we determined to not use the digital shutter because of the 1/160s sync pace limitation. With the mechanical shutter, you’ll be able to captured higher sunballs with extra main points with a better sync pace of one/250s. 12 frames in line with moment with the mechanical shutter is greater than sufficient pace even with the quickest underwater strobes.
It’s value noting that, like different stacked sensor cameras (e.g., Nikon Z8 or Z6 III), there’s a slight trade-off in dynamic differ. Preliminary assessments via PetaPixel confirmed some higher noise in comparison to the unique R5. For underwater shooters often taking pictures prime dynamic differ scenes (like wide-angle sunburst pictures), this could be a attention. Then again, for many underwater programs, the advantages outweigh this minor problem. As you’ll be able to see from our underwater footage there’s a number of dynamic differ to head round. We’ve got a number of main points in our pictures with simple spotlight and shadow restoration in put up processing.
Revolutionizing Underwater Autofocus
Canon has doubtlessly created the arena’s maximum complex autofocus gadget with the R5 Mark II. Construction on their already superb Twin Pixel Autofocus, Canon has presented game-changing functions. Maximum particularly, the R5 Mark II can handle center of attention to your selected topic although every other object in brief passes in entrance of it – a not unusual prevalence in bustling underwater environments. Throughout our underwater assessments, we did to find it used to be more straightforward to stay center of attention on a unmarried topic. Particularly once we had more than one sea lions passing in entrance of the digital camera. That is a particularly helpful characteristic when photographing massive faculties of fish or in turbulent water with numerous particulates. Is it value an improve from the Canon EOS R5? It’s exhausting to inform. If autofocus is the crux of why you imagine a digital camera, then there’s no higher digital camera than the Canon EOS R5 Mark II.
8K Video Improvements and New Recording Choices
Construction at the groundbreaking 8K video functions of its predecessor, the R5 Mark II takes issues up a notch. It now gives 8K video recording at as much as 60 frames in line with moment, matching the efficiency of the Nikon Z8 and Z9. Extra particularly, the Canon R5 Mark II supplies higher guide white stability at intensity than the Nikon Z8 and Z9 — however with a extra irritating workflow than the Sony a1. This generally is a main attention for lots of underwater video shooters with Sony cameras nonetheless reigning excellent for videographers that basically use guide white stability.
With stepped forward in-body symbol stabilization and better body charges, taking pictures easy hand held underwater photos is breeze. Simply check out our photos – it all used to be handheld! Whilst 8K presentations are nonetheless slightly uncommon, this solution permits macro videographers to crop considerably to 4K, offering extra achieve and extra b-roll choices. Now that the R5 II gives 60 fps filming at 8K, cropped photos can be bogged down significantly for extra stabilization. For the ones in the hunt for to seize ultra-slow-motion photos of quick-moving marine existence, the digital camera additionally boasts 4K recording at as much as 120 frames in line with moment – a body charge and backbone this is increasingly more turning into crucial in trendy cameras.
The R5 II expands its video functions with RAW video recording and a brand new C-Log2 profile. Logarithmic profiles seize extra element in highlights and shadows, providing better dynamic differ and versatility in post-production. Whilst RAW video could be overkill for many customers outdoor {of professional} productions, the C-Log2 profile is a thrilling addition that many fanatic underwater videographers will respect.
Check out our pattern underwater video photos underneath. Total we have been rather inspired with the Canon R5 Mark II. It has superb integrated colour rendering, and the brand new autofocus gadget is spectacular. We didn’t use guide center of attention as soon as all the way through our assessments and as a substitute selected to stay our autofocus on. You’ll see in a single clip of browning wall that the digital camera did lose center of attention for a second in turbid water which used to be in all probability the one time the digital camera didn’t are living as much as our expectancies.
