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COMPARE THE EOS R3 VS EOS R5


Compare the EOS R3 and EOS R5 with this handy guide. Both were created to keep photographers and videographers ahead of their competition, elevating creativity, output and quality. Both are at the top of the market, with the EOS R3 delivering explosive speed and the EOS R5 offering high resolution stills and video. Dive into the detail with our Canon EOS R3 vs EOS R5 comparison guide.  




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Canon EOS R3 vs EOS R5 Image Quality: How high-quality will your images be?

Compare the Canon EOS R5 vs EOS R3 on image quality. The EOS R3 is built for professional use and speed and durability while the EOS R5 has an emphasis on high-resolution stills and video. The EOS R5 can achieve 45mp stills compared to the EOS R3's 24mp, which makes it great for printing photos and art. It can also deliver 8K RAW video compared to the EOS R3's 6K RAW. On the other hand, the EOS R3 offers outstanding low light and speed capabilities. It can still achieve sharp, professional-grade, high resolution photos but the lower megapixels mean a higher FPS and better ISO. It also means pro sports photographers can transfer files to FTP servers very fast, allowing editors in the office to use the files immediately. Back to image quality, both cameras use a fast DIGIC X Processor that reduces noise and improves sharpness and can offer up to 8 stops of IS (with the right lens) - something that's useful for reducing blur in low light and when capturing subjects moving at speed without a tripod.

Verdict: The EOS R5 is built for image quality and is great for large-scale prints as it delivers a high level of megapixels. While the EOS R3 still delivers sharp images, it is fast, better in low light and allows for the instant transfer of files to FTP servers for fast editing and publication from the office.
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Canon EOS R5 vs EOS R3 for Video: How good is the video?

When comparing the Canon R3 vs R5 for video, both are great. The EOS R5 is among the best hybrids out there. 8K video at 30 fps, 4K video at 120 fps and Full HD Movies at up to 120 fps let you retain smooth, sharp and crisp video while filming fast subjects. The camera can also use the might of its 8K sensor to deliver high-resolution 3D VR videos. Although the EOS R3 can't achieve 8K, it can offer 6K RAW movies and Full HD Movies at 120 fps while retaining clean and crisp video that is perfect for any experimental professional. Both cameras are equipped with CLog 3, offering enhanced filmmaking with greater colour grading and extending the dynamic range of your footage.

Verdict: Both cameras have powerhouse video capabilities. Each are equipped with innovative features such as image stabilisation, while CLog 3 on both offers colour grading in post-production and extends the dynamic range of your footage. The EOS R5 can deliver high resolution 8K and high-resolution 3D VR video.

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Canon EOS R3 vs EOS R5 Speed: How fast is your camera?

Now we compare the Canon EOS R3 vs EOS R5 on speed The EOS R5 is fast, but the EOS R3 is faster. The EOS R5 delivers 1/8000 shutter speed that will capture most events and a max continuous shooting speed of 20 fps which is enough for occasional sports and wildlife photography. It can also deliver 350 JPEG and 180 RAW images from a single burst – impressive for a camera focused on image quality. If you prioritise speed above all else, and work within the sports, action, wildlife or reportage genre, then the EOS R3 will tackle every single challenge. A shutter speed of 1/64,000 is exceptional, as is continuous electronic shooting speeds of 30fps that can deliver up to 540 JPEG images or 150 RAW images on a single burst when using the electronic shutter. It can also deliver 1000 RAW files when using the mechanical or electronic 1st curtain shutter. Its standout feature is a 195fps high speed burst mode for capturing up to 50 images, a feature capable of life-changing, award-winning images.

Verdict: Both cameras are equipped with almost instantaneous focusing and processing. However, the EOS R3 is built for speed, delivering a 1/64,000s shutter speed and 30 fps, compared to 1/8,000s and 20 fps on the EOS R5.

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Canon EOS R5 vs EOS R3 Low Light: How will these cameras work in low light?

The EOS R3 and EOS R5 are fully capable of taking low light photographs of landscapes, portraits, action and more. Both are equipped with 8-stops of image stabilisation (5 in-body up to 8 with the right lens), meaning that you can take images in low light without the use of a tripod. The EOS R3 has larger individual pixels than the EOS R5, which allows it to gather more light in darker situations therefore it is less prone to image noise. The EOS R3 also has a higher maximum ISO of 102,400 (expands to 204,800), again for reducing noise in low light. Finally, the EOS R5 goes down to –6EV, meaning it can focus in the light emitting from that of a quarter moon, while the –7.5EV of the EOS R3 means it can focus in light as low as that created by a starry night. Both are well equipped for fading light conditions.

Verdict: Both cameras offer exceptional focusing capabilities in low light. The EOS R5 can focus in as little light as emitted from a quarter-moon, while the EOS R3 can handle the light in a starry night. While the EOS R3 has a higher max ISO, both use in-body IS for great, handheld low light images.

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Canon EOS R3 vs EOS R5 Autofocus: What autofocus features do these cameras have?

