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
5
Uniformly excellent
on December 4, 2008
Posted by: Romaz
from Nevada City, CA
I took possession of this camera about 24 hours ago and so this represents my initial impressions after mild field use this afternoon. I am an owner of numerous EOS bodies from the original D30 to the previous 5D and a 1Ds MKII. Transitioning to this new model for still work was easy with a minimal learning curve but I did spend several hours last night perusing the manual to familiarize myself with many of the new features. As expected, for still work, the camera performs beautifully and easily surpasses any digital body I've owned to date. My main interests were to see how well this camera could replace my Canon XLH1S 1440x1080 camcorder in certain clutch situations and based on initial impressions it falls far short. Video capture in low light is a bit disappointing. Frame rates are limited to 30p. It is difficult to zoom smoothly with my 24-70 f/2.8L lens. Furthermore, it is difficult to obtain good footage while handholding this camera although perhaps this will improve with practice. With that said, it is a welcome feature nonetheless for noncritical video work.
Pros: Superior build quality, excellent image quality, Quick Start-up time
Cons: video not as good as a dedicated camcorder
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Photo camera, Missing 24p video though
on July 7, 2009
Posted by: raelic
from Philadelphia, PA
As any other canon camera it takes beautiful pictures with any of canon's EOS lenses. The only complaint I have with the camera is that it does not offer 24p (24 progressive or Film standard) frame rates which makes use of this camera for Video strictly limited. It takes better Video than camera systems that cost 10 times its cost but because of the frame rate cripple it makes it almost useless for true video work. Otherwise though this camera is definitely a beauty. I have owned 4 Canon cameras and this is by far the nicest yet,
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: Missing features/settings, missing 24p video for true video production use
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great camera (movie mode not so)
on March 4, 2009
Posted by: d_e
from Switzerland
I received my EOS 5D Mark II some weeks ago and did over 1000 shots. I'm by no means a pro - I'm just an amateur. The picture I can create with the 5D are on a whole new level. I thought my old camera (an EOS 400D) was great - now it feels like a toy. The 5D is better in every possible aspect.
In the past I also created some video projects with video cameras. Therefore I was very interested in the movie mode of the EOS 5D Mark II. Soon I realized that I can control neither aperture nor ISO or shutter speed. That's when it became obvious that the video mode wasn't really useful. After some tests I also noticed jaggies on diagonal borders that appear only in video mode. Depending on the subject that can ruin a shot. Also it seems that I cannot control audio gain. I don't understand why those features are missing.
EOS 5D Mark II makes great pictures. But is not really useful to create videos.
Pros: excellent image quality, Simple controls/menu, Quick Start-up time, Solid Operation, Lightweight/Portable, good battery life
Cons: Missing features/settings, video mode lacks av, video mode has jaggies, no manual audio gain in video mode
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
A Very Satisfying Purchase
on October 29, 2009
Posted by: Doyen
from New Jersey
I have used my camera on my daughter's wedding rehearsal inside St. Matthew's Cathedral in D.C. The warmth of the pictures taken on available light is unbelievably terrific.
On my granddaughter's soccer match the multiple shot function also on available light was great.
A great buy indeed.
On my granddaughter's soccer match the multiple shot function also on available light was great.
A great buy indeed.
Pros: Superior build quality, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Nice features/settings, quiet, 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
Customer Rating
5
Great Camera
on March 5, 2010
Posted by: DJ
from New York, N.Y
The 5d mark II first test drive was a trip to RMNP, cold, snow and wind the camera performed great. Images quality is excellent. High ISO Performance, Large Clear LCD, Fast / Accurate Auto-Focus
Pros: Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Solid Operation, Simple controls/menu
Cons: Short battery life
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Best investment I've ever made!
on July 28, 2010
Posted by: countrygirl
from Buckley, WA
Where do I begin? There are too many good things to say about this camera. I love the size and weight, it just feels right in my hand (and I have fairly small hands). Second, I love the technical and creative control this camera offers me. The picture quality is incredible. I could not be more pleased. The colors are rich and creamy, the contrast is great, I love it all! This camera also does very well in low-light situations. I have yet to use a flash with it, and have been very happy with the results of my pictures. The build quality seems to be very good. I have used this camera around clingy children, on the farm, traveling, and even on the side of a small ship (with water spraying me and all!).
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Very, very good, but not perfect
on June 28, 2009
Posted by: Colorado Guy
from Denver Colorado
I've been shooting the 5D Mark II for a few months now. I've been very impressed with images I've been able to create. The low light capabilities are very good, allowing me to take some pictures that otherwise wouldn't have been possible.
The resolution is extraordinary. I have a 16x20 of my kids on the wall in my office. It can be critically inspected from 6 inches away and produces awe. Each eyelash is clearly defined. Enlargements can be exceptional if the photographer does his/her job too. Massive enlargements require a good lens, steady hand and attention to focusing on the eyes, etc. but you can get some absolutely stunning results with this camera.
There are only two weaknesses I've found. First the autofocus isn't all cross type like the 50D. In fact, if you don't have an f2.8 lens on, you have no cross type sensors. Second, there are no PIC modes. I'm unlikely to use them, but when I hand it to my spouse, she sure would.
Pros: Superior build quality, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Quick Start-up time, Solid Operation
Cons: Missing features/settings, only one cross type sensor even at f2.8, lack of pic modes
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Great Value
on August 9, 2009
Posted by: rogerb
from Plano, TX
Now that I've taken about 5000 shots with this camera under all sorts of conditions, I have learned to appreciate just how well this camera performs. I shot a series inside an antique auto museum, handheld which necessitated an ISO of 1600 and the image quality was superb. Also all those pixels make it much nicer for those instances where the image needs to be manipulated.
About the only disappointment is the limited bracketing range of +/- 2ev which necessitates going to manual for hdri situations. However for the price, this is an outstanding camera. I've owned the XT and the 30D but this one takes photography to a whole new level.
About the only disappointment is the limited bracketing range of +/- 2ev which necessitates going to manual for hdri situations. However for the price, this is an outstanding camera. I've owned the XT and the 30D but this one takes photography to a whole new level.
Pros: excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Simple controls/menu, Quick Start-up time, Solid Operation, easy to use, good battery life
Cons: Missing features/settings
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com