Canon EOS 5D

Model Design / Appearance (8.75)
The Canon EOS 5D bears a close resemblance to the preceding 20D, though in the areas where the 5D departs from the 20D template, the 5D picks up styling from the 1D series. The 5D's viewfinder hump looks very much like the 1D's and clearly has its lineage in the Canon EOS 1N and 1V 35mm film bodies. The prism barely overhangs the lens mount. It also has the very smooth curves of the 1D's hump. One big reason that the 5D has a smoother hump than the 20D is that it lacks the 20D's built-in flash. The flash and the swing-up mechanism add bulk and flat planes to the 20D, and the seams between the flash and the rest of the body break up the surface of the 20D. The smooth top of the 5D is much more appealing to look at, though many users would like a pop-up unit for fill and portrait catchlights.

All three digital models have leather-textured rubber on their griping areas, and a rough matte texture on the top surfaces; however, the size of the 5D’s grip falls directly between the 20D and 1D. The grip on the 5D also has a more exaggerated finger indention than that on the 20D and adds a strong visual accent.

The shell of the EOS 5D is formed of magnesium alloy, creating a durable housing that retains the feel and portability of a traditional 35mm SLR. The Canon 5D does not contain a fixed vertical grip like the 1D series models, which extends the body more than an inch, although an accessory battery grip can be applied. The effect is a camera that retains a bit of the look of Canon’s 35mm EOS 1V body, while appearing more "professional" than the 20D. However, professional shooters that are drawn to the 5D will likely appreciate its more inconspicuous appearance.

Size / Portability (7.5)
The Canon 5D measures 6 x 4.5 x 3 inches and weighs 31.5 ounces with its battery. It's bigger in every dimension than Canon's 20D, which is 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.8 inches and 27.2 ounces, but it's much closer in size to the 20D than either of Canon’s 1D cameras, which are more than 6 inches tall and well over four pounds. Given what's stuffed into the 5D – a full-frame sensor, and the electronics to record 12.8 megapixel RAW images to memory at 3 frames per second – the size is amazing and will really be advantageous to a range of shooters. The size and capabilities of the 5D truly make it a viable option for both amateurs and professionals alike.

Handling Ability (8.5)
The Canon 5D is a pleasure to use. Canon's Quick Controller dial really is a quick control to operate. It falls nicely under the user's thumb, given the well-contoured handgrip. The lack of a vertical grip will bother some users, but a vertical grip would have made the camera far longer and bulkier. Canon was clearly aiming for a 20D-sized camera. We tested the Canon 5D with a 16-35mm f/2.8 zoom and a 24-70mm f/2.8. They're both big lenses, and the camera balances well with them. I found that my left hand carried most of the weight, typically from under the lens, just forward of the mount. The camera feels very much like the 20D, but noticeably larger – the grip feels bigger in particular. If the 20D feels heavy to someone, the 5D's extra four ounces would be noticeable, and might be a problem. However, for photographers used to shooting with larger "pro bodied" cameras, the 5D will be a gift. It is far lighter without sacrificing much in the way of stability. However, with the size reduction, there is obviously some sacrifice in durability. The 5D feels far more substantial than the 20D and certainly the Rebel XT, but it will not withstand the beating a 1D series camera could endure.

The grip on the 5D is larger than that on the EOS 20D, but not quite as chunky as the grip on a 1D model. However, more important to me was the increased finger indention carved into the 5D’s grip. The indention creates a much more stable feel than that of the EOS 20D and helps to balance the 5D’s additional weight. I think most users that pick up the 5D would gladly take the modified grip and extra 4 ounces. While the camera’s electronics alone are impressive, I would have to say for my grasp, the 5D is the most well sculpted body Canon currently has out on the market.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size (8.0)
The Canon 5D mirrors the control layout of the 20D almost exactly. 20D users who step up to the 5D from the 20D won't have to learn much in the way of interface, barring a couple of exceptions. There are no longer any scene modes on the mode dial. Canon added a print button to the back of the camera as well (yes, there is a direct print button on the 5D, but not on the 20D – seems odd, doesn’t it?). The depth of field preview is on the left of the mount on the 5D, opposite the spot where it's found on the EOS 1D Mark II n. That's a minor thing for users who might upgrade, but for photographers who shoot with two bodies, having consistent controls from body to body is a real advantage. One particularly welcome control that made its way from the 20D to the 5D is the small, rocking four-way navigation device for panning across magnified images. It's a great control, and it's unfortunate that the 1D series cameras don't have it.

