Canon EOS 5DS Review | 108 Data compared

The DPReview of the Canon EOS 5DS and 5DS R identifies these cameras as 50.6MP, high-resolution tools optimized for studio and landscape photography. Key pros include exceptional, detail-rich image quality, a specialized mirror mechanism for sharpness, and a robust 61-point AF system. Conversely, the cameras underperform in low-light scenarios with limited dynamic range compared to competitors and feature dated video capabilities. Additional cons include massive file sizes and a fixed rear screen, making them specialized tools rather than all-arounders.

The Canon EOS 5DS is a full-frame DSLR that stands out primarily for its massive 50.6 Megapixel sensor, making it a high-resolution powerhouse built on the familiar, rugged body of the EOS 5D Mark III. It provides incredibly large image files that are ideal for landscape and detailed static photography, and it introduces helpful updates to mitigate resolution loss from vibration, such as a motor-driven shutter system and expanded mirror-lockup delay options. Additional perks inherited from the EOS 7D Mark II include an advanced 150k pixel metering system, an intervalometer, and a built-in bulb timer that allows for long exposures without an external remote. The camera maintains a highly responsive 61-point autofocus system and handles fractionally slower continuous bursts well at 5fps for both JPEG and RAW files. However, the 5DS compromises significantly on video and modern connectivity features. It completely lacks 4K recording, restricts 1080p video to a modest 30p, and removes the clean HDMI output alongside the physical headphone jack, making it poorly suited for serious videographers. Its video capabilities are further limited by a 100% contrast-based autofocus...

The Shutterbug review of the 50.3-megapixel Canon EOS 5DS highlights its exceptional image resolution, sharpness, and precise color reproduction, particularly with red tones. It delivers excellent dynamic range at low ISO settings and surprisingly strong, clean video performance up to ISO 6400. Despite these strengths, the high pixel density results in higher baseline luminance noise compared to competitors. Additionally, the body lacks an articulating screen, built-in Wi-Fi, GPS, and a flash, requiring reliance on external accessories.

The Canon 5DS is a specialized, studio-oriented DSLR camera body built with a rugged, weather-sealed magnesium alloy chassis and an impressive 50.6-megapixel full-frame sensor that captures rich colors, deep dynamic range, and high-resolution details. Designed primarily for controlled environments like portrait, fashion, still life, and food photography, it serves as a highly reliable option for demanding professional stills work. Reviewers note that when used under optimal conditions—such as on a tripod with stopped-down apertures and powerful studio strobes to freeze motion—the sensor delivers exceptional image quality and a distinct "medium format" depth. Additionally, long-term users appreciate the camera's remarkable battery life for stills and the robust used market available for its lenses and accessories. However, the camera suffers from several glaring drawbacks that make it highly unsuited for general-purpose or run-and-gun photography. Its 61-point autofocus system is heavily criticized as mediocre, because the sensor's immense resolution amplifies even the slightest subject movement or minute focusing imperfection, requiring rigorous technique and stationary subjects to achieve sharp results. Furthermore, its ISO performance is poor, with images becoming practically unusable beyond ISO 1,600...

The Canon EOS 5Ds is a high-pixel-density full-frame DSLR featuring a 50.6MP CMOS sensor, which delivers vastly superior image sharpness and resolution compared to cameras like the 22.1MP EOS 5D Mark III and 20.2MP EOS 6D. Testing reveals that this massive resolution advantage is successfully maintained across various lenses, including high-end "L" series glass and older consumer kit lenses. Key pros highlighted in the review include its exceptional image detail that rivals digital medium format cameras, low and well-controlled noise levels even up to ISO 6400, and a sophisticated 150K-pixel RGB+IR metering system equipped with anti-flicker detection. Additionally, the immense pixel count provides superb cropping flexibility, allowing users to crop down to an APS-C size while still retaining a highly usable 19.6MP image. However, the camera comes with several notable cons and feature trade-offs, particularly for video shooters and action photographers. The EOS 5Ds lacks an uncompressed HDMI output and a dedicated headphone jack, making it less suitable for professional video workflows than its predecessor. For sports and wildlife photography, its continuous shooting speed is slightly slower at 5fps, and...

The Canon 5Ds is a high-resolution, full-frame SLR camera featuring a 50.6-megapixel sensor paired with dual DIGIC 6 processors, allowing it to capture highly detailed images at a speed of five frames per second. Designed primarily for studio, landscape, architectural, and commercial portrait photography, it delivers exceptional sharpness and customizability, notably through its user-configured Custom Quick Control menu screen. However, to truly capitalize on this immense resolution and avoid motion blur, photographers must use exceptionally high-quality lenses and strict shutter speeds—ideally starting at 1/(3 × focal length) when shooting handheld. Key Pros and Cons High Image Quality: Delivers astronomical resolution and center sharpness, offering a noticeable 20% to 30% resolution increase over older 24-megapixel models. Excellent Performance: Features a 61-point autofocus system and a robust buffer that sustains 5 fps even when shooting simultaneous RAW and JPEG files. Rock-Solid Build: Highly durable magnesium alloy body with an excellent, user-friendly menu layout. Storage Demands: High-resolution files are massive (14-bit RAWs range between 40 and 80 MB), requiring substantial PC memory and storage space. Limited Dynamic Range: The dynamic range lags behind...

