Customer reviews from usa.canon.com
Canon - EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) - Black
Average customer rating
4.5
(383 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 383 reviews
5 Stars
253
4 Stars
87
3 Stars
24
2 Stars
8
1 Star
11
90%of customers recommend this product.
(
340 out of
377)
Customer Reviews for Canon - EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) - Black
Customer Rating
4
A virtual Pro camera with a few Cons...
on December 6, 2009
Posted by: framed6
from New York, NY
I have owned my 5D mkII since Aug, upgrading from a Canon 20d. Understandably I was impressed with the additional features and higher quality images while retaining the familiar Canon SLR layout. The build quality feels a bit more substantial than my 20d but it also increases in bulk as well. The grip is just slightly too large for the average hand in my opinion but I don't worry about dropping it or fatigue during shoots. I do notice a slight flex or squeak by the CF card door when holding the grip firmly and this does annoy me a bit considering the cost of this camera.
The 5d mk2 will give you stellar images with detail that you never saw before...assuming the images are in focus which leads me to this point. The AF system seems to miss the "target" 40% of the time during average usage with average settings...i.e, Aperture 5.6.....Shutter 200....50mm prime lens. I have experienced many images that were just slightly out of focus even shooting static subjects. I notice that it tends to target about an inch or less before the subject. This has been a common issues among fellow users and bloggers alike. It turns a beautiful high performing camera into source of concern. If anyone else has this issue....please speak up and let Canon know.
The HD video feature on this camera is really amazing in terms of quality BUT it is NOT meant for shooting a kids birthday party or home video. You need to master the settings and approach your video shoots like a film production. The results are beautiful considering it's an SLR camera but don't expect point and shoot video from this mode....it's just not designed for that. I won't even get into the editing work flow that needs to be done to utilize the mk2 footage ....slow and tiresome...but worth it in the end. Those of us in video production realize it's potential though and Canon probably gained new SLR customers by offering the HD video mode alone.
To sum this up...I want to LOVE the camera... but I just really like it a lot right now due to the AF gripe. I use manual focus often as well... but sometimes I just need the speed of autofocus. If Canon is listening....PLEASE look into this and work on a potential firmware update for the amazing 5d mk2 that could improve it's focusing......pleeeeeasssseee.
The 5d mk2 will give you stellar images with detail that you never saw before...assuming the images are in focus which leads me to this point. The AF system seems to miss the "target" 40% of the time during average usage with average settings...i.e, Aperture 5.6.....Shutter 200....50mm prime lens. I have experienced many images that were just slightly out of focus even shooting static subjects. I notice that it tends to target about an inch or less before the subject. This has been a common issues among fellow users and bloggers alike. It turns a beautiful high performing camera into source of concern. If anyone else has this issue....please speak up and let Canon know.
The HD video feature on this camera is really amazing in terms of quality BUT it is NOT meant for shooting a kids birthday party or home video. You need to master the settings and approach your video shoots like a film production. The results are beautiful considering it's an SLR camera but don't expect point and shoot video from this mode....it's just not designed for that. I won't even get into the editing work flow that needs to be done to utilize the mk2 footage ....slow and tiresome...but worth it in the end. Those of us in video production realize it's potential though and Canon probably gained new SLR customers by offering the HD video mode alone.
To sum this up...I want to LOVE the camera... but I just really like it a lot right now due to the AF gripe. I use manual focus often as well... but sometimes I just need the speed of autofocus. If Canon is listening....PLEASE look into this and work on a potential firmware update for the amazing 5d mk2 that could improve it's focusing......pleeeeeasssseee.
Pros: good battery life, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, Bright LCD
Cons: poor autofocusing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
best camera I have owned
on December 10, 2008
Posted by: kgo
from Rochester, MN
This is my sixth EOS camera since thier introduction in 1987. Simply put this is the finest image quality I have obtained from a camera in 32 years of shooting. Moving from the APS-C size sensor of the 40D, also a very good camera, to the full frame sensor in this fine camera restores depth of field control that seemed lost with the APS sensors. Extremely pleasing image quality at 1600 ISO taking photos of athletes in motion.
Pros: Superior build quality, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Nice features/settings, Quick Start-up time, Solid Operation, easy to use, depth of field, 1080p video
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Amazing camera
on February 3, 2009
Posted by: Right Angle
from Dallas
I'll keep this short but I use this camera over a 1Ds MK III, 1D MKIII and MK IIN. Its IQ and noise handling are amazing and it can turn out beautiful images consistently. It has honestly revolutionized my shooting because of this. This camera is well worth the cost, especially compared to other cameras in it's feature range.
I highly recommend this camera to anyone who is looking for low light use and high resolution.
Pros: excellent image quality, Bright LCD, easy to use, Lightweight/Portable, good battery life, noise handling, iso range, viewfinder
Cons: grip is required
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great Camera but AF needs work
on January 15, 2010
Posted by: Snapper
from New Mexico
I own the 40D, 5D, and now the 5D Mark ll and so I'm set up for just about any shooting situation. I really like the picture quality from the Mark ll, but Canon what happened in the Auto Focus Department. I loose so many chances for great photos due to Blurring because the Camera just wouldn't focus in time. Hope theres a fix being worked on to take care of this in the future. Otherwise then this the Camera is out of this world in what it is capable of doing and the image quality.
