Perfect match: the best Canon cameras for wedding videography and photography

A wedding album is not enough anymore. Today's tech-savvy couples want top-quality digital photos and videos that they can share with family and friends around the world. Whether you're primarily focused on photos, a hybrid shooter who wants to capture both stills and video on a single camera, or a videography specialist intent on creating a cinematic experience, there's a Canon camera that's perfect for the big occasion.

We spoke to professional wedding shooters and Canon's technical experts to find out the best camera for wedding videography as your main medium and wedding video alongside photography.

Canon's Cinema EOS range is dedicated to professional, top-end video capture. Some of the latest models such as the EOS R5 C and EOS C70 are designed to pair with the growing range of formidable RF lenses. For hybrid shooters who don't require the specialist features of the Cinema EOS system but still want both pro-grade video and cutting-edge stills capture, the EOS R5 enables seamless switching between the two – see the best Canon cameras for wedding photography and videography below.

Alongside 8K 30p in HEVC and 4K in XF-AVC with oversampling, both highly practical formats used widely by wedding videographers, the EOS R5 C offers multiple 12-bit RAW recording options for video. "This gives videographers the greatest flexibility," Ram explains. "The availability of multiple RAW options, as well as XF-AVC and MP4 formats, really marries the EOS R5 C with the rest of the Cinema EOS line. The maximum 8K frame rate is also increased from 30fps to 60fps, with an external power source.

"Other video-specific features compared to the EOS R5 include a waveform monitor, false colour and timecode terminal, which are key professional-assist tools and features for high-production video capture. Although it's the smallest, most lightweight Cinema EOS camera, the EOS R5 C delivers absolutely beautiful footage. The controls are also enormously customisable, with 13 buttons that you can assign to various functions, so you can shoot just how you want."

Filmmaker Kevin Clerc used the EOS R5 C to shoot a wedding as part of a film about the island of Madeira, and he was impressed by its versatility. He found the eye and face tracking autofocus "very reliable" and loved the Dual Pixel Focus Guide feature, which assists when you're focusing manually. "Such a professional camera in such a small body!" he comments.

Ultimately, the EOS R5 C is ideal for professionals needing a compact, lightweight camera for long-form, high-quality wedding videography, along with the ability to cover an entire wedding from a stills perspective with exceptional resolution, all without the need to switch between different cameras.

"Built-in neutral density filters add to the appeal, ideal for maintaining wide apertures for a shallow depth of field, even under bright lighting," Ram adds. "Dedicated audio controls ensure top-end sound quality, along with mini-XLR sockets for connection with other pro audio kit. Plus, with the Mount Adapter EF-EOS R 0.71x, you can use the broad range of Canon EF lenses while maintaining the same Full Frame angle of view alongside an increased light transmission of approximately 1-stop."

Sofia and Elena Costa, who run the Costa Sisters Productions wedding videography company, have built their unique style on creating a sense of fast-paced movement. They shoot with a Canon EOS R5, which they love because of its 8K video capture capabilities and image stabilisation, but mainly with an EOS C70. "One of the great things about the EOS C70 is its face- and eye-detection AF, especially when we're on the go at weddings," says Elena. "The camera's 4K 120fps capture is also great for creating slow-motion footage, ideal for scenes like the first dance, the first kiss and confetti shots. It adds a really cinematic element to the video."

Marco adds that he could not do without the camera's reliable AF. "I'm always sure to have the subject in focus even if I do not see the display clearly because I'm shooting in full sun," he says. At the other extreme, he has found the face detection AF invaluable even in low light conditions, such as when he is shooting the speeches at the reception – even if the speakers move around, the AF remains locked on to them.

We've mentioned that the EOS R5 C is a full-featured Cinema EOS video camera that can switch to shooting 45MP stills. If you don't require the Cinema EOS interface and specialised pro video output options offered by the EOS R5 C, all of Canon's professional EOS cameras are designed for capturing both stills and video. This hybrid capability means you have more storytelling potential in your hands throughout the day – and all without having to carry extra equipment around or employ additional photographers or videographers.

Canon Ambassador and International Wedding Photographer of the Year 2021 winner Fabio Mirulla shoots photos with a Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6. "The eye-detection autofocus tracking is phenomenal, and really nails focusing every time, even when people are moving around or confetti is flying through the scene," he says. "Now I just leave focusing to the camera and concentrate on composition and timing."

"Face- and eye-detection/tracking autofocus means you no longer need to juggle composition and AF points – the camera takes care of everything for you," adds Mike. "Even with fast f/1.2 lenses with a really tight depth of field, you can rely on consistently accurate focusing in exactly the right place. It gives you a new level of confidence to take more risks and get more creative."

Fabio finds the EOS R5's high resolution very useful. "At several critical times throughout a wedding," he says, "like during the ceremony itself and the speeches, you have to shoot from a fixed position and don't have time to swap lenses. The 45MP resolution means you can crop quite severely and still get great results.

"The live exposure preview is another great feature. I love to play around with shadows and light, and being able to see how the image will look before I even shoot is incredible. IBIS is another game-changer for me. I move around a lot when I shoot, and not having to use a tripod or monopod gives me a whole new level of creative freedom."

"Using the custom functions, the stills/video switch can be customised to switch to silent shooting, so just by picking up the camera and feeling the position of the switch, you'll know whether you're in mechanical or electronic shutter mode. It's just so intuitive.

"Another cool thing for wedding stills is that you can use a function button to add a sound effect for the electronic shutter, complete with volume adjustments," Mike adds. "It's great for formal portraits and group shots, so people know you've actually taken the photo, otherwise they can be trying to hold a pose and feeling awkward.

"For cinematic, broadcast-quality video, the EOS R3 can record 6K RAW at up to 60fps internally to a CFexpress card, or oversampled 4K for maximum detail. Canon Log 3 provides greater dynamic range and colour-grading possibilities."

Mike adds: "The EOS R6 is particularly compact and affordable, yet has the same autofocus features as the EOS R5, and the same IBIS performance – up to 8-stops with some RF lenses. This is arguably not so vital for stills, where you often need to use a fast shutter speed to freeze motion, but it's great for giving freedom of movement when recording video. With 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording, Canon Log 3 and HDR PQ options to help videographers capture more dynamic range, it's ready for the range of challenges that weddings can throw at you.

"The fast 20fps stills capability helps 'capture the moment' in situations like throwing confetti or the bouquet."

"The footage is also easy to deal with at the editing stage," Gil adds. "The colours are beautiful – I love the skin tones – and we had loads of flexibility in the grading. The EOS R gives us everything we need to produce the stuff we love."