The Canon EOS 5DS is a 50-megapixel full-frame DSLR designed primarily for studio, portrait, still life, and art reproduction work, delivering extreme detail and immense cropping flexibility. Key advantages include a durable, weather-sealed body, dual card slots, USB 3.0 connectivity for fast tethered shooting, and an advanced 61-point autofocus system inherited from the 1DX series. It also features a highly versatile crop mode, allowing photographers to lower the resolution to 28 or 12 megapixels. This effectively mitigates the burden of massive RAW file sizes, speeds up workflow, and enables the camera to behave like a standard, flexible walk-around camera when high-resolution files are unnecessary. However, the ultra-high-resolution sensor comes with distinct drawbacks, most notably demanding top-tier prime or high-end zoom lenses to prevent soft images. Standard lenses, like the popular 24-105mm f/4 L, fail to resolve enough detail at full resolution. Additionally, camera shake is highly magnified at 50 megapixels, forcing photographers to double their standard shutter speeds relative to the focal length when shooting handheld without Image Stabilization. The massive RAW files quickly deplete storage, filling a 32GB memory...

Canon 5DS Review Summary The Canon 5DS is a full-frame DSLR tailored primarily for studio, commercial, and landscape photographers who prioritize ultra-high resolution. Boasting an impressive 50.6-megapixel sensor, the camera excels at capturing intricate details that rival medium-format systems at a fraction of the cost. It shares an advanced 61-point wide-area autofocus system with the 7D Mark II, allowing for highly customizable, independent configurations on back-panel buttons like the AF-ON and AE-Lock. Other notable upgrades include an intelligent, customizable transparent viewfinder, dual DIGIC 6 processors, and built-in intervalometer capabilities for creating in-camera time-lapse videos. However, the camera's massive resolution comes with distinct performance compromises, making it ill-suited for fast-moving action, sports, or field wildlife photography. Its slow 5 frames-per-second continuous shooting rate and small 14-frame RAW buffer limit its capabilities during high-speed action. Furthermore, the camera fails to improve upon the ISO performance or dynamic range of the older 5D Mark III. It lacks modern video features like 4K capability, a headphone jack, and uncompressed HDMI output. Finally, operating the 5DS requires a significant external investment, as users need top-tier...

The Imaging Resource Canon 5DS Review highlights the camera as a specialized, studio-oriented powerhouse featuring a historic 50.6-megapixel full-frame sensor designed to capture massive resolution. Borrowing technological advancements from the 7D Mark II, it integrates dual DIGIC 6 processors, an advanced 150,000-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor, and an enhanced 61-point iTR autofocus tracking system. Primary advantages noted in the review include its specialized "Fine Detail" Picture Style for advanced sharpness tweaking, built-in intervalometer for automatic timelapse creation, variable crop shooting modes (1.3x and 1.6x), and upgraded USB 3.0 connectivity for fast tethered studio workflows. Additionally, reviewers from Imaging Resource praise its redesigned, motor-driven mirror mechanism and adjustable shutter delay, which are critical for mitigating camera vibrations and maximizing fine detail. Conversely, the review explicitly outlines that the 5DS is not a general-purpose tool and brings notable trade-offs compared to the 5D Mark III. The camera's massive resolution results in a small 4.14-micron pixel pitch, which significantly compromises low-light performance and forces Canon to restrict the high ISO ceiling to a modest 6400 (expandable to 12,800). Continuous shooting speed is also reduced...

Ken Rockwell hails the 50.6-megapixel Canon EOS 5DS as the premier camera for high-detail, static photography, matching or exceeding medium-format quality in a faster, smaller, and quieter full-frame package. Key pros include the ability to shoot through flickering light, convenient in-camera crop modes, and exceptional sharpness, making it a "king" for landscape and studio work. Conversely, the review identifies the 5DS as a specialized tool for subjects that hold still, citing significantly slower operational speeds compared to general-purpose cameras. It is not designed for fast action, prompting a recommendation to choose other models for high-ISO or rapid-fire shooting, despite its unparalleled resolution.

The Canon EOS 5DS and 5DS R deliver the best overall image quality ever measured on a Canon sensor by DXOMARK, achieving sensor scores of 87 and 86 points respectively. Boasting an unprecedented 50.6-megapixel resolution, these cameras represent a one-third stop improvement over previous Canon models, offering their highest performance in color depth and dynamic range at base ISO sensitivities. The primary pros highlighted in the review include exceptional color sensitivity (24.7 bits) and controlled noise levels that translate remarkably well into high-quality, large-scale printed results up to ISO 800. Additionally, the high resolution of the 5DS R mostly nullifies moiré issues despite its low-pass cancellation filter, making both models excellent choices for studio or landscape photographers targeting print media. However, the review outlines several prominent cons, specifically when comparing these sensors to the broader market and evaluating on-screen performance. Both cameras chart outside the DXOMARK top 20, sitting roughly two-thirds of a stop behind competing full-frame sensors like the Nikon D810 (97 points) and Sony A7R (95 points). A major drawback is the dynamic range at base ISO, where...

Ken Rockwell identifies the Canon EOS 5DS as the premier full-frame camera for high-detail, stationary applications, driven by its 50.6-megapixel sensor that delivers medium-format quality at a lower cost and weight. Key advantages include a quieter, well-damped mirror mechanism, built-in bulb timer, and a full-frame anti-flicker mode. Conversely, the camera’s primary drawbacks are its 5-frame-per-second limit, poor high-ISO low-light performance, and the necessity of using top-tier lenses to fully leverage the high resolution. The 5DS is optimized for studio, portrait, and landscape work, rather than general-purpose, high-speed action photography.