Which Canon Mirrorless (and DSLR) cameras don't overheat when recording 4K?

[QuickHitRecord]

Other than the pricey R5C, of course. Also, I don't think my EOS-R has ever overheated. But it has a significant crop. Maybe the 1D-C, 1D-X ii or iii?

I don't care about 30-min recording time limits. This would only be for b-roll and photos.

Asking because I almost blacked out during a paid video + photo shoot out in the sun today. When I came home and weighed the gear I was hauling around (rigged up C70, EOS-R, tripod, lenses, batteries), it was 32lbs. I can't put this off anymore. It's time for a hybrid.

And yes, I am too invested in Canon to consider any mount other than RF or EF.

[eatstoomuchjam]

For B-roll and photos, I'm not sure that any modern Canon is in any danger of overheating.  I've used the original R5 as b camera for narrative, rolling every second alongside the C70 I was using at the time.  It never even showed any signs of distress.  That was doing 8K raw.  If you use the 4K standard mode, it'll be even less of a problem.

It would definitely not be a camera that I'd choose for rolling long takes in 8K, but most of its reputation for overheating is Canon's fault for having such stupid firmware when the camera was released.

 

[MrSMW]

4 hours ago, QuickHitRecord said:

Asking because I almost blacked out during a paid video + photo shoot out in the sun today. When I came home and weighed the gear I was hauling around (rigged up C70, EOS-R, tripod, lenses, batteries), it was 32lbs. I can't put this off anymore. It's time for a hybrid.

2 years ago, I bought a cheap cart off Amazon and use that to lighten the load.

1 year ago, I revised some of my kit to get the weight down.

This year, I revised it even further.

And guess what is happening next year? Yep, reducing it again.

Providing you can still do what you need to do without compromise, or at least compromise that you can live with, less is more.

That tripod that is ‘the best’, well maybe it is, but can that lighter alternative do the same job? 

Ditto that body, that lens, that light…

In less than 2 years, I reduced both my stills and video cameras, in hand weight by about half with changes of body, lenses and accessories.

But Canon, no idea, but I would suspect none of the recent one’s do. At least not under normal circumstances.

[QuickHitRecord]

3 hours ago, eatstoomuchjam said:

I've used the original R5 as b camera for narrative, rolling every second alongside the C70 I was using at the time.  It never even showed any signs of distress.

Interesting. Though for narrative, there are lots of long breaks. There are breaks during the b-roll I shoot too, but I'm often in the hot sun.

I'm kind of tempted to give the R8 a try. Josh Sattin's videos suggest that it can roll for over two hours continuously in 24P. That goes down significantly in 60P, but I tend to shoot about 70% of my b-roll in 24P.

53 minutes ago, MrSMW said:

In less than 2 years, I reduced both my stills and video cameras, in hand weight by about half with changes of body, lenses and accessories.

But Canon, no idea, but I would suspect none of the recent one’s do. At least not under normal circumstances.

I've been trying to do the same. Four years ago, I was lugging around a pair of 575w HMIs(!). Now I have a rule that if a client wants more than what I can fit on my cart, they need to budget for my gaffer too.

But getting hired for photo + video is always a problem for me because it means multiple bodies, multiple lenses, etc. I've held off because I don't think the quality is really there, but at this point I am willing to make some sacrifices.

[MrSMW]

4 hours ago, QuickHitRecord said:

Now I have a rule that if a client wants more than what I can fit on my cart, they need to budget for my gaffer too.

I have the same policy in that a job isn't just a job as in all jobs are the same, but some do not fit into a standard box or coverage.

In my genre of weddings, having everything take place in one single location is a completely different beast to; bride getting ready at X, groom at Y, ceremony at A, reception at B, which can make for HUGE logistical issues.

[ntblowz]

Canon R6II and R7 can record 4K for long hours without overheating, on my ex R7 the only time I see heating bar was during summer inside a clear tent which is like greenhouse on stereoid, even DJ's equipement got overheated, but R7 still only 4 bars out of 10 so pretty alright.

