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Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera Announced: 21 Megapixels, 1080P HD Movie,Est. $2699

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Posted by Patrick on Sep 16, 2008 in Cameras

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It only took 3 years, but today Canon has finally announced the successor to the 5D, the EOS 5D Mark II. Bound to be an immediate upgrade for countless patient 5D owners, the 5D Mark II also looks to be a compelling purchase for many serious amateur photographers as well. The most notable upgrade is in the megapixel count and like the EOS 50D, Canon went all out, packing 21 megapixels on its 35mm sized full frame sensor. Using DIGIC IV, the EOS 5D Mark II shoots 14 bit RAW files at the tune of 3.9 FPS with an ISO range of 50-25600 (with boost). Also improved from the 5D is the LCD, now 3 inches in size and using the 920k high resolution LCD now becoming standard on the latest generation of DSLR cameras (everybody noticing that?). Not to be outdone by Nikon, the 5D Mark II will shoot hi-def movies in full 1080p resolution at a full 30 FPS! No image samples are up yet so we can’t yet comment on image quality.

Given the competition is clearly the Nikon D700, the EOS 5D Mark II stacks up very favorably, and in fact exceeds the D700 in many regards on paper. Also we’ll just mention the the 12 megapixel D700 is currently selling for $2800? We’ll have to wait of course for the image samples to flow in, but on first glance, the 5D Mark II looks very impressive. Canonites will be ecstatic, Nikon fans will be waiting for discounts.

Key Features:

New 21.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor with improved EOS Integrated Cleaning System (E.I.C.S.)
New Full HD 1080p resolution movie recording
3.9 frames per second continuous shooting
High performance DiG!C 4 processor providing superb image quality
Maximum 310 large JPEG images in a single burst with a UDMA card
3.0” VGA (920k dots) Clear View LCD
ISO 100-6400 (expansion from 50 up to 25,600)
9 AF points + 6 Assist AF points

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II will be available in November at an estimate cost of $2699

You can order the Canon 5D Mark II now at:
Amazon (body only $2700 or with EF 24-105 L IS for $3500)
Adorama (body only $2699 or with EF 24-105 L IS for $3499)

DPR’s preview of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Imaging Resource’s preview of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Press release and specifications after the jump…

Press Release

United Kingdom/ Republic of Ireland, 17 September 2008: Canon announces the full frame, 21.1 Megapixel EOS 5D Mark II: the first EOS with full High Definition video capability.

Compact, lightweight and with environmental protection, the successor to the EOS 5D boasts a newly designed Canon CMOS sensor, with ISO sensitivity up to 25,600 for shooting in low light conditions. The new DiG!C 4 processor combines with the improved CMOS sensor to deliver medium format territory image quality at 3.9 frames per second, for up to 310 frames.

Triggered from Live View Mode, HD video capture allows users to shoot uninterrupted at full 1080 resolution at 30fps – for amazing quality footage with outstanding levels of detail and realism.

The integration of HD movie capability into a high-end 21.1 Megapixel camera opens a multitude of new possibilities for photojournalists and news photographers. With its full frame CMOS sensor and outstanding ISO performance, the EOS 5D Mark II will appeal to any photographer in search of the finest camera equipment available – from studio and wedding to nature and travel photographers.

Enhancements from the original EOS 5D include:

Addition of Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System, with a new Fluorine coating on the low-pass filter
Larger 3.0” Clear View LCD with VGA resolution, a 170° angle of view and anti-reflective coatings
Improved menu system including Quick Control Screen for more direct access to common settings
Automatic peripheral illumination correction, utilising detailed EF lens information to optimise JPEG images straight out of the camera
Magnesium alloy construction with additional environmental protection
UDMA memory card compatibility

“Professional photojournalists and wedding photographers already choose the EOS 5D for its discrete size and outstanding image quality,” said Mogens Jensen, head of Canon Consumer Imaging. “The addition of HD movie recording opens a new chapter for EOS. It creates new possibilities for EOS photographers to capture and share their stories and to stay relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape.”

