Canon EOS 5D Mark II Review | 108 Data compared

The DPReview of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II highlights the camera as a groundbreaking full-frame DSLR, praising its 21.1-megapixel resolution and pioneering 1080p HD video recording capabilities. Key strengths include superb image quality, excellent high ISO noise performance, a bright 98% coverage viewfinder, and a high-resolution 3.0-inch LCD screen. Conversely, the 9-point autofocus system uses an older architecture, making it less effective for tracking fast-moving subjects, while the 3.9 frames-per-second continuous shooting speed is the slowest in its class. Additionally, the camera lacks built-in sensor-shift stabilization and has a less robust default noise reduction, though it remains a strong choice for video and high-resolution stills.

The-Digital-Picture.com review highlights the Canon EOS 5D Mark II as a significant upgrade, praising its 21.1-megapixel full-frame sensor for delivering sharp, high-resolution image detail and improved low-noise performance at high ISO levels. Key advantages include groundbreaking 1080p video capability, a superior 3-inch LCD screen, efficient battery life, and a built-in sensor cleaning system. Conversely, the review identifies limitations, specifically the older 9-point autofocus system which lacks speed and tracking capabilities for fast-action photography. Other cons include a moderate 3.9 frames-per-second burst rate, the absence of a built-in flash, and significant image degradation at maximum expanded ISO settings.

Ken Rockwell identifies the Canon 5D Mark II as a premier DSLR for landscape photography, highlighting its 21.1-megapixel full-frame sensor and exceptional image quality that challenges more expensive alternatives. Key advantages include its lightweight design, a bright 3-inch LCD, and improved usability with functional Auto ISO and custom memory settings. Conversely, the review strongly criticizes the camera's dated, uncomfortable ergonomics, specifically the painful front control dial. Technical drawbacks noted include limited data display in the viewfinder, a lack of 1,000+ shot counter functionality, and a cumbersome, multi-step process for setting custom white balance.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is a highly capable full-frame DSLR that delivers exceptional 21.1-megapixel image quality and outstanding low-light performance, making it an excellent value at its $2,700 body-only price. A key pro is its advanced processing power and sensor resolution, which achieves 2820 lines of resolution at ISO 100 and retains 2400 lines even when pushed to an expanded ISO of 25,600, significantly outperforming competitors in high-ISO image clarity. Furthermore, it is the first DSLR to offer pro-caliber 1080p high-definition video at 30 frames per second, utilizing its massive full-frame CMOS sensor to achieve cinematic background defocusing and depth-of-field control. Notable physical upgrades include a sharp, 3-inch 920,000-dot LCD screen, a 98% accurate viewfinder, an Integrated Cleaning System to repel sensor dust, and a durable shutter rated for an impressive 150,000 cycles. However, the camera suffers from several distinct drawbacks, most notably an outdated, sluggish 9-point autofocus system inherited from its predecessor that takes 0.51 seconds to focus in bright light and frequently fails in extremely low light. Additional cons include a slow burst rate of just...

Overview and Key Strengths The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is a high-resolution, full-frame digital SLR that balances strong studio performance with impressive image characteristics. It excels in color accuracy, topping its competitive class in lab testing, and delivers the highest performance in dynamic range, which can be expanded further by shooting in RAW format. Its 21.1-megapixel sensor offers excellent noise control, maintaining levels below 1% up to ISO 800 even with noise reduction disabled. For videographers, a firmware update introduces manual exposure, aperture, and shutter controls, which—when paired with a built-in 3.5mm external microphone jack—elevates its 30p HD video recording capabilities well above standard consumer camcorders. Additional notable pros include an intuitive 9-tab menu layout, a high-resolution 3-inch LCD screen, a jackrabbit startup speed, and a highly informative battery status system tracking the health and serial numbers of up to six batteries. Limitations and Pain Points Despite these strengths, the camera suffers from notable hardware omissions and performance bottlenecks. The body lacks both a built-in pop-up flash and an autofocus assist lamp, forcing users to buy external Speedlites for...

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is highly praised in the WIRED review for its revolutionary ability to seamlessly blend professional-grade still photography and cinematic video production into a single magnesium alloy body. Powered by a high-performance Digic 4 processor and a 21-megapixel full-frame sensor, the camera delivers outstanding, high-resolution stills that can outperform significantly more expensive models. Its standout cinematic capability is the production of rich, 1080p high-definition video at 30 frames per second using large-aperture autofocus lenses. Furthermore, the camera features an intuitive user interface, a self-cleaning sensor, and exceptional high-ISO noise reduction that enables clear shooting in near-dark conditions without heavy grain. Helpful automated software tools like an auto lighting optimizer to pull out shadow details and a peripheral-illumination correction feature to eliminate edge vignetting add to its strong appeal. Despite its high 9/10 score, the review highlights distinct limitations, particularly regarding its operational speed and physical limitations. The primary drawback of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II is its autofocus system, which is noticeably slower than rival systems from competitors like Nikon. While the camera offers...