R8 on the other hand will need a fan to go through summer outdoor for long 4K recording, for broll it was fine though, just you will see the the overheating bar pretty often in video. The 4k50P quality is really great, but now I got R5C the quality is even better, R5C is probably the closest to C70 in terms of noise performance in clog.

I also got powershot V1, this one can record 4K for hours without overheating, but the bar did went to 5 at one stage, that was because the location is next to the heater. It is a nice C cam for wide and as a pocket cam.

So my current setup is R5C/R8 and V1 for 3 cam and 3 60/40w cob lights with battery for wedding, with this setup I only need 1 pelican case, 1 backpack and 1 bag for tripod/stand.

 

I used to have the R5 as well, after their latest firmware I haven't seen the overheating warning at all, even I shot 8K broll in outdoor summer.

One thing with Canon is on the EOS side, only R5II/R5/R5C/EOS R can have hdmi out + internal recording + internal screen on, all other models the screen either go black if recording internally or have internal screen but can't record internally if you are connected to hdmi

 

[QuickHitRecord]

18 hours ago, MrSMW said:

In my genre of weddings, having everything take place in one single location is a completely different beast to; bride getting ready at X, groom at Y, ceremony at A, reception at B, which can make for HUGE logistical issues.

I don't know how you wedding shooters routinely manage these kinds of logistics!

18 hours ago, ntblowz said:

Canon R6II and R7 can record 4K for long hours without overheating, on my ex R7 the only time I see heating bar was during summer inside a clear tent which is like greenhouse on stereoid, even DJ's equipement got overheated, but R7 still only 4 bars out of 10 so pretty alright.

R8 on the other hand will need a fan to go through summer outdoor for long 4K recording, for broll it was fine though, just you will see the the overheating bar pretty often in video. The 4k50P quality is really great, but now I got R5C the quality is even better, R5C is probably the closest to C70 in terms of noise performance in clog.

This is interesting. Thank you for sharing! I hadn't really considered the R7 because I don't love the way that Canon has implemented an all-or-nothing approach to IBIS and IS. But I didn't realize that it was actually pretty good on the overheating front. It's worth a second look.

Since you own both the R5C and the R8, is the 24P 4K from the R5C that much better? Is the DPAF better on the R8? And is there a way temporarily disable autofocus on the R8 by holding down a button?

18 hours ago, ntblowz said:

One thing with Canon is on the EOS side, only R5II/R5/R5C/EOS R can have hdmi out + internal recording + internal screen on, all other models the screen either go black if recording internally or have internal screen but can't record internally if you are connected to hdmi

Good to know!

[ntblowz]

2 hours ago, QuickHitRecord said:

Since you own both the R5C and the R8, is the 24P 4K from the R5C that much better? Is the DPAF better on the R8? And is there a way temporarily disable autofocus on the R8 by holding down a button?

Good to know!

In terms of noise R5C is definitely better, sharpness is pretty much a draw from my own perspective.

AF on R8 is more clever for sure, there are times where R5C could lose tracking and focus on the background instead but R8 will still be lock on target. 

I know a wedding guy he used to have C70 and R5C, but later sold his c70 for 2 R7, the weight saving is quite huge, battery on R7 last ages too, u can easily have over 2hr of 4k25p in one charge. Just R7's 4k50p is subsampled so won't be as sharp as R8/R6ii, but for client they can't tell anyway ha.

I just use the touch screen to disable AF on R8, on R5C u need to assign a button to stop AF, I haven't tried assign a button on R8 to disable AF.

[MrSMW]

6 hours ago, QuickHitRecord said:

I don't know how you wedding shooters routinely manage these kinds of logistics!

Should try it as a hybrid shooter doing full photo and video as a one man band.

Some say it can't be done. The evidence of my website and the last 20+ years says otherwise!

The key word there was 'logistics' along with; planning/a routine that is tried and tested, plus a shit ton of trial & error prior!

Took 6 years to go from scratch to being comfortable with it and then just been refining ever since. And continuing to do so...

[EduPortas]

On 6/12/2025 at 6:18 PM, QuickHitRecord said:

Other than the pricey R5C, of course. Also, I don't think my EOS-R has ever overheated. But it has a significant crop. Maybe the 1D-C, 1D-X ii or iii?

