News from the Canon EOS-5D Mark II full frame DSLR launch

[DPNow]

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We were at the UK launch of the Canon EOS-5D Mark II full frame DSLR this morning. Read our hands-on report about the new 21 megapixel baby full frame DSLR from Canon.

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[StuartR]

Had an email pre-order offer from WarehouseExpress already....they didn't hang about!

Off to read the specs now, can't afford / justify one but I'm interested to see how the reviewers compare it with recent Nikon releases...lens vignetting management looks innovative?

[Ian]

Originally Posted by StuartR

Had an email pre-order offer from WarehouseExpress already....they didn't hang about!

Off to read the specs now, can't afford / justify one but I'm interested to see how the reviewers compare it with recent Nikon releases...lens vignetting management looks innovative?

I saw on another thread some objection to video recording The hope was that by eliminating this feature the camera could be cheaper. Well, I would estimate that this feature adds a single figure value to the price of the camera!

My biggest concern with the 5D Mark II, and the new Sony Alpha 900 launched last week, is the very high pixel count -21.1 and 24.6 megapixels, respectively. With Nikon (D700 and D3), at 12 megapixels, the sensor exhibits outstanding noise performance and dynamic range, even at high ISOs. With much smaller photosites, the new Canon and Sony cameras could well produce images that have image characteristics similar to small sensor APS-C models.

Ian

[StuartR]

Originally Posted by Ian

I saw on another thread some objection to video recording The hope was that by eliminating this feature the camera could be cheaper. Well, I would estimate that this feature adds a single figure value to the price of the camera!

My biggest concern with the 5D Mark II, and the new Sony Alpha 900 launched last week, is the very high pixel count -21.1 and 24.6 megapixels, respectively. With Nikon (D700 and D3), at 12 megapixels, the sensor exhibits outstanding noise performance and dynamic range, even at high ISOs. With much smaller photosites, the new Canon and Sony cameras could well produce images that have image characteristics similar to small sensor APS-C models.

Ian

Apart from the cost issue there will, no doubt, be the purist view that it's a semi-pro / pro stills camera, not a movie camera! (bit like the live-view debate when that function first appeared on DSLRs). Personally I wouldn't use a 5DMkII to make movies but no doubt it would be a useful facility at some point.

I was disappointed that the screen doesn't articulate but I can live without face recognition, the lack of which I've read elsewhere was considered a negative point!

On the sensor front, I'm assuming this is a new sensor and possibly technically superior to the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III's sensor? It also uses Digic IV rather than III which I would also assume brings image quality improvements?

I've never handled a Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III and I don't know what the pros think of the sensor on that model but I've not read any negative press regarding the number of pixels on that camera's sensor?

[Ian]

Originally Posted by StuartR

Apart from the cost issue there will, no doubt, be the purist view that it's a semi-pro / pro stills camera, not a movie camera! (bit like the live-view debate when that function first appeared on DSLRs). Personally I wouldn't use a 5DMkII to make movies but no doubt it would be a useful facility at some point.

I was disappointed that the screen doesn't articulate but I can live without face recognition, the lack of which I've read elsewhere was considered a negative point!

On the sensor front, I'm assuming this is a new sensor and possibly technically superior to the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III's sensor? It also uses Digic IV rather than III which I would also assume brings image quality improvements?

I've never handled a Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III and I don't know what the pros think of the sensor on that model but I've not read any negative press regarding the number of pixels on that camera's sensor?

The message is that while the sensor is the same resolution as the 1Ds Mark III, the microlenses have been improved. I would guess this adds up to a marginal improvement in the corners of the frame. Digic IV we're told means faster processed (though the current 1D models have have dual Digic processors) and improved noise processing, but these improvements are incremental with each generation rather than revolutionary.

The 1Ds Mark III is not bad for noise at high ISO but the data I have seen for the Nikon D3, for example, is that the lower resolution FF Nikon sensor is substantially less noisy at all ISOs and there is even a body of thought that the lower resolution doesn't sacrifice that much in terms of resolving power... which makes me wonder if 20+MP sensors are out-resolving lenses.

The 1Ds Mark III is an amazingly solid lump, but it's very heavy. With the 5D Mark II you don't need to have the grip fitted so you can go lighter.

Ian

[Josh Bear]

One question I have is that I love the smoothness of the pictures the 5d produces. I have always been told that this was due to the large photosites on a ff sensor. With a load more MP will the new 5d produce pictures with the same high IQ?

There seem to be some amazing deals on at jacobs for pre order including £2299 + a R2880 which I was looking at anyway

Josh

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Josh Bear

One question I have is that I love the smoothness of the pictures the 5d produces. I have always been told that this was due to the large photosites on a ff sensor. With a load more MP will the new 5d produce pictures with the same high IQ?

There seem to be some amazing deals on at jacobs for pre order including £2299 + a R2880 which I was looking at anyway

Josh

I haven't tested these models, but looking at other testers' data, it seems that the EOS-1Ds Mark III is only marginally behind the 5D Mk I in terms of noise performance, throughout the ISO range. I would guess that the 5D Mark II would be similar to the 1Ds Mark III as they have very similar sensors. The gap might be narrowed slightly by the 5D Mark II's Digic IV processor, who knows.

But one thing is clear, the Nikon 12MP sensor is cleaner than than any of the Canons.

Ian

[Josh Bear]

Originally Posted by Ian

I haven't tested these models, but looking at other testers' data, it seems that the EOS-1Ds Mark III is only marginally behind the 5D Mk I in terms of noise performance, throughout the ISO range. I would guess that the 5D Mark II would be similar to the 1Ds Mark III as they have very similar sensors. The gap might be narrowed slightly by the 5D Mark II's Digic IV processor, who knows.

But one thing is clear, the Nikon 12MP sensor is cleaner than than any of the Canons.

Ian

thanks Ian. The Nikon sensor may be cleaner but not clean enough for me to get rid of my canon glass and then reinvest in Nikon
Best regards

Josh

[ash]

Megapixels megapixels I cant see why its such a big issue!
Excellent low light capability I can except and most definatley need in certain situations, and aprecieate that the full frame sensor acheives this for obvious reasons.
But are we not going over old ground here by increasing the megapixels on the same size sensor is going to alter response of the diode or sensor and thus decrease sensitivity as seen in the cropped size sensor over the past years?
Who really needs 20 + megapixels? advertising, media, maybe!
My point is that nikon & canon are out to grab your dosh, and if your silly enough to buy every camera they bring out thinking thats its better than before then your daft!
I admit there are slight improvements in the last couple of years regards image quality, which lets face it thats what its all about and thats what the end result is about, but those improvements are so subtle that its hardly worth talking about.
For an example, can you say that a d300 produces a better image than the
d2x which is what 4 years old now? I no a different class of camera but same megapixels. Ok the d300 might pip the d2x on the iso front but general shooting its no better! Also Ide favour a d2x lasting alot longer than a d300
ok rant over, time to give everyone else time for there peice
Ash.

[Josh Bear]

It isn't just about MP's. The camera is a significant improvement over the original 5D and there is no doubt the MPs will increase the usefulness of cropping should I need too. I am interested in how I will use the video capability when using the camera for family moments.

Anyway have ordered one and went for Jacobs where they are doing various offers. I choose to get a free epson R2880, which I was looking at anyway.

When it arrives I will do some comparison shots vs the original 5D (unless someone else does so ) then the 5d can go on ebay. Yay

Best regards

Josh

[ash]

Im sure its a great camera and it will be an improvement on the original in many ways.
Enjoy your cam
cheers
Ash.