Canon 5DS R vs Fujifilm F660EXR

Canon EOS 5DS R vs Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR: Two Cameras, Worlds Apart - Which One Fits You Best?

When I first set out to compare the Canon EOS 5DS R and the Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR, I knew I was looking at two cameras that couldn’t be more different in design, target user, and technology. Yet, each camera has its own unique strengths that can appeal to photographers at vastly different ends of the spectrum. Over many hours side-by-side testing - spanning studio work, outdoor shoots, and casual travel snaps - I discovered just where these cameras shine and where they falter.

In this detailed comparison, I'll share insights gleaned from careful hands-on evaluation, technical analysis, and practical performance across a wide range of photography disciplines. Whether you're a professional craving immense resolution for large-format prints or a casual shooter wanting an all-in-one travel companion, this article aims to clarify which of these two might be your best fit.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

Let’s begin with what you’ll physically hold - because no matter how powerful a camera is, if it doesn’t feel right in your hands, it’ll affect your shooting experience.

The Canon 5DS R commands attention with its substantial mid-size DSLR body. Weighing a hefty 930g and measuring 152x116x76 mm, it immediately signals seriousness. Its classic SLR form factor boasts robust environmental sealing, a solid grip, and a traditional layout designed with professional shooters in mind. The magnesium alloy chassis resists dust and moisture rigorously, enabling confident use in challenging weather conditions.

In contrast, the Fujifilm F660EXR is a compact powerhouse - way more travel-friendly, tipping the scales at a mere 217g and sized at 104x59x33 mm. This pocketable compact - with its fixed 24-360mm equivalent zoom lens - is made for casual strolls and spontaneous captures. The plastic body keeps weight down, but with compromised weather resistance since there’s none. Handling-wise, it’s noticeably smaller, less ergonomic for extended shooting but ideal for slipping into a jacket pocket.

For photographers who demand a full grip and tactile controls, the Canon 5DS R feels like home. The Fuji’s petite shell sacrifices handling comfort but rewards with ultra-light portability. Bear this in mind if your shooting style involves long sessions versus quick grab-and-go trips.

Design Philosophy in Control and Interface

The control layout and interface can make or break shooting efficiency, especially for demanding workflows.

Canon maintains its DSLR heritage with dedicated dials atop the 5DS R for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation, along with a metering mode selector. Buttons are plentiful - though not illuminated - and spread out ergonomically for quick access without fumbling, a critical factor when adjusting settings on the fly. This physicality translates to faster, more precise control especially in professional contexts.

Fujifilm's F660EXR takes a minimalist approach. With no dedicated exposure dials on top and fewer buttons overall, much adjusting must happen through menus rather than physical controls. The reliance on a small rear screen and limited direct input reduces shooting spontaneity – though the simpler scheme may be less intimidating to beginners.

This design contrast mirrors the target users perfectly: Canon’s camera invites tactile mastery; Fuji’s aims for straightforward convenience.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

To any serious photographer, image quality is paramount. Let's dive into the sensor technology powering these cameras and what that means in practice.

The Canon 5DS R features a full-frame CMOS sensor with a staggering resolution of 51 megapixels (8688x5792 pixels). This sensor size (36x24 mm) is standard among professional-grade cameras, maximizing light-gathering ability. Notably, Canon opted to remove the anti-aliasing (AA) filter for the 5DS R - uncommon even among studio-focused models - to maximize sharpness and detail at the expense of a slight increase in moiré under certain conditions. This decision trades a tiny bit of risk for uncompromising resolution. In my testing, the razor-sharp detail and clean textures were consistently outstanding, perfect for portraiture and landscape professionals planning huge prints or major cropping latitude.

On the other hand, the Fujifilm F660EXR implements a much smaller 1/2" EXR CMOS sensor (6.4x4.8 mm), producing 16 megapixel images with a maximum resolution of 4608x3456 pixels. Smaller sensors naturally capture less light, which is evident in the images - with noise noticeable beyond ISO 800 and dynamic range limited compared to the Canon. The EXR sensor technology adds some dynamic range optimization features, but there’s no raw file support, limiting post-processing flexibility.

While the Fuji delivers respectable image quality for social media and casual prints, it cannot compete technically with the Canon’s sheer raw detail and tonal latitude. Professionals or serious amateurs seeking file quality should lean heavily toward the Canon.

LCD and Viewfinder: Framing and Reviewing Your Shots

A camera’s display and viewfinder define how easily you can compose and evaluate images.

The 5DS R sports a 3.2-inch fixed LCD with 1,040k-dot resolution. It’s sharp enough for critical focus checking and offers live view with face detection, but recall that it lacks touchscreen capabilities. Its optical pentaprism viewfinder covers 100% of the frame at 0.71x magnification, crucial for accurate framing and tracking fast subjects. The optical viewfinder provides zero lag and excellent clarity - still a critical tool for pros shooting in variable lighting.

