How to Change Settings on Canon EOS R5
The Canon EOS R5 offers deep control over exposure, autofocus, drive modes, image quality, and video features, but many settings are spread across buttons, dials, and menus.
If you want to move faster and make the camera behave the way you shoot, it helps to understand where each setting lives and how the camera’s controls work together.
This guide explains how to change settings on Canon EOS R5 in a clear, practical way, including the most useful options for still photography and video.
Start with the Canon EOS R5 control layout
The EOS R5 uses a mix of physical controls and on-screen menus, which means some settings are changed instantly while others require a few taps.
The main controls include the mode dial, top dial, rear dial, quick control wheel, AF-ON button, shutter button, M-Fn button, and the Quick Control screen.
Before changing advanced features, identify the control that matches the setting you want:
- Mode dial for exposure mode changes such as Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Movie modes.
- Top and rear dials for aperture, shutter speed, and menu navigation depending on the mode.
- Q button for fast access to common shooting settings.
- Main menu for deeper camera configuration.
- Custom buttons for personalized shortcuts.
How do you change basic shooting settings?
For day-to-day shooting, the fastest way to change settings on Canon EOS R5 is through the Quick Control screen.
Press the Q button, then use the touchscreen or control dials to move between options such as ISO, white balance, picture style, drive mode, autofocus method, and metering mode.
In most still-photo modes, the camera lets you adjust these core settings without opening the full menu.
This is especially useful when switching from indoor portraits to outdoor action, or from daylight landscapes to low-light scenes.
- ISO: Change sensitivity for brighter or darker conditions.
- White balance: Match color temperature to lighting.
- Drive mode: Choose single shot, continuous shooting, or self-timer.
- AF method: Select face detection, tracking, spot AF, or expanded AF.
- Metering mode: Control how the camera reads exposure.
How to change exposure settings on Canon EOS R5?
Exposure settings depend on the shooting mode you choose.
In Manual mode, you typically adjust shutter speed and aperture using the dials, then set ISO manually or use Auto ISO.
In Aperture Priority, you control aperture while the camera chooses shutter speed.
In Shutter Priority, you choose shutter speed and the camera sets aperture.
If the camera does not seem to respond to a dial change, confirm that the current mode supports that setting.
For example, aperture adjustment in Manual mode may require using a specific dial assignment, while exposure compensation is available in priority modes but not always in Manual unless Auto ISO is active.
Common exposure-related settings to review include:
- Exposure compensation for brightening or darkening the final image.
- Auto ISO range to limit noise and control sensitivity.
- Shutter speed limits when using Auto ISO in certain modes.
- Highlight tone priority for improved highlight retention in contrasty scenes.
Where are autofocus settings on the EOS R5?
Autofocus is one of the most important strengths of the Canon EOS R5, and many users change these settings frequently.
Press Q for quick autofocus adjustments or open the autofocus menu for more detailed options.
Key autofocus settings include AF operation, subject detection, eye detection, tracking sensitivity, and lens-specific behavior.
For people and wildlife photography, the camera’s subject detection tools can make focusing faster and more reliable.
Useful autofocus options
- AF operation: One-Shot AF for still subjects, Servo AF for movement.
- Subject to detect: People, animals, or vehicles depending on the scene.
- Eye detection: Prioritize eyes for portraits and event work.
- AF area mode: Change from single point to wide-area or tracking modes.
- Servo AF characteristics: Fine-tune responsiveness for unpredictable motion.
If you want faster shooting with fewer missed frames, pair Servo AF with continuous drive and subject tracking.
For portraits, use face and eye detection, then assign AF-ON to back-button focus if you prefer separate focus and shutter functions.
How to customize buttons and dials?
The Canon EOS R5 is highly customizable, and changing button assignments can significantly improve your workflow.
To change settings on Canon EOS R5 at the control level, open the custom functions or button customization menu.
From there, you can remap several controls to activate autofocus modes, exposure lock, depth of field preview, magnification, or other preferred features.
