Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Here’s what Canon DSLR fans have been waiting for – the new Canon EOS 5D Mark II DSLR.
This 21 megapixel DSLR (CMOS full frame sensor) has an ISO range of 50 to 25600, HD movie recording (seems to be the way we’re going), Live View framing of images on it’s 3.0 inch LCD (920,000 pixels), burst mode of up to 3.9 frames per second, DIGIC IV processor and sensor dust reduction.
This beauty will set you back $2699 USD when it hits stores in November this year.
I’ve included the news release from Canon announcing the Canon EOS 5D Mark II DSLR below.
PS: also announced today by Canon is a new Canon 24mm f/1.4 II USM lens. Fast, wide angle which has gone through an update from its previous version.
52 Responses to “Canon EOS 5D Mark II” - Add Yours
September 17th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I am really impressed with the specs on this camera!
21mp and FULL HD video! I wish I had the cash to shell out on it…. it will be my next upgrade when I have the money!
September 17th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Wow. Just plain wow.
September 17th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
4fps? wooow…. other than that, sounds all good…
September 17th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Well 4fps is reasonable. This is a camera that will after all be used for landscapes and portraits.
There are faster cameras for shooting sports. 4fps is not so bad anyway when the shots are 21mp.
September 17th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
want one.
The ability to take 1080p video and shoot stills at the same time (quoted by canon) is quite impressive… I think I’ll be taking a trip to the states to get one though!…
lovely.
September 17th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Wow, this looks to be a very promising and good camera! All the new features, and the old improved ones make this a top notch full frame camera for pros/semi pros. Plus, its video capturing capabilities in HD resolution makes it handy for short clips. Too bad there’s still no flash though.
September 17th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
I’ve been saving for this baby since May. Come to momma!
September 17th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Looks like a great camera for landscape and portrait photography. For sports and low light, no way it beats the D700. First, its pixel size is much smaller (75% more pixels, same physical area) than that of the D700. Less light available for each pixel. Second, 3.9 frames per second vs 5 out of the box for the D700, and 8 frames per second with the battery grip.
Can’t wait to see the landscapes this baby produces, though!
September 17th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
This is the camera I’m waiting for!
I shoot mostly landscapes with my EOS40D, but have also tried photographing dancesport events (ballroom and latin dancing). The ability to take quality video is a great enhancement.
September 17th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
What’s the retail price on this?
September 17th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Hey Floating Frog, It’s Body-only prices: US: $ 2,699, EU: € 2,499, UK: £ 2,299
hmm.. US anyone?!
September 17th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
That seems reasonable if you consider the specs, but I guess the lenses will push the prices up if you need a kit lense with it
September 17th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Oh, BTW Frog – like your website!… Did you see the new 24mm that Canon have released?… Lovely!
September 17th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Thanks Sime lovely of you to say :) I haven’t no but I’ll be looking into it thanks
September 17th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Well, I want one. But I don’t want the video. Still, I suppose if it doesn’t actually add to the cost in the first place, I can just ignore it.
Now to start saving…
September 17th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
It’s nice – but since I just bought my 5D a few months ago, it will be a while before I upgrade to this one. I think I’ll be spending my cash on glass for a little while … see what folks actually say about this new unit.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Schweet! Not much more to say. This one will be sought after by many.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Erm:
“ISO range of 50 to 25600″
Is that a typo or have I missed some major innovation in digital camera technology?
September 17th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
P.S. That pricing is SCANDALOUS. The difference between the US and UK price is, for the sake of argument, £800, or in real terms, some very, very shiny glass.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Well, I suppose it’s a nice update, but I don’t think it’s going to stop the flow of people moving over to Nikon. I’ve been a faithful Canon shooter for years; and have been anxiously awaiting this update, hoping that they were actually going to step ahead of Nikon….but alas it would seem that their ad campaign was much better than the actual camera.
Sure they seem to have made some improvements and added on a few little bells but the big question in my mind is have they fixed the problems that have haunted the 5D….like unreliable focusing…it would seem they have not..9 focus areas? Come On Canon, you can do much better. I’m disappointed that Canon seems to be missing the mark.
I suppose we’ll have to wait and see if this is truly the evolution of photography as Canon has been boasting…or if its the beginning of many photogs moving over to the better technology that Nikon is currently using.
We’ll See.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I want it……. desperately. It’ll be a while though, I’ve got to NEED it. I’m still conflicted about having video on there though…
September 17th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Next purchase.