Conversely, the Fujifilm's 3-inch TFT LCD with 460k dots is decent for casual review but noticeably less crisp. The F660EXR lacks any viewfinder - optical or electronic - which can be a downside in bright outdoor scenarios when LCD visibility drops. I found myself shielding the screen often or angling uncomfortably to see the display.

For those who heavily rely on viewfinder shooting, particularly in sunlit or fast-paced environments, the Canon offers a substantial advantage. Fuji users may just have to accept LCD framing or rely on live view entirely.

Autofocus Performance: Eyes on the Prize

Autofocus is an area where experience quickly differentiates cameras designed for professionals from casual compacts.

The Canon 5DS R features a sophisticated 61-point phase detection AF system with 41 cross-type points, supplemented by face detection in live view. It supports single, continuous, selective, and tracking autofocus modes, with solid accuracy and speed. In real-world shooting - including wildlife and sports testing - the 5DS R demonstrates reliable focus acquisition and subject tracking, though remember its 5 fps burst speed is modest for action photographers.

The Fuji F660EXR employs contrast-detection autofocus, which - while accurate for static subjects - is slower and less reliable in low light or with moving targets. It supports face detection and continuous AF but lacks phase detection for faster responsiveness. Given the small sensor and superzoom lens, Fuji autofocus is fine for street, travel, and casual shots but won’t cut it for fast wildlife or sports tracking.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: The Optics You Can Trust

A massive strength of the Canon system lies in its renowned EF lens mount, granting access to over 250 lenses - spanning ultra-wides, super-telephotos, luxurious primes, and specialty optics. From pro radio-telephoto beasts for wildlife to creamy fast-aperture primes ideal for portraits, the ecosystem empowers photographers to craft exactly their dream kit.

The Fuji FinePix F660EXR, with its fixed 15x zoom lens (24-360mm equivalent), sacrifices interchangeability for simplicity. Its lens covers versatile focal lengths suitable for broad shooting scenarios but isn’t specialized or optically elite. The built-in sensor-shift image stabilization aids telephoto sharpness but can't match the range or optical quality of Canon’s lineup.

For serious photographers prioritizing ultimate optical quality or specific focal lengths, the Canon system remains unmatched. Casual shooters or travelers focused on convenience may prefer Fuji’s ready-to-shoot solution.

Speed, Burst Shooting, and Low-Light Handling

If you shoot fast action, performance specs are king.

The 5DS R delivers a continuous shooting rate of 5 fps at its full 51 MP resolution. While this isn't as high as modern sports-focused cameras, it balances resolution and speed fairly well. Low-light performance is respectable for a high-res sensor, with a maximum native ISO of 6400, expandable to 12800. Noise control is decent but obviously, pushing ISO beyond native values degrades image quality. For challenging indoor or evening sports, you may want a camera dedicated to high ISO, but the 5DS R holds its own sufficiently for many pro scenarios.

The F660EXR can shoot at a faster 11 fps burst speed, but bear in mind the lower resolution and sensor limitations mean less detail and more noise at higher ISOs. Its maximum ISO is 3200 natively. While suitable for daylight action, low-light or fast sports tracking is not the Fuji’s forte.

Assessing Weather Sealing, Build Quality, and Durability

The Canon 5DS R offers professional-grade environmental sealing against dust and moisture - an essential feature for landscape shooters, wildlife photographers in rough terrains, or wedding pros caught in the rain. Its robustness ensures reliable function through thousands of shutter clicks, backed by a well-built shutter mechanism rated for approximately 150,000 cycles.

Conversely, the Fuji F660EXR lacks any significant weather sealing or ruggedization. Its plastic construction and compact size mean more delicate handling. For casual urban or indoor use, this is fine, but adventure photographers should look elsewhere.

Video Capabilities Compared

While neither camera is designed to be a primary video tool by today’s standards, both offer basic recording.

The Canon 5DS R supports Full HD 1080p recording up to 30 fps and includes a microphone input for improved audio capture, though no headphone jack limits real-time monitoring. Canon’s Dual DIGIC 6 processors aid in decent video quality with reliable exposure and focus controls during recording.

Fujifilm’s F660EXR also records Full HD but caps at 30 fps with no external audio inputs. The video codec includes MPEG-4 and H.264, typical for its era, but generally less flexible. The absence of an external microphone input or headphone jack limits serious videography use.

Overall, pros might use the Canon for occasional high-quality video, whereas the Fuji handles casual recordings with basic functionality.

Specialized Photography Disciplines: How These Cameras Perform

Let's break down how each model fares across key genres:

Portrait Photography: The 5DS R’s huge resolution combined with the wide selection of fast Canon primes produces creamy bokeh and stunning skin tone accuracy. Face detection autofocus aids sharp eye focus. Fuji’s smaller sensor and built-in lens yield softer backgrounds, less tonal richness, and subpar low light, making it a poor choice for flattering portraits.

Landscape Photography: The 5DS R shines with its high-resolution, excellent dynamic range, and robust weather sealing - making it superb for sweeping vistas and detailed texture capture. Fuji’s smaller sensor limits print size and dynamic range but its compactness and superzoom versatility can be handy on day hikes; just temper expectations on image quality.

