Canon EOS R5 vs R5 Mark II - Sensor Sharpness, Color Science & ISO Noise Test
If you’re trying to decide between the Canon EOS R5 and the Canon EOS R5 Mark II, you’re probably wondering: Is the R5 Mark II worth the upgrade? Is the image quality better? What about sharpness, color accuracy, and ISO noise performance? In this detailed Canon R5 vs R5 Mark II comparison, I put both cameras side-by-side to test sensor sharpness, color science, and ISO noise so you can make the right choice for your photography business or personal shooting style.
Whether you’re upgrading from the original R5, considering buying the R5 Mark II, or just curious about Canon’s latest full-frame mirrorless camera technology, this review will give you the real-world differences that matter.
Sharpness
Is one camera sharper than the other? When it comes to which camera has the sharpest image the EOS R5 or the EOS R5 Mark II it really is a tie. If I zoom in to 200% on an image and really get in there the R5 Mark II is a touch sharper but realistically who views images that close? No body. So does the extra 0.01% sharpness make a difference? NO. If you were to add sharpness in Lightroom or Photoshop it would have more impact then the difference between the sensors on the R5 and R5 Mark II.
Color Science
OK let’s talk about color science between the Canon EOS R5 and EOS R5 Mark II. Here’s where things get interesting. There is a clear difference here between the two cameras and it’s pretty easy to spot once you know what to look for. The EOS R5 has a pretty clear red color cast over the images it produces. I’ve been shooting with the R5 for years and never really noticed till I tested it up against the R5 Mark II which has a more true-to-live color rendition. Where you’ll notice the R5 color cast the most is in cool tones. Blues especially don’t look pure blue. Is this a bad thing? Well depends on what you shoot. For landscapes where you have blue skies and blue water it could create an issue, but if you shoot portraits the red tones make all skin tones look richer. Nothing that can’t be fixed with a color checker or in post with the adjustment of a few sliders. I still think the R5 is a fantastic camera but is the color cast a deal breaker? Well that is up to you to decide.
ISO Test
Does the Canon EOS R5 Mark II produce noiser images at higher ISO? So far in my testing and real world use I haven’t noticed a difference in noise between both cameras. It’s virtually identical. I can’t seem to spot any difference.
Sample Photos
Conclusion
So which camera has the better image, the EOS R5 or the EOS R5 Mark II? They both sport a 45 megapixel high resolution sensor, although Canon did say that they redesigned the sensor on the R5 Mark II. What defines “redesign” thought is unclear. I’ve been using the R5 since it was first released in 2020 and the R5 Mark II since it was released in 2024. For me personally I haven’t noticed much difference between the two cameras as daily drivers for my photography business in terms of image quality. Until I did the color test with both cameras I would have never known that the R5 has a red color cast to it’s images. And to be perfectly honest as someone who enjoyed adding color grades and presets to my images, which change the overall color tone anyway, It really makes no difference to me.
Who is the R5 Mark II for? Well if you shoot commercial or fashion photography and color accuracy is important to you than I think the R5 Mark II is the smarter choice. Also, if you shoot fast paced sports the AF tracking on the R5 Mark II is a lot better but that is a topic for another post. For everyone else the R5 is more than good enough for your workflow.
Hope you found this blog post and video helpful. If you did consider subscribing to my YouTube channel and helping me reach my goal of 50k Subscribers.
🚀 EQUIPMENT USED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO
Canon EOS R5 - https://amzn.to/3snWNve
Canon EOS R5 Mark II - https://amzn.to/46UH9NX
Canon EOS R7 - https://amzn.to/3XP4iw6
Canon RF 15-35mm f2.8 L IS USM - https://amzn.to/32fkIma
NiSi Black Mist 1/8 - https://amzn.to/3HKF5Nn
NiSi True Color VND - https://amzn.to/3YbYL29
Zhuyun Molus B500 - https://amzn.to/3ynuk1w
Maono T5 Mic - https://amzn.to/4hKRNeM
