Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Announced on September 16th 2008, the EOS 5D Mark II is Canon's successor to the EOS 5D, the world's first 'compact' full frame digital SLR. The EOS 5D Mark II boasts a new 21MP CMOS sensor, an expanded ISO range of 50-25,600 and a wealth of improvements and new features including full 1080p HD movie recording, live view, 3.0" 920k dot LCD, DIGIC IV processor, increased battery capacity and sensor dust reduction.

Where to Buy

Canon EOS 5D Mark II 4
MSRP $2,699.00
Release date September, 2008
Brand Canon
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Pros & Cons21
Reviews14
Details
Buy It
Competitors5
Comments7
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
13 reviews
72
negative
mixed
positive
9 positive
1 mixed
3 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
21MP CMOS sensor
+9agreedisagree

•
1080p HD movie recording
+8agreedisagree

•
Wide range ISO setting (100-6400)
+8agreedisagree

•
Increased Battery Capacity
+7agreedisagree

•
Live View - 3.0" 920k dot LCD
+5agreedisagree

•
Fantastic professional quality video. Man, it's impressive.
+5agreedisagree

•
Full frame sensor
+4agreedisagree

•
Incredible dynamic range
+2agreedisagree

•
Automatic Distortion Correction profile for each lens type
+2agreedisagree

•
Can use all Canon EF lenses produced within the last quarter of a century
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
HD Video capture up to 4GB per clip
+4agreedisagree

•
expensive
+3agreedisagree

•
1080p30 is nice, but 1080p60 would be better
+2agreedisagree

•
no popup flash (for quick surprise shots)
+1agreedisagree

•
1080p video focussing only by pressing AF-ON button - resulting in chronically unfocused movies
+1agreedisagree

•
camera too heavy for filming off hand without stand
+1agreedisagree

•
sound recording speaker with poor quality
+1agreedisagree

•
objective lenses too noisy for video
+1agreedisagree

•
1080p video recording without continous focus - renders video feature useless
0agreedisagree

•
only external flash - expensive
0agreedisagree

•
only mono sound for video recording
0agreedisagree


14 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

A January 2009 firmware update (1.0.7) fixes a problem with vertical banding noise when recording in sRAW1 as well as the "black dot" phenomenon noticed soon after the camera was released to the public.

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This report was started September 17, 2008 at 9:48 am by Whipdaddy
with the last edit occurring September 17, 2009 at 11:31 am by Yale
This page has been viewed 2409 times, with 115 edits by 14 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Competitors

Canon EOS 5D Mark II is ranked 1st among it's competitors.  See the top picks in Digital Cameras »
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

MSRP  $1,499.95    Released  June, 2009
Pros
  • auto-focus can be used while recording video
  • stereo microphone for video recording
  • 1080p video with silent auto-focus - does not interfere with sound recording (but requires special lenses)
Cons
  • only 1080p24. 1080p30 or 1080p60 would be nicer
  • double the price of the standard DMC-G1
  • no improvement over the DMC-G1 if video is unimportant
ProSCORE
7 reviews
81
Vote! (2 votes)
vote Canon EOS 5D Mark II 50% vs. vote Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 50%
Sony Alpha 850

Sony Alpha 850

MSRP  $1,999.99    Released  September, 2009
Pros
  • large full frame 24.6 megapixel sensor
  • in body image stabilization
  • HDMI output
Cons
  • no video mode
  • no onboard flash
  • slow 3fps continuous shooting
ProSCORE
3 reviews
62
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Canon EOS 5D Mark II   vs. vote Sony Alpha 850  
Nikon D3

Nikon D3

MSRP  $5,000.00    Released  November, 2007
Pros
  • FX format CMOS - same size as 35 mm film
  • Auto-senses DX and FX format lenses and auto-switches modes
  • a good deal next to Nikon's latest flagship the D3X
Cons
  • Expensive
ProSCORE
2 reviews
75
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Canon EOS 5D Mark II   vs. vote Nikon D3  
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

MSRP  $2,699.00    Released  August, 2008
Pros
  • good performance in low light
  • great value (high end features for the price)
  • large sensor
Cons
  • expensive
  • basic kit lens doesn't match the capabilities of the camera
  • no video mode
ProSCORE
2 reviews
64
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Canon EOS 5D Mark II 100% vs. vote Nikon D700 0%
Nikon D3X

Nikon D3X

MSRP  $7,999.95    Released  December, 2008
Pros
  • Full frame sensor
  • dual CF cards with intelligent backup/copy/overflow options
  • High resolution 24.5 MP
Cons
  • doesn't offer HD video
  • extremely expensive
  • slower than the D3
ProSCORE
5 reviews
50
Vote! (2 votes)
vote Canon EOS 5D Mark II 100% vs. vote Nikon D3X 0%

Suggest a new competitor to add to the list of competing products.
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Comments

1.  avatar Whipdaddy said:

This new 5D Mark II is rediculous and will most likely be my next camera.
Sep 17, 2008 9:58am
2.  avatar Erik said:

I recommend watching REVERIE, the film shot entirely on this camera. It is freakin beautiful. In my mind it compares to the Red One video camera that sells for $17K.
Sep 23, 2008 4:31pm
3.  avatar Whipdaddy said:

Where/how do I find REVERIE? Can you rent this film?
Sep 30, 2008 10:02am
4.  avatar Whipdaddy said:

Reverie Here:

http://blog.vincentlaforet.com/2008/10/10/without-further-ado-reverie/

Nov 11, 2008 5:44pm
5.  avatar Whipdaddy said:

Still waiting for this camera to hit the shelves in Canada so that I can really check it out. Henry's camera store said it should be mid December!
Nov 26, 2008 12:30pm
6.  avatar Whipdaddy said:

This camera just went up in price by $200 USD or $300 CAD. Pre-order now for delivery in FEB / MAR 2009.
Dec 09, 2008 4:16pm
7.  avatar Whipdaddy said:

Vincent Laforet "7 Days, 7 Shoots" - Canon EOS 5D MKII

Dec 16, 2008 5:46pm
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

pcuser

avatar
April 13, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
17
negative
mixed
positive
2 pros
10 cons
trustedtrusted
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • 21MP CMOS sensor
  • Full frame sensor

Cons

  • expensive
  • 1080p30 is nice, but 1080p60 would be better
  • no popup flash (for quick surprise shots)
  • 1080p video focussing only by pressing AF-ON button - resulting in chronically unfocused movies
  • camera too heavy for filming off hand without stand
  • sound recording speaker with poor quality
  • objective lenses too noisy for video
  • 1080p video recording without continous focus - renders video feature useless
  • only external flash - expensive
  • only mono sound for video recording

Competitors

pcuser prefers Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 over Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

fractalhorizon

avatar
January 8, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
0 cons
want itwant it
love itlove it
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • 21MP CMOS sensor
  • 1080p HD movie recording
  • Wide range ISO setting (100-6400)
  • Increased Battery Capacity
  • Live View - 3.0" 920k dot LCD
  • Fantastic professional quality video. Man, it's impressive.
  • Full frame sensor
  • Incredible dynamic range
  • Can use all Canon EF lenses produced within the last quarter of a century

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Competitors

fractalhorizon prefers Canon EOS 5D Mark II over Nikon D3X, Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Yale

avatar
December 20, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
83
negative
mixed
positive
5 pros
1 con
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • 21MP CMOS sensor
  • 1080p HD movie recording
  • Wide range ISO setting (100-6400)
  • Increased Battery Capacity
  • Fantastic professional quality video. Man, it's impressive.

Cons

  • expensive

Competitors

Yale prefers Canon EOS 5D Mark II over Nikon D3X, Nikon D700
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Whipdaddy

avatar
September 17, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
83
negative
mixed
positive
5 pros
1 con
want itwant it
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • 21MP CMOS sensor
  • 1080p HD movie recording
  • Wide range ISO setting (100-6400)
  • Increased Battery Capacity
  • Live View - 3.0" 920k dot LCD

Cons

  • HD Video capture up to 4GB per clip

Comments

"This new 5D Mark II is rediculous and will most likely be my next camera."
"Where/how do I find REVERIE? Can you rent this film?"
"Still waiting for this camera to hit the shelves in Canada so that I can really check it out. Henry's camera store said it should be mid December!"
"This camera just went up in price by $200 USD or $300 CAD. Pre-order now for delivery in FEB / MAR 2009."
"

Vincent Laforet "7 Days, 7 Shoots" - Canon EOS 5D MKII

"
"

Reverie Here:

http://blog.vincentlaforet.com/2008/10/10/without-further-ado-reverie/

"
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Erik

avatar
September 23, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
0 cons
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • 21MP CMOS sensor
  • 1080p HD movie recording
  • Fantastic professional quality video. Man, it's impressive.

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Comments

"I recommend watching REVERIE, the film shot entirely on this camera. It is freakin beautiful. In my mind it compares to the Red One video camera that sells for $17K."
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

jrob48

avatar
November 6, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
83
negative
mixed
positive
5 pros
1 con
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • 21MP CMOS sensor
  • 1080p HD movie recording
  • Wide range ISO setting (100-6400)
  • Increased Battery Capacity
  • Live View - 3.0" 920k dot LCD

Cons

  • HD Video capture up to 4GB per clip

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

lcdsantos

avatar
November 28, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
50
negative
mixed
positive
2 pros
2 cons
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • 1080p HD movie recording
  • Fantastic professional quality video. Man, it's impressive.

Cons

  • HD Video capture up to 4GB per clip
  • expensive

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

zooomart

avatar
May 11, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
8 pros
0 cons
have ithave it

Pros

  • 21MP CMOS sensor
  • 1080p HD movie recording
  • Wide range ISO setting (100-6400)
  • Live View - 3.0" 920k dot LCD
  • Fantastic professional quality video. Man, it's impressive.
  • Full frame sensor
  • Incredible dynamic range
  • Automatic Distortion Correction profile for each lens type

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Nsmith

avatar
April 13, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
67
negative
mixed
positive
2 pros
1 con
have ithave it
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Full frame sensor
  • Automatic Distortion Correction profile for each lens type

Cons

  • HD Video capture up to 4GB per clip

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

ponyponypony

avatar
December 21, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
0 cons
love itlove it
want itwant it
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • 21MP CMOS sensor
  • Wide range ISO setting (100-6400)
  • Increased Battery Capacity

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No
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This product is also known as:

5, D, 5D