Addressing Overheating Issues
The unique Canon EOS R5 confronted complaint for restricted recording instances at prime body charges and resolutions because of overheating. Our preliminary assessments confirmed the digital camera lasting about 20 mins at 8K and 4K/120p earlier than shutting down. Next firmware updates considerably stepped forward this efficiency, and the Canon R5C design eradicated those problems solely. The R5 Mark II introduces a cooling accent grip, however it’s unclear if any underwater housings will likely be suitable with this add-on. Right now, it kind of feels as regardless that the cooling grip isn’t suitable. Some housing producers, like Marelux are having a look at growing higher digital camera trays to assist with warmth dissipation. However we’ll wish to do further assessments as extra housings pop out to peer simply how dangerous the overheating factor is. For our chilly water dives, we by no means gained a warmth caution. However lots of the filming we did used to be 4K/60p.
Canon EOS R5 Mark II Underwater Housings
Given the recognition of the Canon EOS R5 Mark II, we predict all main housing producers to sooner or later unencumber suitable choices. Marelux, Seacam, and Nauticam all have began delivery anodized aluminum Canon EOS R5 Mark II housings. Ikelite and Aquatech be offering extra reasonably priced polycarbonate choices. We do hope to peer Isotta and Aquatica housing choices to be had quickly! For our evaluate of the R5 Mark II, we determined to make use of an Ikelite EOS R5 Mark II housing. Learn on to peer our ideas on every housing this is these days to be had for the Canon EOS R5 Mark II.
The Nauticam Canon EOS R5 Mark II housing is a prime finish anodized aluminum housing able to complete regulate of the Canon EOS R5 Mark II. We suggest this housing for underwater shooters that need to employ Nauticam’s distinctiveness underwater optics just like the Fisheye Conversion Port, or the EMWL.
The Ikelite Canon R5 Mark II underwater housing is highest for the ones having a look to put money into prime finish Ikelite DS 230 strobes and use it with Ikelite’s cutting-edge TTL. In spite of everything, underwater lights and lenses is what in reality impacts symbol high quality — now not the housing. We used the DS 230 strobes for our evaluate and it introduced out improbable underwater colours and main points from our topics. Mixed with an Ikelite TTL converter, you’ll get correct exposures at the majority of the pictures you are taking. It undoubtedly stepped forward our “hit charge” than adjusting the strobes manually. The Ikelite Canon R5 Mark II housing gives entire regulate of the R5 Mark II with mild underwater trim.
Marelux is understood for being at the vanguard of innovation in underwater pictures. They constantly make top quality housings with superb ergonomics and compatibility with quite a lot of lenses. Lots of Marelux’s units are distinctive within the underwater digital camera global, together with a “sensible” magnified viewfinder, and a wi-fi strobe controller for the Apollo III strobes.
Seacam housings are the “Rolls Royce” of underwater digital camera housings. If you wish to have highest trim and a velvet inner, this housing is the only for you.
That is our housing of selection for snorkelers and surfers! Aquatech is the main logo for underwater surf pictures. The housing is rated to 10m (30 toes) and is an reasonably priced technique to get your R5 Mark II within the water to {photograph} watersports, waves, and snorkeling.
Canon EOS R5 Mark II Underwater Lenses
Macro
Macro lenses are crucial for taking pictures detailed pictures of small underwater topics, generally the ones golfing ball-sized or smaller. Those are our favourite Canon lenses for macro pictures.
Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM: This lens is perfect for photographing small, shy topics because of its longer running distance. It’s additionally a an important instrument for supermacro pictures when paired with a macro diopter. The RF model outperforms its EF counterpart, providing further magnification with a supermacro 1.4:1 ratio. Whilst it includes a round aberration regulate ring, we don’t suggest the use of this underwater because it creates a cushy impact.
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS (with EF-EOS R Adapter): This flexible macro lens is very good for small, elusive topics due to its longer running distance. When mixed with a macro diopter, it’s highest for supermacro pictures.
Canon RF 85mm f/2.8 Macro Lens: Whilst this lens turns out promising on paper and is derived at a lovely value level, its autofocus efficiency underwater is critically restricted because of its extraordinarily slow-moving focusing barrel.