You'll have to pony up for the more expensive models to avoid over-heating.

I've tested my R8 in all its video modes and 4K will make the camera over-heat after long sessions or make the heat bars reach very close to it overheating and shutting off (If I'm shooting long-interviews with the R8 I just shoot FHD which is very good).

I'm sure the R7 and R6M2 models have much better heat dissipation design. The R8 has none.

As for the bulkier 1D models I'm sure they are almost bullet proof, but they have 30m recording limits. 

[Ty Harper]

@QuickHitRecordI seen the R7 mentioned in this thread. And while it may not overheat, the reports of failure rate of its mechanical shutter that I was seeing on one of the bigger R7 FB groups in a 2-4 month span (I was researching it as a potential C cam to my two R5Cs) was enough for me to say, no. This coming from a cam that still isn't even three years old (released June 23rd 2022). All that to say, if you do decide to go with an R7 then do not buy it used - definitely buy brand new with an extended warranty. 

As far as price goes the new R50V ($650US) seems like it could be a valid option for your needs. 

[QuickHitRecord]

[DELETE]

 

[QuickHitRecord]

4 hours ago, MrSMW said:

Some say it can't be done. The evidence of my website and the last 20+ years says otherwise!

I have a lot of respect for the skill involved with shooting weddings. I did two about ten years ago and decided that it wasn't for me!

53 minutes ago, Ty Harper said:

@QuickHitRecordI seen the R7 mentioned in this thread. And while it may not overheat, the reports of failure rate of its mechanical shutter that I was seeing on one of the bigger R7 FB groups in a 2-4 month span (I was researching it as a potential C cam to my two R5Cs) was enough for me to say, no.

Yeah, no thanks. I appreciate you mentioning that. I'm not willing to take that risk!

2 hours ago, EduPortas said:

You'll have to pony up for the more expensive models to avoid over-heating.

I bit the bullet and ordered a used R5C. $2400 a 22K shutter count, and a cage included.

I don't expect this to become my primary camera over the C70 but will be nice to have when photos are also needed. I think I might re-buy the SmallRig v-mount plate so that I can power it off of my Intellytech mini v-mounts, and then just uncouple it from that setup and run it off of the regular battery for stills (I really like an EVF for stills). In the interest of keeping things small and lightweight, I probably will not bother with a separate monitor. 

[Ty Harper]

43 minutes ago, QuickHitRecord said:

I think I might re-buy the SmallRig v-mount plate so that I can power it off of my Intellytech mini v-mounts, and then just uncouple it from that setup and run it off of the regular battery for stills (I really like an EVF for stills).

As an R5C user for a minute now, who has dabbled with pretty much every external powering option, I will say this:

(i) The R5C's USB and micro-HDMI ports are a known weakness in this camera (like many cams).

(ii) There have been R5C users who reported their USB-C ports going even though they have been using port protectors. Not a lot but enough for it to be a concern if you are a shooter who doesn't have CPS or insurance, etc.

(iii) The cost for Canon to replace the USB-C port is at least $1K

So the prudent math would be to minimize use of those ports. Bcuz you are paying $1KUS to 'repair' something that will likely go again, and end up costing you more than the cam itself. Especially now that the LP-E6P batteries can get you 1.5 hours on a charge. So I no longer use my V-mounts or even the Dummy batt/D-Tap option. I use LP-E6Ps and for anything that requires more than 1.5 hours, I use the OEM battery grip for 3 hours of record time.

 

 

[QuickHitRecord]

8 minutes ago, Ty Harper said:

(i) The R5C's USB and micro-HDMI ports are a known weakness in this camera (like many cams).

(ii) There have been R5C users who reported their USB-C ports going even though they have been using port protectors. Not a lot but enough for it to be a concern if you are a shooter who doesn't have CPS or insurance, etc.

Thanks for the heads up. Maybe the new LP-E6P batteries are the way to go. How many do you typically find that you'll use up in a day? Is the LCD bright enough to use outdoors in the sun? I've had no problem using my C70's LCD on all but the very brightest days.