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
Great Camera But....
on February 15, 2009
Posted by: JC
from San Francisco
This is an amazing camera for stills. It basically shoots in the dark. I bought it for the video feature and have been one of the lucky ones because these cameras have been in short supply. It takes great video but the lack of manual control and no 24p drive me crazy. This would in theory be really easy to add via firmware. So come on Canon, let's make this happen.
Pros: excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Quick Start-up time, good battery life
Cons: no 24p for video, no manual control for video
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Right On Time
on July 1, 2010
Posted by: Golfmac
from Largo, MD
Since I moved from Hasselblad cameras in the 70's thru the 90's, I started using the Canon D60 in 2001 & every model since (except the 1D).
After using every multi-functional excuse not to purchase the 5D Mark II, I finally gave in and purchased it a week ago. I am very impressed with the feel of the camera first of all. Most of the controls are located in the same place as my original 5D and the setup is equally as easy.
I was determined to avoid using the video but I'm finding that the more I play with it the more I like it. I have a Canon XL-2 and a Canon Vixia HV40 HD video camera and the thought that I could leave some of that equipment behind is inviting on jobs where a video clip or two enhances a video DVD I can give to my clients as an extra gift & promotional tool. I like being able to shoot video in the manual mode and the LCD screen is so close to color and exposure accurate the I can trust what I'm seeing and not worry about makeing corrections to exposure and color.
I love this camera. Just might get another one as a back up.
Pros: good battery life, 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, meets my professional expectations
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Changing Brands after 38 years
on August 10, 2010
Posted by: BlueMoon Bob
from Providence, Rhode Island
I have not use a Canon in my 38 years of photography. This is my first Full-Frame camera too...I resisted switched from film to digital 6 years ago...So, I'm allowed two mistakes in a lifetime?
The ease of use of my 5D Mark II is incredible. I'm in my 3rd week and have found all the settings I needed plus learning many others I wish I already were using. I used the instruction manual and recommend any additional 'field' books or DVD's that can be found at your local photo store or on-line. Please read the manual first...its very helpful.
My first impressions of the 5D Mark II are the grip of the camera is great. The toggle switches and main rotary dials are within reach of your finger tips when gripping the camera. The internal 'on board' computer- is very easy to read and follow without being a maze of folders and sub-folders . The included 3 types of software are great:
The Digital Photo Professional [used mostly] ;
is great to organize your photo's, quickly download, batch process with simple click of the button to rename groups of photo's, change output resolution, convert RAW images and change image Quality to JPEG, TIFF or a combo of them.
The Picture Style Editor [not used yet-still learning]
A nice edit software with a DVD learning step by step on how to color correct, exposure compensation, etc, etc..
EOS Utility [Used somewhat]
Quickly downloads pictures directly from your camera when used with Digital Photo Professional -can also use a card reader too if preferred. But downloaded directly from camera with a 16GB 90mps card...saves a bunch of time.
I've used about 10 minutes of video on the camera ..which is beautiful 1080HD. Wow is all I have to say.
Can't wait to dig into the real essence of the EOS 5D Mark II. There's lots of options I haven't used and never had on my old camera.
The ease of use of my 5D Mark II is incredible. I'm in my 3rd week and have found all the settings I needed plus learning many others I wish I already were using. I used the instruction manual and recommend any additional 'field' books or DVD's that can be found at your local photo store or on-line. Please read the manual first...its very helpful.
My first impressions of the 5D Mark II are the grip of the camera is great. The toggle switches and main rotary dials are within reach of your finger tips when gripping the camera. The internal 'on board' computer- is very easy to read and follow without being a maze of folders and sub-folders . The included 3 types of software are great:
The Digital Photo Professional [used mostly] ;
is great to organize your photo's, quickly download, batch process with simple click of the button to rename groups of photo's, change output resolution, convert RAW images and change image Quality to JPEG, TIFF or a combo of them.
The Picture Style Editor [not used yet-still learning]
A nice edit software with a DVD learning step by step on how to color correct, exposure compensation, etc, etc..
EOS Utility [Used somewhat]
Quickly downloads pictures directly from your camera when used with Digital Photo Professional -can also use a card reader too if preferred. But downloaded directly from camera with a 16GB 90mps card...saves a bunch of time.
I've used about 10 minutes of video on the camera ..which is beautiful 1080HD. Wow is all I have to say.
Can't wait to dig into the real essence of the EOS 5D Mark II. There's lots of options I haven't used and never had on my old camera.
Pros: add a pro
Cons: add a con
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Best IQ vs total cost I have seen yet.
on December 14, 2008
Posted by: Bala
from Miami, Florida
I really love this camera, and for image quality versus total cost it is a bargain. I also use a 1Series MkIII and while the 5DMkII doesn't have the build, weather sealing or double slots of the pro body, this is a tremendous bargain. While I personally would have rather had more weather sealing and twin slots opposed to the video, it (the video is amazing). I know, there has to be a difference, besides the AF on the Pro body...
I miss being able to use the older batteries, but the battery database is a feature to get hooked on, and probably necessary for the LCD and video. My 1Series batteries are really amazing,, so too early to really comment on these.
