Canon EOS 5D Review

This page is about Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame CMOS DSLR Camera Review

When choosing a digital camera, you want to ensure you know what you need. Digital slr cameras come in various sizes, types and prices. It's one thing to purchase your first camera for learning, where you might not be that interested in the quality of photos. It is another thing when you have been taking photos for quite a while and you want a better camera that takes lot better photos.

If you're absolutely serious, you need to have the money to spend it. The Canon EOS 5D is at the top of the range, costing $2000, which is not for the newbie. If you feel it's preposterous to spend that kind of money on a dslr camera, then you better look for something else. When you spend this much for a dslr camera, you have to be sure it has everything that you are looking for and you can't get it for a less costly price. You want to be sure that you are not exceeding your budget on the features that work best for you. Because there are many digital cameras on the market, you are sure to find something that will work for you for a good price. Needless to say, if you pay a little bit more for a camera, it might last a great deal longer.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II features the Canon CMOS sensor that has been newly designed to shoot in surprisingly dark conditions. This camera light and compact but has an ISO sensitivity of approximately 25,600 and has environmental protection. In addition to the enhanced CMOS sensor, there is a completely new DIGIC 4 processor that will provide image quality at 3.9 frames per second, and do it for up to 310 frames. You may also record HD video at 30 fps in full 1080p resolution. At 1080p, you'll be able to see incredible detail with an awesome level of realism and clarity.

You have several options with a high-end 21.1-megapixel digital camera that can do HD video. Think about what photojournalists or news photographers can do with this dslr camera. If you would like have the best digital camera available, you need to look no further than this digital camera. Studio photographers will discover this to be a digital camera that might be ideal for them, and so might wedding, nature and travel photographers. Unless money is not an issue, this digital camera is perfect for the absolutely serious professional and not somebody only starting out.

In case you are knowledgeable and experienced with cameras and taking photographs, then you definitely understand what you are looking for. In case you are only starting out, this camera may be a bit over your head. You'll find numerous seasoned photographers investing in the new Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera with EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens

Canon EOS 5D - Technical Details and Product Details

Product Details
Product Dimensions: 6 x 4.5 x 3 inches ; 1.8 pounds
Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.

Canon EOS 5D - Product Description

Amazon.com

Compact, lightweight with environmental protection, EOS 5D successor boasts a newly designed Canon CMOS sensor, with ISO sensitivity up to 25,600 for shooting in near dark conditions. The new DIGIC 4 processor combines with the improved CMOS sensor to deliver medium format territory image quality at 3.9 frames per second, for up to 310 frames.

Triggered from Live View Mode, HD video capture allows users to shoot uninterrupted at full 1080 resolution at 30fps -- for amazing quality footage with outstanding levels of detail and realism.

The integration of HD movie capability into a high-end 21.1-megapixel camera opens a multitude of new possibilities for photojournalists and news photographers. With its full-frame CMOS sensor and outstanding ISO performance, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II will appeal to any photographer in search of the finest camera equipment available -- from studio and wedding to nature and travel photographers.

Other improvements to the Canon EOS 5D include:

* Addition of Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System, with a new Fluorine coating on the low-pass filter
* Larger 3.0-inch Clear View LCD with VGA resolution, a 170-degree angle of view and anti-reflective coatings
* Improved menu system including Quick Control Screen for more direct access to common settings
* Automatic peripheral illumination correction, utilizing detailed EF lens information to optimize JPEG images straight out of the camera
* Magnesium alloy construction with additional environmental protection
* UDMA memory card compatibility

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Highlights

New CMOS sensor
The Canon EOS 5D Mark II’s newly designed full-frame 21.1-megapixel CMOS sensor features ISO sensitivity from 100-6400, expandable to 50, 12,800 and 25,600. Large 6.4µm2 pixels have been redesigned to capture more light and yield a better signal to noise ratio to ensure lower noise images throughout the ISO range. The full frame sensor has the same dimensions as a frame of 35mm film. This means that wide-angle lenses stay wide, without the change in angle of view associated with smaller sensor cameras. As well as benefiting from finer control over depth of field, photographers moving up to the Canon EOS 5D Mark II’s full frame format will find the newly designed wide, bright 98 percent coverage viewfinder on a joy to work with.

New DIGIC 4 processor
A new DIGIC 4 processor combined with 14-bit analogue to digital conversion provides smooth gradations in mono-tonal areas such as skies, and highly accurate color rendition. As well as HD movie shooting, DIGIC 4’s high speed provides for long uninterrupted continuous bursts of large JPEGs, near-instant start-up times and immediate and fast review after shooting. DIGIC 4 also provides for improved noise reduction algorithms, complementing the already low-noise images from the Canon EOS 5D Mark II’s CMOS sensor.

HD video capture
The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is Canon’s first DSLR to incorporate full HD 1920x1080 video capture. Once filming is started from Live View mode, photographers can fire off either single of continuous stills, with video capture continuing after the final frame is captured.

See everything
A new 3.0-inch VGA resolution LCD provides a wide 170 degree angle-of-view, providing plenty of clarity for accurate focus checks in playback. The screen brightness can automatically adjust to suit viewing conditions, extending battery life in low light and improving viewing in bright conditions. A new dedicated Live View button switches modes to display a real-time image on the LCD. This allows EOS 5D Mark II photographers to enjoy simplified shooting from awkward angles. Simple connection to a PC provides easy remote shooting.

Precision focus and metering
A 9-point auto focus system is supported by 6 additional invisible Assist AF points, located inside the spot-metering circle to optimise subject tracking performance in AI SERVO AF mode. For accurate exposure readings in tricky lighting conditions, the spot metering circle covers just 3.5 percent of the frame.