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is a highly influential, 21.1-megapixel full-frame DSLR introduced in 2008 as a major upgrade to the original 5D. Built with a durable yet lightweight magnesium alloy body, this camera achieved legendary status by becoming the first DSLR to offer 1080P Full HD video, effectively pioneering budget-friendly, broadcast-quality video production with cinematic shallow depth of field. Its core strengths (pros) include superb overall image quality at low ISO settings, built-in sensor dust reduction, a high-resolution 3-inch LCD, a native ISO range of 100–6400, and a helpful live view mode that simplifies the use of manual focus lenses. The reviewer considers it a time-tested workhorse and the ultimate "jack of all trades" for professional portrait and wedding photographers. Despite its strengths, the camera does have several performance drawbacks (cons) that reflect its era. It retains the same basic 9-point autofocus system as its 2005 predecessor, which—while adequate when using the center point—falls short of Canon's action-oriented 1D standards in AI Servo tracking mode. Furthermore, out-of-camera JPEG files tend to be a bit soft, the automatic white...

In this hands-on review, photographer Alex Coghe evaluates how the classic Canon EOS 5D Mark II DSLR holds up in today's fast-paced shooting environment, specifically for portrait, documentary, and street photography. The prominent pros highlighted include its exceptional image quality, natural color reproduction, and strong low-light performance driven by its 21.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor. Additionally, its magnesium alloy body is highly durable, weather-sealed, and exceptionally rugged—acting like a reassuring "tank" for travel expeditions. Coghe praises the camera's intuitive user interface, clear optical viewfinder with 98% coverage, and its commendable, long-lasting battery life that easily outlasts modern, power-hungry mirrorless systems. Furthermore, purchasing it on the used market provides a massive financial advantage, offering high-tier performance at a very cheap price. Conversely, the review highlights several distinct cons, emphasizing that the camera is heavy, bulky, and "loud as hell". Its loud, mechanical shutter sound makes it indiscreet, completely ruling out a stealthy or "ninja" approach when shooting on active city streets. The 9-point autofocus system with 6 assist points is also remarkably outdated compared to modern camera standards, though Coghe personally circumvents...

In his long-term review, documentary photographer Vish Vishvanath highlights the Canon 5D Mark II as a revolutionary camera that transformed the industry by introducing full-frame DSLR video capabilities. Among its prominent pros, Vishvanath praises its excellent image quality, noting that its 21.1 megapixels remain a "sweet spot" capable of producing sharp large-scale prints up to 50 inches. Furthermore, its focusing accuracy is highly rated; though not lightning-fast, it delivers pin-point sharp results that outpaced competitor models in crispness. The camera also excels in exceptional reliability, surviving extreme weather over 40°C in India and rugged treatment during a confiscation by the Israeli Navy without ever stuttering. Conversely, the review details specific performance limitations and cons. A primary drawback is its limited recording time, which restricts video capture to 4GB or just under 30 minutes per clip. The camera also exhibits high ISO struggles in low-light environments, where it frequently battles to lock focus and produces prominent image noise; however, Vishvanath notes this can be mitigated using an external focus assist beam tool. Overall, the reviewer concludes that while newer models have...

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is a ground-breaking full-frame DSLR featuring an outstanding 21.1-megapixel sensor that excels in low-light environments and yields highly usable images up to ISO 6400. Reviewers highlight its highly accurate and fast autofocus performance, which allows photographers to consistently nail moving targets, macro details, and sudden shots using the central focus point. The camera introduces impressive high-definition video capabilities that deliver excellent quality and ultra-shallow depth of field, further enhanced by a firmware update that unlocks full manual control over exposure. Additional praised features include its lightweight yet solid weather-sealed body, a long-lasting battery life, an intuitive menu system, three convenient custom shooting presets (C1, C2, C3), and an improved 3-inch high-resolution rear LCD screen perfect for live view focusing. Despite its high-end performance, the camera has notable cons, particularly regarding its professional video and design limitations. It is not a complete replacement for a dedicated professional video camera due to restrictive audio control and the lack of adjustable frame rates, slower shutter speeds, or gamma adjustments. Built-in microphone audio can easily be ruined by...

