The Canon R5 II Has Significant Video Recording Limitations if You Use Older Batteries
The Canon EOS R5 II can use older Canon batteries, but there are significant limitations for video shooters beyond what Canon outlines in the R5 II user manual.
The Canon R5 Mark II is finally shipping, with production models starting to get into the hands of early buyers this week. It’s understandably one of the hottest new releases this season — Canon is marketing it as an all-in-one solution for hybrid photo and video shooters. Like any new product release, it’s not without its quirks. In the case of R5 Mark II, however, one quirk could be a doozy for video shooters: limited shooting modes when using older Canon batteries.
One of the notable updates to the R5 Mark II over its predecessor is the new LP-E6P battery, which retains the form factor of the older LP-E6NH that Canon released with the original R5 and R6 but implements more robust power delivery. PetaPixel has previously reported on some limitations in backward compatibility with the new battery system, notably in regards to third-party manufacturers. Canon states, “For optimal performance, use Battery Pack LP-E6P,” and adds that backward compatibility with older battery models is available with some limitations.
According to the R5 Mark II manual, the following video resolutions and frame rates are unavailable when using older batteries:
• 8K modes of any kind.
• Oversampled 4K “fine” mode.
• 240p, 120p, and 60p; as well as 100p and 50p for PAL shooters.
However, as some early adopters have noticed, there are two more key video modes that appear to become unavailable when not using the new battery: All-I codecs and 24p frame rates.
PetaPixel has confirmed these additional limitations through additional testing. Further, these restrictions persist even when using a USB power source, as long as the inserted battery is an older model.
It’s unclear whether this is an intentional omission by Canon, perhaps related to the increased output potential of the new battery, or merely an overlooked bug in v1.0 of the firmware because it’s not listed in the manual.
YouTube creator KrisLuckPhoto is among those who have gotten their hands on the R5 II and are frustrated by how many features aren’t available when using the LP-E6NH battery that came with the original R5 (and numerous other Canon cameras).
These limitations are a massive blow to the potential usability of the R5 Mark II in video mode for filmmakers with a large stash of Canon LP-E6 batteries, which is many heavy video users.
Thoughts From a Canon Video Shooter
24p video and All-Intra codecs are essential for most professional video shoots, and it’s incredibly frustrating that in its current state, those video settings can only be used on the R5 Mark II with the new LP-E6P battery. People are buying the R5 Mark II for its robust video features and professional codecs, so this feels like a huge missed opportunity to cater to existing Canon shooters (in addition to a bit of a slap in the face).
I’ve been a Canon shooter since 2009’s Canon 7D DSLR, and I’ve always relied on Canon’s consistency when it comes to their battery type. Being able to use the same batteries across generations of camera bodies is one of those quality-of-life perks that has kept me in the Canon system. Anyone who has ever used a Canon DSLR or R-system mirrorless camera likely has dozens of these batteries lying around.
24p is more than just a nice-to-have feature. It’s one of the non-negotiable settings that separates cinema and professional video from social media content. Since that setting is only available with the new battery, all of those older batteries I have lying around are functionally useless. I will have to invest a lot more than just the $4,200 price tag of the camera body, which undercuts a primary benefit of having a backward-compatible system.
This isn’t the first time Canon has limited 24p and All-I codecs in its cameras — which is ironic for the brand whose decision to include 24p All-I in the 5D Mark II completely revolutionized indie filmmaking. In 2019, Canon quietly released the 90D, M6 Mark II, and G7X Mark III, all of which could only shoot in 30p IPB (which is what Canon used to call its Long GOP format). After a lot of backlash from YouTubers and filmmakers, Canon eventually released a firmware update restoring 24p.
Using any battery other than the one in the box downgrades the R5 Mark II from a professional tool for filmmakers to an overpowered social media content creation device.
Why the Mystery? Why No 24p?
As for why Canon didn’t detail all of the R5 II’s limitations when using older batteries, PetaPixel has requested an explanation from Canon. PetaPixel has also requested clarification about why the R5 II can shoot 4K/30p with the older battery but not 4K/24p, which should theoretically be less demanding.
“Canon U.S.A., Inc. is looking into this,” the company tells PetaPixel over email. This story will be updated when Canon provides additional information.
