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8.7 out of 10

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

21.1 megapixels

Information found in: from 296 sources in 29 countries

Great Deal: $1,849.00

  • User Score (1879)
    9.3 9.3 from 1879 reviewers
  • Expert Score (40)
    9.1 9.1 from 40 reviewers
  • Design (21)
    8.4 8.4 from 21 reviewers
  • Value for money (131)
    8.4 8.4 from 131 reviewers
  • Features (103)
    9.0 9.0 from 103 reviewers
  • Ease of use (114)
    8.5 8.5 from 114 reviewers
  • Performance (74)
    8.4 8.4 from 74 reviewers
  • Picture quality (135)
    9.0 9.0 from 135 reviewers
  • Durability (8)
    8.1 8.1 from 8 reviewers
  • Reliability (6)
    9.5 9.5 from 6 reviewers
  • Overall quality (32)
    8.9 8.9 from 32 reviewers
  • Battery performance (8)
    8.8 8.8 from 8 reviewers
  • Display (62)
    8.7 8.7 from 62 reviewers
  • Construction (10)
    8.7 8.7 from 10 reviewers
  • Photo quality (10)
    9.5 9.5 from 10 reviewers
  • Video quality (10)
    9.3 9.3 from 10 reviewers
  • Ergonomics (54)
    8.1 8.1 from 54 reviewers
  • Equipment (4)
    8.1 8.1 from 4 reviewers
  • Portability (8)
    8.4 8.4 from 8 reviewers
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  • Score Distribution

Experts:
9-10
(31)
7-8
(9)
5-6
(0)
3-4
(0)
1-2
(0)
Users:
9-10
(1195)
7-8
(238)
5-6
(50)
3-4
(21)
1-2
(31)

  • Expert Reviews

  1. Camera Labs

    Camera Labs
    9.1/10
    1 December 2008

    The new EOS 5D Mark II may share essentially the same body and AF system as its predecessor, but almost everything else has changed. The sensor’s been boosted to 21.1 Megapixels, matching Canon’s flagship EOS 1Ds Mark III... Read more

    • High resolution, low noise images., 1080p movies with mic input and HDMI output., VGA screen with accurate Live View., Good build, viewfinder and ergonomics.
    • Continuous shooting at ‘only’ 3.9fps., No popup flash., Viewfinder doesn't offer 100% coverage., Not fully environmentally sealed.

  2. Imaging Resource

    Imaging Resource
    7 July 2009

    The Canon 5D Mark II is indeed a premium digital SLR. It's not just the very high resolution that makes it stand out, but the excellent high ISO performance, effectively giving you the freedom to shoot handheld in conditions... Read more

    • Excellent image quality, Solid construction, Well-placed controls, Large viewfinder, 3 comprehensive status displays, 14-bit Analog to Digital conversion, Wide ISO range, Excellent high ISO performance, Faster frame rate t...
    • JPEGs are slightly soft, Camera may be too large for those with smaller hands, Doesn't accept EF-S lenses, No pop-up flash, Only single cross-type AF sensor, AF array is small compared to overall image area, Relatively slo...

  3. Digitaltrends

    Digitaltrends
    8.5/10
    12 January 2009

    A 21.1MP D-SLR camera capable of recording 1080p video, the EOS 5D comes highly recommended for its superior performance. Read more

    • First full-frame 21.1MP D-SLR to also record HD video, Nice-looking LCD, Takes good stills and videos
    • Expensive, No flash, Poor mono mic

  4. What Digital Camera

    What Digital Camera
    9.2/10
    10 January 2009

    Traditionally, Canon and Nikon's approach to the pro market was to have one model built for speed and one for cold, hard resolution, though the advent of highly-specified offshoots at a cheaper price point means that this Read more

    • Excellent image quality, good noise control, colour rendition, great LCD screen, usable video
    • ISO 25,600 unusable, banding at high ISO's, chromatic aberrations fail to be removed, users may have preferred faster burst rate and/or more advanced focusing system to the inclusion of video mode

  5. consumersearch.com

    16 November 2011

    The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is the only full-frame digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera that can shoot full HD video -- and one of the few that shoots video at all -- and reviews also give the Canon digital SLR top marks for Read more

    • Shoots full 1080p HD video, Full-frame sensor, 21.1-megapixel resolution, Outstanding low-light image quality, Self-cleaning sensor
    • No built- in flash, Not ideal for fast action shots, Movie mode not easy to access, Hard to hold steady for movies, Autofocus doesn 't work well for movies

  6. infoSync World

    infoSync World
    8.8/10
    11 January 2009

    There aren't many DSLRs that can compete with the Canon Eos 5D Mark II. This 21-megapixel professional DSLR has burrowed itself into a rather unconventional hole within the pegboard of the advanced DSLR market, courtesy not... Read more

    • Excellent still image and video quality. Solid design and great interface. Accommodates Canon’s best glass, in addition to a variety of other accessories.
    • Records to CF cards, which are slowly becoming extinct. Not terribly feature-rich. 21-megapixel RAW images eat memory like it's their Birthday.

