If you are moving up from an APS-format DSLR, you will be happy with the 5D Mark II. Make that ecstatic. Life is fuller in the full-frame lane.
And the vast amount of detail that goes along with 21.1MP, as well as the sophisticated image processing served up by its new DIGIC 4 engine, cannot be understand – it’s a wow! The low-light image quality is almost life-changing.
But the Canon 5D Mark II’s old-fashioned AF system can’t keep up with the cutting edge imaging power. Nor is the 3.9-fps burst rate state-of-the-art. So if you are a pro, understand these limitations.
Yet if you are looking to trade in your old 5D for this version, while you gain nothing in AF, you pick up everything from low-light to video capability. And those are very impressive-perhaps irresistible-upgrades.
VITAL STATISTICS
Imaging : 21.1MP effective, full-frame CMOS sensor captures images at 5616x3744 pixels with 14 bits/color in RAW mode.
Storage : Single CompackFlash Type I/II including UDMA; microdirves. Stores JPEG, RAW, RAW+JPEG, sRAW 1 (3861x2574 pixels, and sRAW 2 (2784x1856 pixels).
Burst Rate : Full-sized JPEGs (Fine mode) : up to 78 shots at 3.9 fps. RAW : up to 13 shots at 3.9 fps.
AF system : TTL phase detection with 9 illuminated focus points (1 center cross-type), plus 6 assist points. Single-shot and continuous AF with Predictive AI Servo focus tracking. Tested sensitivity down to EV-2 (at ISO 100, f/1.4).
Live View : TTL Phase detection and Contrast Detection modes.
Shutter Speeds : 1/8000 to 30 sec plus B (1/3-, or 1/2 –EV increments). 150,000 cycle rating.
Metering : 35-zone TTL metering, evaluative, centerweighted, partial (approx. 8% of viewfinder), and spot (approx. 3.5% of viewfinder).
ISO Range : Normal, ISO 100 – 6400 (in 1/3- or 1-EV increments); expanded ISO 50, 12,800, 25,600 (in 1-EV increments)
Flash : X sync at 1/250 sec.
Viewfinder : Fixed eye-level pentaprism
LCD : 3-in. TFT with 920,000-dot resolution, 170 degree viewing angle
Output : Hi-speed USB 2.0, HDMI (mini-type) video, composite video, mini-jack mic input, accessory terminal
Battery : Rechargeable LP-E6 Li-ion, CIPA rating, 850 shots
Size/Weight : 6x4.5x3 in., 1.79 lb with card and bettery
Viewfinder Test :
Accuracy : 98% (Excellent)
Magnification : 0.71X (Good)