Canon EOS 5D Mark II preview

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is the successor to the EOS 5D, the World’s first ‘affordable’ full-frame DSLR. Announced in September 2008, the EOS 5D Mark II comes almost three years after its predecessor, during which time the DSLR market has moved-on considerably in terms of features. Unlike the EOS 5D which initially enjoyed no competition, the new EOS 5D Mark II also enters a market with two key rivals: Nikon’s D700 and Sony’s Alpha DSLR A900. So the new 5D Mark II is in a much tougher position than its predecessor and Canon had to make some significant improvements.

The EOS 5D Mark II of course features a full-frame sensor, but the resolution enjoys a considerable boost from the 12.8 Megapixels of its predecessor to 21.1 Megapixels. This in fact matches the resolution of Canon’s current flagship, the 1Ds Mark III, but it’s not the same sensor. The EOS 5D Mark II features a new CMOS sensor which employs an improved output amplifier, a more advanced colour filter with superior light transmission, and other enhancements also seen in the recently announced EOS 50D. Canon claims the result is the highest quality seen from any EOS DSLR to date, so clearly a new flagship 1Ds could be on the cards...

Like the recent EOS 50D, the new EOS 5D Mark II also enjoys a significant boost in its maximum sensitivity. The original 5D offered a standard range of 100 to 1600 ISO with extended 50 and 3200 ISO options. The new 5D Mark II now boosts the standard range from 100 to 6400 ISO, with extended 50, 12,800 and 25,600 ISO options.

Unsurprisingly the EOS 5D Mark II is equipped with Live View facilities and anti-dust facilities, both of which were absent on the original EOS 5D, and both of which we believe share the same implementation as the recent EOS 50D – more details to follow.

The ageing EOS 5D employed the DIGIC II processor, but Canon’s skipped straight to the latest DIGIC 4 model on the Mark II, which is also used by the EOS 50D. Despite the significant increase in file size, not to mention 14-bit analogue to digital conversion, the DIGIC 4 has allowed Canon to slightly improve on the original 5D’s 3fps continuous shooting rate to a new rate of 3.9fps. Sadly not the 5fps or even faster many hoped for, but an improvement none the less.

Like the EOS 50D, there’s also support for UDMA Compact Flash memory cards, which allow the new EOS 5D Mark II to fire either up to 14 RAW images or an unlimited number of JPEGs in a continuous sequence.

The DIGIC 4 processor additionally offers optional ‘Peripheral Illumination Correction’ on JPEGs to reduce the effect of vignetting where the image darkens towards the corners; this follows the EOS 50D to become the second Canon DSLR to offer the facility, and it's the same implementation with an internal database of 40 lenses which can be updated via DPP. Again like the EOS 50D, the EOS 5D Mark II now also offers AF micro-adjustment which lets you fine-tune the AF on lenses. Like the 50D, the implementation is identical to that on the 1D Mark III.

The EOS 5D Mark II isn’t just about capturing high quality stills – it also becomes Canon’s first DSLR to boast video recording. Like Nikon’s D90, this allows the EOS 5D Mark II to exploit a broad variety of lenses both wide and long, deliver smaller depths of field than most camcorders, and also lower noise thanks to its physically larger sensor – and the 5D Mark II’s full-frame sensor should be even better in this regard than the D90.

Like the D90, the 5D Mark II can record video in High Definition, but where the D90’s maximum frame size is 1280x720 pixels (720p), the new Canon boasts nothing less than Full HD at 1920x1080 pixels (1080p) at 30fps. This makes the 5D Mark II not only the second ever DSLR to offer video recording, but the first to do so in Full HD. Unlike the D90 which becomes manual focus only while recording video, the 5D Mark II additionally offers contrast-based AF.

While the EOS 5D Mark II is fitted with a built-in microphone for mono recording, it additionally boasts a socket for connecting external stereo microphones. Video is recorded in Quicktime MOV format using MPEG-4 compression, while audio is recorded in linear PCM without compression. Movies can be recorded until the file size reaches 4GB or one second below 30 minutes – Canon estimates 4GB should get you 12 minutes of Full HD video or 24 minutes of Standard Definition at 640x480 pixels and 30fps. With Full HD and the possibility of connecting an external microphone, the EOS 5D Mark II promises the best quality movies from a still camera to date – only time will tell if it’s a match for a dedicated HD camcorder though.

Like the EOS 50D, the EOS 5D Mark II features a 3in screen with 920k dot / VGA resolution, which is a big improvement over the 2.5in / 230k dot monitor of the original EOS 5D. The new model also features an HDMI port for direct connection to HDTVs and can output slideshows or Live View at 1920x1080 pixels, but like its predecessor, there’s still no popup flash.

In terms of more traditional photographic features, the EOS 5D Mark II offers an improved viewfinder with 98% coverage to its predecessor’s 96%, a shutter rated to 150k cycles compared to 100k on the 5D, and the same 9-point AF system as its predecessor, with 6 AF assist points.

The EOS 5D Mark II should be available from the end of November at a body-only price of £2299 GBP / €2499 EUR / $2699 USD, or in a kit with the existing EF 24-105mm f4.0L lens for $3499 USD. Which now brings us to our feature comparison with its predecessor and key rivals.

