Nmya~chi! Tuna (@miyakojimalife_) (*’▽’)
This time, I’d like to talk about my hobby: photography. My journey into photography began when I bought a “FUJIFILM FINEPIX”—a compact camera that looked like a DSLR—around the time I graduated from college and started working.
Then, at age 26, I bought my first entry-level DSLR, the “Canon Kiss X4.” It all started when I pleaded with my wife, saying, “If we’re going to hire a professional to film our wedding video, I’d rather have a PC with a graphics card and a DSLR. With those two things, I’ll make the video myself!” I found joy in being able to swap out lenses and quickly got hooked. I used to go to Tokyo Tower all the time to take photos.
The next big leap came when I was about 32. It all started when an older guy at work told me, “I’ll sell you my Canon 7D for a bargain price.” I’d started to feel like my Kiss wasn’t quite cutting it anymore, and I was blown away by how heavy the 7D felt when I held it for the first time. Even though it’s the same APS-C sensor, the image quality is completely different. It really hooks you, doesn’t it…
And, unfortunately, a friend from college switched from a Canon DSLR to a Sony mirrorless camera.
“I don’t need this lens anymore, so I’ll give it to you!”
Tete-te-te-ten-shi-ii-iii!
Prime lenses and wide-angle lenses—two types I’d never even touched before—really grabbed my attention. It’s no exaggeration to say that this friend is the one who dragged me into the world of photography.
That said, the only things I’ve spent money on so far are the FINEPIX, Kiss, and 7D I bought early on—and even if you add them all up, it’s only about 120,000 yen. If it’s only about 120,000 yen over 10 years, that’s not a “money pit” at all; rather, I’ve been able to enjoy photography without spending much money at all. Thank you, my friend m(_ _)m
Canon EOS R5 Mark II—I finally bought it!
I’ve been enjoying photography without spending much money, but I’ve finally decided I want to experience the joys of a full-frame camera[EOS R5 Mark II]I bought it \( ˆoˆ )/
It’s my first full-frame camera—and it’s the high-sensitivity R5 Mark 2, no less. Just imagining myself with this camera in hand, capturing the ocean and starry skies of Miyakojima, taking snapshots of my travels, and creating memories with my family, friends, and other loved ones—it makes my heart race!
Ever since I heard the news about its release, I’ve watched various review videos and comparison articles over and over again, and after thinking it through thoroughly—asking myself, “Will I really have no regrets about buying this?” and “Where is the safest and best place to buy it?”—Purchase from the Canon Official Online StoreI did.
In this article,Why did I choose to buy from the official website? Limited-time promotional offers and real user reviewsI’ll introduce it in detail. I hope this serves as a helpful reference for those considering purchasing the R5 Mark II.
No Compromises on Photos or Videos—What Is the R5 Mark II?
The Canon EOS R5 Mark II represents a further evolution from its predecessor, the R5.High-Performance Hybrid Camera.
The features shown in bold are not available on any R5 model. Features marked with an asterisk (*) are the same as those on Canon’s flagship model, the R1.
- Backside-illuminated stacked DPCMOS ※
- DIGIC X Now Features the New DIGIC Accelerator ※
- Eye-tracking compatible ※
- “Dual Pixel Intelligent AF,” which instantly tracks people, animals, and vehicles ※
- No blacked-out text ※
- High resolution of approximately 45 million pixels
- 8K60P video recording (RAW support)
This camera is ideal for anyone—whether a professional or an amateur—who wants to capture “photos to last a lifetime.” Furthermore, with the addition of some features found in the R1, it’s no exaggeration to say that the “5” has always been—and continues to be—the de facto flagship model for general users.
Is it suitable for beginners?
I’ve steadily upgraded my camera performance over time—starting with a compact digital camera (FINEPIX), then moving on to an entry-level DSLR (Kiss), and finally to a full-fledged DSLR (7D)—but honestly, a good camera and a good lens are essential even for beginners. I’m not a pro, so I don’t know much about technical aspects like composition or settings, but I know from experience that changing your camera and lens can completely transform the photos you take.
To be honest, every time I switch cameras or lenses, I’m reminded, “Is it really this easy to take such beautiful photos?!” If the capabilities of your equipment expand your creative possibilities, I think you’ll have more fun by choosing the best option within your budget—whether you’re a beginner, an amateur, or a professional.
Reasons for Deciding to Purchase from the Official Canon Website
As of 2025, at Canon’s official store,Attractive promotions to encourage purchasesis currently underway. This campaign is held every year, but the lineup of eligible products varies. Since the R5 Mark II was included this time, it was one of the deciding factors in my purchase. The campaign runs through October 1.
Get a 50,000-yen cashback on the R5 Mark II!
When you purchase eligible products, such as the R5 Mark II camera body or compatible RF lenses,Up to 50,000Cashback in yenThey’ll do it for you!
You can haggle for discounts even at electronics retailers, but isn’t getting a 50,000-yen discount a bit of a stretch? It might be fine for those who enjoy negotiating, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to find it more and more of a hassle… It’s much easier to just go for the cashback offer.
I debated buying a lens kit, but since there were other lenses I wanted, I decided to purchase just the camera body. I felt a little lonely for a while since I couldn’t take photos with just the body, but I think it was a wise decision rather than owning a lens I’d eventually stop using.
