SmallRig has launched a new cooling fan add-on for the Canon EOS R5 and Canon EOS R5 Mark II. The company claims the fan can more than double your shooting times.
Why do cameras overheat?
Filming high-resolution video in 4K, 6K and now up to 8K requires a lot of computer power. From the sensor capturing the image to the compression and storage of the final video file, a lot of data is being processed.
Unfortunately, this data processing also generates a lot of heat. Most cinema cameras have some form of active cooling with built-in fans which is why they can run all day. However, mirrorless cameras are smaller and may only have passive cooling. As a result, when they get too hot, cameras automatically shut off to prevent permanent damage.
SmallRig cooling fan
SmallRig’s new cooling fan has been designed for use with the Canon EOS R5 and R5 Mark II. You attach the fan unit to the back of the camera in the space where the monitor folds down against the body. The fan also features a quick snap-on installation so it’s simple to attach or remove. At 3.4 inches (86.5 mm) by 2.1 inches (54.5 mm) by 0.8 inches (21.6 mm) it’s very compact. In addition, the fan is super lightweight at only 3.6 ounces (101g) so it doesn’t add any noticeable weight to your camera.
Two-speed fan
SmallRig’s new cooling fan add-on has a low-noise fan with two speeds. The company hasn’t released noise levels but describes the Level 1 4500 RPM speed as “Cool mode – quiet operation.” Level 2 spins the fan at 7000 RPM for “Ice-cold mode” which is “optimized for high temperatures.” However, this higher level of cooling presumably also comes at the expense of more fan noise.
Build
As well as the fan, SmallRig’s new device features a cooling chip and an aluminum alloy heat sink to cool your camera. There’s also a silicone thermal conductive gel layer that presses onto the back of your camera. Finally, there’s a heat dissipation protective shell on the outside of the unit.
Powering the fan
SmallRig’s new cooling fan unit is powered via a USB-C port on the back. It doesn’t include a built-in battery so you will need an external power source. This could be a V-mount battery or something like a Sony NP-F battery with a suitable battery plate. There’s also a switch so you can put the fan into stand-by mode when you aren’t shooting.
Performance boost
SmallRig quotes some impressive performance boosts when you use its cooling fan with the R5 and R5 Mark II. At 25oC (77oF), you can record 8K 30P for more than twice as long (222%) compared to using the camera on its own. Even better, when shooting 4K at 60p, Small Rig claims that the camera simply won’t ever overheat.
Additionally, in a 40oC (104oF) environment, you can record 4K 60p for 65% longer using the fan. At 8K 30P, you still get around 30% extra recording before your camera overheats.
Use with other cameras
SmallRig advertises the fan for use with the Canon EOS R5 and R5 Mark II. However, you can also remove the mount bracket to use the fan with a range of Sony mirrorless cameras. Compatible models include Sony’s ZV-E1, Alpha 7 IV, Alpha 7S III, Alpha 7C, Alpha 7CR and Alpha 6700. You can even use the fan with the FX3 and FX30 which already offer active cooling.
What we think
The Canon R5 Mark II features better thermal management than the original R5. However, you can still only shoot internal 8K 60P for around 23 minutes before the camera shuts off. Therefore, SmallRig’s cooling fan unit could be a vital accessory if you need to film for longer.
The unit should also give you peace of mind at lower resolutions. You don’t need the worry that your camera might overheat during an important shot on top of everything else you need to think about. And it’s great that you can utilize the fan unit with a range of Sony cameras for extra versatility.
Pricing and availability
SmallRig’s cooling fan for the Canon EOS R5 and EOS R5 Mark II is available now. It retails at $60.
