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| EOS R5 with EF 70-300mm lens on adapter. Very cropped. |
Over the last ten years I have evaluated and published an ergonomic score for 45 cameras using my schedule and method which you can read about here.
I have scored compacts, bridge cams and mirrorless interchangeable types from Canon, Fujifilm, Leica, Nikon, Panasonic and Sony, using the same criteria for all.
In the early days of this enterprise I got a fair bit of pushback from readers who did not believe scoring ergonomics was possible or did not understand or agree with my findings.
However in more recent times the feedback comments have been very positive, suggesting greater acceptance of my work.
My main finding is that a camera which can be controlled with few actions each of low complexity will provide a more streamlined and satisfactory user experience than one which requires more actions each more complex.
There are broadly speaking two main approaches to the design and operation of controls on modern cameras.
The first is an attempt to incorporate mid 20thcentury style controls into a modern electronic device. Cameras using this approach tend to have an aperture ring on the lens, and on the top plate an ISO sensitivity dial with marked numbers, a shutter speed dial with marked speeds and an exposure compensation dial with marked increments.
Controls like this appear on some cameras from Leica and several from Fujifilm.
The second and much more frequently used arrangement employs a Mode Dial with marked settings (or equivalent as seen on the subject of this post) plus one, two or three and sometimes four unmarked control dials the function of which can be set by the user.
My tests show that a well implemented Mode dial + Control dials system can allow the user to control camera operation with the lowest number and lowest complexity of actions.
Notwithstanding this some users prefer the multi-marked dial arrangement.
I was moved to start the camera ergonomics project and blog by some truly dreadful cameras of the early mirrorless era, starting with the Panasonic Lumix G1 of 2008. Fortunately Panasonic improved its camera design to the point that several Lumix models now score very well for ergonomics and are a pleasure to use.
Canon was the first camera maker to fully embrace a range of design freedoms enabled by electronic operation. The T90 of 1984 is one of the best known examples of this.
The Wikipedia entry for the T90 reads in part:
“Much work went into human factors engineering to create an ergonomic user interface for the camera. The form of previous cameras was largely dictated by the required locations of mechanical controls on the body, such as the film advance lever, rewind crank, shutter speed dial, shutter release, etc. On the T90, the film transport control is no longer required, while the others are no longer mechanically linked. This gave the designers more freedom to shape the camera to make it easier to control and hold, and to place controls in a way that suited the user rather than a mechanical design.”
You can see design elements from the T90 in DSLRs and mirrorless interchangeable lens (MILC) models from Canon, Nikon and others today.
Which leads us to the subject of this post, the EOS R5 which demonstrates what can be achieved by progressive evolution of a good basic design over a 36 year period.
By the way the controls on the EOS R6 are very similar to the R5 except for the Mode Dial. I have not tested the R6 but it would likely score the same as the R5. I score the traditional mode dial found on the RP and R6 the same as the system used on the R and R5. They have different advantages and disadvantages.
With the R5, Canon’s designers took the opportunity to correct some mistakes they made with the R, for instance replacing the silly M-Fn bar with a really good thumb-stick.
They also improved the controls and user experience in many less immediately obvious ways. Some of these improvements might seem minor to a casual observer but are actually very important.
Consider the position of the AF-ON button, by way of example. Canon has been experimenting with different locations for this on several recent models.
The best location and haptic configuration for a button is such that it is
a) not pressed inadvertently and
b) is easily located by feel and easy to press when you want it.
If you look at the rear of a sequence of enthusiast/professional Canon DSLRs and MILCs over the last few years you can see that they locate the AF-ON button in the space between the thumb support to the right and the joystick and/or Start/Stop button to the left. But you can also see that the designers keep changing their minds about exactly where in that space the button should be placed.
The R and RP have the button right up against the thumb support. I have owned and used both these cameras.
I found this position to be unsatisfactory because
a) I inadvertently press the button every time I pick up the camera. This happens because the right thumb bears against the thumb support and the AF-ON button is placed just where thumb pressure is applied.
b) when I want to press the button it is in the wrong place My thumb wants to push straight forward to work this button but on the R and RP it has to move awkwardly to the right to get enough pressure to depress the button.