The PhotoReview Australia review highlights the Canon EOS 5D Mark II as a significant high-resolution, full-frame upgrade, featuring a robust, weather-sealed magnesium alloy chassis. The camera is noted for introducing Full HD 1080p video, excellent 21.1-megapixel image quality, and a highly precise, battery-reporting system. Key drawbacks include an aging 9-point autofocus system that lags in fast action tracking, poor built-in microphone quality, and a tendency for soft in-camera JPEGs.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II review by Roland Lim highlights the camera as a highly capable, full-frame successor to the original 5D, delivering exceptional 21.1-megapixel resolution and matching the image quality of top-tier models like the 1Ds Mark III. Key advantages include its high-ISO performance, which boasts excellent resolving power and low noise levels that successfully rival the Nikon D3. The camera introduces groundbreaking Full HD 1080p movie recording with breathtaking clarity, an updated intelligent battery information system, and a bright, automatic-brightness 3.0-inch VGA LCD screen optimized for checking focus accuracy. Furthermore, useful in-camera JPEG processing enhancements are integrated, such as Peripheral Illumination Correction to resolve corner vignetting and Highlight Tone Priority to preserve sky details. However, the reviewer identifies notable limitations, particularly the outdated 9-point autofocus system (plus 6 assist points) carried over directly from the original 5D, which struggles to lock focus effectively in low-light and low-contrast conditions compared to the cross-type systems found on the 40D and 50D. The continuous shooting speed is restricted to a relatively slow 3.9 frames per second, making it less than...

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is a full-frame DSLR camera featuring a 21.1-megapixel CMOS sensor that delivers excellent image sharpness and substantial creative flexibility for cropping images. A major standout feature is its exceptional low-light performance and digital noise control, allowing photographers to shoot clean, usable images at high ISO settings up to 6400 without relying heavily on in-camera noise reduction. The camera introduces helpful ergonomic upgrades over its predecessor, including a subtly repositioned, more comfortable shutter release button, an automated sensor cleaning mechanism, and a larger color LCD monitor. Additionally, the redesigned interface improves usability by utilizing the main dial to jump across nine distinct sub-menu screens and incorporating a dedicated AF-on button to decouple autofocus from the shutter operation. However, the review highlights notable drawbacks, particularly regarding the camera's autofocus system, which is easily distracted by moving subjects and underperforms compared to the professional 1Ds Mark III, leading to potentially missed action or sports shots. The shutter button also requires more physical effort to actuate an exposure, lacking a true hair-trigger response. Furthermore, the author expresses strong...

Overview of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is a highly capable full-frame digital camera featuring a 21.1-megapixel CMOS sensor and the advanced DIGIC 4 image processor. It delivers exceptional low-light performance with an expandable ISO reach up to 25,600, showing remarkably low noise levels even at ISO 3200. On the positive side, it offers a beautifully upgraded 920,000-dot rear LCD monitor, a slightly improved continuous shooting speed of 3.9 frames per second, and added weather resistance compared to its predecessor. Most notably, it introduces stunning 1080p HD video capture that rivals high-end cinematography equipment due to its large sensor size and expansive lens options. At a retail price of $2,699, it provides an affordable, lightweight alternative that rivals the image quality of more expensive pro-level cameras. Limitations and Drawbacks Despite its strengths, the camera has distinct limitations for both still photography and videography. It entirely lacks a built-in pop-up flash, forcing users to rely on external flash units for fill lighting or wireless triggering. The camera's ergonomics lag behind competition like Nikon, specifically...

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is a highly capable full-frame digital SLR designed as a significant upgrade over the original 5D, appealing particularly to professional wedding photographers. Built with a solid steel chassis and magnesium alloy body, the 2-pound camera features a 21-megapixel CMOS sensor, an upgraded Digic 4 image-processing engine, and groundbreaking 1080p HD video capture at 30fps with stereo mic input capabilities. It delivers exceptional image quality with accurate color representation and a highly impressive noise profile that renders clean images up to ISO 1600, with usable results extending as high as ISO 12,800. In terms of speed, it operates with zero perceived sluggishness, waking up and shooting in 0.3 seconds and managing a shot-to-shot time of 0.4 seconds. Despite its stellar performance, the camera has several notable limitations in features and design. On the positive side, its primary strengths (pros) include excellent photo and video quality, top-tier high-resolution imaging components borrowed from more expensive models, and an advanced battery tracking system. On the negative side, its drawbacks (cons) include a slow continuous burst-shooting speed of just...

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II, launched in September 2008, revolutionized the industry by combining a 21.1-megapixel full-frame sensor with groundbreaking 1080p Full HD video recording, enabling cinematic shallow depth of field for creators. Key upgrades included an expanded ISO range, a 3.0-inch VGA screen, and a robust weather-sealed body, offering exceptional low-light performance. Despite these advancements, the camera was hampered by a sluggish 9-point autofocus system, slow continuous shooting speeds, and poor built-in mono audio, which required external solutions for professional use. Nonetheless, it remains recognized for democratizing high-end video and stills production at a competitive price point.