Compared to Canon EOS 5D Canon’s original EOS 5D is one month shy of being three years older than its successor, which in the current DSLR market is a lifetime. As such, while the EOS 5D’s image quality remains excellent, it’s noticeably fallen behind current models in terms of features. The new EOS 5D Mark II boasts 21.1 Megapixels to its predecessor’s 12.8, a maximum sensitivity that’s three stops higher at 25,600 ISO, quicker 3.9fps continuous shooting, slightly greater 98% viewfinder coverage, a larger and more detailed 3in VGA screen, Live View, video recording at Full HD resolution, the DIGIC 4 processor with Peripheral Illumination Correction, AF micro-adjustment, an HDMI port and support for UDMA Compact Flash memory. It’s certainly a worthy successor, but in its favour, the EOS 5D is cheaper, and once the 5D Mark II becomes readily available, we may see further price reductions. In terms of image quality and noise, we’ll have to wait and see how the new model compares, but judging from the High ISO results page in our Nikon D700 review, the original EOS 5D still delivers excellent quality. So if you’re after the most affordable full-framer around, the EOS 5D could remain a viable option. See our Canon EOS 5D review and Nikon D700 results for more details.

Compared to Nikon D700 Nikon’s D700 is the company’s first ‘affordable’ full-frame DSLR, and costing only slightly more than the EOS 5D Mark II’s launch price, is a key rival for the new Canon. At first glance the EOS 5D Mark II appears to take many of the D700’s features and trump its resolution. So like the D700, Canon’s new model features a full-frame sensor with 25,600 ISO sensitivity, 14-bit files, a 3in VGA monitor with Live View, HDMI output, in-camera correction of lens vignetting, fine-tuning of the AF on lenses and a shutter block that’s rated to 150k cycles. In its favour though, the EOS 5D Mark II boasts considerably higher resolution: 21.1 Megapixels to the D700’s 12.1 Megapixels. It features video recording and trumps Nikon’s own D90 to offer Full HD rather than ‘just’ 720p, along with a microphone jack. The optical viewfinder has slightly greater coverage of 98% to 95% on the Nikon. The launch price is also slightly cheaper than D700 online prices at the time if writing. But it’s not all one-sided. The Nikon D700 features quicker 5fps continuous shooting (or up to 8 with the optional battery grip), a considerably more sophisticated 51-point AF system, a popup flash, on-demand grid lines in its optical viewfinder, a virtual horizon facility and in-camera correction of chromatic aberrations. Until we test a final production EOS 5D Mark II, it’s also unknown how the noise levels will compare, so by sticking to a lower resolution, the D700 may end up having an advantage in this respect. Either way, the D700 remains superb semi-pro DSLR and you can find out more about it including seeing our High ISO results in our Nikon D700 review.

Compared to Sony Alpha DSLR A900 The Alpha A900 is Sony’s flagship DSLR, and like the Nikon D700, is priced only slightly higher than Canon’s latest model. Again both cameras have a number of features in common including full-frame sensors, 3in VGA monitors and HDMI output. In its favour, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II additionally features Live View, video recording in Full HD, a maximum sensitivity of 25,600 ISO to the Sony’s 6400 ISO, and a slightly lower price tag at launch. While the EOS 5D Mark II equals Canon’s highest resolution DSLR to date though, the Sony A900 goes one better with 24.6 Megapixels. It also has slightly quicker continuous shooting at 5fps, an optical viewfinder with 100% coverage, two extra AF points (plus four extra assist points), and the not inconsiderable facility of built-in anti-shake facilities which work with any lens you attach. While the A900 is lacking gadgetry like Live View and video recording, its core features of very high resolution, quick continuous shooting, a 100% viewfinder and built-in anti-shake all add up to a compelling feature-set. Of course until we test a final production model, it’s unknown whether the A900’s images will live up to its promise, but unless it’s seriously compromised in this respect, Canon will have a tough rival on its hands. See our Sony Alpha DSLR A900 preview for more details.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II final thoughts

Canon’s EOS 5D Mark II certainly addresses several criticisms of its predecessor, while including all the latest features. As such, no-one’s surprised to find Live View and anti-dust features here, both of which were missing on the original 5D. Hot on the heels of the EOS 50D, it’s also no surprise to find the EOS 5D Mark II featuring a 3in VGA screen, HDMI output, Peripheral Illumination Correction and AF micro-adjustment.

The big news here though is of course the 21.1 Megapixel sensor with 25,600 ISO maximum sensitivity and movie recording in nothing less than Full HD. Both were widely leaked, but remain impressive now they’re officially confirmed. It’s also good to see Canon come in at a launch price that’s lower than its key rivals from Nikon and Sony.

It all adds up to a significant upgrade over the original EOS 5D, but existing owners may be disappointed by the relatively modest boost in continuous shooting from 3 to 3.9fps (most hoped for 5fps), the same AF system, and the continued absence of both a popup flash and an optical viewfinder with 100% coverage (although it is now closer at 98%).

As always though the EOS 5D Mark II will be made or broken by its image quality. Canon says it’s the best yet from an EOS DSLR, which certainly raises our expectations, but as always we won’t know for sure until we get hold of a final production sample for our full review and video tour. So in the meantime check out the reviews and previews of its rivals and tell us what you think of the new EOS 5D Mark II in the dedicated thread on the Cameralabs forum.