Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital Camera Review

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Digital Camera Review

4.7 The full-frame, 21.1-megapixel Canon 5D Mark II aced our color accuracy and dynamic range tests, and captures 1080p movies with extraordinary quality. But it's not the perfect all-in-one still and video camera: there are still too many quirks.
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  Canon 50D Comparison Summary  
x While the 50D costs roughly half as much, our lab testing revealed several areas where it actually outperformed the 5D Mark II.
x Video Features Page 16 of 21 Sony A900 Comparison x

 

  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

 

  Comparison Performance Scores
  Canon 5D Mark II Canon 50D
Color 13.61 14.87
Long Exposure 9.87 10.24
White Balance 14.27 15.3
Noise 6.90 6.48
Resolution 8.55 8.28
Shot to Shot 3.81 6.06
Dynamic Range 8.96 6.98

 

  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
CamcorderInfo.com 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
  x x
  Canon 5D Mark II Canon 50D
ISO 50 x  
x  
  Canon 5D Mark II Canon 50D
ISO 100 x x
x x
  Canon 5D Mark II Canon 50D
ISO 200 x x
x x
  Canon 5D Mark II Canon 50D
ISO 400 x x
x x
  Canon 5D Mark II Canon 50D
ISO 800 x x
x x
  Canon 5D Mark II Canon 50D
ISO 1600 x x
x x
  Canon 5D Mark II Canon 50D
ISO 3200 x x
x x
  Canon 5D Mark II Canon 50D
ISO 6400 x x
x x
  Canon 5D Mark II Canon 50D
ISO 12800 x x
x x
  Canon 5D Mark II Canon 50D
ISO 25600 x  
x  

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.

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