As a result I have to de-activate the AF-ON button on these two cameras.
On the R5 and R6 the AF-ON button has been moved 8mm to the left. You might think this a minor detail but successful haptics is all about getting the details right and with the R5 and R6 Canon has finally done so.
I find that I never press the re-located AF-ON button on the R5 inadvertently and can always find it by touch and press it when I want to.
For another example, the ON/OFF button has acquired protruding serrated teeth on the R5 which make it easier for the user to switch the camera on and off. A minor detail to be sure but these little things cumulate to substantially influence the final outcome.
The effect of all these improvements has been to give the R5 the highest ergonomic score of any model I have tested to date, by a substantial margin.
Setup Phase
This is the phase of use in which you set up the camera, at home, preferably with the (920 page !!) Advanced User Guide PDF on screen. Getting all menu settings, dial and button function settings set up for streamlined operation can be quite a challenging task given the almost endless permutations and combinations available.
The R5 manages this phase decently well. The menu system will be familiar to anyone with previous Canon experience and decently easy to learn for those new to Canon world.
The graphical user interface is very good and navigation around the menus easy with the dials and/or touchscreen. Submenus are color coded for easy reference.
However over the years cameras have become increasingly sophisticated with ever more features and capabilities, to the point that the existing submenu system is really not up to the job of coherently engaging the user with all these capabilities and in my view needs a complete root-and-branch re-invention.
By the way this comment applies to all the camera makers.
The existing submenus are Camera, AF, Connectivity, Setup, Custom and My Menu.
The problem is that we find items relevant to exposure or focus or some other user relevant function scattered about across the submenus which is confusing.
The Custom submenu, for instance is a carry-over from many years ago but doesn’t make sense from a user’s point of view. It is a jumbled collection of items about exposure, drive, operation, dial/button functions, and various other bits and pieces. I understand that in the early days it was probably expedient to lump these disparate items together for want of somewhere to put them, but it is now high time for a complete makeover to a more user-centric and photographically relevant system.
So, the menu system is really quite good and better than that of some other brands but has not evolved as it could and in my view should. This is reflected in the score of 12 which is good but could be higher.
Setup score 12/15
Prepare Phase
This is the minute or few in which we change camera settings for a new type of subject. For instance moving from general photography to sort/action or vice versa.
The R5 is one of the best cameras on the market in this phase due to the extensive opportunities for user configuration which it provides. With four control dials (counting the programmable function ring on RF lenses), many programmable buttons, a well implemented user interface and three Custom Modes the camera can be quickly re-configured to new photographic situations as they arise.
There are two main challenges to users in this phase of use.
The first is the burden of complexity. With 50 options for the function of each of several buttons the total number of permutations and combinations is immense.
The second is conceptual. We have to decide what we want the camera to do, when and why.
I will tackle these two issues in another post, or more likely several posts.
There are a few quirks with the R5 which prevent it getting a higher Prepare Phase score.
Here are some examples: Q Menu functions can be assigned to several buttons but the labelled Q button will only do Q Menu. The Q Menu itself is set by Canon. Q Menu does not include ISO setting. The default function for the M-Fn button is [Dial Func] but the items available in [Dial Func] are not user assignable and do not include AF Method.. You can allocate ISO to a button but this does not enable Auto ISO. You can allocate Eye AF to a button but this does not include tracking.
There are more but you get the idea. There are numerous roadblocks to achieving some of the combinations we might like to set but there are also numerous workarounds.
Prepare phase score 12/15
Capture Phase, Holding
The R5 provides the best holding experience for my average size (old) adult male hands of any camera which I have tested in the last 65 years. For an off-the-shelf product which has to fit a variety of hand sizes this is about as good as it gets. The handle is well shaped with enough height for a full five finger grip without the need for any extension accessory. The thumb support is prominent and causes the thumb to lay at an angle across the back of the camera. This allows the user to hold the camera securely with less muscle effort than is required by some other cameras which force the thumb into an upright position at the far right side of the body.
