Value (9.0)
At $3300, the Canon 5D is a remarkable value. Its unusual advantages – a full-frame sensor and a 12.8 megapixel native resolution – have commanded much higher prices until now. Based purely on the market price for the technology it offers, the 5D is more than competitive: it's a bargain. The only other full-frame DSLR currently on the market goes for more than double the price of the 5D.
The full-frame sensor offers two advantages: it maintains the angle of view that most lenses currently in circulation were designed for, and it allows for larger photoreceptors on each pixel. Maintaining the maximum angle of view is particularly important for photographers who use wide angle lenses. Users who shoot wide-aperture wide-angle lenses may find this advantage reason enough to buy a 5D.
The other issue is equally important, though: a 35mm-format sensor is about twice the area as an APS-format sensor, so its pixels can be far larger. Bigger sensors mean lower noise, so the Canon 5D should appeal to photographers who want the best quality they can get. By packaging these capabilities in a camera body that is basically the size of conventional 35mm SLR, the 5D is sure to appeal to a broad range of photographers.
The Canon 5D is slow, though. At 3 fps, it won't compete as a sports camera. Its autofocus mechanism is not the best Canon offers, either. Getting action shots would be much easier with the EOS 1D Mark II n, Canon's very fast, 8.5 megapixel do-it-all pro body. While this is obviously not the market the 5D is after, it does reveal some limitations.
Nevertheless, for photographers seeking professional capabilities in a portable body, the 5D is as good as it gets right now. Assuming the price quickly dips below the $3000 mark in time for the holiday rush, the 5D will undoubtedly be tough for retailers to keep in stock.
Comparisons
Canon EOS 20D - Many of the new Canon 5D’s features are borrowed from the 20D, its similar body size being the most notable. The 20D is slightly more compact at 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.8 inches and 24.2 ounces. The 20D has an optical viewfinder with 95 percent frame coverage; the 5D improved this to 96 percent. The 20D also has a pop-up flash and picture icons on the mode dial that distinguish it from the new 5D. The Canon 20D has a 1.8-inch LCD screen with 118,000 pixels. The 5D improves this to a 2.5-inch screen with larger menu fonts and 230,000 pixels. The 5D also has a larger viewing area of 170 degrees, whereas the 20D’s is only about 80 degrees. One very notable physical change is the lens compatibility. The 20D accepts Canon EF and EF-S lenses; the 5D cannot accept EF-S lenses because of its large sensor. The Canon EOS 20D has a smaller sensor with 8.25 effective megapixels and 22 percent smaller pixels on it; the 5D has pixels that are 8.2 microns compared to the 20D’s 6.4 microns. The larger pixels produce richer colors and increase the dynamic range of the camera, so this is one area the 20D will miss out on.
Many of the functions are similar in these cameras, except the addition of scene modes on the 20D. The 5D makes improvements on a few other aspects of the 20D, including the ability to record JPEG and RAW simultaneously, the addition of a spot metering mode, an ISO 50 extension, and upgrades in the auto focus system. The 20D and 5D share a nine-point auto focus system, but the 5D adds six supplemental points that are not visible from the viewfinder. While both cameras have the predictive auto focus feature, the 5D uses a different algorithm than the 20D. The 20D and 5D both have many custom setting options, but the 5D has three that the 20D does not have: a setting to match the utilized focusing screen, a setting to choose which button will return users to shooting, and a setting for the center focal point in the AI servo auto focus mode. Another big difference between the 20D and 5D is the burst mode. The 20D shoots 5 frames per second for 23 JPEG shots, while the 5D shoots at 3 fps for 60 Large JPEGs or 17 RAWs. The Canon EOS 20D is also geared for the consumer end of the market with its $1,499 retail price.
