How the Canon EOS R5 and Canon EOS R5 Mark II compare on rated shutter life, sensor and value — and how to read the exact actuation count of either from a RAW file, free and in your browser.
Check Your Shutter Count →| Spec | R5 | R5 Mark II |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Canon EOS R5 | Canon EOS R5 Mark II |
| Released | 2020 | 2024 |
| Sensor | 45 MP full-frame | 45 MP full-frame |
| Category | full-frame mirrorless | full-frame mirrorless |
| RAW format | CR3 | CR3 |
| Shutter type | Mechanical + electronic | Mechanical + electronic |
| Rated shutter life | 300,000 | 500,000 |
The R5 Mark II is rated for 500,000 actuations versus 300,000 for the R5 — roughly 67% more rated shutter life. In practice that means a used R5 Mark II at a given actuation count has consumed a smaller share of its rated life than a R5 at the same count.
Rated figures are manufacturer estimates, not hard limits. Many bodies shoot well past their rating, while a small number fail earlier — the rating is best read as a durability class, not a countdown. When buying used, what matters is the actual actuation count relative to that rating, which you can read for free below.
The R5 Mark II is the newer design (2024 vs 2020), which usually means longer firmware support, a more current autofocus system and a stronger residual value — but also a higher used price.
If you are buying used and plan to shoot heavily, the higher 500,000-actuation rating on the R5 Mark II gives you more headroom before a shutter service becomes a consideration.
Because both are Canon bodies, your existing lenses and accessories carry straight across — the decision is purely about the body itself.
Both cameras write CR3 RAW files, and ShutterCount reads the actuation count from the MakerNote of each.
See the full model guides for each body: Canon EOS R5 shutter count and Canon EOS R5 Mark II shutter count.
The Canon EOS R5 Mark II is rated for 500,000 actuations, higher than the Canon EOS R5’s 300,000. Individual shutters can last well beyond — or occasionally fall short of — the official rating.
Take a photo, then drop the resulting CR3 RAW file into shuttercount.app. The count is read from the file’s MakerNote entirely in your browser — no upload, no account.
The R5 Mark II is newer (2024), which tends to mean better resale value and longer support; the R5 is often the better bargain used. Always verify the actual shutter count from an original RAW file before buying.
No. Only the manufacturer’s service centre can reset the hardware counter, and only after a physical shutter replacement. EXIF editors can rewrite surrounding metadata but cannot alter the in-camera counter, which is why you should always read it from an untouched CR3/CR3 RAW file.
Compare shutter life and value across other popular bodies: