Canon Announces 21.1 Megapixel 5D Mark II
by Wesley Fink on September 17, 2008 12:10 AM EST- Posted in
- Digital Camera
The Canon Europe Press Release was organized quite differently and provided more information on the 5D Mark II. It is also interesting that while the 5D Mark II is priced lower than the Sony A900 and Nikon D700 in the US, it is expected to be priced higher than these two models in Europe.
United Kingdom/ Republic of Ireland, 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 and with environmental protection, the successor to the EOS 5D boasts a newly designed Canon CMOS sensor, with ISO sensitivity up to 25,600 for shooting in low light conditions. The new DiG!C 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.
Enhancements from the original 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.”
Key Specifications:
- New 21.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor with improved EOS Integrated Cleaning System (E.I.C.S.)
- New Full HD 1080 resolution movie recording
- 3.9 frames per second continuous shooting
- High performance DiG!C 4 processor providing superb image quality
- Maximum 310 large JPEG images in a single burst with a UDMA card
- 3.0” VGA (920k dots) Clear View LCD
- ISO 100-6400 (expansion from 50 up to 25,600)
- 9 AF points + 6 Assist AF points
Pricing & Availability:
The EOS 5D Mark II (body only) is available from end of November 2008 priced at £2299.99 / €2999.99 RRP inc. VAT.
The EOS 5D Mark II, EF 24-105mm f4.0L IS USM kit is available from end of November 2008 priced at £3049.99 / €3999.99 RRP inc. VAT.
Additional information
New CMOS sensor
The EOS 5D Mark II newly designed full frame 21.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor features ISO sensitivity from 100-6400, expandable to 50, 12,800 and 25,600. Large 6.4µm2 pixels have been redesigned to capture more light and yield a better signal to noise ratio to ensure lower noise images throughout the ISO range. The full frame sensor has the same dimensions as a frame of 35mm film. This means that wide-angle lenses stay wide, without the change in angle of view associated with smaller sensor cameras. As well as benefiting from finer control over depth of field, photographers moving up to the EOS 5D Mark II full frame format will find the newly designed wide, bright 98% coverage viewfinder a joy to work with.
New DiG!C 4 processor
A new DiG!C 4 processor combined with 14-bit analogue to digital conversion provides smooth gradations in mono-tonal areas such as skies, and highly accurate colour rendition. As well as HD movie shooting, DiG!C 4’s high speed provides for long uninterrupted continuous bursts of large JPEGs, near-instant start-up times and immediate and fast review after shooting. DiG!C 4 also provides for improved noise reduction algorithms, complementing the already low noise images from the EOS 5D Mark II CMOS sensor.
A new DiG!C 4 processor combined with 14-bit analogue to digital conversion provides smooth gradations in mono-tonal areas such as skies, and highly accurate colour rendition. As well as HD movie shooting, DiG!C 4’s high speed provides for long uninterrupted continuous bursts of large JPEGs, near-instant start-up times and immediate and fast review after shooting. DiG!C 4 also provides for improved noise reduction algorithms, complementing the already low noise images from the EOS 5D Mark II CMOS sensor.
HD video capture
The EOS 5D Mark II is Canon’s first D-SLR to incorporate full HD 1920x1080 video capture. Once filming is started from Live View mode, photographers can fire off either single or continuous stills, with video capture continuing after the final frame is captured.
The EOS 5D Mark II is Canon’s first D-SLR to incorporate full HD 1920x1080 video capture. Once filming is started from Live View mode, photographers can fire off either single or continuous stills, with video capture continuing after the final frame is captured.
See everything
A new 3.0” VGA resolution LCD provides a wide 170º angle-of-view, providing plenty of clarity for accurate focus checks in playback. The screen brightness can automatically adjust to suit viewing conditions, extending battery life in low light and improving viewing in bright conditions. A new dedicated Live View button switches modes to display a real-time image on the LCD. This allows EOS 5D Mark II photographers to enjoy simplified shooting from awkward angles. Simple connection to a PC provides easy remote shooting.
A new 3.0” VGA resolution LCD provides a wide 170º angle-of-view, providing plenty of clarity for accurate focus checks in playback. The screen brightness can automatically adjust to suit viewing conditions, extending battery life in low light and improving viewing in bright conditions. A new dedicated Live View button switches modes to display a real-time image on the LCD. This allows EOS 5D Mark II photographers to enjoy simplified shooting from awkward angles. Simple connection to a PC provides easy remote shooting.
Precision focus and metering
A 9-point auto focus system is supported by 6 additional invisible Assist AF points, located inside the spot-metering circle to optimise subject tracking performance in AI SERVO AF mode. For accurate exposure readings in tricky lighting conditions, the spot metering circle covers just 3.5% of the frame.
A 9-point auto focus system is supported by 6 additional invisible Assist AF points, located inside the spot-metering circle to optimise subject tracking performance in AI SERVO AF mode. For accurate exposure readings in tricky lighting conditions, the spot metering circle covers just 3.5% of the frame.
Control
The EOS 5D Mark II redesigned menu system includes a new Quick Control screen, for instant access to the most commonly changed settings. A new Creative Auto mode allows photographers to cede control of key settings to the camera, while retaining control over creative variables such background blur, drive mode and image brightness. Custom user settings allow photographers to switch between two completely different camera setups. This is ideal for changing quickly between two different environments, such as switching from working inside a church without flash to outdoors with fill-flash at a wedding.
