Canon R5 C Long-Term Review: Did Canon’s ‘Cripple Hammer’ Ruin a Masterpiece?

A few years ago, when the shutter on my Canon 5D Mark II finally gave out after 12 years of use, I needed to upgrade my equipment. With so many mirrorless cameras available on the market, it was a difficult decision. However, one camera consistently stood out to me. No matter how many times I tried to convince myself that there might be a better option for my needs, something kept drawing me back to it.Before getting into why I ultimately chose the Canon R5 C, it's essential to outline what I actually needed. I shoot both stills and video professionally. Of course, this meant I needed a system capable of high-resolution photography, fast autofocus, and professional-level video features like 10-bit codecs, reliable color science, and a wide dynamic range. Since I shoot mainly landscapes, weather sealing, durability, and ergonomics mattered. The budget did not allow two separate systems. I needed one camera that could realistically handle both stills and video.

After testing and seriously considering cameras from the medium format Fujifilm GFX range, as well as Panasonic, Sony, and Nikon, I still couldn't decide. While I loved most of the cameras, there were specific reasons they didn't tick all the boxes for me. So, after hearing of the Canon R5 C, I veered toward the Canon route again. The R5 C ticked most, if not all, of the boxes for me. It felt great in my hands. It was robust and easy to use, and the quality of both stills and video was fantastic. For someone who uses both still and video media, the Canon R5 C is the perfect camera, at least on paper.

After two years of real-world use, this is how that decision held up.

What the Canon R5 C Actually Is

The Canon R5 C is essentially a Canon R5 with advanced video capabilities and a built-in fan. That's quite an oversimplification, as it offers so much more than just a bog-standard hybrid solution.

In photo mode, it behaves exactly like the R5, with the same menu structure and features. However, flipping the switch to the video side reboots the machine into a Netflix-approved beast of a cinema camera, boasting Canon's cinema menu system, waveforms, scopes, LUT support, a range of codecs and frame rates, and customization options, something one would expect from a proper cine camera. The only real difference between the Canon R5 and R5 C, looks-wise, is the body. Here, Canon erred on the side of caution and added a built-in fan to cool the camera during video shooting, preventing the heat-related issues we saw with the R5 at launch. And it works like a charm. Even when using demanding formats, such as 8K60, the camera's performance does not falter. The only trade-off is increased power consumption and a bit of fan noise. The latter is to be expected, given the amount of heat the R5 C generates when pushed to the edge.

Photography With the Canon R5 C

While the Canon R5 C is no longer a brand-new camera, it still holds up against many of the latest releases from Canon, Sony, Fuji, and Nikon. The 45-megapixel sensor produces stunning, detailed files offering plenty of latitude. The color science in the R5 C is what one can expect from the classic Canon color science, offering natural skin tones, pleasing blues and greens, and a highlight roll-off that feels closer to analog film than a digital sensor. The controls are intuitive and can be fully calibrated to your desire. Coming from a Canon 5D Mark II, I felt right at home. The familiar Canon color science, similar buttons, and menu layout will make Canon users feel right at home. Even if you've switched from another brand, it won't take too long to familiarize yourself with this camera's layouts and features.

Using the Dual Pixel CMOS AF II on the Canon R5 C is a dream when photographing. It instantly locks onto subjects in tracking mode and autofocuses easily in low light. With its blazing-fast response time, it acts like an extension of your eye. Even with older EF lenses, I had no issues with autofocus and Canon's mount adapter. In practice, the camera feels like it can read your mind and make quick decisions rather than working against you.

The camera's dynamic range is impressive, offering around 14 stops of flexibility. This allows you to capture details in both highlights and shadows with ease. I've frequently exposed for highlights, expecting to lose some shadow detail, but I was able to recover those shadows without introducing excessive noise or artifacts. While other cameras on the market may offer a wider dynamic range, they often lack the features the R5 C offers.

The Canon R5 C uses the standard LP-E6NH batteries. They hold up well when the camera is used only for photography. I've managed to shoot long-exposure landscapes for a whole day, and the battery had about 20% of its life left. I recommend carrying at least two or three batteries, especially if you're working on a job like an event or a wedding. Battery life in video mode is a different story, but we'll get into that a little bit later.