I’ll write about buying a lens during my trip to Tokyo in my next blog post.
*Campaign deadlines and conditions areCanon Official WebsitePlease check it out. ← No affiliate links.
The 0% interest on installment payments is absolutely great!
The 50,000-yen cashback—which effectively amounts to a discount—was one of the deciding factors, butAnother deciding factor is the installment interest rate.0%！
Personally, I think this is the biggest advantage of buying from Canon’s official store. I chose the longest payment plan available—60 installments. I’m paying in installments over five years with no handling fees. Instead of paying 650,000 yen all at once, I’m paying about 10,000 yen per month. It’s a big deal to have cash on hand. I’ll put the remaining cash toward investments.
As a premise,I think the key point here is that, even though they could pay the 650,000 yen in a lump sum, they’re choosing to pay in installments specifically because the interest rate is 0%.Paying in installments when you’re strapped for cash can sometimes lead to financial difficulties later on. If you can’t come up with the full amount, it’s better to save up enough to pay in full first, rather than paying in installments.
Even at electronics retailers, some stores may offer installment plans with 0% interest. But I think 60 installments is pretty impressive.
Plus, you can use a coupon for an additional 10% off
In addition to a 50,000 yen cashback and 0% interest on installment payments, the official website also offers a 10% discount! Personally, I thought it was a glitch.
If you buy from an electronics retailer, they’ll give you 10% in points on your purchase. At Canon’s official store, however, you get a 10% discount instead of points. When you compare the two, buying from an electronics retailer feels like you’re essentially paying for the store’s points with cash. A discount that doesn’t reduce your cash is the way to go.
How much did it cost in total?
I’m sure many of you are curious about the total cost of buying the R5 Mark II, so I’ll list it here. For now, this is the price before the 50,000 yen cashback, using only the 10% off coupon.
The price has been reduced from 654,500 yen (including tax) to 589,050 yen.
You’ll get an additional 50,000 yen cashback from here, soThe total amount is 539,050 yen.It’s amazing how much of a discount you get because it’s so expensive, isn’t it? I never thought the day would come when I’d buy a camera with a list price of 650,000 yen…
For those considering whether to buy the Canon R5 Mark II
I was impressed by the video and AF performance. I have no regrets about buying it.
To be honest, the price is shockingly high. However, the image quality is on a whole different level compared to the cameras I’ve used before. The first thing that strikes you is how beautiful the view is when you look through the viewfinder. This photo was taken at Maehama Beach on Miyakojima Island. All photos were taken with the Canon RF 50mm F1.2 L USM lens.
The following photo shows the Grand Roof Ring at EXPO 2025 Osaka-Kansai. The soft evening sunlight and the Grand Roof Ring looked like a corridor in the sky—it was beautiful.
Next up is the Poland Pavilion at EXPO 2025 Osaka-Kansai. A Bösendorfer grand piano featuring “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” and a chandelier. The contrast with the darkness is beautiful. The photos have a wonderfully rich, moist quality to them.
Finally, a cake from Joel Robuchon. It’s so Instagram-worthy it’s almost too much. I really like Canon cameras because they produce such vibrant colors. The portraits are beautiful too, so I’d love to post them, but since I’ve only taken photos of family and friends, I can’t upload them online. Someday, I’d like to photograph a model who’s okay with having their photos posted online.
Autofocus that tracks the subject with your gaze and continuously maintains focus while shooting video—I was truly impressed by both of these features after trying them out. Personally, the autofocus during video recording was especially helpful. At events like my child’s sports day, I used to have to adjust both the zoom and focus manually, so the camera’s persistence in automatically focusing on and tracking the subject is amazing.
In times of inflation, it’s better to buy sooner rather than later.
To be honest, I’ve been debating whether to buy one ever since the first-generation R5 came out in 2020. That’s five years… You’re probably thinking, “That’s way too long to hesitate!” It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, when there were no signs of inflation, but since I invest in stocks, I knew there were concerns about inflation in the near future.
The government was aiming for a 2% increase in prices and wages, and it was a time when Russia’s desire to invade Ukraine was becoming increasingly apparent. I remember that when I talked about cost-push inflation, the people around me seemed suddenly skeptical.
However, people have now shaken off their deflationary mindset, and everyone is aware of inflation. With the government actively encouraging inflation, it’s hard to imagine anyone believing this trend won’t continue. Few people are likely seeing their wages keep pace with rising prices.
I think the right approach during a period of inflation is to buy things while you still can. After all, the value of money keeps eroding.
Summary | We recommend purchasing the R5 Mark II directly from Canon’s official website
For these reasons, I recommend purchasing directly from Canon’s official store rather than from an electronics retailer. Of course, this assumes that the product is eligible and that the cashback campaign is currently active.
The combination of cashback, a 10% discount, and zero interest on installment payments is unbeatable. Probably (whispering)
We live in a world where making definitive statements tends to go viral, but people who make such statements can be a little scary, can’t they?… I sense a certain bias in their thinking.
So, if you have any tips on the best way to shop here, please let me know. I’d love to learn from you! ♫
I hope this article helps someone have a great time.
Thanks for reading all the way to the end! (´･ω･)(´_ _)♪