  7. Camcorder Info

    Camcorder Info
    27 July 2009

    Color & Noise Performance The Canon 5D Mark II had good color accuracy and strong saturation levels in our bright light testing. The colors were even more accurate than those rendered by the Canon T1i, Nikon D5000, and... Read more

  8. DigitalCameraInfo.com

    DigitalCameraInfo.com
    4 June 2009

    The full-frame, 21.1-megapixel Canon 5D Mark II aced our color accuracy and dynamic range tests, and captures 1080p movies with extraordinary quality. Read more

  9. Digital Camera Review

    Digital Camera Review
    26 May 2009

    The Canon EOS 5D Mark II , the successor to the very popular full-frame 5D, was a long time coming, arriving on the scene about three years after its predecessor, the first (relatively) affordable full-frame DSLR, the 5D. Read more

  10. Steve's Digicams

    Steve's Digicams
    19 January 2009

    In The United States? Check out these stores: In Europe? Check out these stores: Specifications Physical Views Features & Controls Features & Controls (cont.) Record Mode Screens & Menus Playback Screens & Menus Canon... Read more

  • User Reviews

  1. My Son's Birthday

    Bestbuy
    10/10
    Reviewer: coles4913, Bestbuy
    10 November 2011

    I bought this for my son's 10th birthday. HE ABSOLUTELY ADORES IT! It's picture quality is top notch and is very compact for it. It is literally pictures taken out of a movie. Read more

    • Everything
    • A little bit to advanced

  2. So close to the perfect camera

    Amazon
    10/10
    Reviewer: J. Howell, Amazon
    20 October 2011 See Product at Amazon ($2,218.00)

    I've been using a 5D Mark II since it's introduction back in late 2008. I preordered one as soon as it was available and have been using it since the beginning for wedding and portraits. Read more or see product

  3. A month with the 5d Mark II

    Abes of Maine
    8.0/10
    Reviewer: Paul James, Abes of Maine
    13 October 2010

    I had been dreaming about a 5D2 for a least a year. As they were becoming scarce, I decided to bite the bullet and buy one. Bottom line: it is an amazing camera and the image quality makes up for some of it's short comings. Read more

    • Amazing resolution, Feels good in use, Large Clear LCD
    • "Dust" on focusing screen, Body could be tougher, Unacceptable old AF

  4. 5D MarkII Great With A Little Effort

    7.2/10
    Reviewer: JosephDetroit, dpreview.com
    21 December 2011

    Soft Focus Detraction but overall a good camera. Love the full-frame sensor. Color and contrast are excellent. Not fully a Pro camera, but excellent quality and price point for the serious photographer. Read more

    • Soft Focus Detraction but overall a good camera. Love the full-frame sensor. Color and contrast are excellent. Not fully a Pro camera, but excellent quality and price point for the serious photographer. At 21MP, the pixel ...
    • Soft Focus Detraction - even with L series lenses. "Soft Focus" is almost an adjective used to describe Canon. For the price, I expected much more. Sharper images are possible but take more effort - lost 1.5 points for wel...

  5. My Dream Camera

    J&R
    10/10
    Reviewer: Kirsten Leah, J&R
    2 July 2010

    This was my dream camera and has not disappointed me. The controls are easy to use, the menu is easy to navigate and the quality is nothing short of exceptional. Read more

    • Easy To Use, Fast Shutter Speed, Good Image Quality, Good Image Stabilization, High ISO Performance, Large Clear LCD, Quiet
    • Heavy bulky

  6. Simply the best!

    Newegg
    10/10
    Reviewer: Knuckleheadfilms, Newegg
    29 March 2011

    This is my second 5D mkII, bought to use as a second camera for my film shoots. I also own a Canon 60D, and while I love the rotating viewfinder on the 60D, nothing compares to the look of the 5D mkII. Read more

    • Full frame. Excellent low light capabilities. Bokeh. Superb kit lens. Long battery life. Compact when compared to professional video cameras. 24p.
    • None.

  7. Another happy user

    8.0/10
    Reviewer: By buckyfellini, buydig.com
    2 weeks ago

    So far I'm most impressed with the ability to work with these files in post - lots of latitude to play with. I'm also happy to buy now even though the next generation 5D will be coming out. Read more

    • Good Image Quality, High ISO Performance

  8. "Best camera I've ever owned."

