The Canon EOS R5 (Amazon, B&H) is a bombshell entry into the mirrorless video segment. With the addition of 12-bit 8K RAW recording it stands unique, and outclasses every other camera on paper.
It’s natural for a serious video shooter and filmmaker to be interested in this camera. Let’s go over some important quirks and features of the camera for cinematography and video.
Check out my comprehensive real world review of the Canon EOS R5:
8K RAW
What’s the bottom line? Here are you questions answered in a nutshell:
- It is full frame 8K RAW, no crop.
- It’s 12-bit 8K RAW.
- You get both 8K DCI (8192×4320) and 8K UHD (7680×4320)
- You can shoot 8K in Canon Log (the same as the Canon 1DX Mark III) and RAW
- Log can be shot internally in 10-bit 4:2:2
- You can also pick HDR PZ in 10-bit 4:2:2 for HDR
- Maximum frame rate in 8K is 29.97p. You also get 23.976p and 25p
- Format is CRM.
- You can choose to record RAW as Canon Log or another format. If you choose the latter the editing/grading application probably won’t have the exact same color science unless they have official support from Canon. So I suggest you pick Canon Log. I’ve had great success with it with the Canon 1DX Mark III.
New mode: 4K HQ
4K HQ is a special mode available where the 4K you shoot is downsampled from 8K. It is only available up to 29.97p. You can record this to the SD card as well.
This means 60p and 120p are not downsampled from 8K.
Also, you cannot record 4K RAW, only 8K RAW.
What are the data rates for 8K?
Here are the data rates for 8K:
| Resolution | RAW | ALL-I | IPB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8K DCI | 2600 Mbps | 1300 Mbps | 470 Mbps |
| 8K UHD | Not possible | 1300 Mbps | 470 Mbps |
Just to put some perspective for 8K RAW. This equates to:
- 5.9 minutes on a 128 GB card
- 13 minutes on a 256 GB card
- 51 minutes on a 1TB card
- If you shoot ALL-I instead of RAW you’ll get 26 minutes on a 256 GB card.
What is the crop factor in 8K RAW?
There is no crop factor in the Canon EOS R5 (Amazon, B&H)! You get the full frame.
What is the crop factor in 4K 120 fps?
There is no crop factor here as well. You get the full frame 4k 120 fps.
However, if you want (your choice), you can opt for a crop mode with EF-S or Super35mm cinema lenses. Crop is only available till 4K 60 fps and not at 120 fps.
Is there an optical low pass filter (OLPF or anti-aliaising) filter in the Canon EOS R5?
Yes.
What are the data rates for 4K 120 fps?
Canon EOS R5 (Amazon, B&H) Here are the data rates for 4K 120 fps (actually 119.88 fps):
| Resolution | Codec | Data rate |
|---|---|---|
| 4K DCI and UHD | ALL-I only | 1880 Mbps |
What are the data rates for compressed 4K?
The Canon EOS R5 (Amazon, B&H) offers 8-bit and 10-bit video, in H.265 compression in an MP4 wrapper:
| Resolution | 8-bit | 10-bit (Canon Log) |
|---|---|---|
| 8K | H.265 (IPB) | H.265 (ALL-I) |
| 4K | H.264 (IPB) | H.265 (ALL-I) |
| Video signal range | 0-255 | 128-1016 (also Full range) |
| Chroma subsampling | 4:2:0 | 4:2:2 |
| Color Space | Rec. 709 | Rec. 709 or Rec. 2020 |
Here are the data rates for 4K up to 60 fps (Canon Log or HDR PQ):
| Resolution | ALL-I | IPB |
|---|---|---|
| 4K DCI up to 29.97p HQ FINE mode | 470 Mbps | 170 Mbps |
| 4K DCI 50p and 60p | 1000 Mbps | 340 Mbps |
What about 1080p or HD?
The maximum frame rate for HD is 60p. I don’t want to bother writing any more about 1080p.
What is the recording time limit for 8K RAW?
You can record up to approximately 20 minutes in 8K. This is a restriction due to camera overheating. For full real world overheating tests and results, check this article:
What is the recording limit for 4K 120 fps?
