Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Digital camera Review: A real winning full frame camera in a nice form factor-finally!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great camera and brings Canon's top of the range Pro line a bit closer to amateurs. In fact, it's good enough for professional use and I know of several pros using the 5d (in addition to myself). There are 4 main advantages to the 5d:
Full frame - there is no more 1.6x or 1.3x crop factor to deal with. A 50mm lens gives the same field of view as a 50mm lens on a film camera. The focal length labelled on the lens is what the body captures.
Image quality - although not as many megapixels, the 5D is comparable to even to the top of the line 1dsMKII with regards to image quality. In fact, the 5D performs even better at high ISO speed ratings 800 and above than the more than double cost 1dsMKII.
Large LCD Screen - the screen is much larger than on previous cameras, including the 1dsMKII. It's very 'photographic' and while it's not that bright when outdoors in the sunlight, it's quite nice and usable still.
Form Factor - it has a smaller form factor than the higher pro cameras and is not very heavy. This is a plus in my book. Even if you are a pro, you don't want to necessarily look like one all the time. If you do want to look like one, you can add the optional battery grip.
I would recommend this camera to anyone. I can think of zero complaints for the pro or advanced amateur photographer.
Digital camera Review: A revelation
Summary: 5 Stars
I switched from the Digital Rebel XT. Since I already had L-glass lenses, I didn't run into problems with the 5D "exposing" cheaper lenses. The 17-40mm really shines on the full sensor! The burst rate is simply astonishing. Missing flash doesn't bother me, heck it's a $3000 camera, I don't expect a built-in flash. I have the Speedlite 580EX, which of course is wonderful in itself. I also have the battery grip which I recommend, as well as the RS-80N3 cable release. Image quality is superb overall - the 5D REALLY shines in high ISO numbers - more so than even the 1D from what I've read. Even at 1600 there's hardly any noise. It allows you to take great, crisp photos in low light where other cameras would require a flash.
The camera also is quite light while being very sturdy at the same time. The 3 fps might bother some, but I prefer the incredible burst numbers.
Digital camera Review: Amazing camera
Summary: 5 Stars
Amazon had the cheapest price (at the time) and the camera is everything I expected and more. I upgraded from a Rebel XT. At the same time I bought two new L-series lenses - well worth the money. I'm still learning all of the features this camera offers. The low-light shots are amazing - the speed is great. I'm a semi-pro photographer and am extremely happy with my purchase - even knowing that any day now Canon is going to roll out the upgrade.Digital camera Review: Amazing camera
Summary: 5 Stars
Amazing, professional camera. Beautiful files straight out of the camera. It's lightweight but it's no light weight. The 5D is a full-frame camera that means your wide angle lens will produce the image you would expect.
The price drop made it possible for me to invest in a second body.
You will love it!
Digital camera Review: At 1/2 of 5D Mk II, I'd say go for it!
Summary: 5 Stars
Coming from 40D, the 5D is quite similar and yet different for the better in many ways.
Pro:
- Better high ISO IQ, lower noise ISO 400 and up, significantly better at ISO1600 (with minimal RAW processing before conversion using DPP)
- Better wide angle. Use the Sigma 12-24 on this baby and it rocks!
- I am no pro, and I don't have light fall-off problem with my lenses, L or otherwise.
- View finder is bigger and clearer, but not as much as I had hoped for.
- Almost the same weight as 40D, same battery as 40D as well, same remote release.
- Easier to clean the sensor, bigger hole and bigger area there.
- Great LCD display, very accurate - which is very helpful in the field. 40D got a bigger LCD (3" vs 2.5") but I found the color and details on the 40D are way off.
- Full frame sensor without the burden of ridiculously huge RAW file size - reasonable post processing and storage chores.
Neutral:
- 5D has the old menu system where all items are displayed in one long list, whereas 40D divides menu into tabs. 40D is faster but 5D is just fine.
Con:
- No Live-View: very important for fine macro shots.
- No auto-sensor cleaning. The auto-cleaning on 40D is not perfect, but very helpful.
- No user menu tab as on 40D.
- No pop-up flash - which is useful for fill flash.
- Internal processing is horribly slow. It struggles with each shot as reflected in the extra slow display on the LCD using a 4G SanDisk Extreme III card. On 40D the LCD shows the picture instantly.
- 3 RAW per second seems to be a stretch. This one is not for action shoots for sure. But I bought it for landscape so I am not worried.
Some of the issues are addressed in Mark II. But the Mk II got a huge boost in mega pixel counts - hens higher noise and far bigger file size to drag around with. To me personally, a build-in flash, a better view finder (100% instead just 96%) would be far more useful than the mega pixel count and HD video. A second CF slot would be great as well. It'd be nice if there're after-mart place where these features can be customized into the camera, like cars and bikes...
Bottom line - it is great for low light and wide angles. I still stick to 40D on action and macro. At half price of the Mk II, you can't go wrong with this full frame camera.