| Likes |
|
- Full-frame sensor preserves original optical perspective of EF lenses
- Produces sharp images with low noise
- Rendered colors were incredibly accurate
- Interchangeable focusing screens
- Comfortable grip (improved from 20D)
- 2.5-inch LCD screen offers much more viewing area with increased resolution
- Includes Spot metering (unlike 20D)
- Picture Styles are quite useful and work to ensure rich accurate colors are attained
- Nice large viewfinder display
- Interchangeable viewfinder screens
- ISO in 1/3-stop increments
- Expansive set of white balance options
- 30-1/8000 shutter speed range
|
| Dislikes |
- Consumer-grade exterior
- Limited protection from elements
- LCD washes out easily in bright light
- Max burst speed of 3 frames per second
- X-Sync is just 1/200 (1/500 would have been nice)
- Too many useful features thrown into the custom functions subsection
- 96% frame coverage (in viewfinder) is acceptable, but 100% would be desired
- Displayed difficulty metering in extreme low light situations |
Conclusion
Following our period of evaluation with the Canon EOS 5D, we can fully confirm that the camera is indeed all it’s slated to be. Images produced with the camera’s 35.8mm x 23.9mm 12.8 megapixel full frame CMOS sensor were sharp and contained low noise. While the camera is not meant for speed, its 4-channel readout and DIGIC II processor handled volumes of large files with ease – processing 15 RAW images in under 22 seconds. However, the biggest surprise was the effectiveness of the newly implemented Picture Style settings. While it is slightly deceiving at first (since “0’s” are not equal to other “0” settings), the amount of control provided by the parameters was enlightening. Colors can be made to accurately reproduce the scene or slightly embellish the look and saturate the tones nicely, adding vibrancy. The design of the camera made it easy to handle and it fit my hands better than any Canon DSLR released to date. Other than a disappointing LCD screen and limited x-sync, the EOS 5D is about all consumers can ask for at a retail price of $3299. Currently, the 5D is truly without competition.