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II – As the only other full-frame DSLR on the market, the 1Ds Mark II is dressed in a more durable magnesium alloy body than the 5D. The 1Ds Mark II has similar manual functionality with the same shutter speed range, ISO, etc. Some physical differences include the body size, which is much larger, and the smaller 2-inch LCD screen – although it does have the same 230,000 pixel resolution as the 5D’s screen. The 1Ds Mark II has an electronic viewfinder similar to the 5D’s; however, the 1Ds Mark II has 100 percent frame coverage instead of the 5D’s 96 percent. The 1Ds Mark II accepts SD cards as well as CF media and uses a different battery pack than the 5D. The 5D uses 35 zones for metering, while the 1Ds Mark II uses 21 zones. The 5D has nine auto focus points while the 1Ds Mark II has 45. Perhaps one of the biggest differences between these two SLRs is the speed. The Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II can shoot 4 frames per second for 32 consecutive shots at its smallest resolution. The 5D is a bit slower at 3 frames per second, but can shoot Large JPEGs for 60 photos straight. Another major difference is the resolution. The Canon 5D has 12.8 effective megapixels on its CMOS. The Mark II includes 16.7 effective megapixels on its ever-so-slightly larger CMOS plate and retails for $7,999.
Canon EOS 1D Mark II n - This new release from Canon is touted as the “world’s fastest digital SLR” with its 8.5 frame-per-second burst rate. The speed is backed by endurance too; the Mark II n can shoot for 48 frames at that speedy rate before pausing to record images to memory. With 8.2 megapixels, the EOS 1D Mark II n combines its CMOS sensor with the same DIGIC II image processor that is on the Canon 5D. The 5D does have an overall larger image sensor with 12.8 effective megapixels, but can’t match the 1D Mark II n’s speed as the 5D can only shoot 3 frames per second. Canon’s 1D Mark II n can shoot in JPEG, RAW, and RAW+JPEG formats like the 5D. The 1D Mark II n can also record the same image to CompactFlash and SD cards simultaneously, which the 5D cannot do as it only accepts CF cards. The two DSLRs have very similar feature sets and control options, with only minor changes here and there. The 5D has nine auto focus points, while the Canon 1D Mark II n has 45. The 5D does have a predictive auto focus mode, which the Mark II n does not have. The 1D Mark II n uses 21 zones for metering, while the 5D uses 35 zones. These digital SLRs do share Canon’s new Picture Styles menu, which groups image parameters like sharpness and contrast together. The Mark II n’s body is constructed from the same materials as the 5D and the Mark II n even comes with the same large 2.5-inch, 230,000 pixel LCD monitor. However, the 5D is much smaller than the Canon 1D Mark II n’s 6.1 x 6.2 x 3.1-inch, 43-ounce body and not nearly as durable. The bodies have the same viewfinder, but the Canon 1D Mark II n’s has better coverage at 100 percent, whereas the 5D has only 96 percent. With speed as its main selling point, the Canon EOS 1D Mark II n retails for $3,999.
Nikon D2Hs - This DSLR has a faithful following of professionals such as newspaper photographers who need speed but not necessarily a massive megapixel count. The Nikon D2Hs has a much smaller sensor than the 5D. The Nikon also uses a CCD sensor rather than a CMOS. The D2Hs has 4.1 effective megapixels and can shoot 8 frames per second for 50 consecutive JPEG shots. The Nikon camera body is a lot bigger at 6.2 x 5.9 x 3.4 inches and accepts Nikkor AF-S, DX, VR, D, and G-type lenses. While the Nikon D2Hs and the Canon 5D flaunt manual functionality, there are a few differences in their specs – not to mention the way they are manufactured. The Nikon has an 11-point auto focus system and more range in its exposure compensation scale. The Nikon offers exposure values from +5 to -5, while the Canon offers the standard +/-2 range. The Nikon D2Hs has a wider shutter speed range as well. The Canon 5D offers 30-1/8000th of a second, while the Nikon offers a faster speed of 1/16000th of a second. The Nikon D2Hs has a relatively truncated ISO range with 200-1600 options as opposed to the Canon’s broad 50-3200 range (when expanded). When speed is not an issue, the Nikon D2Hs has vast self-timer options of 2, 5, 10, and 20 seconds – compared with the 5D’s selectable 2 or 10 seconds. Both the Canon 5D and Nikon D2Hs have 2.5-inch LCD screens, but the Nikon’s has 2,000 more pixels of resolution on it. The D2Hs cannot simultaneously record JPEG and RAW images to its CompactFlash or Microdrive media, but it does sport wireless capabilities that allow users to send photographs to a computer or sync with a GPS tracking system. The Nikon D2Hs retails for $3,499.