Advisable Rainy Diopters
Nauticam Tremendous Macro Converter: The Nauticam SMC-1 is a top-tier rainy diopter for taking pictures razor-sharp macro and tremendous macro pictures. Its energy and readability make it a favourite amongst tremendous macro fans, particularly when used with the Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens.
Kraken +13 Diopter and Weefine +13 Diopter: Those diopters be offering high quality similar to the Nauticam SMC at a extra budget-friendly value. They supply superb supermacro functions with out being overly difficult to make use of. For without equal in magnification, imagine the Kraken +23 or Weefine +23, regardless that those will also be extra difficult to grasp.
Bluewater +7 Diopter: For underwater photographers simply beginning out, we extremely suggest the Bluewater +7 diopter. Whilst it doesn’t be offering as a lot magnification as different choices in this listing, it pairs excellently with mid-range “equipment” lenses and the Canon 100mm macro lens for enhanced close-up functions.
For a complete evaluate of underwater macro rainy lenses, take a look at our detailed information.
Huge-Attitude Fisheye
Fisheye lenses for wide-angle pictures supply a shockingly wide box of view. Not like their rectilinear opposite numbers, those lenses can center of attention a lot nearer to topics however might introduce barrel distortion on the symbol edges. Curiously, this distortion is much less noticeable underwater because of mild refraction.
Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L round fisheye (with EF-EOS R Adapter): This lens is the best choice for full-frame fisheye pictures. At 8mm, it creates a singular round fisheye impact with self-vignetting. For standard fisheye pictures with out vignetting, merely zoom to 15mm to seize surprising ultra-wide perspective pictures.
Rectilinear Huge-Attitude
Rectilinear wide-angle lenses handle a wide box of view with out the distortion conventional of fisheye lenses. They’re best for photographing massive marine existence like sharks and taking pictures expansive reef landscapes, frequently permitting nearer zooming to topics.
Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM: That is our peak select for rectilinear wide-angle pictures with EOS R collection mirrorless cameras. Due to the RF mount’s diminished flange distance, this lens delivers remarkable nook sharpness for a rectilinear lens. Be aware that it does produce some vignetting at 14mm, so it’s easiest used as a “16-35mm” similar. Underwater photographers generally use rectilinear wide-angle lenses for topics which can be too far-off to fill the body with a fisheye lens, reminiscent of sharks, whales, sea lions, and dolphins.
Canon EF 16-35 f/2.8 III Extremely-Huge Zoom lens (with EF-EOS R Adapter): This lens is a wonderful selection for the ones new to wide-angle pictures with out strict price range constraints. It’s in particular helpful for taking pictures pictures of bigger marine existence that may’t be approached carefully sufficient for fisheye lenses, together with sharks, whales, sea lions, and dolphins.
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II Huge-Attitude Lens (with EF-EOS R Adapter): This lens has been the go-to rectilinear wide-angle choice for Canon full-frame cameras. It has led the pack lately for nook sharpness, pace, and value, regardless that this may increasingly exchange as extra photographers go for the model III.
Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L Extremely Huge-Attitude Lens (with EF-EOS R Adapter): If you happen to’re after the widest conceivable lens, the Canon 11-24mm gives a shockingly wide box of view. It’s highest for expansive reef scenes, massive shipwrecks, and ultra-wide pictures the place fisheye distortion isn’t desired. Then again, it’s higher, heavier, and pricier than different wide-angle choices.
Who Must Believe the Canon R5 Mark II?
If you happen to’re simply beginning out and wish the most productive digital camera in the marketplace for underwater photograph and video, the Canon EOS R5 Mark II is our peak advice. This is a digital camera this is best for photographers in the hunt for essentially the most complex autofocus monitoring gadget to be had. Throughout our underwater assessments, we discovered that those new enhancements permit the digital camera to forget about attainable distractions, focusing only to your supposed topic. We in my opinion assume the R5 Mark II has a greater autofocus gadget than even the Sony a7R V and Nikon Z8. However there’s a slender margin between Sony and Canon. The margin is wider when in comparison to Nikon.
