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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.
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Technical Details
- 21.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, 14-bit A/D conversion, wide range ISO setting 100-6400- Body only; lenses sold separately
- DIGIC 4 Image Processor; high-performance 3.9 fps continuous shooting; Live View Function for stills
- Full HD video capture at 1920x1080 resolution for up to 4GB per clip ; HDMI output
- Updated EOS Integrated Cleaning System specifically designed to work with a full-frame sensor
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By R. Alzoubi (Ann Arbor, MI)
I have used and own Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras for the last 5 years, from Nikon D40, Nikon D70, Canon 40D, Canon 50D and finally bought myself a full frame camera from Canon 5D Mark II. I can't be happier.... I love how I could do micro adjustments on my lenses, and love it that it captures the HD videos. It has been my professional work camera for the last 6 months and I like the results. It really stands up with the 24-105 lens and 80 f1.5 for portrait. I have the 70-200 F4 L IS with it, but I like it better with 24-105 and 80 1.5
This camera has been a blessing. I just wished Canon has the on/off switches near the click button... just like Nikon. Other than that, I love this camera!
By A. Kim (Long Beach, CA)
I purchased this camera to use whenever I didn't need my 1D (too heavy to carry around Disneyland). It's been just about a year and so far, I absolutely love it and gave it a 5 star rating and here are the reason why:
Ease of use: coming from other Canon bodies, the controls and function of the camera was a breeze. Infact, some new items in the menu, such as My Menu, allows you to add your most used functions and is very easily accessed. I've heard Nikon users complaining that Canon controls are difficult and not layout well. Newsflash: Canon is a completely different system and therefore, is going to be different. I can control my Canon by touch in total darkness, but put a Nikon in my hands, I'm lost.
Image/Picture Quality: it's a Canon with a full size sensor. They are the pioneers and leaders in CMOS sensors for DSLRs and their dedication shows. I have no probem shooting ISO1600 and often shoot ISO6400 without much thought. I shoot mostly L series lens and the colors recorded is simply amazing. Not over saturated like the other brand cameras, just really natural colors. Beautiful for shooting people, as well as nature.
Video Quality: at first I was very hesitant to accept the fact that my DSLR has a built-in video camera. Once I got used to the idea of having a video camera and once I started tinkering with it, I was amazed. Full HD video shot between stills, then all combined into a slideshow is just awesome! The actual video quality is breathtaking. Just like anything else full HD, the clarity seems too good to be true. Sound is OK, but if I were to do more video capture with my camera, I would definitely purchase an external mic. If shooting video is your thing, there is NO better video camera out there. You can spend $10K on a video camera, but bottom line is, the quality isn't going to be as good as the Canon 5DMKII due to the size of the image sensor. As far as I know, there are no video cameras with an image sensor that's comparable to the Canon 5DMKII. What's more, you can use any of the Canon lens to shoot video with.
Weather Sealing: there seem to be a lot of people out there concerned about the quality of Canon's weather sealing. My experience with the weather seals have all been positive. I've been in sand storms (desert), full down pour raining (Alaska, Hawaii, etc), and even extreme dust (popcorn ceiling scraped, walls torn down, drywall dust everywhere) and so far, NOTHING, NO DUST inside the camera! That's amazing! I'd say the camera is pretty well sealed against the environment.
Durability: Don't let the lightweight magnesium alloy body fool you. Just because it's light doesn't mean it's weak. It just means it's easier to carry and handle all day long. I was walking and shooting a subject one day and tripped on a curb. I fell over and managed to not land on the camera, but the camera's body did strike the side of the curb. Yes, it left a gash mark down to bare metal, but the camera is still totally fine.
BOTTOM LINE: great tool. Best camera I've ever used.
By N. Mathias (Ohio, USA)
This camera is amazing. I've been a photographer for 15 years and I feel like I finally have the camera of my dreams. Beautiful low light photography, great full frame sensor...and as a very valuable bonus, HD video. I didn't think I'd use the video much but WOW, even my brother in law (who does video) was blown away with it's quality. I plan on using this camera till the shutter dies.
By Missy Stone (USA)
I will only write a short review about this camera because others have already written very extensive reviews about it. For an even more comprehensive one, I would refer you to the website DPReview.
After thinking about this camera for 6 months, I finally convinced myself to buy it. I am not regretting the decision at all. This is an excellent camera for my needs and the picture quality and resolution from its 21 megapixel sensor is simply mind boggling. In my mind, the main advantage of all those megapixels is the ability to do an extensive crop without sacrificing the image quality. I owned a 30D and if I crop files from it just a little bit, the sharpness suffers.
Let me now talk about the high ISO performance of the 5D Mark II. It is definitely amazing. Different people have different tolerances as far as image noise but for me it is excellent up to ISO 1600. I went to an indoor place with Christmas lights display and shot ISO 3200 and I was still happy with the results. I did have to clean up half of the files with the Noise Ninja software. But guess what, the files clean up very easily with the noise reduction software. Images from my 30D did not clean up as easily.