The EOS 5D Mark II redesigned menu system includes a new Quick Control screen, for instant access to the most commonly changed settings. A new Creative Auto mode allows photographers to cede control of key settings to the camera, while retaining control over creative variables such background blur, drive mode and image brightness. Custom user settings allow photographers to switch between two completely different camera setups. This is ideal for changing quickly between two different environments, such as switching from working inside a church without flash to outdoors with fill-flash at a wedding.
Accessories
Shooting flexibility is enhanced with a range of new accessories. Shooting capacity can be extended with either the high capacity 1800mAh lithium-ion Battery Pack LP-E6, or Battery Grip BG-E6. A new optional Wireless File Transmitter – the K271 – offers external HDD and GPS compatibility along with the ability to transmit images direct to computer or FTP server, or operate the camera wirelessly. Both the BG-E6 and K271 feature a vertical orientation shutter release and other key controls for comfortable portraiture work, with a substantial grip to help balance the camera when used with long lenses.
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BigJim - Monday, September 22, 2008 - link
Thank God Sony came along and introduced more competition. We all benefit, it generates more features and lower prices sooner. I do like the in-body stabilization from Sony (and... Konica was it?). But for a prosumer like me, having one piece of gear shoot my HDTV as well as my photos is HUGE. Canon really raises the bar. If it weren't for competition we'd never see so many features so soon. Sony would never add 1080p video since they don't want to cannibalize their camcorder sales. Now they may be forced to. If it weren't for competition we'd never see so many features so soon.daversinger - Thursday, September 18, 2008 - link
How about a sub $2,000 17-85mm or 24-105mm IS F1.4L that would be some big glass, and it would be close to ideal for me. I'd buy it and the 5D Mark II from Canon in a heartbeat if they made it. Well, I am still dying to buy the 5D Mark II.strikeback03 - Friday, September 19, 2008 - link
You want a 4-5x EF-mount zoom of L quality and at a constant f/1.4 for under $2000? Sorry, not happening with current optical materials. I'm not sure if it is even possible to manufacture, but it would be gigantic and extremely expensive. Just the 24L and 35L together cost more than $2000.melgross - Thursday, September 18, 2008 - link
What exactly are you asking for?Canon already has a 24 to 104 IS "L" lens. They also have a 17 to 85, but it's for the APS "C" cameras, and none of the APS lenses are "L" lenses, because as Canon says, that's reserved for the full frame lines top models. But the gold ringed lenses are pretty good.
They are coming out with an 18 to 200 though.
aeternitas - Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - link
I guess im phychic. When they reviewed the new Sony DSLR, i critisized it while others said how great it was and how awesome it is for under 3 grand.And I said Cannon and Nikon are going to beat the crap out of it becuse they are the top two in the DSLR markey and make QUALITY over trash becuse Sony and others are after market share.
OH LOOK WHATS THIS? Its beautiful, and you can bet there is ALOT less of a reason to choose the Sony alternative. Go back home, Sony. Improve the stuff youre good at.
Koing - Thursday, September 18, 2008 - link
D700 is much more geared towards sports5D mkII is more geared towards landscapes and general photography with more detailed required.
Theres another of a difference for everybody :)
Koing
melgross - Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - link
What people aren't commenting on here is the question, and it's been brought up in the pro sites, is how good the sensor really is.From what I know, the 1Ds has better noise than the A900 at higher ISO's, from 400 and up, at least.
As the 5D mkII is supposed to be about 1.5 stops less noisy at any ISO than the older 5D, which already was less noisy than the 1Ds mkIII, it should certainly be interesting.
Personally, I think Sony made a mistake going for the gold on resolution, rather than overall IQ as Nikon did. The difference is insignificant.
This could bite them if the 5D mkII is as good as Canon is saying it is, and the few photographers who have been using it already have been saying.
But, I suppose Sony needed this prize, small as it is, to get good publicity. We'll see if it lasts.
Keepitpro - Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - link
Well rounded, but Nikon still has the advantage when it comes to shooting and focusing at high speeds. The 3.9 fps of the 5D Mark 11 is impressive for the amount of a data that it has to process, but still too slow for sports. Can't wait to read the review!melgross - Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - link
The 5D was never aimed at the sports photographer.And, really, who cares?
Some people think that sports is the beginning and the end. But most photographers do not shoot sports.
When this camera came out, the IQ was higher than any other camera around, including Canon's 1Ds, if you don't just take resolution into account. And even there, it wasn't that much lower than the 16.7 MP of the 1Ds mkII.
I find that even now, at ISO 200 the camera easily holds its own against Nikons D3 and D700. That's saying something for a three year old body.
The new one will do better. Most people using these cameras won't be shooting at 25,600 ISO, or even 12,800 ISO. both are useful, but neither gives much in the way of quality.
The battle will be in dynamic range at lower ISO's. We'll see what happens there.
My experience with the Nikons is that they break down in prints at 16 x24, while the 1Ds doesn't. The noise level is better, but we'll see how that compares to the new 5D mkII.
strikeback03 - Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - link
That is why the 1DIII exists. The 5D is aimed more at portraiture.