Canon EOS 5DS / 5DS R
Announced February 6, 2015
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Canon EOS 5DS and 5DS R are full-frame DSLRs centered on a 50.6-megapixel sensor that delivers exceptional detail for studio and landscape photography. While they offer unmatched resolution for large prints, the cameras lack modern video features and struggle with high-ISO performance compared to other models in the 5 series.
Weighted from 33 reviewer scores
Pros
- Industry-leading 50.6-megapixel resolution for massive prints and deep cropping
- Reliable and accurate autofocus system for still subjects
- Rugged, weather-sealed build with familiar ergonomics
- Comprehensive in-camera features like intervalometers and time-lapse support
Cons
- Limited video capabilities including no headphone jack, 4K, or clean HDMI output
- Absence of modern connectivity such as Wi-Fi or GPS
- Poor high-ISO performance and increased noise compared to other full-frame cameras
- Massive file sizes that demand high-speed storage and powerful processing
- Slow burst shooting and shallow buffer capacity unsuitable for sports or wildlife
- Launch price $3,699 (USD)
- Sensor 50.6MP Full-Frame CMOS
What the Reviewers Say
All 33 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- DPReview 83/100
The Canon EOS 5DS R is the company's highest-resolution camera, building a 50MP sensor into a body that will be immediately familiar to existing 5D series users. The camera's autofocus has been upgraded though it still lags behind the best of its competitors for close-up work.
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The Canon EOS 5DS R is essentially an EOS 5D Mark III with double the resolution: no fewer than 50 Megapixels, making it the highest resolution full-frame DSLR to date.
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The Canon EOS 5Ds is essentially an EOS 5D Mark III with double the resolution: no fewer than 50 Megapixels, making it the highest resolution full-frame DSLR to date.
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There’s little doubt that the Canon EOS 5DS R is one of the most impressive cameras we’ve ever seen. With its 50.6MP sensor, robust build, and reliable metering and autofocus, it’s sure to become a favourite with working photographers for whom ultimate resolution really matters.
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CPN (Canon Professional Network) calls it "A Revolution in Resolution". The Canon EOS 5Ds and 5Ds R show us a level of detail that we've never seen before in a DSLR camera.
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If you want the most extreme image resolution available in a DSLR camera and you want the sharpest images available at that resolution, the Canon EOS 5Ds R is your camera.
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So only you can answer the question, do I need 50 megapixels? If you do, I recommend the Canon EOS 5DS / 5DS R; if you don't, buy something else.
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It's really not a more competent camera than the 5D Mark III, and in some ways it's a step back, and of course it seems like the 5D Mark IV is right around the corner.
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If you have the desire to take extremely high resolution images, then the Canon EOS 5DS R is one of the most affordable 50 megapixel cameras available. Whether you should purchase the 5DS R or the 5DS will mostly depend on how worried you are about potential moire problems.
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The Canon EOS 5DS is capable of producing excellent high-quality images thanks to an impressive 50.6-megapixel sensor.**.
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The Canon EOS 5DS R delivers slightly more resolution and sharpness than the regular 5DS model at a very slight increase in the risk of producing unwanted moire effects.
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The Canon EOS 5Ds combines the proven design of the popular 5D Mark III with jaw-dropping image quality from the new 50.6 megapixel sensor.
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Canon's EOS 5DS D-SLR has a high-resolution sensor that filters out color moiré, but it sacrifices a little detail in the process.
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The Canon 5DS and 5DS R are superb cameras that resolve a huge amount of detail, beating even 50Mp medium format cameras. A new benchmark has been set.
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The Canon EOS 5DS R is an excellent camera for studio and landscape photographers, delivering 50-MP resolution and finely detailed images.
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The Canon EOS 5DS / 5DS R isn't the best for birds in flight.
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You'll see I'm a little more interested in the 5DS R than the Canon EOS 5DS, and I'll say it's because in my experience with cameras that don't have anti-aliasing filters, I've never had a problem; they just give me sharper pictures and I'm really happy with them.
- Digital Trends 8.5/10
For the ideal customer, the 5DS R delivers outstanding photo quality.
- Photo Review 8.8/10
There’s no doubt that having more pixels to play with can be useful and the two 5DS are fine performers in our tests.
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Paired with the right lenses and we've seen no ultra-high-resolution DSLR more capable than the Canon EOD 5DS. It's that simple point that makes it a true five-star product for those pining for a medium-format-matching DSLR camera with added versatility.
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All in all, the Canon EOS 5DS is a pro-grade camera that lives up to Canon's esteemed reputation, but only in the right situation.
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[T]his is clearly the camera for you.
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A fantastic piece of kit that any pixel-peeping DSLR owner will get heaps of enjoyment out of.
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For users seeking maximum detail and who have a desire to print truly large images, the 5DS and 5DS R are at the top of the full-frame DSLR market.
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[T]he Canon EOS 5DS is the world's best digital camera for nature, landscape, portrait, studio, forensic, intelligence gathering, crowd documentation and any other application that requires the very highest image quality [...]
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Bottom line: if you are familiar with Canon’s 5 series you will find the 5DsR both familiar and satisfying to use…just don’t expect a lot of revolutionary improvements. This isn’t so much an all-new model as it is a very big new engine in an existing model.
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Essentially the 5DS is all about the sensor – and can you ever really have too many pixels?
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The 50MP high resolution sensor gives images of outstanding resolution, rivalling those from medium format digital cameras and exceeding those of any other 35mm DSLR.
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If you are after a high-megapixel DSLR, the short answer is yes! The 5Ds sets the new standard of what high resolution DSLRs can do, and becomes the camera to beat.
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If you are undecided for any of the reasons that we touched on today though, please don’t be.
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I’m afraid I can’t get too excited about the Canon 5DS, particularly as I’ve just recently reviewed the 5D Mark IV which is an absolutely outstanding camera.
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Five frames a second, film-like noise grain all the way up to 12,800 ISO; without a doubt, this is the best DSLR on the planet today. All the features of a DSLR with a high megapixel count of a medium format camera.
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So this camera was amazing; I had a blast shooting with it. If I had a bigger need or use for this, this would be a camera I might be looking into.