    CNET
    10/10
    Reviewer: johnnyg77, CNET
    28 January 2011

    I replaced my Canon 40D with the 5D MkII when it first came out over a year ago. I use it with a 24-105 lens which is extremely sharp and very colorful. I really can't think of anything I don't like about the camera. Read more

    • I rarely get a bad picture and the full frame Raw files are very easy to crop with plenty of resolution left afterward. I love this camera!
    • I can't think of any.

  9. Nice

    WolfCamera.com
    8.0/10
    Reviewer: Bill, WolfCamera.com
    29 October 2011

    I really don't have "cons" with this camera. I shoot in many environments and the camera has performed well. This is not a camera for the novice or for someone who has not mastered manual settings. Read more

    • Easy To Use, Good Image Quality, High ISO Performance

  10. great camera

    CompUSA.com
    10/10
    Reviewer: 5d camera, CompUSA.com
    29 November 2011

    This a great camera. Already own a couple of 7D's for a small wedding video business we started. We wanted to upgrade and try this one out. It is great and we really love it. Takes great video and pictures. Read more

  • WikiFreak Description

Canon EOS 5D mark II

The Canon EOS 5D mark II is a Digital SLR camera that features high performance for high expectation.

Features

The Canon EOS 5D mark II incorporates a 21.1 mega pixel full-frame CMOS sensor with 14-bit A/D conversion that supports 16384 colours/ each of 3 primary colours. Besides that, it also has a wide range ISO setting of 100 – 6400 and is expandable to L: 50, H1: 12800 and H2: 25600. Since it is full-frame, all lenses also deliver the angle of view they would on a 35 …

See more
Edit

Canon EOS 5D mark II

The Canon EOS 5D mark II is a Digital SLR camera that features high performance for high expectation.

Features

The Canon EOS 5D mark II incorporates a 21.1 mega pixel full-frame CMOS sensor with 14-bit A/D conversion that supports 16384 colours/ each of 3 primary colours. Besides that, it also has a wide range ISO setting of 100 – 6400 and is expandable to L: 50, H1: 12800 and H2: 25600. Since it is full-frame, all lenses also deliver the angle of view they would on a 35 mm camera without a conversion factor, making the camera come in handy especially when shooting with wide-angle lenses. Not only that, the Canon EOS 5D mark II also features full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution for up to 4 GB per clip with HDMi output for HD viewing of stills and video, as well as Live View function. This means that the Canon EOS 5D mark II is capable of shooting clips of almost half an hour long at full 1080 resolution, with the possibility to shoot broadcast quality video by simply changing the settings. In addition to that, the Canon EOS 5D mark II also incorporates next generation DIGIC 4 Image Processor for faster processing of fine detail and colour reproduction as well as reduced image noise. Not only that, processor intensive operations like face detection live mode, HD video recording and lighting and lens peripheral optimization are all made possible. The Canon EOS 5D mark II also features cutting-edge autofocus with high performance of up to 3.8 fps continuous shooting, new shutter with a durability of 150,000 cycles and improved weather resistant body. There are also more features in live view mode, with live view function for stills (including Quick, Live and Face Detection AF modes), and video. With such features, you can zoom in and navigate the composition 5x or 10x normal size. There’s even a grid overlay, as well as a built-in microphone to record sound. Alternatively, an external microphone can be connected to the camera’s microphone input terminal for sound recording. Besides that, playback modes are also available in the camera and all Live View AF feature can also be used in shooting video. Not only that, the Canon EOS 5D mark II incorporates a 3.0 inch clear view LCD monitor with anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coatings.

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  • Manufacturer's Description

Canon’s update to the wildly popular full frame EOS 5D is here, and it’s better than ever. The EOS 5D Mark II has a stunning 21.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor with DIGIC 4 Image Processor, a vast ISO Range of 100-6400 (expandable to ISO L: 50, H1: 12800 and H2: 25600), plus EOS technologies like Auto Lighting Optimizer and Peripheral Illumination Correction. It supports Live View shooting, Live View HD videos, and more. It can shoot up to 3.9 fps, has 9 AF points …

Specifications

  • Alternative names
    EOS-5D Mark II
  • Format
    SLR
  • Max resolution
    5616 x 3744
  • Low resolution
    4080 x 2720, 2784 x 1856, 5616 x 3744, 3861 x 2574, 2784 x 1856
  • Image ratio w:h
    3:2
  • Effective pixels
    21.0 million
  • Sensor photo detectors
    22.0 million
  • Sensor size
    36 x 24 mm (8.64 cm²)
  • Pixel density
    2.4 MP/cm²
  • Sensor type
    CMOS
  • Sensor manufacturer
    Canon

Release Date

  • First seen
    12 March 2008

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