Nikon D2X - This model will be the closest competition from Nikon in terms of megapixels. The D2X sports 12.4 effective megapixels on its much smaller DX CMOS image sensor. With typical Nikon compatibility, this DSLR accepts AF-S, DX, VR, D, and G-type lenses onto its 6.2 x 5.9 x 3.4-inch camera body. A similar 2.5-inch LCD monitor is located on the back of the D2X, but it comes with 235,000 pixels. The Nikon DSLRs have similar functions such as an exposure compensation range of +/- 5, an 11-area auto focus system, and self-timer options of 2, 5, 10, and 20 seconds. The Nikon D2X differs in its shorter shutter speed range, which is the same as the Canon 5D’s. The Nikon D2X also has a shorter ISO range from 100-800, as compared with the Canon 5D’s extended 50-3200 range. Both Nikons have HI-1 and HI-2 options for higher ISOs, but those still don’t equate to the 3200 offering on the 5D. The Nikon D2X offers compatibility with not only CompactFlash Type I and II cards, but Microdrive as well. It can shoot in RAW, JPEG, and TIFF modes, unlike the Canon 5D, and can also record monaural audio clips. The Nikon D2X also has wireless capabilities to sync with computers. This Nikon can shoot 5 frames per second for 22 consecutive images at full resolution or 8 frames per second in lower resolution. The Nikon D2X retails for $4,999.
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro - The S3 Pro has a similarly sized 5.8 x 5.3 x 3.1-inch camera body, but this model is a very different animal. With 12.3 interpolated megapixels, its CCD sensor offers more dynamic range than other digital SLRs in this section. The Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro seems more designed for studio shooting, as its burst mode is terribly slow for a DSLR. It shoots 2.5 frames per second at its fastest – and only for 7 consecutive frames. The S3 Pro offers compatibility with CompactFlash, Microdrive, and xD-Picture card media; the camera can shoot in RAW and JPEG formats, but not simultaneously like the Canon 5D. The Fujifilm S3 uses a 5-area auto focus system, which is also a bit inept for a digital SLR. This camera has a Nikon F mount on its polycarbonate body, as well as an electronic viewfinder and LCD. The viewfinder isn’t as accurate as the one on the 5D. The Canon 5D’s gets 96 percent frame coverage, while the Fujifilm S3 Pro gets 93 percent vertical and 95 percent horizontal coverage of the field. The S3 Pro comes short in its 100-1600 ISO range and its 30-1/4000th of a second shutter speed range. It does not have the vast expanse of fine-tuning available in the white balance mode; there are no Kelvin color temperatures or bracketing settings. This model has a liquid crystal display that is smaller than the 5D’s at 2 inches, but it offers more resolution with its 235,000 pixels. One of the extremely unique aspects of the Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro is its power source. It runs on 4 AA batteries unlike the 5D and many other digital SLRs that run on battery packs. The S3 pro retails for around $2,500.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters - Though the Canon 5D has a completely automated mode – you can point and shoot with it – it's really not the right camera for that. It lacks scene modes, which are useful to people who don't have insight into exposure variables. The camera is large and heavy, compared to compact cameras. The images are large files on disk. And of course, it costs about $3,000 more than you need to spend to get a decent point-and-shoot.
Budget Consumers - The Canon 5D is a great camera for budget consumers with enormous budgets, and I’m not being facetious. The 5D is the cheapest 12-plus megapixel DSLR on the market by a couple thousand dollars, and it's the cheapest full-frame DSLR by a wider margin.
Gadget Freaks - Gadget freaks should run out and buy at least one Canon 5D. The sensor size, mechanics, and throughput are cutting-edge, and it's quite compact for what it does. And with the file sizes the 5D produces, gadget freaks will feel justified buying CF cards in cutting-edge large capacities.
Manual Control Freaks - The Canon 5D isn't any more manual than other upper-level DSLRs, but when you consider that image quality motivates most manual control freaks, the full-frame sensor is probably very important to this segment. It indicates that the camera should produce low-noise images. Manual control freaks will probably consider the 5D carefully, and many of them will be very happy with it.
Pros / Serious Hobbyists - Serious, careful shooters are the target market for the Canon 5D. Its unusual advantage, a full-frame sensor, is only currently available on one other DSLR – the $8000+ Canon 1Ds Mark II. More than a few photographers will buy it just to get the most out of their existing wide angle lenses. Its 12.8 megapixel resolution is also currently rare, and only available elsewhere for thousands of dollars more.
