Canon R5 vs R6 Review for Bird Photography - Do You Need 45mp? Let's Find Out!

I compare the Canon R5 and Canon R6 main features for bird photography. I look at the sensors, high ISO, EVF, FPS, autofocus, buffer, video and everything you need to know before choosing which camera is right for you. I hope you enjoy, Cheers, Duade

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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:31 - Camera Features
0:44 - Sensor
2.24 - Autofocus
3:41 - FPS
5:28 - High ISO
6:20 - EVF
7:19 - IBIS
7:58 - Body Design
9:54 - Features Compared
10:20 - Battery Life and Memory Cards
11:24 - Image Comparison
14:56 - Video
17:00 - Camera Features
18:05 - Why I Got the R6
18:41 - Conclusion
19:05 - Outtakes

[rherteux]

Best side by side image comparison I've seen between these two cameras, thank you!

[kennethcheong]

Your outtakes at the end make me appreciate the effort that goes into each video. Good work and thanks for these vids.

[itaylorm]

I definitely get the positive experience when I hear the shutter release sound

[terrydanks]

Like most of us, I was dealing with the R5 vs. the R6 question.
Birds and astro are my big interests and astro seemed to favour choosing the R6 while birds favoured the R5.
I bit the bullet and got the R5. The financial pain of the purchase passed quickly. No regrets on choosing the R5. Just getting into doing bird videos with the R5 and the EF 800. Still blown away at being able to hand hold at 800! Even in video! It's a different world than my ED800 f/5.6 Nikkor from years ago!

[ArcanePath]

What I've come to learn is that I appreciate my shots on my FF camera more, with lower megapixels than my crop sensor high megapixel camera. A lot has to do with the lens resolution. When you crop and use more pixels, you are pushing the lens to the limit, and often I find shots might be higher res, but my feeling is that they look softer. The lower mp don't allow pixel peeping as much, which is often a good thing if your lens is not a really expensive prime L lens.

[conservovirtus]

Good video. It was actually another video on bird photography (which I don't do) that induced me to go with the R6 instead of the R5. I was worried about the lower megapixels, but his bird photos also looked great with plenty of detail. (Plus the lower megapixel count is better for low light.) Now you showing how well the R6 upscales makes me feel even better about my decision. The images between the two are frankly indistinguishable in any meaningful capacity. If it had global shutter and dual native ISO, I think it would be the perfect camera.

[ThreeCeeProductions]

I have the R5 coming from a 7D II. The 45 mp makes it have great detail after crop. Many birds are only 6” so being able to crop in heavily makes for better images. The eye autofocus is excellent. Also can use it for my event photography is a plus.

[RobertMintonPhotography]

Well, I have upgraded to the R5 now, having had the R6 and I find the ability to crop in tight is amazing and it was well worth the cost, all I have to do now is pay for it!!

[denisesavage]

Yes that shutter sound and our I hadn't quite put that fully together in that way.  Interesting to see what the images are like from both of these cameras.

[thebirdschannel]

Probably the best side-to-side comparison. This is the definition of comparing, resuming technical info in a just few minutes.

[panopsata]

While the R5 is technically a better camera on paper. In the real world, the R6 is enough for most people and even professionals. I get usable images up to iso 32000 which is pretty insane. Plus if you are heavily cropping no camera would look good other than you getting close to the subject, having more megapixels just give more confidence psychologically. Loving my R6 so far and I have no regrets paying the full price.

[rayrardinii]

Never shot with the R6 - can only speak to the R5 (which I’ve been using since October).

I usually shoot with the 1Dx Mark II (another 20mp sensor). Had save up enough to purchase another pro body on 2020 – was going to be either the 1Dx Mark III or the R5.

The R5 was highly recommended by a few of my sports photographer friends, so glad I listened to them and purchased it. It is my go to body now.

Few reasons I enjoy using the R5 over the 1Dx Mark II:
1. Better auto focus – the eye and head auto focus is a game changer; especially, the animal af. Works really well when focusing on one specific bird in a flock. Back button focusing takes full advantage of this. Initially focus on the bird’s eye, then switch to eye/head auto focus.
2. The 12 fps mechanical isn’t as fast as the 1Dx Mark II, but is adequate. Plus, can get 20 fps electronic. So far, the only birds that have given me a problem with rolling shutter – hummingbirds. Lastly, can get relatively high mp stills from 8K video.
3. Can’t beat the 45 mp sensor. My go to lense is the Canon 300mm 2.8 IS USM Mark II. This lense works exceptionally well with the R5 – the 45 mp sensor takes full advantage of the 300’s sharpness. Unlike a 20mp sensor, the 45mp sensor allows one to crop more aggressively. Plus, as you did for the R6 images. One can upscale R5 images as well and achieve nice results. This is a relatively inexpensive way to achieve greater focal length.

The R5 compared to the R6:
1. Lifetime Shutter Actuations. I mostly shoot with the mechanical shutter – when I found out that the R5 has 500, 000 lifetime actuations to the R6s 300, 000 – made the decision to purchase the R5 that much easier.
200, 000 additional actuations isn't something to easily overlook.
2. Lastly, the R5 is a better camera for all types of photography - portrait, architecture, landscape, or macro. The 45mp sensor allows greater diversity. The only edge I see the R6, and its 20mp sensor having, is in astrophotography.

[timlane]

You are my my new favorite reviewer!!! You answer my questions so well in your review, and answered my burning question on how Gigapixel would work on the R6 raw files.

[bjarnehansen]

Love your reviews, which are among the best and most fair for wildlife photographers. I chose the R5 (with battery grip) to replace both a FF (1DX mk ii) and a crop (7D mk ii) so I don't have to switch bodies so often in the field. I think it was the right decision for me and the R5 is amazing. I have sold the 7D mk ii but still have the 1DX mk ii as a secondary camera but it is too big and heavy for a secondary camera. My wife recently got a R5 as well to replace / complement her 80D.

[kaib]

Hi Duane. I'm totally with you on the electronic shutter/dopamin issue...both as a photographer and as a technician (I am a geek freak :o). The electronic shutter leaves me without feedback in both areas so I only use it when I absolutely need the silence and not for the increased speed

[AshleyPaul]

16:50 I suggest using C3 but set "Auto update set" to "Enable." That way, your C3 will be what it was the last time you used it when you go back to it.

[deryaner]

I ordered the R6 basically for the same reasons as you. The R5 with the additional costs is too expensive. I’m not a professional photographer and too old to become one. However I do get out and take wildlife and outdoor scenery photos and feel the R6 will do what I want. Thanks for your work and advice!

[cesarm]

I am a hobbyist photographer and Nikon user, but I really enjoy your channel the education you provide in your video's.

[vivalasvegas]

When you upscale an image, the noise(dots) are also upsize. I’ll denoise(10%-20%) it first then upscale, find the percentage balance between the amount of detail vs noise, being removed. However, if I know before hand, I’m upscaling it. I’ll go ahead and use the lowest iso possible(tripod or IS) that way, noise are less prevalent after upscaling it. Avoid too much shadow digging(in post) and position subject in good light if possible.

[juliangreaves]

Excellent comparison video Duade. Very enjoyable and informative. I bought the R5. I couldn’t afford it either but now I have it, I’m delighted and not looking back!