Canon
EOS 5D Mark IV
Pro 30MP full-frame DSLR still used for weddings, events, and studio work.
$3,499
Released Aug 2016
Canon
EOS R
Canon’s first full-frame RF mirrorless — launched the RF mount ecosystem.
$2,299
Released Sep 2018
EOS R is 2 years newer.
Wins
EOS 5D Mark IV
Wins
EOS R
4 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BEOS R has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
- BEOS R has higher AF points / zones (5655 vs 61)
- AEOS 5D Mark IV has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
- AEOS 5D Mark IV has higher Battery life (CIPA) (900 shots vs 640 shots)
- BEOS R has higher ISO max (native) (40,000 vs 32,000)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
EOS 5D Mark IV
151 × 116 × 76 mm
890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz)
EOS R
138 × 98 × 88 mm
720 g (1.59 lb / 25.40 oz)
EOS 5D Mark IV is 12mm thinner than EOS R but it is also 13mm wider and 18mm taller.
EOS 5D Mark IV is 170 g heavier than EOS R.
Depth (front-to-back): 76mm EOS 5D Mark IV · 88mm EOS R
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
EOS 5D Mark IV
151 × 116 mm
EOS R
138 × 98 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
EOS 5D Mark IV
151 × 76 mm
EOS R
138 × 88 mm
Sensor size, to scale
EOS 5D Mark IV
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
EOS R
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
EOS 5D Mark IV
✓ more lensesCanon EF
300+
native lenses available
EOS R
Canon RF
105+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
EOS 5D Mark IV
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 150.7, 116.4, 75.9
Card types
Adds CF, SD UHS-I
RAW buffer depth
120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Codecs
Adds Motion JPEG
Battery life (CIPA)
900 shots vs 640 shots — higher is better
Resolution
30.4 MP vs 30.3 MP — higher is better
Reasons to choose
EOS R
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
IBIS effectiveness
6 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
AF points / zones
5655 vs 61 — higher is better
Eye AF
Only EOS R supports it
In-body stabilization
Only EOS R supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 30 fps
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 150 Mbps
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
EOS 5D Mark IV
Pros
- ✓30MP proven sensor
- ✓Dual Pixel AF in live view
- ✓Rugged pro build
- ✓Huge EF lens ecosystem
Cons
- –DSLR platform aging
- –4K video limited
- –Heavy
EOS R
Pros
- ✓First Canon RF body
- ✓Dual Pixel AF
- ✓Fully articulating screen
Cons
- –No IBIS
- –Single card slot
- –Superseded by R6/R8
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, EOS 5D Mark IV or EOS R?
EOS R scores 6.5/10 versus 3.0/10 for EOS 5D Mark IV — Bird AF subject recognition.
What's the resolution difference between the EOS 5D Mark IV and EOS R?
EOS 5D Mark IV is 30.4 MP and EOS R is 30.3 MP, so the EOS 5D Mark IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the EOS 5D Mark IV and EOS R have in-body image stabilization?
EOS 5D Mark IV does not have IBIS, while eOS R has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the EOS 5D Mark IV or the EOS R?
EOS 5D Mark IV reaches 7 fps electronic. EOS R reaches 8 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the EOS 5D Mark IV and EOS R?
EOS 5D Mark IV weighs 890 g and EOS R weighs 720 g, so the EOS R is 170 g lighter.
Do the EOS 5D Mark IV and EOS R record 4K video?
EOS 5D Mark IV: 4K up to 30p. EOS R: 4K up to 30p.
Are the EOS 5D Mark IV and EOS R weather sealed?
EOS 5D Mark IV: Yes. EOS R: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 900 shots (CIPA) for the EOS 5D Mark IV and 640 shots for the EOS R, giving the EOS 5D Mark IV the edge.
How much does each cost?
EOS 5D Mark IV launched at $3,499 and EOS R at $2,299. The EOS R is $1,200 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Canon press materials.