The money is waiting.
Where can I order it today?
September 17th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
The specs and features on the USA canon website seem to be completely wrong – or at best confusing.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=17662
It claims compatibility with EF and EF-S lenses and in the features section states the “35mm-equivalent focal length is approx. 1.6x the lens focal length.”
What’s up with that? Am I missing something?
September 17th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
This looks like an amazing camera! I want one.
September 17th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
YAY! That’s all I need to say about that. Now I’m off to buy a used 5d once they bottom out.
September 17th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Announcements of canon camera releases necessary?
Dpreview already does that, and does it for all cameras.
But then again it’s your blog. Which i do enjoy and find useful.
September 17th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
@Dave
Hey Dave, I personally come here before dpreview… I certainly find them helpful.
Sime
September 18th, 2008 at 12:10 am
I can only pray this drives the prices of the D300/D700 down (I need a second D300 or D700 as it is, and saving something would be AWESOME).
September 18th, 2008 at 12:47 am
Video on a dSLR is no reason to buy it at this point. The other features are though. I have no need for full frame dSLR at this point so by the time I do need/want a FF dSLR this will be 3-4 generations old.
Pete
http://www.petelanglois.net
September 18th, 2008 at 1:27 am
Yeah not that impressed with this….Mega pixel wars still cont I see…4 frames per second??? I guess with Canons Auto focus system best not to have over 4. Video?? NOT!!
The only thing worth talking is the ISO increase…
I prefer a cam that will do everything from studio to landscapes to sports—-the D700 still remains a much better cam at this price point. Sorry Canon
September 18th, 2008 at 3:31 am
@ttexxan:
Agreed! I own a D700, my sister a 5D. She was so excited about the pre-announcement teaser on Canon’s site “Evolution.” She thought there would really be some signs of serious Evolution from Canon in the EOS line. She was very disappointed with todays announcement stating “I was really hoping for evolution, instead they throw a higher pixel count and video of dubious use at us.’
She was really hoping for a full frame camera from Canon that would have frame rate that would be a good enough producer for both sports and wildlife. In she short she really wanted a D700 in Canon clothing.
Needless to say she was very disappointed with todays announcement and says she still lusts after my D700.
“Yeah not that impressed with this….Mega pixel wars still cont I see…4 frames per second??? I guess with Canons Auto focus system best not to have over 4. Video?? NOT!!
The only thing worth talking is the ISO increase…
I prefer a cam that will do everything from studio to landscapes to sports—-the D700 still remains a much better cam at this price point. Sorry Canon”
September 18th, 2008 at 3:40 am
Well, on the bright side I am a recent convert from Canon to Nikon. The announcement of the 5D Mark II certainly did nothing to damper my enthusiasm or cause me any of “the grass is greener on the other side” syndrome.
The changes are evolutionary, not revolutionary. I guess that is in their Evolution advertising, but a little surprising considering the time between the 5D and the 5D Mark II.
Still, I am sure it will be a popular seller for them coming right before the holidays.
September 18th, 2008 at 4:58 am
Great. Maybe this will bring the price on the 50D down a little. For me 21 mp is overkill. I like the improved sensor in the 50D to upgrade from my XT.
September 18th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Well, I have always been a Canon fan ever since I got my first SLR camera back in the late ´60s, a “Canon FX”. Have had a few other Canon cameras since then, I remember losing one when my canoe overturned in an alligator-infested lake in Florida!
This one seems like an excellent choice.
@ Mark Jaquith: how can smaller pixels be a disadvantage? Sure, less light per pixel, but there’s more of them on the other hand = same total amount of light captured I believe.
Now there’s even an SLR without a mirror, electronic viewfinder only. I have my doubts if it will work out. Panasonic is releasing that one – see a quick review on A1 Photo Tips
I remain a Canon fan. Cheers!
September 18th, 2008 at 9:26 am
If I was going to shoot sports or wildlife, I wouldn’t shoot full frame. I’d take full advantage of the crop sensor to maximize my zoom.
Besides that.. this caters to my needs. I’m a landscape/portrait/travel hobbyist photographer mainly and I”m excited. I can shoot full frame to get the most of my wide angle and prime lens and print really large frames that can potentially be hung in a big room. That 50mm will finally have that 50mm human eye perspective.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:20 am
I think all us Alaskans are quite happy with the timing.. we just got our $3269 from the state a couple weeks ago. :D I know what I’m spending mine on!
