A Two-Week Bike Expedition in Kyrgyzstan with the Canon R5 Mark II

A mountain biker wearing a helmet, blue shirt, and orange shorts performs a jump over a rocky terrain with a grassy field below. In the background, there are green, rolling hills and a cloudy sky.

My history with the Canon mirrorless series started in late 2018 with the launch of the EOS R. Since then, I have switched from the EF to the RF mount, and for the past four years, I have worked intensively with two EOS R5 cameras. They have been loyal companions during my projects, and I have completed hundreds of photo and video shoots with them. When I became aware that Canon was launching a successor, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a sample.

Editor’s note: This story is not sponsored and was not seeded by Canon PR — Bissig worked with us directly to produce this story as he has in the past. While the author is a Canon Ambassador and thus has a vested interest in Canon equipment — and this should be kept in mind while reading his below opinions — we felt the information he provides is still pertinent and helpful to those who are interested in the R5 Mark II.

My name is Martin Bissig and I am a Canon Ambassador from Switzerland. In early July, Canon Europe provided me with the new Canon EOS R5 Mark II, which I had the chance to test on an expedition. It is a pre-production model with pre-production firmware, so the final version might still come with some improvements.

I spent two weeks in Kyrgyzstan, accompanying a mountain biking expedition with my friends Gerhard Czerner and Gerald Rosenkranz. This was not a typical camera test but rather a real-world application during an expedition. I received the camera on the day of departure, so I had no opportunity to familiarize myself with it beforehand. I also took an EOS R5 as a backup camera but did not use it during the trip. Switching to the R5 Mark II was easy for me, as the handling is very similar, aside from some button arrangements.

A person's hands are preparing food at a cluttered wooden table. The table is covered with various food items, including bread, sandwiches, cookies, sliced cheese, a cucumber, and a dipping sauce. Empty plastic containers and wrappers are also seen scattered around.

A person wearing a helmet and backpack rides a bike while jumping off a dirt trail on a hillside. The background features a sprawling cityscape with numerous buildings, trees, and an open sky.

I want to highlight five features that were particularly significant for me. Instead of delving into many technical details that will surely be extensively covered in other articles and videos, I focus on a practical summary. This shows how the EOS R5 Mark II has proven itself in my professional work in outdoor and sports photography and what essential changes it offers compared to my previous EOS R5.

Video in Canon Log 2

One of the biggest improvements of the EOS R5 Mark II is the ability to shoot videos in Canon Log 2. My EOS R5 could previously shoot in Canon Log 3 but with Canon Log 2, the gap between professional EOS Cinema cameras and the mirrorless world is closed and I can make use of the huge dynamic range Canon Log 2 offers. This allows me to use the EOS R5 Mark II as a B-roll camera or, as in this expedition, as the main camera. The extended dynamic range of Canon Log 2 aids in color grading and enables me to match footage with other professional Canon Cinema cameras.

Two men sit in an old vehicle with sunbeams streaming through a window, illuminating dust particles in the air. Both wear casual clothing, with the man on the left in a yellow shirt and the man on the right in a blue shirt, looking ahead thoughtfully.

A person smiling and holding a steaming cup, wearing a colorful beanie and outdoor jacket, is illuminated by a side light. They are seated in a rustic indoor setting with stone walls and various equipment, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Unlimited Video Recording Time

During my outdoor projects, I often film only short video sequences. In interview situations or longer recordings, the 30-minute limit of the EOS R5 could sometimes be a hindrance. The EOS R5 Mark II removes this limitation, allowing me to film indefinitely. I can now film in 4K at up to 60 frames per second, which is crucial for sports and action shots. Shooting in any higher resolution or in RAW format is not an option for my workflow.

Two hikers carrying bicycles trek up a steep rocky mountainside. Towering peaks are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky. The rugged terrain and distant snow-capped mountains create a dramatic and adventurous scene.

A cyclist wearing a helmet and backpack rides a mountain bike on a rocky, narrow trail amidst rugged, towering mountains. The landscape features sharp peaks and patches of green grass under a cloudy sky.

Two hikers carry their gear as they walk along a grassy ridge in the foreground. Towering, jagged snow-dusted mountains rise dramatically under a clear blue sky in the background.

Another useful feature is the ability to record slow-motion footage at 120 frames in 4K or 240 frames in 2K, now with sound. This means I can use the original audio in post-production, for example, in a speed ramp.

