Canon EOS 5D 12.8 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Body Only

The Canon 5D - A Wonderful Camera!

Strengths: Low noise, great color, fantastic resolution, very high quality build, 35 mm sensor.

Weakness: None

After about 700 shots, the thrill continues. Almost no degradation up to ISO 800, ISO 1600 very usable. Using the new Canon 24-105 IS lens allows low light shooting without hand shake below 1/3 second. The best photographic tool I've ever used. I've owned the best, starting with the Nikon D1x, and this camera is a fantastic standout. I'm breathless! Congratulations to Canon.

By SKahnUSD - Dec 5, 2005

EOS 5D

Strengths: Full frame, I get my ultra wide angle lenses back. Great color Very quick auto focus The LCD screen is phenomenal ISO3200 is comparable to somewhere between 800 and 1600 on my 20D

Weakness: Cost No internal flash (not a biggy)

Overall, I am wildly happy the the EOS-5D. The build quality of the camera is phenomenal. I have only had the camera for about 1 week, but I have not found any signicant issues or limitations. In all areas, I have tried it I find it to be a significant upgrade to my 20D. I would highly recommend the camera to anyone who is a serious amature (only reason for specifying serious amatuer is the...
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Overall, I am wildly happy the the EOS-5D. The build quality of the camera is phenomenal. I have only had the camera for about 1 week, but I have not found any signicant issues or limitations. In all areas, I have tried it I find it to be a significant upgrade to my 20D. I would highly recommend the camera to anyone who is a serious amature (only reason for specifying serious amatuer is the cost).
Bryan

By bdgarcia - Oct 13, 2005

Canon 5D - Wow!!! So versatile!

Strengths: Full frame sensor, 12 megapixel, bright viewfinder, large lcd, color reproduction, build

Weakness: 3fps, price, no SD card slot

I own the 20D and the 1D Mark II. I bought the 5D because the scaling factors were not allowing me to get wide enough. The 5D has so far lived up to and exceeded my expectations. I shoot primarily weddings and the 5D is the ideal camera for me. It is very light like the 20D, but it feels more solid- not "plasticy"- and it fits more naturally in your hand. 3fps is not the greatest, but I shoot...
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I own the 20D and the 1D Mark II. I bought the 5D because the scaling factors were not allowing me to get wide enough. The 5D has so far lived up to and exceeded my expectations. I shoot primarily weddings and the 5D is the ideal camera for me. It is very light like the 20D, but it feels more solid- not "plasticy"- and it fits more naturally in your hand. 3fps is not the greatest, but I shoot weddings and rarely need the speed. $3000+ is a lot to spend on a 20D "upgrade", but when you consider the only other full-frame camera availalbe, the 1DS at $7000+, the 5D is a bargain.

The LCD is huge and the resolution is much better than the 20D and 1D MkII. You get a more reliable preview. Be sure to change the color setting to "Faithful" for very accurate results.

My only problem now is which camera to sell- the 20D or 1D MkII. The lens cropping factor helps for longer lenses. the 20D is 1.6x and the 1D MkII is 1.3x. I can scale my 12.8megapixel 5D images to effectively recreate the scaling factors at the expense of resolution:
12.8/1.6= 8 megapixels
12.8/1.3= 9.8 megapixels
As you can see, even cropped the 5D will provide at least the same resolution as the 20D but it will also allow me to get a 17mm focal length from my 17-40mm lens- not the 27mm the 20D scales it to. Resolution-wise, it's much better than the 1D MkII, however the 1D MkII has some advantages: 8fps, weather-resistant body, built-in battery grip, uses both SD and CF cards and it looks and feels more "professional". Although, that is not enough to overcome the versatility of the full-frame sensor of the 5D, so I think I will sell both and get another 5D.

By mrhughjaas - Oct 19, 2005

Canon 5D - WOW

Strengths: 12+ megapixel, full-size image sensor, larger color LCD display

Weakness: No built-in flash for quick shots. Slower continuous multiple picture speed compared to 20D. Not compatible with the battery grip from the 20D.

The new Canon 5D will be released in the next few weeks. I had my hands on one at the Georgia Professional Photographers Asociation convention at Jekyll Island last week. Being an user/owner of the 10D and 20D, I am impressed with the features of the new camera. The 5D will become the entry level professional camera in Canon's lineup (the 10D and 20D are considered "Prosumer" models, bridging the...
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The new Canon 5D will be released in the next few weeks.

I had my hands on one at the Georgia Professional Photographers Asociation convention at Jekyll Island last week. Being an user/owner of the 10D and 20D, I am impressed with the features of the new camera. The 5D will become the entry level professional camera in Canon's lineup (the 10D and 20D are considered "Prosumer" models, bridging the gap between comsumer and professional models).

The full-size 35mm image sensor is probably the biggest advantage of the new model, eliminating the 1.6X lens zoom factor of smaller sensor cameras such as the 10D and 20D.

The color LCD screen on the back of the camera is also larger than previous Canon cameras, a whopping 2.5 inches across. It makes viewing the shot you just took much easier. I hope they incorporate the larger screen in future models of the 1Ds Mark II as well.

In keeping with the professional camera image, Canon has eliminated a built-in flash, so this camera will not be one you grab quickly for a fast flash shot. I will keep my 20D handy for that and also as a back-up.

The shutter in the 5D seems much quieter than the 20D and has a nice, comfortable sound to it. That doesn't mean a lot, but it gives you a warm feeling when you press the shutter release.

The continuous multiple picture speed has slowed a little in the 5D because of the larger sensor and picture size (12 megapixel). However, three frames-per-second is still respectable and you can take up to forty pictures that way.

I wish Canon had made the 5D capable of using the battery grip from the 20D. The two cameras are about the same size and it would be nice not to have to repurchase all the accessories every time I upgrade my camera. If I can use the same flash on multiple cameras, other accessories should be as compatible.

Canon will also be releasing several new lenses about the same time.

I'll wait a little while before purchasing mine to let them work out the bugs (all new items have bugs), but this will be a "must-have" for my work.

Suggested retail price was $3299 but stores are already advertising them for $3199.

By deputy1952 - Sep 26, 2005

Incredible - Put it through its paces

Strengths: It is very fast to work with. I added a SanDisk 4GB Extreme III and there is nothing slowing me down. It is precise and the metering is accurate.

Weakness: Absolutely none - for how I use a camera.

I also acquired the new 17-40mm lens and together, with full-frame format, it gives incredible wide-angle shots. I took it on 3 week vacation to Australia and New Zealand and it performed very well. Love the extended battery life.

By SScrib - Feb 17, 2006