Pros: good battery life, Nice features/settings, Quick Start-up time, excellent image quality, Superior build quality, Solid Operation, Simple controls/menu
Cons: Dim LCD, Poor image quality
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
A sweet DSLR, Canon just needs to fix a few bugs!
on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Mr. D
from Springfield, MO
This camera is GREAT in almost every way. I do feel though that Canon may have rushed to get this product on the shelf. No manual control whatsoever in movie mode. No 24/25 frame rates. "Black Dot" issues when taking night photos at high ISO (which isn't much of a problem considering you have to blow them up to HUGE sizes to even see them. Every complaint I have concerning this camera can be fixed with a firmware update. That's why I give it 4/5 stars. Fix these issues and I'll have no complaints.
Pros: Superior build quality, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Simple controls/menu, Nice features/settings, good battery life
Cons: lack of manual movie mode, "black dot" sensor issue, only shoots 30p...
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
BEST CAMERA OUT THERE
on May 11, 2009
Posted by: Chavalozvi
I bought the Canon EOS 5D Mark II as an addition to my gear. I previously used the Digital Rebel XTi.
This camera has been a great all around camera for me. I can take awesome pictures of anything that I want and also the video quality, you just can't go wrong with having a full HD video on board. I have used both in the short time I've owned and have been very pleased with the results. The pictures I have taken require almost no post processing.
I took some pictures at night, without a flash I might add, just to check out the fuss with the very high ISO, needles to say I was amazed at how greatly the camera performed, in low light conditions the camera has virtually zero noise. It also performed great in two different lights; tungsten and fluorescent, merging together on the scene, it captured them both very well on the subjects I took a picture of.
This camera has been a great all around camera for me. I can take awesome pictures of anything that I want and also the video quality, you just can't go wrong with having a full HD video on board. I have used both in the short time I've owned and have been very pleased with the results. The pictures I have taken require almost no post processing.
I took some pictures at night, without a flash I might add, just to check out the fuss with the very high ISO, needles to say I was amazed at how greatly the camera performed, in low light conditions the camera has virtually zero noise. It also performed great in two different lights; tungsten and fluorescent, merging together on the scene, it captured them both very well on the subjects I took a picture of.
Pros: Superior build quality, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Simple controls/menu, Nice features/settings, quiet, Quick Start-up time, Solid Operation, easy to use, good battery life
Cons: Heavy/Bulky
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Watch out Red
on May 23, 2010
Posted by: ru4reel
from South Fl
I mainly use this camera for video the only thing I can say is WOW. I'm sure you know the look of footage capture by this camera if not watch SNL,last season of House and so many more.This camera is in a class of it's own but there are many things you need to know before buying this camera for video.One the camera is not a run and gun type of camera think of it as a hi end HollyWood type of film camera shots need to be planed you can not have fast camera movements there will be a jello like effect.Two focus is tricky just like Hi End film Cams plan the shot and mark the focus .Three give the camera time to cool between shots this will keep from burning out the main board and keep the noise level down in your footage.Four the Sound capture of the camera is by no way good enough for Broad Cast so you will need a better way to capture it.I think for the money it is by far the best camera out there even thou I have problems with my main Board burning out 3 times canon stands behind there product and has fixed the problem each time.I have made over 40 TV commercials and 2 music videos ind the past year 1 1/2 since I have bought this camera and because of it my body of work has reached levels I could only dream about before.
Pros: quiet, Nice features/settings, Quick Start-up time, excellent image quality, Superior build quality, Bright LCD, Solid Operation, Lightweight/Portable, Simple controls/menu, easy to use
Cons: Short battery life
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great high ISO pictures
on August 31, 2010
Posted by: Dsltech
from san francisco
A little over a year ago I started with a T1I and a Tamron 28-270. It was fine but I really liked taking nightlife and low light pictures. I bought a 24-70 2.8L and I started getting what I wanted, but still fell short. So I am at the camera store debating if i should buy the 70-200 IS 2.8L II or the 5D II as they are basically the same price. I thought the IS would help in making those dark night shots. Lucky me the sales rep definately recommended the 5D II instead. It is a great camera for low light shots. ISO up to 3200 with no flash on dark nights is amazing. Picking up background light makes my subjects just glow. There is some visible noise at ISO 3200 but nothing compared to what I had on my T1I at 1600. Very usable. Higher pixel count rounds out to make an exceptional picture. I dont have any regular canon lenses to compare the picture quality to but I think you really need quality glass to make the most of the 5D II. Menus take some time to get use to as I tended to mind freeze for a couple of seconds trying to remember what button goes with what feature but that goes away as you use the camera. Full frame is great compared to crop sensor but it took awhile to get used to how wide 70mm really is compared to what it is on my T1I. Extremely happy with the camera but a little disappointed at the price point. I was also pushed the 7D by the sales guy and the most appealing thing about it was the price. Better autofocus points and faster frames on the 7D for almost 1K less. But I am glad I stepped up and bought the 5D II and the only camera I will upgrade from this one is the mark III when it comes out.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com