Canon Rocks the House with the new 5D Mark II

Canon's latest and possibly greatest (even though it's not the cheapest) new full frame DSLR has revealed its specs: Let's herald the arrival of the Canon 5D Mark II. (What they didn't call it the 6D, I'll never know.)

I hate to pick on a specific journalist (see my post on the Canon 50D) but once again, Marty Katz of the NY Times amazes me by calling the announcement of the most-predicted camera ever a "September surprise." I can't think of an analyst or journalist, including me and Michael, who didn't foresee this camera arriving before the big trade show Photokina this year.

In any case, Katz breathlessly summarizes the camera's stats, although, once again, it's not clear if he's actually tested the camera, or if he's just restating Canon's press releases:

Cosmetically the same, the new version shoots full HD video and even better still pictures. The larger data stream from a 21-megapixel sensor is handled by more efficient amplifier circuitry and a new signal processor, the Digic IV, for a reduction in digital noise. Pictures are clearer and sharper, and a light sensitivity setting up to ISO 25,600 produces good pictures in very low light.

MPEG4 video can be shot for up to 29 minutes, depending on the content, at the high-definition resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels at 30 frames per second. A stereo external microphone can be connected, but the built-in mike is mono.

Here's some other pertinent features of the 5D Mark II:

• Live view shooting has face detection AF, which is very cool, although I don't think there's much point to shooting in live view with a DSLR.
• A continuous shoot time of up to 3.9fps. This is low compared to its competitors, but some analysts conjecture that this is a more honest estimate than the inflated claims that have been made in the past. Nevertheless, Canon rates the more-than-$1,000 less expensive 50D at much higher 6.3fps.
• It has the same high-resolution LCD of other new DSLRs, but DP Review finds that "Canon do seem (sic) to have made it even better with improved viewing angles and no less that three layers for anti-reflective material."
• The viewfinder has an improved 98% frame coverage, a personal best for Canon (and just about everyone else (but short of the Sony A900's outstanding 100% coverage).

Quoting DPReview again, the 5D Mark II is  "a camera that aims to leapfrog both its direct rivals, either in terms of resolution (in the case of the D700) or features (in the case of the DSLR-A900)."

Over on Imaging-Resource.com, Michael R. Tomkins reveals that Canon has lofty goals for the 5D Mark II "Along with a Digic 4 processor, this results in Canon making some very impressive claims about the EOS-5D Mark II. It was described to us as offering the highest image quality of any EOS DSLR to date."

Is Canon really saying that the 5D Mark II has higher image quality than their top-of-the-line EOS 1D Mark III and it's big brother, the 1Ds? Maybe. Technology does keep improving, and I can believe that the photos from a next generation camera are superior to its more expensive siblings.

However, the 5D Mark III lacks some of the pro-level features of those cameras, including faster frame rates, tougher weather sealing and built-in vertical grips. (BTW, are there any conspiracy theorists out there who think that Canon purposefully retarded the FPS rate on the 5D Mark III to maintain a market for the 1D's?)

The 5D Mark III's price of $2,699 is pretty good, maybe even great, for a camera with these specs. In fact, it's even cheaper than its closest competitors, the Sony A900 and the Nikon D700, which list for $2,999. And it's a friggin' Canon, people.

I still would have loved to see Canon kick everyone's asses by bringing it in for $2,499, though. I keep waiting for a camera company to give us AMAZING deals on it's bodies, knowing it will make up the difference by selling more lenses, flashes and other accessories. 

All in all, my faith in Canon is renewed with the release of the Canon 5D Mark III. Even if I can't afford it, I can still love it from afar.

Comments

[fxgeek]

I have been a 5D owner since pretty much it came out, and lately I've been getting more and more frustrated with the camera, and the lack of a descent replacement from Canon. I was so close to making the move to Nikon but this camera has renewed my faith in Canon. I can't wait to see some independent samples from it, but the few that are on Canon's (japan) site are amazing. Tiem to start saving

[Jake]

I do remember a while back when Rudy Winston was a guest on the show, you actualy asked him when the 5D markII would be coming out. A September surprise indeed.

[Holly Sisson]

While there are some great aspects to this new release, there is one very frustrating aspect that I personally know has disappointed a number of professional family photographers, myself included. According to images that I have seen of the new 5D MkII (dpreview or somewhere similar) they have not improved the placement of the focal points on this new version.

Scott, I don't know if you have ever held or used the 5D, but basically the focal points are in the same position as the X0D series, but with the larger full frame. What this gives you is the series of focal points tightly grouped around the centre of the frame. This does not allow for proper composition (i.e. rule of thirds) in camera without doing the focus/recompose trick. And if you shoot wide open, as I do (fastest lens is the 85 1.2) you can and will lose your focus by having to recompose. I have to say that among the photographers that I have discussed this camera with, we really feel that Canon has made a big mistake in this regard and has missed the boat with this new release. I hope, if/when you have Rudy Winston back on the show that you will specifically ask him about this very serious (IMO) shortcoming.

That and the still relatively slow fps are huge disappoints to me. However I will be very curious to see it's IQ, which may win out a number of photographers regardless of the above listed shortcomings. Time will tell.

[Scott Sherman]

I'm pretty psyched about this camera, too. Holly, I will ask Rudy about the placement of the focus points and how that impacts usability. I know that no camera can spread the focus points out to the edges of the frame...not even the highest end ones. It's a technical limitation that I don't understand but does exist.