At Canon, we have developed industry-leading Dual Pixel CMOS AF II – an autofocusing system that brings speed and precision to your focusing capabilities. Its strength is its ability to focus in a split second on anywhere in the frame without losing image quality. It is equipped on both cameras, letting you focus on eyes, humans, animals and vehicles from over 1053 automatic focusing points from frame edge to frame edge. Even if your subject is in the corner of your frame and moving, both cameras can identify, track and focus on it. The differences between the two cameras are small. A slight differnece due to the higher resolution sensor on the EOS R5 allows you to manually focus on 5940 focus points compared to 4779 focus points on the EOS R3.

Verdict: The Canon EOS R3 vs EOS R5 both use top-of-the-range, deep learning autofocus that delivers all of the focus without losing quality. Both can identify and track moving people, animals and vehicles across the entire frame, although the EOS R5 has slightly more focusing points.
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Canon EOS R5 vs EOS R3 Usability: How easy is your camera to use?

Both cameras are equipped with features that make your job easier. The EOS R5 has a small body and is lightweight, weighing just 378g. Weighing a little more, the EOS R3 has a vertical grip, additional buttons, a built in ethernet port and an autofocus smart controller that is perfect for a pro sports photographer's need. However, user controls on both are similar with several dials and a top panel display improving usability. Both cameras include two card slots which offer more back up options when working for long periods (see below for more information). One difference is the battery. The EOS R5 uses an LP-E6NH battery that can deliver up to 490 images without needing a recharge. In contrast, the LP-E19 battery on the EOS R3 will deliver up to 860 images from a single charge.

Verdict: With the EOS R3, you get an extra autofocus smart controller, a vertical grip and more battery life. Both cameras have a large touchscreen, two card slots and are equipped with a range of user-friendly controls. Finally, the EOS R5 is a little lighter, making it great for portability.


Canon EOS R3 vs EOS R5 Summary

Here we summarise the Canon EOS R5 vs Canon EOS R3. Both the EOS R3 and EOS R5 are professional cameras with best-in-class capabilities. Your decision is down to priority. The EOS R5 is all about the detail in a smaller form factor. 45 megapixels is perfect for printing your photos, while 8K video and VR capabilities deliver professional video for content creators and videographers. It excels at portrait, wedding and travel photography. Meanwhile the EOS R3 is a little larger which makes it easier to handle, and comes with a vertical grip, a built-in ethernet port, an autofocus smart controller and has better battery life. It is super-fast, delivering speeds of 1/64,000s and continuous shooting speeds of 30 fps. It also has a special 195 fps burst mode for those most fleeting moments. The camera has a faster sensor readout and can deliver files to servers very fast, allowing editors in the office to use the images as and when they please. It is a must-have for action, sports and reportage. Both cameras can tackle low light, however the higher max ISO and exposure value mean that the EOS R3 can focus in the light conditions created by a starry night.


Number Crunching: EOS R3 VS EOS R5


  EOS R3 EOS R5
Megapixels 24 megapixels 45 megapixels
Max. Electronic Shutter 1/64000s 1/8000s
FPS 30fps electronic, 12 fps mechanical + 195fps high speed burst 20 fps electronic, 12fps mechanical
Video 4K 120p / Full HD 240p / 6K RAW 12-bit 8K RAW / 4K/120P video
Autofocus Deep learning AI autofocus that can track humans, animals and vehicles. 1053 available AF areas when automatically selected. Manual selection: 1-point AF (AF frame size can be changed) 4779 AF position for stills, 3969 positions for video Deep learning AI autofocus that can track humans, animals and vehicles. 1053 available AF areas when automatically selected, Manual selection: 1-point AF (AF frame size can be changed) 5940 AF positions for stills, 4500 AF positions for video
Image Stabilisation Up to 8-stops of IS 5-axis in-body Up to 8-Stops of IS 5-axis in-body
ISO 100–102,400 (max 204,800) 100-51,200 (max 102,400)
Connectivity Wi-Fi / Bluetooth Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
Special Features 195 fps high speed burst Focus stacking IBIS High Resolution (402mp)
Image Processor DIGIC X Processor  DIGIC X Processor
Subject detection Left / right eye, faces, heads, bodies, animals (dogs, cats and birds), vehicles (racing cars or motor bikes) Left / right eye, faces, heads, bodies, dogs, cats, birds, horses, cards, vehicles (racing cars or motor bikes)
Low light -7.5 EV -6 EV
Controls Main dial Quick control dial 1
Quick control dial 2
AF Multi Controller
Smart Controller
Top Panel Display
Main dial
Quick control dial 1
Quick control dial 2
AF multi-controller
Top Panel Display
Touchscreen 8cm / 3.2 inch 4.15 million dot LCD 8cm/ 3.15 inch 2.1 million dot LCD
Electronic Viewfinder 0.5-type 5.76 million dot OLED 0.5-type 5.76 million dot OLED
Weight (inc battery / card) Size 1015g 150 x 142.6 x 87.2mm 738g 138.0 x 97.5 x 88.0 mm
Card slots Dual Card Slots
1 x CFExpress type B
1x SD/SDHC/SDXC and UHS-II
Dual Card Slots
1 x CFExpress type B
1x SD/SDHC/SDXC and UHS-II
Battery Life LP-E19, up to 860 shots (LCD Power Saving Mode USB Charging via PD-E1 LP-E6NH, up to 490 shots (LCD Power Saving Mode) USB Charging via PD-E1
Types Professional action, sports, news, reportage, wildlife Portrait, Street, Sports, Landscapes


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