Canon EOS 5D Mark II

	Canon 50D Comparison Summary
While the 50D costs roughly half as much, our lab testing revealed several areas where it actually outperformed the 5D Mark II.
	Video Features	Page 16 of 21	Sony A900 Comparison

	Comparison Specifications
	Canon 5D Mark II	Canon 50D
Price	$2699 (body only)	$1399 (body only)
Dimensions	6.0 x 4.5 x 3.0 in./152.0 x 113.5 x 75.0mm 28.6 oz./810g	5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 in./145.5 x 107.8 x 73.5mm 25.7 oz./730g
Resolution	21.1-megapixels	15.1-megapixels
Processor	DIGIC 4	DIGIC 4
Sensor size/type	36.0mm x 24.0mm (35mm Full-frame) CMOS	22.3mm x 14.9mm CMOS
Kit Lens	EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM	28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Viewfinder	Eye-level pentaprism, 0.71x magnification, 98% coverage	Eye-level pentaprism, 0.95x magnification, 95% coverage
LCD	TFT color, liquid-crystal monitor, 3 inch, 920,000 pixels	TFT color, liquid-crystal monitor, 3 inch, 920,000 pixels
Live View	Quick mode (Phase-difference detection) Live mode/Face Detection Live mode (Contrast detection) Manual focusing (5x/10x magnification possible)	Manual focus Autofocus (Live View image interrupted for AF): Quick mode, Live mode, Live Face Detection mode
Shutter Speed	1/8000 to 30 sec., bulb	1/8000 to 30 sec., bulb
Burst Speed	Max. 3.9 shots/sec.	Max. 6.3 shots/sec
Autofocus	9 AF Points (1 Cross Type) + 6 AF Assist Points	9 (Cross-type)
Exposure Compensation	Manual: ±2 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments (can be combined with AEB)	Manual: ±3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments (can be combined with AEB)
Noise Reduction	High ISO (three levels), Long Exposure	High ISO (three levels), Long Exposure
ISO range	ISO 100-6400 (in 1/3-stop or 1-stop increments), expandable to ISO 50-25600	ISO 100-3200 (in 1/3-stop increments), expandable to ISO 100-12800
Flash	External only	Retractable, auto pop-up flash
Media Format	Still: JPEG, RAW (14-bit, Canon original), sRAW1, sRAW2, RAW+JPEG Video: MOV	JPEG, RAW (14-bit, Canon original), sRAW, RAW+JPEG
Movie Mode	Yes	No
Media Type	CF, UDMA compatible	CF, UDMA compatible
Connections	USB, Video out, HDMI, WFT-E4A extension system	USB, Video out, HDMI, WFT-E3A extension system
Other Hardware	No	No

	Video: Comparison Scores
	Canon 5D Mark II	Canon 50D
Video: Color & Noise	23.88	no video capabilities
Video: Motion & Sharpness	19.59	no video capabilities
Video: Low Light Performance	27.6	no video capabilities
Video Features	20.25	no video capabilities
Exclusive - Video testing on the Canon 5D Mark II is provided by CamcorderInfo.com, the world leader in camcorder and video reviewing.

Performance
Overall the 50D held up very well, considering you'll probably pay $1000 less for it than you will with the 5D Mark II. It's faster to start, and has a better burst speed, and for most of our tests it was only a hair's breadth away from the more expensive unit in terms of performance. Except, of course, it can't record videos.

Components
The biggest component advantage that the 5D Mark II can quote is its full frame sensor, and higher megapixel count (21.1 over 15.1). The 50D has better magnification on the viewfinder and a built-in flash where the 5D Mark II does not.

Handling
The two cameras handle quite similarly, due to their shared heritage. The 5D Mark II is slightly larger and heavier, but not in such a way that you'll notice it readily. Both are robust cameras that feel very sturdy.

Controls
The controls for the 5D Mark II are almost universally a step beyond those of the 50D. There's a greatly increased ISO range, better autofocus system, a wider variety of image formats, and the much discussed video mode.

	ISO Examples
	Canon 5D Mark II	Canon 50D
ISO 50
	Canon 5D Mark II	Canon 50D
ISO 100
	Canon 5D Mark II	Canon 50D
ISO 200
	Canon 5D Mark II	Canon 50D
ISO 400
	Canon 5D Mark II	Canon 50D
ISO 800
	Canon 5D Mark II	Canon 50D
ISO 1600
	Canon 5D Mark II	Canon 50D
ISO 3200
	Canon 5D Mark II	Canon 50D
ISO 6400
	Canon 5D Mark II	Canon 50D
ISO 12800
	Canon 5D Mark II	Canon 50D
ISO 25600

NOTE: The images above are not used in our testing or scoring, but are included here to show real-world examples of the differences between cameras at the various ISO settings.