Along with Canon’s boast of ‘defining a new category of DSLR’ in 2005, Canon released its EOS 5D model. The Canon EOS 5D model was the first ‘full frame’ sensor camera with a compact body; that is, it doesn’t have an integral vertical grip and has been very popular with camera enthusiasts, mainly because it’s less bulky than the Canon EOS-1D, if you’re looking for a full-frame DSLR to use with your Canon lenses. With the Sony DSLR-A900 and Nikon D700 on the market, it’s time for Canon to upgrade its EOS 5D model to the Mark II.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II is superior in terms of resolution and features like 21 megapixels, 1080p video, 3.0 VGA LCD, Live View, higher capacity battery and many others. In other words, this camera has outperformed its two direct competitors in terms of resolution (Nikon D700) or features (Sony DSLR-A900).

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is also equipped with Live View and anti-dust functions. Another improvement over its predecessor is the DIGIC 4 processor; with 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion. This DIGIC 4 has allowed Canon to slightly improve the 3 fps continuous shooting speed of the original Canon EOS 5D to a new 3.9 fps.

In addition to capturing high-quality still images, it’s also Canon’s first DSLR to feature video recording. The Canon EOS 5D Mark II can record 1920 x 1080 pixels (1080p) Full High Definition (HD) video at 30 fps. This is also the first DSLR to record video in glorious Full HD and definitely the best quality video recording with a still camera. Another improvement made up of a 3-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 920k dots / VGA. HDTV owners will be pleased that there is an HDMI port for direct connection to HDTV with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

For more traditional photographic features, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II offers an improved viewfinder with 98% coverage, a shutter rated for 150,000 cycles, and a 9-point AF system with 6 AF-assist points. This is definitely a must have for all camera enthusiasts.

The following are the complete features of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II:

21 megapixel CMOS sensor (very similar to the sensor in the EOS-1D Mark III)

Filter Vibration Dust Reduction Sensor

ISO 100 – 6400 calibrated range, ISO 50 – 25600 expansion (1Ds Mark III and 5D max ISO 3200)

Auto ISO (100 – 3200) in all modes except manual

3.9 frames per second continuous shooting

DIGIC 4 processor, new menus/interface as on the EOS 50D

The image processing functions are:

1. Highlight shade priority

2. Automatic lighting optimizer (4 levels)

3. High ISO noise reduction (4 levels)

4. Lens Peripheral Illumination Correction (Vignette Correction)

RAW and SRAW1 (10MP) / SRAW2 (5MP)

RAW/JPEG selection made separately

Permanent ISO display on both top plate and viewfinder displays

AF micro adjustment (up to 20 lenses individually)

Three custom modes on the control dial, Creative Auto mode

Image copyright metadata support

98% coverage viewfinder (0.71x magnification)

3.0 920K-dot LCD monitor with ‘Clear View’ cover/liners, 170° viewing angle

Automatic LCD brightness adjustment (ambient light sensor)

Live view with three modes autofocus (including face detection)

No mirror inversion for Live View exposures if contrast-detect AF is selected

Live View movie recording (i.e. 1080p H.264 up to 12 minutes, VGA H.264 up to 24 minutes per clip)

Silent shooting in two modes (Live View)

New jump options in game mode

HDMI and standard composite video (AV) output

Full audio support: with built-in microphone and speaker, microphone-in jack, audio output via AV (though not HDMI)

IrPort (supports IR remote trigger using optional RC1/RC5 controllers)

UDMA CompactFlash support

New 1800 mAh battery with improved battery information/logging

New vertical grip WFT-E4 Wi-Fi / LAN / USB optional

Water resistance: 10 mm of rain in 3 minutes