The original was the first affordable full frame DSLR. It was a highly regarded and very successful model. The , with its excellent 21.1 MP full frame sensor, launched to instant success 3 years later. The image quality to price ratio of this model was exceptional, especially from a video perspective. The 5D II was Canon's first video-capable DSLR and it achieved great fame for its amazing video image quality for the price.
About three and a half years after the 5D II's arrival, the was announced. While the 5D III brought another image quality upgrade, the improvement, especially in resolution, was minimal relative to the improvement brought by version "II". The 5D III had many great upgraded features, but the standout was its amazing new AF system.
The 5Ds and 5Ds R models, not replacing the "Mark" series, took us back to a very significant resolution increase being the primary upgrade feature as we last saw with the 5D II. While many made the jump to the 5Ds models, there were also many holdouts waiting for something different in their upgrade path. The IV is what many of them were looking for, with a nice bump in resolution over the III, an improved AF system, improved video capabilities and much more.
The 5-Series cameras have been my primary bodies since the 5D Mark III (though a 1-Series model takes care of my sports and fast-action needs) with the 5Ds R bodies being the current model I'm using at 5D IV review time. The best-available in many respects, these are feature-filled, all-purpose cameras that are easy to use, feel great in hand and reliably deliver very impressive image quality.
The 5D Mark IV showed up on a Friday. I did much of the studio testing and evaluation immediately – we all wanted to know how the camera would perform and ... that gave me just enough time to put the camera in my pack for a 10-day Idaho and Grand Teton National Park wildlife and landscape photo trip with a departure the following Tue at 3:00 AM. I rotated the 5D IV and a pair of 5Ds R bodies through the lenses being primarily used at the time and I was left with no regrets. The camera performed impressively throughout this trip.
Let's take a look at what we get with the "IV".
Summary of Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Features
- 30.4 Megapixel Full Frame CMOS Sensor
- 7 fps continuous shooting and silent shutter mode
- 4k 30fps video with 8.8 mp still frame grab, Full 1080p HD 60 fps, HD 720p mode at 120 fps
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF for responsive and smooth AF during video or Live View shooting
- Dual Pixel RAW
- Built-in GPS
- Built-in WiFi, NFC (Near-Field Communication)
- 3.2" (81.1mm), approximately 1,620,000 dot Clear View II LCD monitor with full touch-screen interface, including selection of AF area
- DIGIC 6+ image processor
- 61-point High-Density Reticular AF II system (like 1D X Mark II) including up to 41 cross-type AF sensors, with EOS iTR, f/8 AF
- EV -3 AF sensitivity, EV -4 when in Live View mode
- 150,000-pixel RGB+IR, 252 zone metering sensor for improved AE and AF precision
- Zone, Spot and AF Point Expansion focusing modes
- ISO 100-32000 with expansion up to 102400, down to 50
- Short 58ms shutter lag
- Flicker Mode adjusts shutter release timing to avoid flickering light issues
- Dual Memory Card Slots supporting one CF (UDMA Mode 7) and one SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) memory card
- Upgraded Transparent LCD viewfinder with 100% coverage
- Dual-Axis Electronic Level with dedicated viewfinder display
- Time-lapse Movie function
- EOS Integrated Cleaning System (EICS)
- Peripheral Illumination, Chromatic Aberration, Distortion and Diffraction Corrections in-camera along with DLO (Digital Lens Optimizer)
- Magnesium alloy body, shutter durability rated up to 150,000 cycles, improved dust and weather resistance
- Mirror Vibration Control System to reduce mirror vibration-caused blur
- Customizable Quick Control screen
- +/- 5 stops of exposure compensation
- Super Speed USB 3.0 for high-speed tethering and image/movie transfer
- In-camera Multiple Exposure and HDR modes, HDR 30 fps video
- Improved custom controls with built-in intervalometer and bulb timer