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Canon EOS 5D

Canon EOS 5D

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Key Features of the Canon EOS 5D :
  • World's smallest and lightest full-frame digital SLR.
  • 12.8 Megapixel CMOS Sensor.
  • DIGIC II Image Processor for outstanding image quality and performance.
  • 3.0 fps for up to 60 consecutive JPEG or 17 RAW frames in a burst.
  • New larger 2.5 inch LCD screen can be viewed even at extreme angles up to 170°.
  • New "Picture Style" function for superior command of in-camera color, contrast and sharpness.
  • High-precision 9-point AF with 6 additional Supplemental points surrounding the center point for superior focus tracking.
  • Strong and light magnesium-alloy body with new shutter durability-tested to 100,000 exposures.
  • Compatible with over 50 Canon EF lenses and most EOS System accessories.
Combining the high-end specifications of the EOS-1 Line and the operational easeof the EOS 20D model, the Canon 5D digital SLR is a premium digital SLR designed for a wide range of photographers. Boasting a 12.8 megapixel, 35mm full-size image sensor in a magnesium alloy body weighing just 28.6 ounces (810 grams), the EOS 5D digital SLR is a petite but powerful imaging machine.

The camera features a Canon-designed & manufactured CMOS image sensor. At 12.8 megapixels, there is enough resolution for a double-page spread in a magazine, a large print of the bride & groom, facial detail in group shots or a landscape of impressive dimensions. The sensor's 35.8 x 23.9mm size means that each pixel can be a generous 8.2mm, resulting in exceptionally low shadow noise, & increases the light-sensitive area of each pixel & improves dynamic range as well.

The full-size sensor maximizes performance of the world's largest selection of autofocus lenses. Even wide-angle lenses—have the same look & feel they have with conventional SLR cameras, preserving their optical signatures. The addition of the DIGIC II image processor, provides detailed & natural color reproduction & fast image processing, including an incredible burst performance of 60 Large/Fine JPEGs or 17 RAW images at 3 fps. It also enhances start-up time bringing it down to a lightning fast 0.2 seconds.

A new feature called Picture Styles combines processing parameters & color matrix settings into easy settings designed to obtain the desired effect, almost like choosing a type of film to obtain a specific result, to avoid confusion of digital effects on the image. The Canon 5D digital SLR has a new 9 point AF system with 6 Supplemental AF points, a new AF algorithm & a new AF circuitry.

The new AF system improves subject detection & focusing precision at the center, the most frequently used area, & significantly enhances subject tracking performance. The EOS 5D digital SLR has a newly developed, high-speed & highly durable shutter unit that was designed to meet the demanding requirements of a full-frame sensor in a relatively compact body.

The Canon EOS 5D digital SLR has a solid, substantial & organic feel along with its compact dimensions & relatively light weight. The Canon 5D model has a 2.5" polysilicon TFT LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 pixels. At 170 degrees, it has an exceptionally wide viewing angle. Brightness on the monitor is also adjustable in 5 levels & the screen's backlight feature uses six LED modules.

The Canon EOS 5D DSLR has a bevy of other high-end features including the same ISO range as the 1Ds Mark II—ISO 100-1600 in 1/3-step increments & ISO speed extended at L:50, H:3200. Also included on the camera is ultra-precise white balance with 9 types of white balance settings, white balance bracketing, & white balance correction, enhanced 35-zone exposure metering, & spot metering in approximately 3.5 percent of the viewfinder area.

 

  • Full frame CMOS sensor offering 1:1 lens conversion and capturing detailed 12.8 Megapixel images
  • DiG!C II image processor for lightening quick response, low image noise with natural color
  • High speed 9-point wide-area AF and 3 fps continuous shooting for up to 60 frames in a burst
  • Super tough and light weight magnesium alloy body providing exceptional durability
  • Compatible with the range of over 50 Canon EF lenses and EX-series Speedlites
  • Complete Creative Control
  • 35-zone metering with options including Evaluative, Partial, Spot and Center-weighted Average
  • Selectable ISO from 100-1600 with ISO expansion to ISO 50-3,200 via Custom Function
  • White Balance control including Auto, Preset, Custom, Color Temperature, Correction and Bracketing
  • Picture Style settings for simpler image color control & consistency offering 6 preset looks including Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful & Monochrome plus 3 User Defined settings
  • Advanced features
  • High speed 9-point AF with 6 additional Assist Points for even greater high speed focus accuracy
  • High speed shutter with 1/8000 sec shutter speed and 1/200 sec flash synchronization
  • Critically accurate E-TTL II flash metering for high flash exposure consistency and accuracy
  • 21 Custom Functions with 57 settings allowing customization of operation to suit shooting style
  • Large 2.5 inch LCD monitor and USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface enabling high speed image transfer
  • Huge Range of Standard Accessories + Software



Canon EOS 5D Photo Samples

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These are actual photos taken with Canon EOS 5D.
Photos courtesy of Flickr and belong to respective users. To view a larger image click on thumbnail.

Compare Canon EOS 5D with similar cameras

Name: Canon EOS 5D Nikon D200 Nikon D300
Megapixels: 12.7 10.0 12.3
Sensor Type: CMOS CCD CMOS
LCD Screen: 2.5 " 2.5 " 3.0 "
ISO: 100 - 1600 in 1/3 stops, plus 50, 3200 as option 100 - 1600 in 1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps 200 - 3200 in 1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps (100 - 6400 with boost)
White balance Settings: 8 positions & manual preset 6 positions, plus manual preset and Kelvin 6 positions, plus manual preset and Kelvin
Max shutter: 1/8000 sec 1/8000 sec 1/8000 sec
Min shutter: 30 sec + Bulb 30 sec + Bulb 30 sec + Bulb
Focal length multiplier: 1 1.5 1.5
Viewfinder: TTL TTL TTL
Image stabilizer: No No No
Weight (with batteries): 895 g (31.6 oz) 920 g (32.5 oz) 925 g (32.6 oz)
Lowest Price: $1999.95 $1629.95 $1829.95
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Canon EOS 5D User Reviews

Avg. Rating
4.5
Out of 5
 This item is reviewed by 127 people so far.
Click here for complete reviews.

4
Out of 5
Still the benchmark for picture quality & high iso performance
- Reviewd on: 2/24/2010 12:00:00 AM By: drama
This is my DSLR of choice & was the obvious choice for my full frame move
It has justified my faith & produces consistent quality images
It is not the most dust or weather resistant but I can live with an occasional sensor wet cleaning
5
Out of 5
Great
- Reviewd on: 1/30/2010 12:00:00 AM By: Deidre Carlson
Has help up well through 80+ weddings and is still going strong - has been replaced by the Mark II but my 2nd shooters still use this camera and enjoy it.
5
Out of 5
Best DSLR you can buy (still)
- Reviewd on: 12/21/2009 12:00:00 AM By: Z8
Most people really don't understand photography. If you are one of them, just buy a 5D Mk I. Get a 5D Mk II if you want to take great movies too.

The 5D MkI is better than every other DSLR for a few reasons:

1. The pixels are larger than any other professional-caliber camera
2. The sensor is full frame, 3X larger than low cost DSLRs
3. Wide angle capable

The reason 1 is important is because the more electronics (Megapixels) you cram onto the silicon, the more noise you get. More pixels is worse in this respect, not better. In bright light, zillions of little pixels are fine, since noise is not dominant. But in low light, which is basically every picture with a shutter speed slower than 100th of a sec or so, noise is the primary quality consideration with digital. The 5D takes fantastic low light pictures, because it has such a large sensor without too many MPs, and that gives you huge, light-gathering pixels.

As all good photographers know, you need a flash almost all the time, especially in full sun. The 5D's large pixels allow you to capture lots of ambient light, so harsh light from the flash doesn't dominate the scene. This allows gorgeous bright-light scenes with fill flash, and also beautiful ambient exposures in settings as dim as a candle.

The reason 2 is important is because it effectively makes your lens 3X brighter by soaking up light with 3X the sensor surface area per unit time. High quality fast glass is incredibly expensive, so don't waste that light by projecting it around (off of) a small sensor.

The reason 3 is important is because you get the largest possible rectangular crop (36mm x 24mm) out of the circular lens projection, meaning you get a much wider field of view. This makes for wide angle capabilities there are beyond the realm of possibility for most DSLRs which have a small sensor sitting in the middle of a large lens projection. You can buy a whole set of wider lenses for those cameras, but you lose optical quality and pay the same money in the end. Small sensors are commonly thought to give a zoom advantage on the tele end of the lens line, but of course they don't because you can crop any picture you take with a full frame camera for the exact equivalent of what the cheaper DSLRs are doing.

Nikon has countered with a full frame 12MP DSLR which meets all of the above criteria above, but I personally favor the rich colorful glass of the Canon L line. I also perfer Canon's digital color rendering. Both of these bodies merit strong consideration from pros and beginners alike.

5
Out of 5
sharp and cheap
- Reviewd on: 12/3/2009 12:00:00 AM By: Hodorogea Dorian Camil
i have chosen this camera for the price/performance and also the 12mpx that are more than enough and do not require the usage of the most expensive Canon lens such as the 5DII. I have been using it for some time. Great camera, great results, nice dynamic range and RAW files are really sharp and give a lot of details. I am using a 17-40 , 100 f2.8 and a 70-200f4 L IS. Still a small issue with sensor dust at f16-f22 but a blower takes most of the ugly spots :)A great tool for impressive results in a nice package
5
Out of 5
got 5d because cannot think 7d close to it
- Reviewd on: 9/17/2009 12:00:00 AM By: Eric Mas
hi. i was waiting to get the upcoming canon 7d to replace my rebel xti, but when i realized that it was not full frame and with 18 mp, i decide to get a 5d before it gets out of stock. i got mine 5 days ago. i used it for the last 3 days and i am amazed with the image quality. it's impressive for a camera more than 3 years old. probably still on the top 5. highly recommended. get one before out of stock and price goes crazy.