Canon EOS 5D MkIV First Look
Canon's latest pro level DSLR (released in August 2016) is the Canon EOS 5D MkIV, and update of the EOS 5D MkIII. The Mk IV adds a number of new feature such as a higher resolution dual pixel sensor, 4K video, an upgraded AF system (from the 1D X Mark II), built in WiFi and GPS, a touch screen LCD. The "list" price of the EOS 5D MkIV is the same as that of the EOS 5D MkIII, $3499, though of course the street price of the Mk III will lower. Right now (mid 2017) you can get a for around $2299 while the is selling for $3299. So if you don't need the new features, you can still get a Mk III and save around $1000.
Here's a list of the major new features of the Canon EOS 5D Mk IV:
- 30.4MP CMOS full-frame sensor with Dual Pixels
- Dual Pixel AF allows continuous Servo AF in Live View and video
- DCI 4K 30/24p video using Motion JPEG + 4K Frame Grab
- 61 zone AF with 41 cross-type sensors (same as 1D X Mark II)
- Center cross zone sensitive to -3ev. Live View AT sensitivity to -4EV
- Native ISO 100-32000, expandable to 50-102400
- 7 fps continuous shooting
- Dual Pixel Raw (image microadjustment, bokeh shift, ghosting reduction)
- 150,000-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor
- 1.62M-dot 3.2" rear LCD with full-time touch sensitivity
- Built in GPS
- Built in WiFi With NFC
- Improved weather-sealing
- Built-in bulb timer intervalometer
Canon EOS 5D MkIV, 5D MkIII and 5Ds Compared
This table shows a comparison of the three EOS 5D models currently in the stores. The 5D MkIII will, of course, be phased out now. The red background shows the camera model with the "best" feature. As you can see, the new Canon EOS 5D Mk IV wins the feature contest in every respect except for sensor resolution.
| Canon EOS 5D IV |
Canon EOS 5D III |
Canon EOS 5DS |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| List Price (MSRP) | $3499 | $3499 | $3699 |
| Typical Street Price | $3499 | $2249 | $3499 |
| Sensor Pixel Count | 30.4MP | 22.3MP | 50.6MP |
| ISO range Native Expanded |
100 - 32000 50-102400 |
100 - 25600 50-102400 |
100 - 6400 50-12800 |
| Autofocus zones | 61 (41 cross-type) over expanded region |
61 (41 cross-type) | 61 (41 cross-type) |
| Autofocus in Video and Live View | 'Dual Pixel' phase detection | Contrast detection | Contrast detection |
| Metering Sensor | 150k pixels | 63-zone dual-layer | 150k pixels |
| Rear LCD size | 3.2" 1.62M-dot touchscreen | 3.2" 1.04M-dot | 3.2" 1.04M-dot |
| Maximum frame rate | 7 fps | 6 fps | 5 fps |
| Maximum Video Resolution | DCI 4K/30/24p | 1080/30p | 1080/30p |
| Headphone socket to monitor audio | Yes | Yes | No |
| Memory Card | 1x Compact Flash 1x SD/SDHC/SDXC |
1x Compact Flash 1x SD/SDHC/SDXC |
1x Compact Flash 1x SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| GPS | Yes | No | No |
| Wi-Fi/NFC | Wifi and NPS | No | No |
Externally, the Canon EOS 5D Mk IV is essentially the same as the Canon EOS 5D MkIII. The differences are inside the camera. That's good because it means that anyone upgrading from the MkIII will instantly be at home with the control layout. If you look at the front view of the camera (above) you will see that the remote shutter releave has been moved from the side of the camera to the lower right front. Other physical changes which aren't visible are the inclusion of better gaskets and seals which make the Mk IV more dust and moisture resistant than its predecessors.
The major functional difference between the rear controls of the Mk IV and MkIII is that the Mk IV's LCD screen in touch sensitive.
From both the viewpoint of specifications and from actual field testing, there's no doubt that the 5D MkIV is a better (more fully featured) camera than the 5D MkIII. The higher pixel count, expanded AF region, phase sensitive dual pixel along with 4K video, WiFi and GPS expand the capabilities of the camera significantly. If you want the ultimate in image resolution, at the expense of the loss of these features, then the is still the resolution leader.