You can record up to 7 minutes 29 seconds in up to 4K 120 fps. After that the camera will stop recording. Please click the article above for real world results.
What is the recording limit for 4K 60 fps?
You can record up to 29 minutes 59 seconds in up to 4K 30 fps.
For 4K 60 fps and higher, the camera can record up to approximately 25 minutes. This is a restriction due to camera overheating.
What media card do you need?
The Canon EOS R5 (Amazon, B&H) has dual card slots, but they’re not the same card:
- One CFexpress Type B slot, and
- One UHS-II SD card slot
Note: Eye-Fi cards and Multimedia cards (MMC) are not supported.
Important: You cannot write 8K RAW to the SD card, but you can record a second 4K DCI (10-bit) Canon log video to the SD card as backup or proxy.
You need CFexpress for 8K RAW.
What is the ISO range for 8K RAW?
The ISO range for video is 100-25600. The ISO range for photography is ISO 100-51200.
In RAW, the ISO is limited between 400-25,600.
What is the native or base ISO for 8K RAW?
The base ISO is ISO 400.
Is there IBIS (image stabilization) in the Canon EOS R5?
Yes! The Canon EOS R5 (Amazon, B&H) features IBIS so you can use lenses that have IS and also lenses that don’t!
Canon’s first camera to incorporate 5-axis IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization), the EOS R5 will not only enhance the ability to shoot still images at slower shutter speeds but it will also help reduce camera shake when shooting movies. Additionally, the EOS R5’s IBIS will work in combination with Optical Image Stabilization found in many Canon RF and EF lenses.
Canon USA
What video exposure tools are available in camera?
Just the in-camera meter (Exposure Level Meter) and Histogram (Luma and RGB). You also get an electronic level.
The Canon EOS R5 also has Zebras. You get two Zebra settings. You get the entire range from 5 to 100%.
Can you upload and use LUTs in the camera?
No. But you can use LUTs in software.
What is the best format for external video recording?
The best video format that can be exported is 4K 60 fps. No RAW. No 120 fps.
The Canon EOS R5 uses a Type D (Micro) HDMI port. You can see the video on the LCD at the same time.
An HDMI cable protector is included with your purchase.
Can you use an external recorder for 8K?
No. External recording is limited to 4K 59.94 fps.
Can you use an external recorder for 4K 120 fps?
No. External recording is limited to 4K 59.94 fps.
What format should I choose for the best video quality on the Canon EOS R5?
Here are my suggestions for now:
- 8K 24 fps (or 25 fps) RAW
- For slow motion, 4K 120 fps 10-bit 4:2:2 ALL-I Canon Log
What about HDR?
You can shoot HDR with the Canon EOS R5 (Amazon, B&H). Here are the official specs:
- Format: ITU-R BT.2100 (PQ) (Note: no HLG)
- 10-bit 4:2:2
- H.265, MP4 wrapper
You can shoot HDR PQ or Canon Log, not both.
Can you record anything to the SD card?
Yes, you can record both 8K (not RAW) and 4K on SD cards:
- For 8K, you need Video Speed Class 90 or higher
- For 4K, you need Video Speed Class 60 or higher
- For IPB you can use slower Class 3 cards, though personally I don’t recommend them unless you have them lying around.
You can record 4K DCI simultaneously to the SD card while you’re recording 8K RAW on the CFexpress card.
What about proxies?
You can get proxies, but after you finish shooting. You must go to Playback and select [Save a compressed version] and your 8K and 4K movie will be copied to a 1080p proxy file in IPB. It doesn’t impact the actual 8K/4K file.
How good is the autofocus for video?
You get face, head and eye tracking when Face+Tracking AF detection is set.
Dual Pixel CMOS AF available in all 8K and 4K modes. However, I don’t think the entire 100% area of the sensor is available for video. On the website Canon specifically states 100% AF coverage is only in stills mode. Here’s how it compares:
- Stills: Max. 1053 zones (39 x 27)
- Movies: Max. 819 zones (39 x21)
So that’s a 20% reduction. I will need to test it in the field to know how it impacts work.