The cons mentioned are so minor, it did not detract from my overall rating. The lack of vignetting on wide angle lens on a FF body is amazing. Never though I would even consider using an auto iso, but things change....
Pros: Superior build quality, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Solid Operation
Cons: black dots under certain shooting conditions, would have loved two card slots, new battery may be necessary but miss the bp511, more weather sealing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Nice Try
on February 15, 2009
Posted by: wedvid
from Western North Carolina
But....the total lack of manual controls in video mode is unacceptable! Please give us a firmware update with full manual control.
Pros: Superior build quality, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, quiet, Quick Start-up time, Solid Operation, easy to use, good battery life
Cons: Missing features/settings, no manual controls of video
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
3
Great camera but lacks fundamental video controls
on February 14, 2009
Posted by: Kreatiivik
from NYC
I based my investment on the claim made in the Canon 5D MKII White Paper that the 5D MKII has 'depth-of-field control found only in professional video models' and after hearing from Canon representatives that what this depth-of-field control is - they say that´s walking towards or away from your subject and/or changing the lens (or focal length that is) is the only way to control the depth-of-field on the 5DmkII. I feel kind of disappointed because what could photography be without at least aperture control video mode or not.
I think 5D MKII is a major leap in photography and videography but the lack on shutter and aperture control when shooting video can lead to bankruptcy of your video business if you ever tend to shoot outdoor action or when there is snow or rain in the frame as the uncontrollable shutter speed is absolutely not suitable for moving images causing stroboscopic movement when it is higher than 1/100th of a second for 30fps. Because of the automatic and uncontrollable shutter speed one can not match or edit the scenes of same action as the motion characteristics are too different.
Unfortunately as of today I can not make video to look like my photographs because of the automatic and uncontrollable aperture too.
Unfortunately as of today I can not make video to look like my photographs because of the automatic and uncontrollable aperture too.
In the other hand I can shoot low light footage never before been available at any cost and shutter speed there stays quite constant and scene motion cadence is alright so no hassle with editing.
I as a professional photographer and videographer and 10+ years Canon high end user can only hope that firmware update lets me shoot video in manual mode or as I have set up my camera to shoot stills.
I truly hope that the "all automatic mistake" in video mode will be corrected and the basic adjustments such as shutter and aperture control will be allowed. Until then I must use 20 years old manual focus and manual aperture lenses instead of my EF "L" collection just to gain the basic aperture control feature in video mode.
If the video mode controls would be as good as found on much cheaper Canon cameras like on the much cheaper Canon SX1-IS the 5D MKII would be the best and affordable photographic tool on the shrinking market of today as the low light capabilities and lens choices are absolutely the best.
Pros: Superior build quality, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Quick Start-up time, Solid Operation, Lightweight/Portable, incredible low light video quality
Cons: Missing features/settings, too high shutter speed ruins video outdoors, no aperture control for ef lenses in video mode, no constant shutter control in video mode
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Now with manual control in video!
on May 26, 2009
Posted by: Jyunte
from Orange County, CA
With today's announcement by Canon that the 5D mk II will finally have full manual control in video mode via a firmware update (as it should have had from the beginning!), this camera will finally be able to live up to its enormous potential.
Now we can use all our expensive L lenses to shoot great video without having to jump through hoops to do it.
Good job Canon. Now this is THE camera to own.
Pros: Superior build quality, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Simple controls/menu, Nice features/settings, Quick Start-up time, good battery life
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great camera
on January 25, 2009
Posted by: wally in oklahoma city
from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
My photography of choice is underwater photography. Water is a demanding medium for photography, so I was looking to upgrade to something of higher quality than the current Canon D30. I had been thinking D5, then when Canon made the decision to upgrade to a D5 Mark II I knew that was the camera I was wanting.
I have had the new D5 Mark II for about a month now, but haven't had it in the water yet. That will come next month. In the meantime I have been putting the new D5 Mark II through the paces and trying to learn the camera and test it out as to use and image quality.
The biggest issue with underwater photography is available light. Coupled with the D5 Mark II I purchased a Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM wide angle lens to use in an Ikelite housing with twin Ikelite DS 160 strobes.
We will sometimes blow images up our images to 20 by 30 prints. So, I have tested the image quality with ISO settings from 100 to 6400 and have found great image quality up to 6400. At the upper end of the ISO settings you begin to see some noise that effect image quality. However even at the high ISO at the upper end, it is still very good and compared to other cameras and simply blows the D30 away.
Having confidence that I can juice up the ISO to get that difficult low light shot is very important to me. I will likely shoot under 400 ISO, however I won't hesitate to juice it up to 1600 to get that most difficult shot and know that I will get a quality image. I could not be happier with my choice of the D5 Mark II and the newly released EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM lens.
I always shoot manual mode with auto-focus and have found the D5 Mark II so easy to use with no transition from the D30 to the new D5. This is a quality built camera with some great features. I have yet to discover any problems with either the ease of use or the image quality.
My review relates to only stills and I have not used the HD Video feature yet.
I can't wait to get this camera in the water.
Pros: Superior build quality, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Simple controls/menu, Quick Start-up time, Solid Operation, easy to use, good battery life
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com