Our annual selection of the best photo gear for 2020 includes the top cameras and lenses introduced this year that we feel represent the advancements made in the art and technology of nature photography. While not a comprehensive collection of all of the noteworthy gear released this year, each of our Editors’ Picks has some unique quality or capability that made it stand out for us as among the best of the best.
Camera of the Year 2020: Canon EOS R5
Canon EOS R5
The Canon EOS R5 is the new flagship of the Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless system, and the 45-megapixel camera excels in both still and video capabilities. Of all of the impressive full-frame mirrorless cameras introduced this year, it represents an important benchmark in the development of Canon’s EOS R system and full-frame mirrorless cameras more generally.
The EOS R5 can capture stills at continuous shooting rates of 12 fps using its mechanical shutter, or up to 20 fps with the silent electronic shutter, ideal for wildlife photography. It offers a 5-axis in-body Image Stabilizer system that can coordinate with the Optical Image Stabilizer in compatible Canon RF lenses, enabling up to 8 stops of correction depending on the lens used.
It’s also the first camera (along with the 20.1-megapixel EOS R6, which was introduced with the R5) to include Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, which covers approximately 100 percent of the AF area with 1,053 automatically selected AF Zones. New AF algorithms, “deep learning” technology and advanced subject tracking enable the cameras to follow humans, dogs, cats and even bird eyes—a bonus for photographing birds in flight.
The EOS R5 features dual card slots, one CFexpress and one UHS-II SD. The CFexpress card supports the impressive video capabilities of the camera, which include uncropped 8K RAW internal video recording at frame rates up to 29.97 fps.
HOW WE SELECTED THE BEST PHOTO GEAR
The Phoblographer Reviews staff had a few change-ups this year. We’ve reviewed the Best Photo Gear in different ways, and the folks who do reviews have also changed up. So we’ve been reevaluating how we do reviews. Traditionally, review sites have just been trying to find problems. We do the same, but we’re a lot more strict. We also base our reviews of the Best Photo Gear on innovations, ergonomics, pricing, etc. Pretty much all cameras, lenses, and accessories are good. No one is truly making a bad product these days. But there are very few, truly great products. The products in our proceeding list also explain why we chose the Best Photo Gear. And for more info, you can click on our reviews.
CANON EOS R5: THE NEW WORKHORSE AMONGST THE BEST PHOTO GEAR
“We’ve taken the Canon EOS R5 out into the rain many times. It always withstood the torture. To make the most of this, you need a Canon L lens or a third party lens that’s weather sealed. Only Canon’s L lenses are weather resistant at the moment. Hopefully, that will change. This camera is beefy, durable, and able to handle anything a professional needs. You can trust in its reliability.”