The right index finger and thumb fall naturally into the optimum positions to operate the various dials and buttons within their each.
The lower rear right corner of the camera is very rounded providing comfortable engagement with the base of the right palm and a small degree of backwards rotation of the right hand allowing the wrist to remain almost straight.
Holding score 18/20
Capture Phase, Viewing
We see (literally, we see it) another excellent performance here.
The EVF provides a very large, clear, natural looking view of the subject. DSLR diehards who still think an optical viewfinder is preferable really should check out this EVF. The refresh rate is fast. There is no herky-jerky slideshow lag like we see on the R and RP. There is a slight but very brief blackout after each single shot. This is not evident in High+ drive mode with Servo AF.
Basic camera data is clearly displayed in bright white on black beneath the preview image.
The monitor is excellent with very well implemented touchscreen function. It is fully articulating which is desirable if you want to work from in front of the camera or use the camera in portrait orientation at waist level or lower.
I can only find two little things about the viewing experience which I think could be improved.
I find the edge of the eyecup (which has a different design from that on the R) a bit sharpish especially in portrait orientation.
I would prefer that the main camera data be displayed on the monitor the same way as it is in the EVF, below the image preview.
Viewing score 18/20
Capture Phase, Operation
The R5 provides the best operating experience I have encountered in 65 years of using cameras. It is clear that considerable thought has gone into the location, haptics and operation of all the controls and their relationships to each other and to the hands and brains which have to use them.
This camera is very much a triumph of function over everything else including fashion, style, bling, flat surfaces, hard edges and bright shiny bits of which there are none.
The thing is designed to be used not admired on a pedestal although fans can do that if they wish of course.
It doesn’t shout …”lookatmeee I’m really pretty with lots of silver dials and stuff “
It just says “come on, let’s go”
All buttons and dials are easy to locate by feel and operate although the Q and magnify buttons might be difficult to find with gloves on.
All primary and secondary exposure and focus parameters can be adjusted while looking continuously through the viewfinder without having to substantially shift grip with either hand.
The camera can be picked up and used efficiently straight out of the box with only one menu change. Go to Custom Function (orange) > 3 Customize buttons> Multi-controllers> Direct AF point selection ON. Why the default for this is OFF I have no idea.
Then with experience and familiarity you can start to take more control of the camera with user assigned settings.
I have read in user forums complaints from some people coming across from DSLRs that the “buttons on the left side have gone” and “the buttons are smaller” and such like. These are not really complaints about the R5 at all, just expressions of surprise from users who have to make changes to their previous practices and acquire new finger learning.
After doing this bit of homework they will be very happy with the R5.
I think the only complaint I have about operating the R5 is that modern cameras have become very complex. The learning curve for a newcomer to the world of cameras, coming from, say a smartphone, is very steep indeed.
I would like Canon to do as Adobe does and provide official YouTube tutorials explaining how to get the most from new camera models especially high functioning ones like the R5 and especially how to navigate the intricacies of the many and varied autofocus capabilities.
For example I and many others want a way to switch quickly with one button press from [Face/eye/tracking] to [one point] AF Method. There could be various ways to do this but they are not at all obvious even to many experienced Canon camera users.
Operating score 20/25
Review Phase
The R5 provides the best review phase experience I have encountered in any camera. If I could give it 6/5 I would but I have decided to stick to my schedule and so it just gets a 5.
The process of reviewing frames, enlarging, scrolling, checking focus and exposure is all done very well with smooth efficiency.
Review score 5/5
Total score 85/100
Comment
The EOS R5 sets a new standard for camera ergonomics with a score well clear of the best of the rest.
As it also provides excellent specifications, features, capabilities for stills and video, image quality and performance, I think it is one of the most accomplished cameras ever made.
Some reviewers have opined that it is expensive but when you consider that it is one camera which can do almost anything and everything I think it is a fantastic bargain.