Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon Digital SLR Camera EOS 5D Mark II

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is an excellent tool in the hands of anyone serious about photography. Comparing it to models I previously owned (400D, 10D, 20D, 5D), this camera delivers in every single aspect. The improvement over the 5D is so significant that the simple Mark II extension doesn't do the camera justice. Calling it a 6D would have been more appropriate.

The most important additions to me are live view and video. The 10x magnification in live view permits absolute precise manual focussing and immediate feedback to any ISO/shutter speed/aperture changes, as well as white balanced adjustments. Before, I had to take test shots and zoom in. Live view zoom is a much more elegant and quick solution to this. Video is also a major extension. Most point and shoot cameras - and phones - have been supporting photo and video for years. It's good that DSLRs finally catch up. Being able to use the dozen of Canon EF lenses, especially at wide aperture, is great. Sure, there are some limitations such as 30 frames/s instead of 24 frames and no manual adjustment of aperture (work-arounds exist and are well-documented in various online forums), but all in all, it is a highly usable feature.

Apart from that, there are many small additions which make a big difference. For instance, you can now configure your own menu - great for the mirror-lock-up function. ISO is permanently visible in the viewfinder and there is even an Auto ISO function. And the anti-dust sensor shake is also very useful.

This camera is highly recommended.

What an amateurish lot of reviews for such a good camera! The 5D Mk II seems to have landed in all the wrong hands ..

The bottom line is that this camera is superb. You don't spend over £2000 without doing at least a bit of research and to the reviewer who complains about large file sizes, well, what do you expect from a 21 mega pixel camera?

I'm not a "professional", I do it as a hobby. When buying the camera my criteria were - a) best possible quality photos, b) lots of features I could have fun using and c) looks good. This hits the mark on all counts.

The menu system is comprehensive and self-intuitive. You can set the features you use the most into "My Menu". The LCD screen is huge and has a light-sensor that adjusts the brightness to the ambient light, if you want it to. Unlike the 40D there are no annoying "Creative Zone" modes - this camera assumes you know what you're doing and keeps to the basics i.e. aperture, shutter speed and ISO. The latter is adjustable up to 25 600, which essentially means you can now take photos where you couldn't before.

There is a built-in video recorder which works for 12 minutes on a 4 Gb card. Output is in full HD. Apparently this is actually 1080p. For me, however, this is a distraction as I certainly don't buy D-SLRs with a view to shooting videos (sorry, "movies"). The same goes for Live View mode, where the mirror flips up and you can see everything live on the screen. I don't need this feature, but am happy to accept that some do ..

Despite looking very similar to the 50D this camera takes a different battery pack and takes a different battery grip and wireless file transmitter, that is, if you wish to spend another £600 to avoid having to plug it in. The camera gives quite specific information about the battery e.g. number of times charged and percentage charge remaining.

One great feature on this camera that I haven't had before is an HDMI output port. This means you can view your photos in lovely HD on your 40" television screen. Don't be fooled by the instruction manual though, you don't need a Canon HDMI cable (£40), you can get the same thing from Amazon for < £10 and it works fine.

One thing I would suggest is that your computer can cope with 25 Mb files. I have noticed a slight slowing down when displaying the photos in Digitial Photoshop. I am lucky, though, my computer has a lot of memory ..

I would also add, if you can possibly afford it, that you use a lens from the L range. The difference in quality is markedly better.

All-in-all if you're looking for a D-SLR that takes superb quality photos, is full-frame and has a 21 mega pixel sensor, then do not hesitate to buy this. Oh and, thoughtfully, they've even included the make and model on the strap, so even those behind you can be sure what you're using.

A great upgrade to the original 5D, with image quality to rival the 1Ds3 which costs twice as much or more, but the focusing system has been taken straight out of the old model and even if has been tweaked a bit, it just isn't good enough on a camera of this price (especially compared to the new Nikons). Doesn't bother me for my line of work too much, but it would bother many to distraction. Shame as it spoils an otherwise virtually perfect product. Well built, well specified and as I said (especially in RAW mode) with simply fantastic image quality

My third Canon digital camera - Rebel to 30d and now to this. It is as good as all the reviews I've read and after my previous camera the controls are familiar.
Thought that the HD video was unnecessary but I've started using it and the quality is very good.
Would recommend this camera to anyone.

This is an absolutely superb camera. I currently have a 30D and a 5D (Mark 1) but this beats them hands down. I have a collection of 'L' series lenses and they really complement the camera. The LCD screen is so much better than the 30D/5D and I like the new menu layout. It is very intuitive, especially if you are used to Canon DSLRs.

I don't see me using 'Live View' and I certainly will not be using the HD feature. If I want HD video I will buy an HD camcorder. Why did Canon bother with this feature.

Picture quality is fantastic, as are the A3 prints on my Epson printer.

Like another reviewer, I am surprised about the folk complaining about files sizes. What on earth do the expect from a camera of this resolution?