Weather Sealing and Build Quality

The Canon R5 C embodies the qualities expected from a professional camera: solid, rugged, and well-built. The grip feels deep enough for big hands, and the buttons are intuitively laid out. While I'm all for built-in cooling on the camera, the Canon R5 C's fan makes me wonder how weather-sealed it is in adverse conditions. I haven't tested the camera in extreme conditions, but a drizzle doesn't affect it. That said, I wouldn't go standing in the pouring rain with it. I wouldn't do that with any camera. If you usually shoot in adverse weather conditions, a more suitable, fanless camera may be a better fit for your needs.

Canon's Odd Limitation

While the camera has many advantages, a full review would not be complete without mentioning its shortcomings.

When focus stacking or HDR mode is enabled, the camera forces the electronic shutter and limits your maximum shutter speed to 0.5 seconds. The only way to overcome the half-second limit is to switch your camera to bulb mode and use a remote trigger or the Canon Camera app on your phone to trigger the shutter via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This becomes quite a problem, as I usually use a polarizer and ND filters and typically set the shutter speed to around 2 seconds or longer.

Furthermore, using the camera in either focus stacking or HDR mode reduces the bit depth to 12 bits because it automatically switches to the electronic shutter when these modes are engaged. According to the Canon user manual, the electronic shutter automatically reduces bit depth to enable faster readout and reduce rolling shutter. I understand the trade-off, but why force the use of the electronic shutter in the first place when bracketing? Why is there no option to use the mechanical shutter instead?

Typically, I shoot landscapes and use focus and HDR bracketing from time to time. However, using filters, such as NDs and polarizers, for long exposures usually extends the exposure time to well over a second. Of course, I can get around it by manually bracketing the focus or switching to bulb mode to allow longer exposure times. However, it seems silly when it's clearly the software crippling the camera's functionality. Testing other cameras, I was able to shoot HDR and focus bracketing long exposures up to 60 minutes without using a cable release or setting it to bulb mode. So, I'm left wondering whether this is a hardware limitation or Canon's so-called cripple hammer striking again. 

Video With the Canon R5 C

Regarding the video side, the R5 C is undoubtedly a step up from the R5. Flick the switch from photo to video, and you'll get an entirely new pro-cinema camera menu interface, as seen on Canon's C70/C80 line of cameras. You can shoot up to 8K60p in 12-bit Cinema RAW Light and 4K up to 120p in 10-bit 4:2:2, with a variety of XF-AVC and MP4 options. And Canon Log 3 is also available for use with any of the aforementioned modes, providing the most flexibility in post-production.

Power Is the Bottleneck

If you're planning to shoot video with the R5 C, it's important to note that there are some limitations when shooting straight out of the box. Firstly, the LP-E6NH batteries are terrible for the job, giving you around 20 to 30 minutes of shooting time at 4K120. You can't use the 8K video mode with the supplied batteries; you'll need an external power source. Of course, Canon provides an optional accessory for it, but you're better off looking at more mobile solutions.

I needed a run-and-gun solution. Something light and mobile in the field, without spending a long time setting up before a shoot. So to get started, I needed the following:

• A camera cage (full or half — I prefer the full cage)
• V-Lock plate and battery
• Monitor
• Microphone

The cage is needed if you want to mount additional accessories on your camera, such as the V-Lock battery, carry handle, monitor, and microphone. The V-Lock battery is a much better power source than the built-in LP-E6NH, giving me half a day of shooting time, instead of a few minutes. It can also power my monitor and charge the LP-E6NH simultaneously. It's also important to note that the V-Lock battery is essential if you're planning to shoot 8K60. Without the external battery, 8K60 is disabled. On a side note, remember to unplug the V-Lock battery and remove the LP-E6NH battery when you're not shooting. I've noticed battery drain when the camera is switched off during periods I'm not shooting. Other users reported that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi appear to be draining the battery even when the camera is switched off. So either switch it to airplane mode or remove the battery.

The top handle is also a much-needed accessory for carrying the rig while allowing you to mount the monitor and shotgun mic for clearer audio, since the built-in camera audio is nowhere near the quality you need for professional audio.

Now, of course, you can use a different setup from mine. You can mount the entire system on rails or use a shoulder mount if you're doing more documentary-style work, but I needed something with a small footprint and capable of shooting on the fly. If stability is important to you, mounting it on a gimbal is a better idea. In the end, the system is fully customizable to suit your needs.

