Latest - Hands-on Preview at DigitalProTalk (added 19 November’08)
Canon EOS 5D Mark II announced on September 17, 2008 is a 21 megapixel CMOS sensor DSLR digital camera and it features 3.9 frames per second continuous shooting, HD video with stereo sound, dust reduction by vibration of filter, 3 inch LCD, live view, ISO range of 100 to 6400, and 98% coverage viewfinder. Camera dimensions are 152 x 114 x 75 mm (6.0 x 4.5 x 2.9 in) and it weighs 810 g (1.8 lb) without battery.
Reviewers Conclusions & Verdicts - (updated 19 November’08)
DigitalProTalk (Hands-on)
“The phenomenally high ISO capabilities promise some unbelievable benefits especially to us event shooters. The video capabilities, as I’ve said before, also open many new doors of opportunity that we don’t even yet understand. All way cool stuff.”
The Digital Journalist (digitaljournalist.org)
“Unless you are going to use a tripod or steadicam mount you need to understand that this camera is NOT a video camera. It is a superb still camera, at a reasonable price, and can do wonderful things within reason. “
MetroPhotography
“Put in its amazing video recording capability and the new Canon 5D Mark 2 just opened the floodgates to all our creativity to flow. It’s a definite upgrade for Metrophoto when it finally comes out to the market, we can’t imagine curtailing our creativity by not acquiring this new camera.”
Bebbblopg (Hands on Preview)
“Is it a revolutionary camera? Well, that depends a lot of whether we, as a group, have the foresight to see the potential in what Canon has given us. In my personal opinion, this camera changes everything - and I cannot wait to integrate everything it has to offer. We haven’t been able to sleep just thinking about the possibilities and where we can take this.”
DSLUser.co.uk (Hands on Video Preview)
DPReview (Hands on Preview)
“So here is the 5D Mark II, which punches high in terms of both resolution and features, headlining: 21 megapixels, 1080p video, 3.0″ VGA LCD, Live view, higher capacity battery. In other words, a camera that aims to leapfrog both its direct rivals, either in terms of resolution (in the case of the D700) or features (in the case of the DSLR-A900).”
Actual Owner Feedback
Coming soon…
Videos
[Full Resolution Video Clips at Canon]
Sample Photos
[Sample Photos by Vincent Laforet at Canon]
[Sample Photos at DPRreview]
Specifications & Camera Profile
Instruction Manual
[Instruction Manual Download at Canon]
Press Excerpt
Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 17 September 2008: Canon announces the full frame, 21.1 Megapixel EOS 5D Mark II: the first EOS with full High Definition video capability.
Compact, lightweight with environmental protection, EOS 5D successor boasts a newly designed Canon CMOS sensor, with ISO sensitivity up to 25,600 for shooting in near dark conditions. The new DIGIC 4 processor combines with the improved CMOS sensor to deliver medium format territory image quality at 3.9 frames per second, for up to 310 frames.
Triggered from Live View Mode, HD video capture allows users to shoot uninterrupted at full 1080 resolution at 30fps – for amazing quality footage with outstanding levels of detail and realism.
The integration of HD movie capability into a high-end 21.1 Megapixel camera opens a multitude of new possibilities for photojournalists and news photographers. With its full frame CMOS sensor and outstanding ISO performance, the EOS 5D Mark II will appeal to any photographer in search of the finest camera equipment available – from studio and wedding to nature and travel photographers. Other improvements to the EOS 5D include
- Addition of Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System, with a new Fluorine coating on the low-pass filter
- Larger 3.0” Clear View LCD with VGA resolution, a 170° angle of view and anti-reflective coatings
- Improved menu system including Quick Control Screen for more direct access to common settings
- Automatic peripheral illumination correction, utilising detailed EF lens information to optimise JPEG images straight out of the camera
- Magnesium alloy construction with additional environmental protection
- UDMA memory card compatibility.
“Professional photojournalists and wedding photographers already choose the EOS 5D for its discrete size and outstanding image quality,” said Mogens Jensen, head of Canon Consumer Imaging. “The addition of HD movie recording opens a new chapter for EOS. It creates new possibilities for EOS photographers to capture and share their stories and to stay relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape.”
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
julius 09.29.08 at 5:33 am
Yes it sounds like a great camera I’ve been looking at D-SLR for some time now, I’m still using a eos 1V-HS 35mm sorry guys not going to spend large amount of mula till I’m sure what I’m going to get is good .But what is happening or what might happen with all this WOW!!! cameras D-SLR, and the prices !! .
What would it happen to the prices of the Eos 1D at 10.1 MPixels as well to the 1Ds at 21 Pixels.
We talking full frame and Pixels here nothing else and thank you Sony,Nikon and I mean it in good faith from me.
It will be like a race now the Pixels race that did not happen in Film , the only thing that happen there was faster camera and better optics and AF speed.
But now you have Video included you can video and take a still photo. I think that chances dynamics on the CMOS and many ways the camera operates.
I’m not against the inovation but the prices will have to come down there are lots of 5D’s 12 Pixels out there .Prices for the 5D MKll from $3.500 more or less the best I check was $3.500Aus and $4.500Aus and the 1D mklll best price was $4.500 Aus and here is the question one Canon 5D MKll 21 Pixels (FULL FRAME ) for as litle as $3.500Aus or the Canon 1D MKlll 10.1 for $4.500Aus best price.
So one is second from the the top the 1D MKlll 10.1 and the other one semi pro 5D MKll 21 Pixels third place from the top .
So Canon has to do something here like really put full frame in all the cameras same as the 35mm slr with less functions or what ever .
Personally I find what the Camera Giants are doing is screwing everything up and then one most probably have a lot of cameras out there with less pixels that some people won’t buy and everyting else in the camera is find exept the pixels and for me I won’t buy a second hand DSLR but will buy a SLR 35mm I got full frame in the 35mm SLR and all the pixels in the world .Don’t get me worng I will go DSLR soon but I’m waiting I still get great shots from my Canons SLR’S 35mm.There is a race now how long before will be the next PIXEL Sony has 24.6 now at a very good price plus the best optics you can put in front of and DSLR Carl Zeiss for many dollars less than the Canon 1Ds MKlll 1 year I feel before the next one and who will it be .
The more pixels the better the Photo I think that’s how it goes.
lechatnoir 09.29.08 at 1:39 pm
OMG!!! that cam is huuuuge !!!! does it its in a bad or what