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9.3 out of 10

Canon EOS 5D mark II

21.1 megapixels

Information found in: from 187 sources in 29 countries.

Great Deal: $2,499.00

  • User Score (321)
    8.9 8.9 from 321 reviewers
  • Expert Score (30)
    8.4 8.4 from 30 reviewers
  • Value for money (31)
    9.0 9.0 from 31 reviewers
  • Features (27)
    10 10 from 27 reviewers
  • Performance (32)
    9.3 9.3 from 32 reviewers
  • Picture quality (52)
    9.9 9.9 from 52 reviewers
  • Buzz Index: 0/5
  • Activity: 5/5
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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

Type

  • Type
    Digital, single-lens reflex, AF/AE camera
  • Recording Media
    CF Card Type I and II, UDMA-compliant CF cards, via external media (USB v.2.0 hard drive, via optional Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E4A)
  • Image Sensor Size
    36.0mm x 24.0mm (35mm Full-frame)
  • Compatible Lenses
    Canon EF lenses
  • Lens Mount
    Canon EF mount

Image Sensor

  • Type
    High-sensitivity, high-resolution, large single-plate CMOS sensor
  • Pixels
    Effective pixels: Approx. 21.1 megapixels
  • Total Pixels
    Total pixels: Approx. 22.0 megapixels
  • Aspect Ratio
    3:2 (Horizontal: Vertical)
  • Color Filter System
    RGB primary color filters

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 …

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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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Review Summary

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Pros & Cons

  • bright lcd, strong construction, easy to use, great image quality, comfortable controls
  • poor in low light, no built in flash, not weather proof, af system, slow burst mode
  1. Canon EOS 5D Mark II Review

    26 May 2009

    As appealing as the camera's HD video feature is (especially for wedding photographers, photojournalists, and underwater shooters), the 5D Mark II is, first and foremost, a digital still camera. Excellent image quality and a full feature set are the camera's two biggest selling points; HD video is the icing on the cake. Whether you're stepping up from another Canon DSLR or want a back-up for a higher Canon model, the 5D Mark II is certain to appeal to the most discerning... Read more

  2. Reviewer: Dc Resource
    18 April 2009

    The EOS-5D Mark II ($2699, body only) is Canon's "budget" full frame digital SLR. It's the long-awaited replacement to the immensely popular EOS-5D, and it offers a higher resolution sensor, live view, Full HD video recording, a larger/sharper LCD, HDMI output, and much more. Read more

  3. Reviewer: Reviewed.com
    25 March 2009

    The Sony A900, also priced at $2999, delivers a league-leading 24.6-megapixel sensor, and tops the Canon 5D Mark II in our resolution testing. It also fires off continuous shots at a brisk 4.4 frames per second, quite a feat given the 20-megabyte-plus file sizes involved, and significantly faster than the 3.81 fps Canon. Also worth noting, the optical viewfinder on the Sony A900 is more accurate and comfortable than any other SLR we’ve tried to date. Here again,... Read more

  4. Canon EOS 5D Mark II review roundup

    Reviewer: Engadget
    24 March 2009

    This one's been a long time coming, but we wanted to make absolutely sure you had quite enough reading material to make the most informed decision on this incredibly expensive (albeit quite valuable, as you'll soon find out) DSLR. Reviews the web over shout practically the same thing: the EOS 5D Mark II is astounding. In most every important area, the device simply excelled. Image quality was remarkable, the 1080p video capture was stellar (though the lack of Auto Focus... Read more

  5. Canon EOS 5D Mark II

    Reviewer: PDN Gear Guide
    28 February 2009

    Feb 2, 2009 By Dan Havlik Images captured with the 5D Mark II in low light at high ISOs were stunning. With the amount of hype that surrounded the Canon EOS 5D Mark II last year, I half-expected celestial choirs to start singing in my ears once I finally got my hands on the camera. Read more

  1. The Best DSLR So Far

    Reviewer: James M. Brown, Amazon
    5 days ago See Product at Amazon ($2,699.00)
    Overall 10
    10
     

    The 5D Mark II represents the future of digital SLR photography/videography. I was fortunate to purchase my kit with the EF 24-105 f/4L at its actual list price of $3,499 through Amazon and sold by 6 Ave Electronics on December 29, 2008. That offer was only available for about 6 hours. Now that I have used the camera for 6 months, I would even now pay a significant premium over the list price to have it. In my opinion it is worth much more than the list price in terms of... Read more

  2. Reviewer: Epinions
    20 May 2009
    Overall 10
    10
     

    In writing a review of this stunning camera, I don't want to offer you simply a repeat of all the technical details that you can read on a thousand websites including Canon's. I want to offer you my own thoughts as a neutral user of this product. If ... Read more

  3. Video?

    Reviewer: NHEd, Bestbuy
    16 May 2009
    Overall 10
    10
    Value for money 10
    10
    Features 10
    10
    Ease of use 10
    10
    Picture quality 10
    10
     

    "This is one great camera who's primary focus is taking pictures, not video. People complain about the functionality of the video and I have no idea why. I don't know anyone (and I know I few) who has this camera and no one gives two hoots about the video capability as it's no more than a novelty. If you want a video camera, go buy one. Do you complain about the camera in your cell phone? I'll bet not. Do you even use it? I'll bet not. Pretty soon you will want a phone... Read more

  4. The best ever

    Reviewer: Digitalcamera HQ
    03 March 2009
    Overall 10
    10
     

    What a camera - excellent weight, low light performance even at high ISOs, and incredible sharpness. Just wish it had better metering like the Nikon D700 Read more

  5. Canon 5D Mark II - Love it!

    Reviewer: 5D Mk2 Convert, CameraWorld.com
    16 February 2009 See Product at cameraworld.com ($2,699.00)
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Read more

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