Control
The Canon EOS 5D Mark II’s redesigned menu system includes a new Quick Control screen, for instant access to the most commonly changed settings. A new Creative Auto mode allows photographers to cede control of key settings to the camera, while retaining control over creative variables such background blur, drive mode and image brightness. Custom user settings allow photographers to switch between two completely different camera setups. This is ideal for changing quickly between two different environments, such as switching from working inside a church without flash to outdoors with fill-flash at a wedding.

Optional Accessories
Shooting flexibility is enhanced with a range of new accessories. Shooting capacity can be extended with either the high-capacity 1800mAh lithium-ion Battery Pack LP-E6, or Battery Grip BG-E6.

A new optional Wireless File Transmitter
The WFT-E4 offers external HDD and GPS compatibility along with ability to transmit images direct to computer or FTP server, or operate the camera wirelessly. Both the BG-E6 and WFT-E4 feature a vertical orientation shutter release and other key controls for comfortable portraiture work, with a substantial grip to help balance the camera when used with long lenses.

What's in the Box
* EOS 5D Mark II Body
* Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens
* Eyecup Eb
* Wide Neck Strap EW-EOS5DMKII
* Stereo Video Cable STV-250N
* USB Interface Cable IFC-200U
* Battery Charger LC-E6
* Battery Pack LP-E6
* EOS Digital Solution Disk
* Software Instruction Manual

Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera with EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens

Review from dpreview.com

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR: Highly Recommended by dpreview.com

Back in August 2005 Canon 'defined a new DSLR category' (their words) with the EOS 5D. Unlike any previous 'full frame' sensor camera, the 5D was the first with a compact body (i.e. not having an integral vertical grip) and has since then proved to be very popular, perhaps because if you wanted a full frame DSLR to use with your Canon lenses and you didn't want the chunky EOS-1D style body then the EOS 5D has been your only choice. Three years on and two competitors have turned up in the shape of the Nikon D700 and Sony DSLR-A900, and Canon clearly believes it's time for a refresh.

So here is the 5D Mark II, which punches high in terms of both resolution and features, headlining: 21 megapixels, 1080p video, 3.0-inch VGA LCD, Live view, higher capacity battery. In other words, a camera that aims to leapfrog both its direct rivals, either in terms of resolution (in the case of the D700) or features (in the case of the DSLR-A900). Full detail below.

Key features / improvements

* 21 megapixel CMOS sensor (very similar to the sensor in the EOS-1Ds Mark III)
* Sensor dust reduction by vibration of filter
* ISO 100 - 6400 calibrated range, ISO 50 - 25600 expansion (1Ds Mark III & 5D max ISO 3200)
* Auto ISO (100 - 3200) in all modes except manual
* 3.9 frames per second continuous shooting
* DIGIC 4 processor, new menus / interface as per the EOS 50D
* Image processing features: Highlight tone priority, Auto lighting optimizer (4 levels), High ISO noise reduction (4 levels), Lens peripheral illumination correction (vignetting correction)
* RAW and SRAW1 (10 MP) / SRAW2 (5 MP)
* RAW / JPEG selection made separately
* Permanent display of ISO on both top plate and viewfinder displays
* AF micro adjustment (up to 20 lenses individually)
* Three custom modes on command dial, Creative Auto mode
* Image copyright metadata support
* 98% coverage viewfinder (0.71x magnification)
* 3.0" 920,000 dot LCD monitor with 'Clear View' cover / coatings, 170° viewing angle
* Automatic LCD brightness adjustment (ambient light sensor)
* Live view with three mode auto-focus (including face detection)
* No mirror-flip for exposures in Live View if contrast detect AF selected
* Movie recording in live view (1080p H.264 up to 12 minutes, VGA H.264 up to 24 mins per clip)
* Two mode silent shooting (in live view)
* New jump options in play mode
* HDMI and standard composite (AV) video out
* Full audio support: built-in mic and speaker, mic-in socket, audio-out over AV (although not HDMI)
* IrPort (supports IR remote shutter release using optional RC1 / RC5 controllers)
* UDMA CompactFlash support
* New 1800 mAh battery with improved battery information / logging
* New optional WFT-E4 WiFi / LAN / USB vertical grip
* Water resistance: 10 mm rain in 3 minutes

Product Description
Compact, lightweight with environmental protection, EOS 5D successor boasts a newly-designed Canon CMOS sensor, with ISO sensitivity up to 25,600 for shooting in near dark conditions. The new DIGIC 4 processor combines with the improved CMOS sensor to deliver medium format territory image quality at 3.9 frames per second, for up to 310 frames. Triggered from Live View Mode, HD video capture allows users to shoot uninterrupted at full 1080 resolution at 30fps -- for amazing quality footage with outstanding levels of detail and realism. The integration of HD movie capability into a high-end 21.1-megapixel camera opens a multitude of new possibilities for photojournalists and news photographers. With its full frame CMOS sensor and outstanding ISO performance, the EOS 5D Mark II will appeal to any photographer in search of the finest camera equipment available -- from studio and wedding to nature and travel photographers.

Canon EOS 5D - User Comments

"Fantastic amazing image quality you have to see to believe!"

"High quality LCD with a light sensor, so no need to adjust LCD brightness from time to time. It's neat."

"Simple menu system that does not require an engineering degree to use..."

Canon EOS 5D - Cons:

"No Built in popup Flash..."

"The biggest single problem in the video mode is that you have no control over iris, ISO setting, or shutter speed..."

"Loud shutter, hard to blend into background when shutter is that obnoxious..."

Canon 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera with EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens

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