One of the most anticipated cameras of the year (not to mention most leaked camera ever) is finally here: the Canon 5D Mark IV.
The Canon 5D series has always been the quintessential prosumer line, ever since the first-generation 12.8MP version came out in August 22nd, 2005 for US$3299. It was the very first full-frame camera in a standard DSLR format (without a built-in vertical grip), and marked Canon as a pioneer in digital photography.
Subsequent versions in the series such as the 5D Mark III highly emphasised video recording, making it extremely popular with photographers who were expanding beyond still photography.
The Mark IV follows in this vein, eschewing high megapixels for a more balanced set of features. It has 30.4MP with a full-frame Canon CMOS sensor, a native ISO range of 100-32,000, and an extended ISO range of 50-102,400.
Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO of Canon U.S.A., Inc., explains that, “In developing this new DSLR camera, we listened to the requests of current EOS users to create for them a modern, versatile camera designed to help them create and share beautiful still and video imagery.
“Canon’s EOS 5D series of DSLR cameras has a history of being at the forefront of still and video innovation. And today, we add to this family of cameras the EOS 5D Mark IV– the first in our 5D series to offer 4K video and built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity.”
The 4K video uses the Motion JPEG format (DCI cinema-type 4096 x 2160) at 30p or 24p, and offers in-camera 8.8MP still frame grabs. It has 120fps at 720p, and 60fps at 1080p.
It’s autofocus mechanism is based on the EOS-1D X Mark II, and features a 61-point High-Density Reticular AF II system, 41 of which are cross-point type. All of the AF points are selectable up to f/8, even when using EF super-telephoto lenses with an EF extender.
It should also be able to focus much better with Live View, since it has Dual Pixel CMOS AF, and a touch-screen interface for selecting AF areas. However, the Mark IV doesn’t have an articulating LCD. The 3.2-inch LCD is the same size as the one on the Mark III, although the resolution is slightly increased up to 1.62 million dots.
Canon claims the camera will have improved dynamic range, and the camera in general will be faster than its predecessor with 7.0 fps on continuous burst, and a DIGIC 6+ Image Processor.
For ease of sharing, the 5D Mark IV will have built-in WiFi and NFC2 connectivity, while perhaps most significantly there is the inclusion of Dual Pixel RAW – which allows users to adjust focus points in post processing at the expense of a file size twice as large as the original file.
It will be available in early September in three packages: US$3,499 for the body only, US$4,399 with the EF24-70mm f/4 L, and US$4,599 with the new EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM.
EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera Specifications:
- • New 30.4 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor for versatile shooting in nearly any light, with ISO range 100–32,000; expandable up to 50–102,400.
- • 4K Motion JPEG video (DCI cinema-type 4096 x 2160) at 30p or 24p; in-camera still frame grab* of 4K 8.8-Megapixel images; multiple video options include Full HD up to 60p, and HD up to 120p.
- • Superb Dual Pixel CMOS AF for responsive and smooth AF during video or Live View shooting; LCD monitor has full touch-screen interface, including selection of AF area.
- • Excellent performance — up to 7.0 fps** continuous shooting speed with high performance DIGIC 6+ Image Processor for improved speed and excellent image quality.
- • 61 AF points with expanded vertical coverage with 41 cross-points, and AF possible at all 61 AF points with many lens + extender combinations effective at f/8.
- • 150,000-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor helps provide precise exposure metering, helps detect flickering lights and allows for enhanced scene recognition and face detection capabilities.
- • Dual Pixel RAW*, in-camera Digital Lens Optimizer during JPEG shooting and Diffraction Correction technologies.
- • Built-in Wi-Fi®1 and NFC2 connectivity provide easy sharing to compatible smart devices, select social media sites and the Canon Connect Station CS100 device.
- • Built-in GPS3 provides geotag information including auto time syncing with Universal Time Code (UTC) via satellites.