Stabilization and Handling

Speaking of stability, while the R5 C lacks IBIS (in-body image stabilization), it does offer digital stabilization. The lack of IBIS could be a deal-breaker for some. But to be honest, I've been shooting video on this camera for quite some time now and never felt it was a feature I needed. My camera is either mounted on a tripod or a gimbal, with the occasional intentional handheld shot. Aside from that, I'm not a big fan of how IBIS warps the footage, especially when using a wide angle lens.

Customizing the Camera

Many mirrorless cameras today provide customizable menus, functions, and buttons. The R5 C follows this trend, featuring 13 customizable buttons that let you configure the camera to your preferences. There are also the custom shooting modes (C1, C2, and C3); however, these are available only for stills. I would've loved to have this option on the video side, as I often toggle between 4K120, 4K24, and 8K24, and it's a pain to have to go into the menu to switch between them. You can assign different shooting modes to one of the custom buttons; however, not all the settings will remain the same. For instance, I've assigned one of the front buttons to switch between slow and fast mode (4K120) and normal mode (4K25); however, it doesn't save the shutter angle for each mode, meaning I have to remember to change it to 180 degrees for 24p or 240 degrees for slow motion. If there were custom modes to program this in, it would've been a breeze to switch between them without worrying about missing the shot.

In addition to the shooting modes, you can customize the information displayed on your screen. If you're using an external monitor, you can display certain features only on the monitor and others on the viewfinder/LCD. I've customized the camera to display all waveforms/scopes on my LCD while providing a clear, unobstructed view on my external monitor. This allows me to focus on the framing and movement in the shot, rather than being bogged down with too much information.

Pros

• 45 megapixels with excellent detail, color rendition, and dynamic range.
• Lightning-quick Dual Pixel AF with face/subject tracking in both photo and video modes.
• True hybrid design with professional cinema features.
• Internal unlimited 8K and high-frame-rate 4K recording with no overheating.
• Strong RF lens lineup and even stronger (and cheaper) EF lineup on the secondhand market.
• Custom buttons and menus make it easy to change your photo settings on the fly.
• Canon color science is a dream for portraits and landscapes.
• A good all-rounder if you're shooting stills and video.

Cons

• Terrible internal battery life when shooting video.
• Battery drain when the LP-E6NH is left in the camera with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth switched on.
• The electronic shutter is forced in certain modes, such as focus stacking, with no option for the mechanical shutter, reducing bit depth to 12 bits in those modes.
• No Canon Log 2.
• No IBIS (though not a deal-breaker for me, it could be for some).
• No custom video modes.

Conclusion

There are hundreds of other features not mentioned here, but covering them would mean a whole second and third article to go through each one in detail. Canon really did an exceptional job of delivering the ultimate hybrid camera. But let's face it, there is no such thing as the perfect camera. The camera is a tool that does the job, and with the R5 C, it does so incredibly well. Sure, there are better cameras out there for stills and video, and if you want the best of both worlds, it's better to invest in a Hasselblad for stills and an Arri Alexa for video. But not everyone has that kind of budget. What the R5 C offers is a compromise between both worlds, allowing you to shoot anything you want. The R5 C has its downsides, as any other camera does. Canon's age-old cripple hammer seems to rear its ugly head with certain features, such as the omission of C-Log 2, which limits its use in higher-end video productions. When using bracketing features, the shutter speed is limited to 1/2 second, and only the electronic shutter can be used. But these are gripes with the camera I can live with, though it would be nice if Canon could address the shutter speed limitation with a firmware update. Canon, if you're reading this... ahem!

Canon compensates for its downsides by creating a fast, robust, and high-quality camera. Shooting any genre of photography with this camera is a dream. Its color reproduction is accurate, the highlight roll-off is smooth, and its dynamic range is incredible. Using the video features will make you drool over the editing and grading. Although it doesn't feature the desired C-Log 2, C-Log 3 still impresses and provides enough advantages for capturing beautiful video. I'm surprised it didn't receive more praise when it was initially released. The Canon R5 C equips you with the tools needed to elevate your photography and filmmaking to the level of masters like Ansel Adams and Roger Deakins. It offers the best of both worlds in an affordable package. However, while Canon provides you with the equipment, developing the skill to reach that level is entirely up to you.