Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 5D Mark IV series sees its fourth iteration, bringing significant new features and enhancements without straying far from the familiar design that professionals and enthusiasts have come to love. The 5D Mark IV retains the classic 5D feel, making it easy for seasoned users to pick up and start shooting without a steep learning curve.
In terms of design, the changes are subtle but impactful, with the most notable being the addition of a touchscreen— a first for the 5D series. As with other Canon touch-enabled cameras, the 5D Mark IV’s touchscreen is fast, responsive, and particularly useful for adjusting focus points in live view or during video recording. The menu and Quick Menu are now fully touch-enabled, and although the interface hasn’t been redesigned for finger navigation, it’s still intuitive to use. One thing to note is that the new body design requires a different battery grip, so your 5D Mark III grip won’t be compatible.
Enhanced Image Quality with Better Dynamic Range and High ISO Performance
Canon 5D Mark IV features a new 30-megapixel full-frame sensor, offering a noticeable increase in resolution. While it doesn’t reach the heights of Canon’s 5DS or 5DS R models, the 30MP strikes a balance between resolution, file size, and burst shooting speed, making it ideal for various photography genres, from weddings to landscapes.
During testing, Canon 5D Mark IV delivered outstanding image quality, especially with RAW files that showcased fine detail. However, JPEGs straight from the camera appeared slightly soft, though this could be easily corrected in post-processing. The camera also excels in color accuracy and high ISO performance, living up to the standards of a professional-grade DSLR. Compared to its predecessor, the 5D Mark III, the Mark IV offers significantly improved dynamic range—a welcome enhancement for landscape photographers.
One of the standout new features is Dual Pixel Raw, a mode that captures two images simultaneously using the sensor’s Dual Pixel technology. This allows for minor post-capture adjustments to focus, bokeh, and ghosting. However, the adjustments are so subtle that they might not justify the increased file size and reduced buffer capacity for most users.
Quick and Versatile Performance
While the Canon 5D Mark IV isn’t designed specifically for action sports, it’s still a highly responsive camera. With a continuous shooting speed of up to 7fps, it’s quick enough for most scenarios, particularly for a high-resolution full-frame DSLR. Buffer performance is impressive, allowing nearly unlimited JPEG shooting with a fast CF card. However, shooting in RAW or RAW+JPEG will hit the buffer limit at around 19 frames for RAW or 12 frames for RAW+JPEG. The Dual Pixel Raw mode, which nearly doubles the file size, further reduces buffer capacity, making it less ideal for action photography.
The autofocus system has also been updated, featuring a 61-point AF system with wider coverage. Both single-shot and continuous AF perform excellently, even in challenging conditions like indoor sports. The camera also includes Dual Pixel CMOS AF for live-view focusing, which is nearly instantaneous and works well for both stills and video.
4K Video Capability with Some Limitations
The Canon 5D Mark IV played a pivotal role in popularizing DSLR video, and the Mark IV continues this legacy with significant video upgrades, including Cinema 4K at up to 30fps. Full HD is also available at up to 60p, and 720p can reach 120fps. These features make the 5D Mark IV suitable for a wide range of video applications, from casual to professional cinematography.
However, there are some drawbacks to 4K recording. The camera uses a Motion JPEG codec, which, while delivering high-quality footage, results in very large file sizes and high bitrates of around 500Mbps. This can be challenging even for powerful computers to handle smoothly. Additionally, 4K video capture involves a 1.64x crop factor relative to the full sensor width, which is worth considering depending on your shooting needs.
Despite these challenges, 4K video quality is excellent, with plenty of detail and vibrant colors, even at higher ISOs up to 6400. However, it’s important to evaluate whether you truly need 4K before diving in.
Conclusion: A Familiar Yet Refined Workhorse Camera
The Canon 5D Mark IV delivers top-tier performance across all areas expected of a professional DSLR. The increase in resolution aligns it more closely with competing full-frame cameras, and the image quality—both at low and high ISOs—is exceptional. The camera is responsive, with excellent autofocus, making it versatile enough for various types of photography in diverse lighting conditions.
For videographers, the Canon 5D Mark IV offers a comprehensive set of features. The 4K video capability, while impressive, comes with some limitations that might require careful consideration. Nonetheless, the video quality is outstanding, and the Dual Pixel CMOS AF ensures smooth focusing for both still and moving subjects.
Overall, the Canon 5D Mark IV is a refined and reliable tool that professionals can depend on. It stays true to the 5D-series legacy while incorporating modern enhancements that make it a worthy upgrade. As our Best Professional DSLR of 2016, Canon 5D Mark IV continues to be a top choice for photographers and videographers alike. check is camera
Pros of the Canon 5D Series Cameras:
- Exceptional Image Quality:
- High-resolution full-frame sensors deliver detailed, sharp images with excellent color accuracy.
- Superior dynamic range and high ISO performance, particularly in newer models.
- Versatile Performance:
- Suitable for a wide range of photography genres, including portraiture, landscapes, weddings, and more.
- Fast and responsive with a solid continuous shooting speed, making it capable of handling various shooting scenarios.
- Advanced Autofocus System:
- The 5D series offers robust autofocus performance with a high number of focus points and reliable tracking, even in challenging conditions.
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF provides smooth and accurate focusing in live view and video modes.
- Solid Build Quality:
- Weather-sealed and durable construction ensures reliability in various shooting environments.
- Ergonomic design with a familiar layout that long-time Canon users appreciate.
- Video Capabilities:
- High-quality video recording options, including 4K video (in later models) with excellent detail and color reproduction.
- Dual Pixel autofocus in video mode for smooth, continuous focus during recording.
- Touchscreen Interface:
- Intuitive and responsive touchscreen controls (in later models) for easy menu navigation, focus point selection, and live view operation.
- Wide Lens Compatibility:
- Extensive range of compatible EF lenses, offering flexibility for different types of photography and videography.
Cons of the Canon 5D Mark IV Series Cameras:
- High Cost:
- The 5D series cameras are priced at a premium, making them a significant investment, particularly for amateur photographers.
- Large and Heavy:
- The cameras are relatively bulky and heavy, which might be cumbersome for long shoots or travel photography.
- Limited Burst Shooting Speed:
- While the burst rate is decent, it’s not as fast as some other cameras designed specifically for sports or action photography, like the Canon 1D series.
- 4K Video Limitations:
- 4K video is cropped (in later models like the 5D Mark IV), which can be restrictive for wide-angle shots.
- The use of Motion JPEG for 4K recording results in very large file sizes, which can be difficult to manage and edit.
- New Battery Grip Required:
- Changes in body design with new models (like Canon 5D Mark IV ) necessitate the purchase of a new battery grip, adding to the overall cost.
- No In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS):
- Unlike some newer cameras from competitors, Canon 5D Mark IV series lacks in-body stabilization, relying on lens-based stabilization instead.
- No Articulating Screen:
- The screen on the 5D series is fixed, which can be limiting for video work or shooting from unconventional angles.
- Large File Sizes:
- High-resolution images and 4K video files can be large, requiring ample storage and processing power for editing.
