Why Filmmakers Should NOT Buy the Canon R5 Mark II
If I’m being honest, most filmmakers should stay away from the Canon R5 Mark II.
Yes, this camera offers incredible image quality, up to 8K RAW internal recording, and access to C-log 2 for more dynamic range. On paper, it sounds like the perfect upgrade for filmmakers looking to push their production quality to the next level. But before you hit that “Buy” button, there are some serious flaws you need to consider.
As someone who’s used this camera extensively, I’ve run into some frustrating limitations that could make or break your filmmaking experience. In this post, I’ll break down the four biggest reasons why the Canon R5 Mark II might not be the best choice for you and provide some alternatives that might serve you better.
1. Poor 4K 60 and 4K 120 Quality
If you’re a filmmaker who relies on high-quality slow-motion footage, this camera might disappoint you. The Canon R5 Mark II suffers from line skipping when shooting in 4K 60 and above.
What is Line Skipping?
Instead of reading the full sensor from top to bottom, the camera reads every other line to create a 4K image from its 8K sensor. This results in:
Softer video quality
Loss of fine detail
Potential visual artifacts
For context, I previously used the Canon R6 Mark II, which has incredibly sharp 4K 60—probably the best on the market. The fact that the R5 Mark II produces worse 4K 60 at double the price is frustrating and a major step backward.
Who Should Be Concerned?
If your work depends on tack-sharp slow-motion footage—for example, cinematic sequences, action sports, or high-end commercials—then this camera might not be for you.
2. Overheating Issues
Overheating has been a long-time issue with Canon’s mirrorless cameras, and unfortunately, the R5 Mark II still struggles in this department.
My Experience with Overheating
Even in cold weather, while shooting long-form content like podcasts, I’ve encountered overheating warnings in 4K 24p. If you’re in a warmer climate or shooting extended takes, this could become a serious issue. I haven’t had my camera overheat, but it makes me anxious and so I was forced to buy the cooling grip from Canon.
Workarounds (That Cost More Money)
The only way to combat this problem is by purchasing Canon’s cooling fan battery grip, which costs an additional $400. And even then, it’s not a perfect solution. If you shoot at 4K 30, 60, or higher for extended periods, overheating can still occur.
Who Should Be Concerned?
If you shoot weddings, events, long interviews, or any project requiring continuous recording, this overheating issue will slow you down and add stress to your workflow.
3. Buggy Operating System
Canon released firmware updates to fix some early issues, but the R5 Mark II still has annoying software glitches that interfere with professional work.
Common Issues I’ve Encountered:
Lagging interface – Pressing buttons too quickly can cause the camera to freeze momentarily.
Slow startup – The camera takes noticeably longer to turn on compared to the R6 Mark II. Especially if you are turning it on for the first time, it seems like it needs time to warmup.
Playback bugs – Pressing the playback button often brings up the second-to-last photo/video instead of the most recent. I have no reason why, and sometimes it works as intended. But that unpredictability is so strange to me.
For fast-paced filmmaking, like documentaries or weddings, where every second counts, these small issues add up and make the camera feel less reliable than it should be.
4. Overpriced for What You Get
At $4,300 for the body alone, the Canon R5 Mark II is one of the most expensive mirrorless cameras on the market. And when you factor in the cost of necessary accessories, the total cost skyrockets:
Cooling fan grip: $400
CFexpress Type B cards: $300+ each
High-quality SD cards: $100+ each
Lenses: Varies, but essential for professional use
After adding everything up, you’re looking at a $5,000+ investment just to operate the camera properly.
A More Reasonable Price?
If Canon priced this camera at around $3,500, it would be easier to overlook these issues. But at $4,300, better options exist for filmmakers.
What Should You Get Instead?
If you’re considering the Canon R5 Mark II, I highly recommend checking out these alternatives instead:
Canon R6 Mark II ($2,000)
Significantly cheaper than the R5 Mark II
Superior 4K 60 quality (no line skipping)
Much less overheating
Faster, more responsive OS
If you don’t absolutely need 8K recording, the R6 Mark II is the better option for half the price.
Sony FX3 ($3,900)
Cinema-focused design with built-in cooling (no overheating issues)
Better low-light performance
XLR inputs for professional audio recording
Sony’s industry-leading autofocus
Panasonic Lumix S5 II X ($2,200)
Internal ProRes recording
No overheating issues
Amazing dynamic range and color science
Phase-detect autofocus (finally catching up to Canon and Sony)
Final Thoughts
While the Canon R5 Mark II excels in image quality, its line-skipped 4K 60, overheating issues, buggy software, and high price tag make it a tough sell for serious filmmakers.
If you primarily shoot short-form content and don’t need high-quality 4K 60 or long recording times, you might still find value in this camera. But if you’re looking for a reliable, all-day filmmaking tool, better options exist.
What Do You Think?
Is the Canon R5 Mark II still worth it for filmmakers, despite its flaws? Let me know in the comments below!
If these flaws are no problem, then check out the Canon R5 Mark II here.