The only reason why I did not give this camera 5 stars is because of its autofocus (AF) system. Now, I mainly shoot portraits and nature. I don't do much sports. And for subjects that are father away, I mainly use the center AF which is extremely adequate. However, when I shoot portraits at closer distances and shallow apertures, I like using specific AF points (to avoid blur). In these instances, I can't help but feel that there should be more focus points.
How about using the camera for moving subjects? I don't think it was designed to be a sports camera. It can take 4 frames per second which I don't think is very adequate. Although I've seen pictures from very talented photographers from DPReview take amazing pictures of birds in flight with this camera so it can be done. (Google "liquidstone pbase" and you will be amazed.)
While I love this camera and will use it for many years, I advice you to also read about the alternatives. I will list them below.
If you are a Canon user and have Canon lenses, another alternative is the 7D. The 7D is not a full frame camera but an APS-C (cropped sensor) camera. The 7D is superior to the 5D in terms of its autofocus system (faster frame rate, more sensitive AF points, and more AF points) and features (better LCD, bigger viewfinder, electronic grid, customizable buttons) but inferior to the 5D in terms of image quality and ISO performance.
If you are starting from scratch or if you are willing to switch, you also should consider the Nikon D700. As far as image quality and high ISO performance, I think both cameras are at par. Canon is superior in terms of having a higher resolution (21 vs 12 megapixels) and 1080p video. But Nikon is superior in terms of build quality, weather sealing, and autofocus system. The D700's autofocus system is really more advanced than the 5D2's. It has 51 AF points (15 of which are the more sensitive cross-type kind) and a frame rate of 5 FPS without the battery grip and 8 FPS with the grip.
So which should you buy, the D700 or the 5D Mark II? If you will use the camera mainly for sports, then you should definitely go for the D700. Otherwise, it's a matter of preference. If you prefer a higher resolution camera with 1080p video, go for the 5D Mark II. If you prefer a more robust camera with excellent weather sealing and a pro-autofocus, then go for the D700.
By Paul (Boston, MA)
I shot 35mm film ages ago, but stopped when the cost of purchasing film and processing fees became prohibitive. I have been a photographer in one form or another for nearly 20 years. I decided that I definitely wanted to go digital, but was not happy with any of the cropped sensor bodies available at the time (early 2000's). When the 1Ds and 5D models first became available, I drooled, but couldn't justify the amount of money. So I waited. Along came the 5D Mark II (or as we say in the software industry, version 2.0) The price was lower than the original 5D and the quality and speed were even better then the now-three year old model. I saved my pennies and nickels for a while and finally purchased one!
From the moment I picked up the demonstrator model in the store, I knew this was the camera for me. Well balanced, large view-finder, and *gasp* video! I'm not much of a videographer, but seriously, taking HD clips with a prime lens on a full-frame sensor is just insane!
Pros:
- Low-light performance has to be seen to be believed. I'm sure you have heard the hype, but it's not hype. You really can take reasonable pictures in much darker rooms than you ever thought possible.
- Well balanced in your hands
- Simple menu system that does not require an engineering degree to use.
- Image quality (IQ) that simply blows away everything else in its class.
- Price is actually reasonable for what you get; hundreds less than the competition.
- Video!
Cons:
- The IQ is _too_ good. You can actually tell the difference between pictures taken with "L" glass and those that were not.
- Frame rate isn't great for sports. If this is your intended use, look at the 7D or 1D.
- Video limited in odd ways. Then again, this is a DSLR, not a camcorder.
In spite of what I just said about taking pictures with "L" glass, this camera is perfectly serviceable with regular lenses. Just realize that they are "consumer" grade and will have issues when shot wide open or when at the minimum or maximum of the zoom range. That said, the "nifty fifty" (50mm f/1.8) that sells for around $100 takes astonishingly good pictures.
If you're just starting out, the lenses that I would recommend buying with this body are:
17-40mm f/4 L - Eye-popping landscapes. The 16-35mm f/2.8 L is a stop faster, but neither lens will see much indoor use as you would have to be mere inches away from your subject to fill the frame. The extra stop also doubles the price with little benefit in the scenarios that it is likely to be used. At 2.8 the faster lens is quite soft, and the image quality in general is not quite as good. Save your money and get the 17-40. You won't be sorry!
24-70mm f/2.8 L - Fantastic walk-around lens. The 24-105mm f/4 that comes in the 5DMkII kit has more reach and is image stabilized, but I still prefer the speed of the 24-70. You can do more with it in lower light sitations.
70-200mm f/2.8 L - The IS version of this lens is silly expensive, but the standard version shares the same glass with its brother. For portraits and weddings, you cannot have a finer lens. The f/4 cousins are smaller and lighter. If you plan to shoot outdoors most of the time where there is sufficient light, then you should be fine with it. Indoors you will find yourself using a flash more often, even with the IS version of the f/4. The bokeh from the f/2.8 is noticeably better too.
50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 - The "L" version of this lens is f/1.2 and about $1k more. It's soft at f/1.2 and shoots its best at f/1.4 and higher. The "L" glass _is_ better than its cheaper cousins, but is it really worth it? This is one of the rare cases where there is little need to buy the "L" version. Buy the f/1.4 for $350 or the f/1.8 for $100 and enjoy it.
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Buy Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Now
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