Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
September, 2008
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS5D Mark II

Summary Canon 5D Mark II

Prices Price
Body only $2,160 - $2,400 With 24-105mm lens $2,799
all 5D Mark II prices
Score Snapsort rank
Within its price range #n/a of 2 Among similar cameras #n/a of 5
details details
Specifications Key specs
Sensor size Help Full frame 36.0x24.0mm Screen resolution Help 920k dots
Megapixels Help 21 MP Movie format Help 1080p @ 30fps
Screen size Help 3.0" Light sensitivity Help 6,400 ISO
see all specifications
Lenses Lenses
Browse all Canon EOS 5D Mark II lenses at LensHero
Canon EOS 5D Mark IICanon EOS 5D Mark II

reviewsWhat are people saying about the 5D Mark II

"In addition the adoption of high precision split-level alignment of the magnesium-alloy external covers, high precision dial construction and external rubber grip covers, has improved the camera's dust and water resistance."
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's build-quality
"The original 5D was the first 'affordable' and lightweight full frame camera, and set a standard for low noise at high ISO settings that remains competitive three years later."
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's iso-noise
"the 5D Mark II is certainly one of the best value for money propositions on the market for image quality - especially in RAW, where you really can see the benefit of all 21 million pixels."
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's image-quality

Videos

Canon 5D Mk II Timelapse of No...

Canon 5D Mk II Time lapse of t...

60d Promo Video and Review Sho...
Canon 5D Mk II Timelapse of Northern Lights
  • Sample video
  • Time-lapse
 Canon 5D Mk II Time lapse of the Milky Way
  • Sample video
  • Time-lapse
 60d Promo Video and Review Shot with Canon DSLRs
  • Review
  • Pro

Browse all Canon 5D Mark II videos

Pros

The Canon 5D Mark II vs other recent DSLRs

Overall image quality Great overall image quality Help
79.0
Movie format Full HD Help
1080p @ 30fps
Color depth Good color depth Help
23.7 bits
Supports 24p 24p movies Help
For that film look
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Fastest shutter speed Fast shutter speed Help
1/8000 of a second
Popularity Very popular Help
Among snapsort users
Low light performance Very low noise at high ISO Help
1,815 ISO
Screen resolution High resolution screen Help
920k dots
Viewfinder size Large viewfinder Help
0.71x
True resolution High true resolution Help
21 MP
Startup delay Short startup delay Help
400 ms startup delay
Sensor size Very large sensor Help
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Viewfinder Doesn't use battery, see more detail Help
Pentaprism

The Canon 5D Mark II vs other recent pro DSLRs

Thickness Thin Help
3"
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
$2,160.00
Size Quite small Help
Professional size 152x114x75 mm
Weight Light Help
850 g

Cons

The Canon 5D Mark II vs other recent DSLRs

Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Screen flips out Fixed screen Help
Less flexible
Autofocus Manual focus only Help
None
Announced Old Help
September, 2008
Built-in flash No built-in flash Help
Professional
Panorama Lacks in-camera panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Movie continuous focus Lacks movie continuous focus Help
Requires attention to focus while recording
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
3D Doesn't take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Weight Heavy Help
850 g

The Canon 5D Mark II vs other recent pro DSLRs

Screen size Below average sized screen Help
3.0"
Focus points Fewer focus points Help
9
Shutter lag Longer shutter lag Help
206 ms shutter lag
Cross type focus points Fewer cross-type focus points Help
1
Light sensitivity (boost) Low boost light sensitivity Help
25,600 ISO
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
6,400 ISO
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
3.9 fps
Battery life Shorter battery life Help
850 shots
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
98%
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1

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front photo of the Canon EOS 5D Mark IIback photo of the Canon EOS 5D Mark IIangle photo of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Discussion What do you think about the Canon EOS 5D Mark II?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of this camera here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 13 comments

Stemler (8:03 AM, January 05, 2012)
7D for vídeo because of the cost-benefit. Also, if you're aiming for Stop-Motion, 7D is faster.
 
Lars J (5:33 PM, December 20, 2011)
the D7000 is an EXCELLENT camera but introduces settings that are new, even to the nikon world. the d7000 actually out performs the 5D mark2 in many areas, but the mark 2 is a staple in professional photography and even videography. if you're new i would say go with the D7000 based on price.. if you're not so new go with the 5D mark 2... also keep the canon 7D in mind... canon is offering a more versatile line up than nikon so most serious photographers are making the switch.
 
Toronto R (10:43 PM, November 27, 2011)
do not even thing about the nikon d7000 a had it for one week and sold it :] its crap ... :]
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (6:24 PM, September 20, 2011)
Thanks for pointing that out Deepboy, it looks like we're counting the 6 "hidden" focus points that are used in AI Servo mode, we'll update the specs.
 
Deepboy (6:12 PM, September 20, 2011)
5D Mark II has only 9 focus point, not 15
 
Buhnjkniklmnim (9:33 PM, July 23, 2011)
Ow really ?? !!!!!
 
Avatar for Rocakdell G Rocakdell G (5:17 AM, June 06, 2011)
5D Mark II or 7D? 
mainly will use it for Video, i know 5D Mark II is full frame and 7D is crop.

either those 2 or just wait till the newer version comes out this year?
 
Papa (4:49 AM, May 28, 2011)
CONON 5D MARK 2 is much better in high quality Video/Movies!   5d =1080p 30fps VS  d7000=1080p 24fps.   D7000 has a slightly better edge on photo quality and shooting speed.
 
Naccistefano (1:29 PM, May 03, 2011)
be ho visto che hanno fatto il confronto tra la 5d mark ii e la 1ds mark3
e risulta vincitore la 5d mark2
anche per gli autori di questo sito snapsport......be qualcuno è impazzito ....o la CANON oppure voi
confrontare una macchina professionale da 6000-7000 euro con una semi- da 2000 euro
be chi si accontenta gode...io preferisco la porsche alla panda.
 
Avatar for Dipo Dipo (10:44 PM, April 02, 2011)
sory guys, I wanted to ask, where good between Nikon D7000 and Canon 5D Mark II ..... so far, I know that prices do not lie, therefore I am in a position of dilemma, which one is better in video or movie ?
 
Avatar for muhammad muhammad (11:32 PM, March 31, 2011)
5D mark II only have 9 focus point. Not 15. the other 6 are "invinsible' and not user selectable, and only acts as assist points.
Information from the 5D mark II product manual. Page 235
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:53 PM, February 04, 2011)
Thanks for pointing that out, we will fix that up right away. $680 would be one heck of a deal.
 
Boydlcoomer (0:16 PM, February 04, 2011)
A 5D Mk II cannot be purchased for $680. Something wrong with data gathering.