As far as low light is concerned, here are the official numbers from Canon (with an f/1.2 lens at ISO 100):
- 8K: EV -3 to 20
- 4K/1080p: EV -4 to 20
- Stills: EV -6 to 20
So it would seem the AF will work better in 4K than 8K in low light situations. The AF in stills mode is two stops better than video.
What else is new for lenses?
You get Movie lens aberration correction for diffraction (when you stop down the lens). This improves sharpness but it remains to be seen how it will impact video quality. You can’t fine tune it, just enable or disable.
What are the audio specs?
When shooting ALL-I, the audio is recorded as Linear PCM. In IPB it’s AAC.
The R5 has a 3.5mm headphone and a 3.5mm microphone jack. It remains to be seen how good the preamps are.
Here’s a curious note from Canon:
Sound is not recored for approx. the last two frames when the compression method for movie recording quality is IPB or IPB-Light (audio:AAC) or [C.Fn 4-2 Audio compression] is set to [Enable]. Moreover, the video and sound may be slightly out of sync when movies are played back in Windows.
Any word on battery life for video?
I got about 4 hours of operation with the LP-E6NH battery. I expect real world results to be above 3 hours on average.
With a third-party LP-E6 battery I got 90 minutes (1.5 hours) on a full charge. A couple or three of these batteries will still be cheaper than the new battery, though charging them becomes a hassle.
Canon recommends the LP-E6NH battery though you can use LP-E6NH, LP-E6N, or LP-E6. I have used third-party LP-E6 in the R5 without problems.
Notes from Canon:
With the AC Adapter AC-E6N + DC Coupler DR-E6, AC power is possible.
With the USB Power Adapter PD-E1, in-camera charging of LP-E6NH is possible. The USB Power Adapter PD-E1 is not compatible with powering the camera.
You get one charger and one LP-E6NH battery with the EOS R5.
How good is the back LCD for video?
The 3.2″ back LCD can be flipped and tilted, so is great for video work. The brightness can be controlled, though it remains to be seen how well it does in bright exteriors.
There is no anti-reflective coating applied to the LCD.
What is the startup time of the Canon EOS R5?
Approximately 0.4 seconds. Startup to shoot is fast. No real delays.
Is the Canon EOS R5 weather sealed?
Yes. According to Canon:
The EOS R5 camera is designed for use in a variety of weather conditions. Sealing materials are used in critical areas like the buttons, terminal covers, the battery compartment and the card slot cover. Precise design and construction help to minimize accidental penetration of dust and moisture in the rest of the camera body. Combined with an RF lens, or any other weather-sealed EF/EF-S lens, the EOS R5 camera proves to be a reliable partner in virtually any climate.
Canon USA
Does the camera turn off when switching between NTSC and PAL?
No! You can just make the switch in the menu and get the alternative frame rates. Unless you need 25p, I suggest you let it be at NTSC.
Does the R5 have true 24p?
Yes, it does! You can choose between 23.976 or 24p.
That’s it. The Canon EOS R5 (Amazon, B&H) is shaping up to be one hell of a camera. The price is a bit steep, and I hope to get a unit in my hands as soon as possible for a comprehensive review.
Hey can we record FHD in 100 FPS with audio?
FHD is limited to 60p
Great info.
I presume my Ninja Inferno can be used as external recorder, no need to buy Ninja V.
Waiting for your full review, also waiting for delivery of my R5.
Yes, I was able to use my old Shogun up to UHD 30 fps.
Hello, I am trying to make a proxy as you mention in the article. I don’t see anywhere on the camera playback where I can save as a compressed file? Could you clarify a bit more here? Do you need to have 2 cards in the camera for this to pop up as an option?
Yes, you need two cards. I’ll be testing this in the next couple of days.
Is 4k 60p cropped or full frame? I heard something like 4k pixel binned vs not pixel binned full 8k readout mode . What could that be? Is 4k pixel binned better/sharper? Does it mean it gets cropped?
Not cropped. 8K downsampled means better 4K footage than when shot at 4K.
Sareesh thank you for organising the salient data in one complete, easy to digest list (as well as your terse and saucy comment about 1080p). Can’t wait for your full review
You’re welcome!