Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Recording Options (7.50)

The Canon 5D Mark II uses the H.264 codec to compress video, which is the same system used on the Canon T1i. Files are saved in the MOV format so they’re compatible with most editing programs and media players. The H.264 compression used by the camera is similar to AVCHD, although it is not exactly the same and the camera doesn’t carry the AVCHD branding that is featured on Canon’s HD camcorders. The camcorder uses a 30p frame rate to capture video in both its 1920 × 1080 HD mode and its 640 × 480 standard definition setting. Video will stop recording if a single file size reaches 4GB or if the movie time goes over 29 minutes and 59 seconds. Find out how the 5D Mark II performed in our video image quality test.

Format	Resolution	Codec
	1920 x 1080	H.264
	640 x 480	H.264

Video Controls (6.00)

When the Canon 5D Mark II was first released, the camera offered no manual controls when shooting video. Canon has since released a firmware upgrade to fix this problem. With the new firmware (which was installed on the model we tested), the 5D Mark II offers a decent range of manual controls and using them was quite simple and pleasant.

Auto Controls

As far as auto controls go, the 5D Mark II suffers from not having a live autofocus feature. This is a problem with all video-capable DSLRs, with the notable exception of the Panasonic GH1. The GH1 gets around this issue, however, because it isn’t really a true DSLR (it uses the Micro Four Thirds lens system) and it offers an electronic viewfinder instead of an optical one.

So, the 5D Mark II cannot keep a consistent autofocus while shooting video like a camcorder can. You must press the autofocus button to change focus, or you can do so manually by rotating the focus ring on the lens. Its probably not a good idea to press the autofocus button while you’re shooting video anyway—the autofocus motor is very noisy (the sound will definitely be picked up by the built-in mic) and the exposure levels are altered for a moment while the camera attempts to focus (something you’ll probably want to edit out later).

Auto exposure was okay on the camera, but the light levels shifted in a step-like manner as we moved from bright to dark scenes. Again, as with the autofocus motor, this exposure adjustment was quite noisy.

Zoom

Zoom is controlled via the zoom ring on the camera’s lens. The amount of optical zoom available depends on what lens is attached to the camera.

Focus

Focus can be set manually using the focus ring on the camera’s lens. There’s also a 5x and 10x digital zoom option that act as a focus assist. Pressing the digital zoom button blows up the image to help you focus. This digital enhancement cannot be used while shooting video (only before you’ve started recording).

Exposure Controls

Exposure, aperture, and shutter speed can all be controlled manually on the 5D Mark II (thanks to the firmware upgrade). Exposure can be adjusted in any mode (except the auto modes) and it is done by rotating the large dial on the back of the camera. Exposure control ranges from -2 to +2 and can be set in 1/3 or 1/2 EV increments (the increments can be changed in the camera’s menu). The AF/AE lock feature also works with video and you can use it to lock a certain exposure or focus for the duration of a shot.

Aperture and shutter speed can only be set for video when the camera is in Manual mode (M on the mode dial). Shutter-priority and Aperture-priority modes do not work for shooting video. In Manual mode you can, however, adjust both aperture and shutter speed before or while you are recording video. This means you can actually change aperture during a shot if you want to alter depth of field or adjust exposure levels. Changing both shutter speed and aperture is somewhat noisy—the dials make noise, as do the camera’s internal components—so it may be irritating to do so while recording (if the recorded audio is important to you, that is).

Other Controls

ISO can be set manually on the 5D Mark II and the camera offers a generous range of ISO settings for video recording. ISO can be set from 100 – 6400 (expandable to 12800 in the menu) in video mode. Like aperture, exposure, and shutter speed, ISO settings can even be altered while you are recording. ISO can also be set to automatic even when you’re in Manual mode on the camera. This allows you to make adjustments to shutter speed and aperture, while keeping ISO in automated control.

There are also the color modes, which we talked about earlier in the Video: Color section of our review. In addition to the preset color options on the camera, you can make custom settings by manually setting sharpness, contrast, saturation, and color tone.

The 5D Mark II has a switch in its menu to go between NTSC and PAL output. While this won’t change the way the camera captures video, it is a handy feature to have if you’re traveling overseas and you want to connect the camera to a PAL television.

Audio Features (2.25)

DSLRs definitely aren’t known for their audio capabilities, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the 5D Mark II is limited in that category. The camera does have one audio feature that sets it apart from the crowd, however—a 3.5mm external mic jack. Connecting a mic via the jack allows you to record stereo audio, as well as place an external microphone farther away from the 5D Mark II’s noisy components.

The camera’s built-in mic is awful. It’s on the front side of the body, right in the way of where you might place your fingers when you hold the camera. It picks up noise when you focus, zoom, or change any of the camera’s settings. It also only records monaural audio using the Linear PCM codec. It’s basically the same setup featured on the Canon T1i. Other than the Panasonic GH1—which features a built-in, top-mounted, stereo mic—most DSLRs only have the bare bones of built-in audio features. This is an area where camcorders clearly have an edge over the video-capable DSLRs.