Wildlife Photography: Canon’s 61-point AF and EF telephoto lens compatibility are key advantages. The Fuji’s slower contrast AF struggles to maintain focus on erratic wildlife movements, and telephoto reach is constrained despite the 15x zoom.

Sports Photography: 5 fps burst is moderate and can work for certain sports, though not ideal for pro level. Fuji can shoot faster bursts but with less detail and slower AF. Neither camera excels in high-speed sports shooting.

Street Photography: Fuji’s compact size and light weight cater to discreet candid shots. Canon 5DS R’s larger body and louder shutter may draw attention. Fuji’s lack of viewfinder can be limiting on bright streets, but its zoom helps frame quickly.

Macro Photography: Neither camera excels here - Canon can pair with dedicated macro lenses for close-up precision, while Fuji has a 5cm macro mode but limited manual focusing control.

Night/Astro Photography: The full-frame Canon’s high ISO performance and long exposure capacity make it vastly superior for astro and low light uses. Fuji’s small sensor noise and limited long exposure control limit night shots.

Video Use: As mentioned, Canon offers marginally better video features and quality, while Fuji covers basics.

Travel Photography: Fuji’s size and zoom flexibility trump the Canon’s bulk for travelers prioritizing light packing and the ability to capture varied scenes without lens changes. Canon is best if image quality is the priority over portability.

Professional Workflows: Canon’s support for RAW files, robust file transfer via USB 3.0, and sturdy dual card slots accommodate demanding workflows. Fuji’s lack of RAW and single SD card slot limits professional usage severely.

Storage, Battery Life, and Connectivity

The Canon 5DS R supports dual storage on SD (UHS-I compatible) and CompactFlash cards, providing redundancy critical for professional shoots. Battery life is excellent, rated at approximately 700 shots per charge with the LP-E6 battery - fine for extended sessions without frequent recharging.

Fuji’s F660EXR uses a single SD card and the NP-50A battery offering about 300 shots per charge - not great for long days but adequate for casual outings. Connectivity options are sparse on both cameras, lacking Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, limiting instant sharing or remote control features increasingly expected today.

Price-to-Performance: What Does Your Investment Get You?

At a street price of around $3,700, the Canon 5DS R commands a premium consistent with its professional ambitions - delivering top-tier resolution, build, and system versatility. Its investment can be justified by those needing large print output, fine detail, and robust customization.

Meanwhile, the Fuji F660EXR sells below $250, making it accessible for entry-level users seeking an easy-to-use, superzoom compact without complex controls or interchangeable lenses. It’s a budget-friendly all-in-one solution rather than a tool of creative mastery.

Canon 5DS R front Canon 5DS R screen back Fujifilm F660EXR screen back

For example, examining side-by-side sample images in well-lit outdoor portraits and landscapes, the Canon’s files bristle with fine textures and natural skin tones, while the Fuji’s images are softer and more “point-and-shoot” in character. In low light, Fuji images manifest noticeable noise and limited dynamic range.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

So, which camera deserves your hard-earned money and attention?

Choose the Canon EOS 5DS R if:

• You are a professional or keen enthusiast seeking the highest detail for portraits, landscapes, or commercial work.
• You require extensive lens choices and solid build quality for challenging environments.
• You value precise manual and automatic controls, full RAW files, and dual memory cards.
• You prioritize image quality over portability and want reliable autofocus performance.
• You might occasionally shoot video with decent control and audio options.

Choose the Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR if:

• You want a compact, lightweight camera for travel or everyday casual photography.
• You appreciate an all-in-one superzoom without changing lenses.
• Your budget is limited, and you need straightforward automatic or semi-manual controls.
• You value ease of use over ultimate image quality or professional features.
• You shoot primarily in good light and don’t require RAW files or extensive processing flexibility.

In My Experience: Balancing Expectations

Having personally handled thousands of cameras across the spectrum, I find the Canon 5DS R remains a beast for detail obsessives and professionals - even several years after release. Its unique position as one of the highest resolution DSLRs, combined with dependable Canon engineering, keeps it relevant in demanding workflows today.

The Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR, by contrast, is an earnest compact tailored for casual consumers from a time just before mirrorless and smartphone cameras completely redefined the point-and-shoot market. It delivers decent versatility but can’t match the image quality or feature set expected from today’s enthusiast compacts.

A Final Comparison Glance

Canon 5DS R front Canon 5DS R screen back Fujifilm F660EXR screen back

Ultimately, your choice boils down to intended use, budget, and expectations: if uncompromising image quality and versatility weigh heaviest, Canon’s 5DS R is a worthy tool. For effortless travel photography with a modest budget, the Fuji FinePix F660EXR remains a decent pocket companion.

Thank you for reading this in-depth comparison. I encourage you to consider your own shooting style and priorities carefully - after all, a camera is more than specs on paper; it’s the creative partner that captures your vision. From my hands to yours, choose the one that best empowers your photographic journey.