This is particularly helpful if you shoot in different genres.
A wildlife photographer may want quick access to eye detection and subject tracking, while a wedding photographer may prioritize exposure lock and AF-ON control.
- AF-ON button: Commonly assigned to back-button focus.
- M-Fn button: Good for toggling exposure or drive settings.
- Lens control ring: Can be assigned to aperture or ISO, depending on setup.
- Rear wheel and dials: Can be adapted to match your grip and shooting style.
After customizing buttons, test them in a real shooting session.
Small changes in control layout can save time, but only if they are easy to remember under pressure.
How to change image quality and file settings?
Image quality settings are usually found in the shooting menu.
Here you can choose RAW, JPEG, or HEIF, as well as combinations such as RAW+JPEG.
The Canon EOS R5 also lets you select resolution and compression settings that affect file size and editing flexibility.
Choose RAW if you want maximum editing latitude for color grading, exposure recovery, and detailed post-processing.
Choose JPEG if you need smaller files and faster delivery.
Many photographers use RAW+JPEG when they want both flexibility and a ready-to-share backup.
Other file-related settings may include:
- Color space: sRGB for general use, Adobe RGB for wider-gamut workflows.
- Image review time: Control how long the photo appears after capture.
- Auto rotate: Manage image orientation for playback and transfer.
How to adjust video settings on Canon EOS R5?
The EOS R5 also offers extensive video control, and many users switch settings separately for stills and movie shooting.
Use the mode dial or movie shooting mode, then open the movie menu or Quick Control screen to adjust resolution, frame rate, compression, autofocus behavior, and audio options.
Important video settings include:
- Recording size: Select 8K, 4K, or Full HD based on output needs.
- Frame rate: Choose 24p, 30p, 60p, or higher depending on motion style.
- Movie autofocus: Set subject detection and tracking for people or animals.
- Sound recording: Adjust input level and wind filter options.
- Canon Log: Use for more flexibility in color grading.
Because video settings can be more complex than still-photo controls, it helps to save a dedicated custom shooting mode if you regularly alternate between photography and filmmaking.
How to save settings to a custom shooting mode?
If you often return to the same setup, save it to a custom mode on the mode dial.
This lets you store a full configuration, including exposure mode, autofocus behavior, drive mode, and image quality.
It is one of the most efficient ways to change settings on Canon EOS R5 without rebuilding your preferences each time.
Use custom modes for recurring scenarios such as:
- Portraits: Eye detection, single-shot drive, wide aperture.
- Sports: Servo AF, continuous shooting, faster shutter speed.
- Travel: Auto ISO, flexible exposure, JPEG or RAW+JPEG.
- Video: Movie mode, chosen frame rate, dedicated audio settings.
Why are your Canon EOS R5 settings not changing?
Sometimes a setting appears locked or behaves differently than expected.
This usually happens because the camera is in a mode that limits certain controls, a custom function is overriding the dial, or a lens or accessory changes available options.
Check these common causes:
- The camera is in an automatic or scene mode with limited manual control.
- A custom button assignment has replaced the normal function of a dial.
- Auto ISO, exposure compensation, or flash settings are affecting the result.
- The current still-photo or movie mode uses separate settings.
- A lens or adapter limits available aperture or control-ring behavior.
If needed, reset individual custom settings rather than the entire camera.
That approach preserves useful preferences while fixing one problem at a time.
What settings should you review first?
If you are just learning how to change settings on Canon EOS R5, start with the controls that affect image quality and autofocus the most.
Those two areas have the biggest impact on sharpness, noise, and consistency.
- Exposure mode
- ISO and Auto ISO limits
- Shutter speed and aperture
- AF operation and subject detection
- Drive mode
- Image quality format
- Button customization
Once these are familiar, the rest of the menu structure becomes much easier to navigate.
The camera is powerful, but it becomes far more efficient when a handful of core settings match your shooting style.