Continuous Shooting at 30 Frames Per Second

As an action and sports photographer, it is essential for me to capture the decisive moment. With the electronic shutter, the EOS R5 Mark II shoots up to 30 frames per second with virtually no rolling shutter effect. I particularly like the ability to adjust the number of frames per second individually. The R5 was limited to shooting 20 frames per second with the electronic shutter with no possibility to dial the number of frames per second down. Moreover, there is no more blackout in continuous shooting mode, allowing me to always see what is happening.

View from inside a bright orange tent, overlooking a green meadow surrounded by steep mountain ranges. People are seen in the distance with horses or mules, seemingly preparing for a trek. The sky is partly cloudy, creating a picturesque outdoor scene.

Two cyclists push their bikes up a grassy, sloped path with a mountainous landscape in the background. Both are wearing helmets and outdoor gear, working their way through tall grass on a clear day. The lead cyclist is focused ahead, while the second follows closely.

A cyclist dressed in orange gear falls headfirst over their mountain bike while attempting to cross a narrow stream on a rocky makeshift bridge in a mountainous, green valley with expansive views and scattered trees.

Improved Autofocus

In fast-moving situations, reliable autofocus is crucial. The EOS R5 Mark II has made a significant leap forward in this area. In person recognition, the camera detects my athlete even if they are in a very small part of the frame and automatically focuses on the head. The camera follows the athlete across the entire frame. The new function allowing the autofocus to select a field and track the object throughout the frame is also a major improvement.
Canon has also added the ability to register people and specify certain sports. However, this is not very important for my use case.

Two people stand in a rustic, stone shelter in a mountainous area. Both are dressed in warm clothing and appear to be drinking from mugs. The shelter is comprised of uneven stones and rough wooden beams, and snow-capped peaks rise in the background.

Eye Control Autofocus

A new feature, adopted from the EOS R3, is the Eye Control Autofocus. After calibration, I can control the autofocus point with my eye across the entire image area. This function has been further improved compared to the EOS R3 and is particularly helpful in action shots.

General Handling and Body Design

The camera is similar in shape and weight to its predecessor, the EOS R5. However, the button layout has been changed. The switch from video to photo mode is now on the left side of the camera, similar to the EOS R6 Mark II. This requires some getting used to, but after a few days, I adapted to it.

A person holding a mountain bike stands on a grassy slope, silhouetted against a dramatic, cloudy sky with a stunning sunset in the background. Rugged mountain peaks and wisps of clouds are visible in the distance.

Snow-covered mountain peaks against a cloudy sky, with rugged, rocky terrain visible in the foreground. The peaks exhibit a combination of white snow and dark, exposed rock formations, creating a striking contrast in the natural landscape.

Another useful feature is the full-size HDMI port, which allows the use of standard HDMI cables. The battery life has also improved. With the new LP-E6P battery, I was able to operate the camera throughout the entire expedition with just one battery. Despite intensive use, I always got through the day and had remaining capacity in the evening. On the day with the most shots, more than 1500 photos plus videos, I still had more than 20% of battery capacity left. During the expedition, I charged the camera with my USB power bank. This allowed me to easily work with only one battery that stayed inside the camera the whole time.

A Worthwhile Replacement for the Original R5

For me, it is clear that the EOS R5 Mark II will replace my existing EOS R5 cameras. The solid features and improvements make it the perfect hybrid camera for my future work in both photography and videography. Especially the improvement in the video section makes the camera an ideal companion for my projects.

A grand government building with a modernist facade and vertical columns is pictured. The structure features a central emblem and a flag on its rooftop, with several red flags on poles in front. Two cyclists are riding in the foreground. Trees and shrubbery line the entrance.

A lone cyclist rides along a rocky path with a scenic backdrop of snow-covered mountains partially obscured by mist and clouds. The vast landscape highlights the rugged terrain and the sense of adventure and solitude.

For the work I am doing, most of the time, there is no need for an extra cinema camera. I am really glad Canon didn’t change the resolution. For my work, 45 megapixels is just perfect, and shooting in compressed RAW gives me a perfect balance of file size and quality. Unfortunately, I have to return my sample after the trip and I can’t wait to get my final camera bodies soon.

About the author: Martin Bissig is a professional action and outdoor photographer based in Switzerland. The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. Bissig is one of the most published outdoor photographers in Europe and a Canon Europe Ambassador. You can find more of Bissig’s work on his website, Facebook, and Instagram.

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