September 18th, 2008 at 11:02 am
@Sime
I’m just saying…Photokina has had lots of announcements of news lenses, new cameras…
The first canon announcement… and it deserves the press?
I could understand if it was revolutionary… But its not any bigger of an announcement then the others there.
Which is why I brought it to attention…
But like I said, this is his blog, and if he is a canon pusher, better for me to know now, then later..
Not like knowing this will change my view of this blog..
It’s still a great blog…Just now I know to expect some Canon ads every once in a while.
September 18th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Great camera in the right hands. I just can’t wait for it to start selling so I can pick up some backup bodies for cheap!
September 18th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Personaly I’m getting one as soon as they come out. I shoot mostly portraits, so they low frame rate doesn’t bother me (though I would have loved a faster frame rate – perhaps at the cost of reduced resolution/sRAW1).
Regarding the low light performance I guess we just have to see.
Regarding the announcement on this blog… who cares. If you dislike it or are not into Canon, then simply don’t go beoynd the headline.
September 21st, 2008 at 7:07 am
I think i’ll wait a while on this one, until all of its potential kinks are worked out!
October 14th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I’m gonna check my lottery tickets tonight, I hope I will win, and if I win, I’ll buy the Canon EOS 5D Mark II
December 19th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
I have been considering a 5d Mark II but have not been able to find very much information from users. I visited the Canon site (duh) and found several reviews. Here is the URL.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=17662#reviews
They talk about black spots in the images. Apparently Canon has a sensor problem. Other than that it seems to be a great camera.
My rule of thumb is, never buy a low serial number. Canon will get the problems worked out and then I will take another look.
December 19th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
I love this camera! the photos are 3D !!!!
go and get it, it is really worth!!!
December 21st, 2008 at 1:19 am
Sounds good OVER 2 GRAND and with so many people geting laid off bad timing.For me i am not laid off but i well
wait awhile till they grt the bugs worked out.One thing
canon has more lenses then nikon if someone dosent like
canon find a nikon site.
January 13th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Darren,
How about full review of this Canon 5D Mark II compared let’s say with more expensive Nikon D3, cons, pros etc? Something like dpreviews do, but they do not have full side by side comparison yet.
January 19th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
The only thing I don’t like about the 5D mk ii is the loud shutter noise. I don’t understand why Canon can’t make this shutter quieter like in the 30D or 50D. The 1 D mk iii is even worse.
February 15th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Oleg, I found a comparison of the D5 Mkii against its bigger and smaller brother on dpreview.com (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos5dmarkii/page28.asp). I Also found a sale price for the body only at soniccameras.com for $1579. I’m buying mine as soon as my bonus comes in March. Am trying to sell my Olympus Evolt-510 and my old Minolta Dimage A2 on ebay if anyone’s interested (lol)
February 16th, 2009 at 1:32 am
Lesley,
Before you buy from Sonic Cameras, Google them and read what people have to say about them.
Todd
February 16th, 2009 at 4:26 am
I would not buy something like SLR from anybody that is not authorized retailer.
After researching 5D Mark II and Nikon D700 I went with D700. I got kind of fed up with Canon. All of my old flashes would not work with this new Canon. So I would need to buy everything new again.
It made more sense for me to go with Nikon.
March 19th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
I am choosing between the D5 and the D700 and am favouring the Nikon so far. Can anyone pls cast their opinion on the best option for food photography, portraits and general street/party shots. I am not ever going to fully understand the spec talk, but I love taking great photos (atleast trying!). I have a Canon G9, but no lense collection to worry about yet, so this choice seems imperative. I am keen to be a food stylist and fashion photagrapher after study. Thanks in advance.
August 18th, 2009 at 12:46 am
Hi there,
Does anyone know if Canon 5dMark II can do autofocus in movie mode. If yes, then how well.
I am comparing 5d Mark II vs (upcoming) Nikon d300s (that has movie mode with contract detect based autofocus) but cann’t beat 5d on its ISO performance vs Nikon D700 (full frame like 5d MarkII but without movie mode).
August 18th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Robin – No, it doesn’t do auto focus as you know it…. Keep in mind that the two versions of video are quite different. 720 v’s 1080
I am about to upload some video from the 5DMk2 and there is already a little from mine up here
There will be some new stuff on http://gtvone.com in a day or so.
Sime
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