Canon EOS R5 Mark II RF24-105mm F4 L is USM Lens Kit Black Review

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The Canon EOS R5 Mark II with the RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM Lens Kit is a premium, high-performance camera system aimed at professional photographers and serious enthusiasts. Building upon the success of the original EOS R5, the Mark II introduces enhanced features for both photography and videography, delivering exceptional image quality, versatility, and cutting-edge technology. Paired with the RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens, this kit offers a flexible zoom range and image stabilization, making it suitable for a wide variety of shooting scenarios.
Design and Build Quality
The Canon EOS R5 Mark II maintains a robust and ergonomic design, similar to its predecessor. Its weather-sealed magnesium alloy body is durable, making it ideal for outdoor shoots in various conditions. The camera feels solid in hand, and its button layout is intuitive, allowing quick access to essential controls. The vari-angle touchscreen is bright and responsive, offering easy navigation through menus and a flexible viewing angle for composing shots from difficult perspectives.
The RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens is a high-quality, versatile zoom lens that covers a broad focal range, from wide-angle to mid-telephoto. It features Canon’s L-series weather sealing, making it a great all-weather companion for the EOS R5 Mark II. The lens is lightweight for its size and produces sharp, high-quality images across the zoom range, making it ideal for landscapes, portraits, and event photography.
Image Quality
Canon is known for its exceptional image quality, and the EOS R5 Mark II is no exception. The camera features a 45-megapixel full-frame sensor, which provides excellent resolution and detail. This makes the camera well-suited for high-resolution work, including landscape, fashion, and commercial photography. The dynamic range is impressive, allowing for more flexibility in post-processing, especially when recovering details in shadows and highlights.
The pairing with the RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens provides excellent sharpness, clarity, and color fidelity. The lens’s 5-stop image stabilization ensures that handheld shots remain sharp, even in low-light conditions. The constant f/4 aperture allows for consistent exposure settings across the zoom range, though some users may desire a faster lens for improved low-light performance or better subject isolation.
Autofocus and Performance
One of the standout features of the Canon EOS R5 Mark II is its Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system. The autofocus is fast, accurate, and covers virtually the entire frame. It excels in subject tracking, particularly with eye and face detection, making it ideal for portraits and action photography. The AI-powered autofocus improvements in the Mark II offer better subject recognition and tracking of animals, vehicles, and humans, even in challenging conditions.
The camera's 12 fps mechanical shutter (up to 20 fps with the electronic shutter) is excellent for sports and wildlife photography, allowing for high-speed continuous shooting. It also has an ISO range of 100-51,200, expandable to 102,400, providing flexibility in various lighting conditions.
Video Capabilities
For videographers, the Canon EOS R5 Mark II offers 8K video recording at 30fps with internal RAW recording, a feature that few cameras can match. It also supports 4K recording at up to 120fps, which is ideal for slow-motion footage. The overheating issues seen in the original R5 have been addressed with improved thermal management in the Mark II, allowing for longer recording times. The camera also offers Canon Log 3 and HDR PQ, enabling better post-production flexibility and dynamic range in video editing.
Battery Life and Connectivity
The battery life is decent, though it could be better given the power-hungry nature of the camera’s high-resolution features. However, the LP-E6NH battery can be supplemented by USB-C charging, which is convenient for longer shoots. The camera offers a full suite of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and FTP support, making it easy to transfer images and control the camera remotely using the Canon Camera Connect app.
Positive Points:
45-megapixel sensor delivers exceptional image resolution and detail.
8K video recording with improved thermal management for longer shooting times.
Fast and highly accurate Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with advanced subject tracking.
Versatile RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens with 5-stop image stabilization.
Weather-sealed body and lens suitable for outdoor conditions.
4K 120fps slow-motion video and RAW recording capabilities.
Overall, the Canon EOS R5 Mark II with RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens is a professional-grade camera that excels in both photography and videography. It offers stunning image quality, advanced autofocus, and a versatile lens, though it comes with a premium price tag and may require additional investment for optimal performance in certain scenarios.