Best digital SLR for beginners Nikon D3100 *Est. $500
Step-up entry DSLR Nikon D5100 *Est. $0
Best-value advanced DSLR Nikon D7000 *Est. $1200
Pro digital SLR with full HD video Canon EOS 5D Mark II *Est. $2090
Best all-around pro DSLR Nikon D3S *Est. $0

See All Digital SLR Cameras

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

*Est. $2,090 body only

Reviewed

November 2011

Pro digital SLR with full HD video

Pros

Shoots full 1080p HD video
Full-frame sensor
21.1-megapixel resolution
Outstanding low-light image quality
Self-cleaning sensor

Cons

No built- in flash
Not ideal for fast action shots
Movie mode not easy to access
Hard to hold steady for movies
Autofocus doesn 't work well for movies

Where to Buy

See All Stores

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is the only full-frame digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera that can shoot full HD video -- and one of the few that shoots video at all -- and reviews also give the Canon digital SLR top marks for its performance as a still camera. Although you can shoot only 12 minutes of full HD video at a time (24 minutes at standard definition), experts say a full-frame camera such as the Canon can shoot high-quality video with many more aesthetic options than a regular camcorder provides, such as being able to adjust exposure or use a fisheye lens for special effects.

However, there are some drawbacks, such as the Canon's slow, loud autofocus during movie mode (so loud that the sound gets picked up during recording). A few reviewers note that it's difficult to hold the Canon EOS 5D Mark II steady while shooting movies, so a tripod is highly recommended. The camera has a self-cleaning sensor plus a high-resolution LCD screen with live-view options. Its main limitation is the maximum speed of 3.9 frames per second (fps) for still shots. If action shots are your priority, consider the 9-fps Nikon D3S (Discontinued), which also shoots HD video (although only 780p).

We found detailed hands-on reviews of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II at Amateur Photographer (a U.K. publication), Ken Rockwell's site and Mark Goldstein's PhotographyBlog.com. Other useful reviews focus more on just one aspect of the camera. The review at DxOMark.com reports on highly technical lab tests of the sensor. For more information on the camera's video capabilities, we turn to reviews at Luminous-Landscape.com, VincentLaForet.com and The Digital Journalist.

Where To Buy

Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

(253 reviews)
Buy new: $2,999.99 48 Used from $1,955.00

Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

Store Rating	Notes	Total Price
7,040 store reviews	In Stock. Ships Free,Ships Today! $0 Pay Avail! Canon AuthDealer	$2,157.00	See It
7,852 store reviews	In Stock. New _ Circle of excellence award winner -Enjoy secure online shopping, great prices, fast shipping & award winning customer service when you shop at buydig.com.	$2,899.00	See It
5,297 store reviews	In Stock. New	$2,399.99	See It
		See All Stores

Our Sources

1. Amateur Photographer Details/Subscribe

This detailed review of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II praises it as improving all aspects of the earlier Canon EOS 5D. It's judged an "extremely capable camera," but reviewers here still find Nikon's high-end digital SLRs more refined and customizable.

Review: Canon EOS 5D Mark II Review, Editors of Amateur Photographer

2. Ken Rockwell

Experienced photographer and camera reviewer Ken Rockwell calls the Canon EOS 5D Mark II "the best digital SLR ever made by Canon," as well as "the world's best DSLR" for nature, landscape and multitask shooting. His main complaint is with Canon's ergonomics -- he likes Nikon's better. Rockwell has updated this review several times over the past couple of years as he has tested the latest firmware updates and shot with the camera on trips to New York City, Maui and Yellowstone.

Review: Canon 5D Mark II, Ken Rockwell, July 2011

3. PhotographyBlog.com

This full hands-on review of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II covers both the still and movie modes. Despite a few criticisms, such as the lack of a dedicated video mode button, the camera still earns the highest possible ratings for features and image quality, plus near-perfect ratings for design, ease of use and overall value.

Review: Canon EOS 5D Mark II Review, Mark Goldstein, Dec. 2008

4. DXOMark.com

DxOMark.com bases its ratings on very technical lab tests of camera sensors -- only one factor in comparing cameras. The Canon EOS 5D Mark II scores just 1 point below the top-of-the-line Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, which costs twice as much.

Review: Tests and Reviews for Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Editors of DxOMark.com

5. Luminous- Landscape.com

This review focuses on the movie mode of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II (aka the Canon 5D MKII in Europe), criticizing some inconveniences but praising the aesthetic possibilities it provides.

Review: Canon 5D MKII Pre-Preview, Michael Reichmann, Sept. 2008

6. VincentLaForet.com

This two-part article demonstrates the movie capabilities of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II with a sample video. LaForet includes lots of tips on how to get the most out of the movie mode.

Review: Tips and Tricks for the 5D MKII, Vincent LaForet, Dec. 2008

7. The Digital Journalist

This review focuses on the video capabilities of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, but Halstead is less enthusiastic than other reviewers. He finds it hard to hold the camera steady enough to shoot good movies.

Review: Canon 5D Mark II, Dirck Halstead, Nov. 2008

Canon EOS Rebel T2i *Est. $700 with kit lens

12 picks including: PopPhoto.com…

Canon EOS 7D *Est. $1,350 body only

11 picks including: Amazon.com, PopPhoto.com…

Canon EOS Rebel T3i *Est. $700 with kit lens

9 picks including: Amazon.com, DCResource.com…

Canon EOS 60D *Est. $900 body only

8 picks including: Amazon.com, PopPhoto.com…

Sony A55 *Est. $800 with kit lens

7 picks including: Amazon.com, TechRadar.com…

Pentax K-5 *Est. $1,200 body only