For videographers difficult remarkable solution at prime body charges, the R5 Mark II delivers. Whilst 4K at 120 fps satisfies many, the addition of 8K video as much as 60 fps is especially precious for underwater shooters, placing this digital camera on par with the Nikon Z8 and Z9. Additionally, the Canon EOS R5 Mark II gives the most productive aggregate of guide white stability functions, solution, and body charges in the marketplace.
In the end, the Canon R5 Mark II is for individuals who call for the most productive that Canon has to provide. Whilst Canon can have supposed the EOS R1 to be their flagship style, the R5 Mark II actually takes that crown. At $4,299, it gives flagship-level options at a aggressive value level.
Ultimate Ideas
The Canon EOS R5 Mark II continues the craze of lightning-fast sensor readouts from business leaders Sony, Nikon, and Canon. The brand new stacked sensor and speedy readout speeds permit capturing as much as 30 frames in line with moment in RAW layout with strobes the use of the digital shutter. The dynamic differ trade-off for the R5 Mark II proved to be minimum all the way through our underwater assessments.
Most likely essentially the most thrilling characteristic of the Canon R5 Mark II is its state of the art autofocus monitoring gadget. It sticks out with its skill to forget about attainable distractions, keeping up center of attention to your supposed topic. For underwater pictures, this selection on my own could be sufficient to persuade hesitant photographers to make the transfer to the Canon EOS R5 Mark II.
As a video powerhouse, the Canon R5 Mark II boasts spectacular options, together with a brand new C-Log2 profile and 8K video as much as 60fps. Whilst present Canon R5C customers may now not rush to change, it’s an important improve from the unique R5. The possible problem of the R5 Mark II for underwater video is the propensity to overheat. We’ve got now not but absolutely examined what those boundaries are. Then again, in our underwater video capturing, we by no means ran right into a warmth caution on chilly water dives.
Total, we expect that the Canon EOS R5 Mark II reigns excellent as 2024’s peak underwater digital camera for photograph and video. Whilst Sony will most probably are available with an impressive competitor quickly, the R5 Mark II will stay common amongst underwater photographers for future years.
Symbol credit: All footage via Nirupam Nigam. This evaluate, written via Nirupan Nigam, used to be at the start printed on Bluewater Photograph.
In regards to the writer: Nirupam Nigam is a passionate underwater photographer and the arena’s main professional in underwater photograph and video apparatus. Nirupam carries the original difference of getting shot extra trendy digital camera fashions underwater than somebody else on Earth: 47 and counting! As president of Bluewater Photograph, his deep technical wisdom paperwork the foundation of our underwater digital camera evaluations and proposals to our shoppers.
Whilst rising up in Southern California, Nirupam went snorkeling for the primary time and used to be captivated via the cathedral of sunshine discovered on the kelp wooded area cover. He started his adventure as an underwater photographer on the age of 15 whilst checking out underwater photograph apparatus as an intern at Bluewater Photograph and as a deckhand at the Spectre Dive Boat.
Nirupam gained levels in Aquatic and Fisheries Science, Basic Biology, and Arctic research from the College of Washington. After faculty he spent a couple of years as a fisheries observer on fishing vessels within the Bering Sea and North Pacific, gathering information for NOAA. This supplied him the chance to commute to and dive in dozens of nations between contracts.
After you have married, he determined it used to be time to decide on land and in 2017 took over because the Editor-in-Leader of the Underwater Images Information — the arena’s biggest on-line useful resource for underwater photographers. On the Underwater Images Information, Nirupam evaluations dozens of cameras, underwater strobes, digital camera equipment, housings, and every other device and gizmo conceivable. Nirupam additionally organizes Ocean Artwork, the arena’s maximum prestigious underwater photograph contest. In 2020, whilst the pandemic used to be in complete swing, Nirupam evolved Bluewater College to assist budding photographers take on-line categories in underwater pictures and video.
You’ll get involved with him at [email protected] and thru his web page www.photosfromthesea.com. Be certain to sign up for him on one in all underwater photoworkshops he leads with Bluewater Go back and forth.