PROFOTO FORUM

Canon 5D MKII

Canon 5D MKII back view

Top View

So here is the 5D Mark II, which punches high in terms of both resolution and features, headlining: 21 megapixels, 1080p video, 3.0″ 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

How do you follow a classic? That’s the question Canon faced when it got to work producing a successor to the EOS 5D. The original 5D was the first ‘affordable’ and lightweight (in relative terms) full frame camera, and set a standard for low noise at high ISO settings that remains competitive three years later. The EOS 5D attained almost cult status amongst Canon users (selling surprisingly well for a $3000 camera), and paved the way for Nikon (with the D700) and Sony (with the Alpha 900) to launch their own ‘compact’ full frame semi-pro bodies.

This means the 5D Mark II, unlike its predecessor, is entering a marketplace where it has several strong competitors. The D700 set the benchmark for high ISO performance (along with overall shooting performance at this price level), and the A900 set a new benchmark for ultimate resolution. The 5D Mark II offers similar resolution to the Alpha 900, increases the sensitivity range to ISO 25,600, and offers high ISO/noise performance that gets close to the Nikon D700/D3. In short it – almost – offers the best of both worlds without costing the earth.

So while the 5D Mark II would never be mistaken as a camera aimed at sports or action photographers (thanks to its rather pedestrian AF performance and overall shooting performance), it balances resolution and high ISO performance very well. And let’s not forget its party trick of being able to shoot 1080p HD video with full manual control of exposure (following the release of firmware version 1.10). While it may not be the first DSLR on the market to be able to feature HD movie capture (the Nikon D90 grabbed that honor), it is the first full frame camera to do so. This means that all the benefits of its full frame sensor, plus the ability to use the vast range of EF lenses, can be translated directly to movie recording. For some users this feature alone will put the EOS 5D Mark II ahead of its competitors.

Canon hasn’t just taken the 5D Mark I and put a new sensor in it. There are many little improvements that make this camera more than just an updated EOS 5D. There is the new menu system, the implementation of Live View, the sensor shake anti-dust system, the larger and higher resolution screen, a higher capacity battery, and extra customizability. The little details have been refined; for example the new ports cover is much improved, making the ports easier to use, and it’s now easier to change the ISO with the camera to your eye. All of these things will have an impact in actual use that 5D users will notice and appreciate.

While there are still other cameras in its class with marginally higher resolution, marginally better high ISO performance, more advanced AF, faster performance, better weather sealing and more solid build quality – and the Sony A900′s built-in anti-shake remains unique in the full frame arena – the 5D Mark II is certainly one of the best value for money propositions on the market for image quality – especially in RAW, where you really can see the benefit of all 21 million pixels. Canon has also wisely made only minor tweaks to the external interface, so that 5D users can jump right in and feel at home. Looking at the package as a whole the EOS 5D Mark II seems hard to beat.

We have always placed a heavy emphasis on image quality, and all other things aside this means the 5D Mark II has to receive our highest rating. When you consider the price of the EOS-1Ds Mark III, the 5D Mark II seems like quite a bargain. In our review of the original 5D we said ‘only history will tell if the EOS 5D is the start of a full frame revolution or simply the first of a new niche format’. Now we have to wait to see if the 5D Mark II (and the Nikon D90) are the start of the convergence of high end video and still photography cameras. But even if you never shoot video, and consider Live View to be a pointless novelty, the EOS 5D Mark II has an awful lot to recommend it to the serious photographer.

Conclusion – Pros

• Excellent resolution, very close to Sony Alpha 900 (and essentially the same as EOS-1Ds Mark III)
• Very good High ISO performance, almost as good as Nikon D700 / D3
• Wide range of ISO settings from 50 to 25600 (with ‘ISO Expansion’ enabled) and useful auto ISO setting
• Finally offers selectable levels of high ISO noise reduction
• ISO setting now visible in view finder (finally!)
• 1080p 30 fps video usable in low light conditions, with very good quality and full manual control over exposure (with firmware version 1.10)
• External microphone socket for use with movie recording
• Improved large, bright viewfinder (98% coverage)
• Large high-resolution LCD screen with anti-glare coating for better contrast and wider viewing angles
• Live view functionality brings it in line with other cameras in 2009 – indeed better than most (no mirror flip, live histogram, exposure simulation options) – although contrast detect AF still slow
• Integrated sensor cleaning system
• New Digic IV processing engine with 14bit A/D converter updates performance and menu interface to current standards
• sRAW1 and sRAW2 modes for smaller file sizes without losing the benefits of RAW; RAW and JPEG sizes selectable independently
• Built-in peripheral illumination correction to deal with vignetting
• Very well built, better than the original 5D especially around mirror box and lens mount
• Wide range of image parameter adjustments (-4 to +4 for most)
• Continues to write to CF card even when card door is open (finally)
• Much improved USB transfer speed
• Control layout almost the same as original 5D
• Optional WFT-E4 wireless transfer grip
• Optional wireless IR remote option
• Extensive and mature software package included (everything you need to process images)
• Picture styles editor allows user to create custom picture styles and load them into camera

Conclusion – Cons

• AI Servo (continuous AF) not as good as EOS-1 series or Nikon D700
• Default noise reduction quite heavy at anything over ISO 400 (can be turned down though)
• JPEG output a bit soft when viewed at 100%
• Still pretty average automatic white balance in artificial light
• No mass storage device USB mode
• Built in microphone not great, and not usable for audio notes (EOS-1 series feature)
• Auto LCD brightness control can mean preview image doesn’t match recorded image
• Even with My Menu system, mirror lockup not as easy to use as other brands
• No selectable lower and upper limit for auto ISO
• No built-in flash (would be useful, if not essential)
• Weather sealing not as good as some competitors
• Continuous shooting speed slowest of any current full frame DSLR
• Doesn’t have quite as much highlight dynamic range ‘headroom’ (in RAW) as the D700 or Alpha 900