Controls on the 5D also retain the 20D’s style of engagement. Users must either press a single button or do so in conjunction with rotating a dial. Unlike the 1D series cameras, the 5D does not require users to hold multiple buttons and then rotate a dial to render setting alterations. This configuration is far more simple and intuitive for the majority of users, although it will not be nearly as secure against accidental engagement as the controls and settings on the 1D models.

All in all, it would be much easier to switch between the 5D and the 20D than the 1D and the 5D. It may well be that the wedding shooters who rely on the 20D are going to have a good time combining their regular 20D shots with the 5D for higher resolution, better quality portraits, and group shots, while photojournalists and other 1D Mark II n-shooters will have a rougher time swapping between the two because of the few control discrepancies.

The other buttons and dials on the Canon 5D feel sturdy and are easy to use. They don't wobble or rattle, and seem durable. Those who have shot with any Canon SLR for a while will not require much of a learning curve to adjust to the layout of the 5D. The only major button modification from the 20D worth noting is the improvement of the jump feature. In playback mode, the button will now enable movement forwards or backwards by 10 images, 100 images, by date, or by folder. The jump feature is also functional in thumbnail and magnified views, allowing users to scroll though their recorded images while maintaining a constant viewing perspective.

Menu (8.0)
An experienced Canon user certainly wouldn't get lost altering settings on a Canon 5D – the menus are almost exactly alike. More importantly, they're easy to navigate, with color-coding, Icons, and a "Jump" feature to move through the list.

The list of menu options below is substantial, but it could have been longer. Canon tossed another 21 items into the "Custom Functions" submenu. It would be best if those buried 21 items were things that no one used frequently, but more than a few users will probably resent digging so deep for mirror lockup, ISO expansion, and front/rear-curtain flash sync.

Custom
Item	Function
SET button function	Chooses what the SET button does
Long exposure noise reduction	Reduces noise in long exposures
Flash sync speed in Av mode	Chooses slow sync or default of 1/200
Shutter button / AE lock button	Chooses what gets locked with half-press of shutter release or the star button
AF-assist beam / Flash firing	Turns beam on or off
Exposure level increments	Chooses between 1/2 and 1/3 stops
Flash firing	Determines whether flash fires
ISO Expansion	Chooses to enable ISO 50 and 3200
Bracket sequence / auto cancel	Permits user to select order in which bracket
Superimposed display	Chooses to highlight autofocus sensors in viewfinder
Menu button return position	Chooses whether the last menu used shows up when the Menu button is pressed
Mirror Lockup	Chooses to flip up mirror separate from actual exposure, to limit vibration
AF point selection method	Sets whether to use the multi-controller, the Quick control dial, or the button combination to select autofocus sites
E-TTL II	Selects metering pattern for flash
Shutter curtain sync	Sets first or second curtain sync
Safety shift in Av or Tv	Picks between enable or disable
AF point activation area	Chooses to enable supplemental autofocus sites (see the Auto Focus section of this review)
LCD display return to shoot	Determines whether hitting any shooting control will switch the camera from Playback to shooting mode
Lens AF stop button function	Determines the effect of pressing the AF stop button available on some lenses
Add original decision data	User can decide to have feature On or Off
Focusing Screen	Sets to accommodate various focusing screens

Ease of Use (6.5)
To photographers familiar with Canon EOS DSLRs, the 5D will offer a seamless transition. The tendency to retain much in the way of positioning, layout, and functionality has historically been a particular strength of Canons and the 5D continues the trend.

Aside from some slight cosmetic variations, the lack of preset modes, and the omission of a pop-up flash, the 5D is virtually the same camera to handle as the 20D. However, the limited automatic options and need for an additional flash and lens does require slightly more engagement by the user. The 5D does contain a Full Auto, Program AE, and both semi-automatic Priority modes; however, the 5D certainly does not seem destined for any sort of point-and-shoot crowd. The 5D can still be used with minimal skill, but to fully realize all of its capabilities, users will have to expend some effort.