Key Specifications:

New 21.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor with improved EOS Integrated Cleaning System (E.I.C.S.)
New Full HD 1080 resolution movie recording
3.9 frames per second continuous shooting
High performance DiG!C 4 processor providing superb image quality
Maximum 310 large JPEG images in a single burst with a UDMA card
3.0” VGA (920k dots) Clear View LCD
ISO 100-6400 (expansion from 50 up to 25,600)
9 AF points + 6 Assist AF points

Pricing & Availability:

The EOS 5D Mark II (body only) is available from end of November 2008 priced at £2299.99 / €2999.99 RRP inc. VAT.

The EOS 5D Mark II, EF 24-105mm f4.0L IS USM kit is available from end of November 2008 priced at £3049.99 / €3999.99 RRP inc. VAT.

Additional information

New CMOS sensor
The EOS 5D Mark II newly designed full frame 21.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor features ISO sensitivity from 100-6400, expandable to 50, 12,800 and 25,600. Large 6.4µm2 pixels have been redesigned to capture more light and yield a better signal to noise ratio to ensure lower noise images throughout the ISO range. The full frame sensor has the same dimensions as a frame of 35mm film. This means that wide-angle lenses stay wide, without the change in angle of view associated with smaller sensor cameras. As well as benefiting from finer control over depth of field, photographers moving up to the EOS 5D Mark II full frame format will find the newly designed wide, bright 98% coverage viewfinder a joy to work with.

New DiG!C 4 processor
A new DiG!C 4 processor combined with 14-bit analogue to digital conversion provides smooth gradations in mono-tonal areas such as skies, and highly accurate colour rendition. As well as HD movie shooting, DiG!C 4’s high speed provides for long uninterrupted continuous bursts of large JPEGs, near-instant start-up times and immediate and fast review after shooting. DiG!C 4 also provides for improved noise reduction algorithms, complementing the already low noise images from the EOS 5D Mark II CMOS sensor.

HD video capture
The EOS 5D Mark II is Canon’s first D-SLR to incorporate full HD 1920×1080 video capture. Once filming is started from Live View mode, photographers can fire off either single or continuous stills, with video capture continuing after the final frame is captured.

See everything
A new 3.0” VGA resolution LCD provides a wide 170º angle-of-view, providing plenty of clarity for accurate focus checks in playback. The screen brightness can automatically adjust to suit viewing conditions, extending battery life in low light and improving viewing in bright conditions. A new dedicated Live View button switches modes to display a real-time image on the LCD. This allows EOS 5D Mark II photographers to enjoy simplified shooting from awkward angles. Simple connection to a PC provides easy remote shooting.

Precision focus and metering
A 9-point auto focus system is supported by 6 additional invisible Assist AF points, located inside the spot-metering circle to optimise subject tracking performance in AI SERVO AF mode. For accurate exposure readings in tricky lighting conditions, the spot metering circle covers just 3.5% of the frame.

Control
The EOS 5D Mark II redesigned menu system includes a new Quick Control screen, for instant access to the most commonly changed settings. A new Creative Auto mode allows photographers to cede control of key settings to the camera, while retaining control over creative variables such background blur, drive mode and image brightness. Custom user settings allow photographers to switch between two completely different camera setups. This is ideal for changing quickly between two different environments, such as switching from working inside a church without flash to outdoors with fill-flash at a wedding.

Accessories
Shooting flexibility is enhanced with a range of new accessories. Shooting capacity can be extended with either the high capacity 1800mAh lithium-ion Battery Pack LP-E6, or Battery Grip BG-E6. A new optional Wireless File Transmitter – the K271 – offers external HDD and GPS compatibility along with the ability to transmit images direct to computer or FTP server, or operate the camera wirelessly. Both the BG-E6 and K271 feature a vertical orientation shutter release and other key controls for comfortable portraiture work, with a substantial grip to help balance the camera when used with long lenses.

Specifications

Model Number:     5D Mark II
Camera Format:     Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: Yes
Retail Price: $2699.00
Tripod Mount:     Yes
Weight: 810g 28.6oz
Weight With Batteries?     No
Size:     152 x 114 x 75 mm
6.0 x 4.5 x 3.0 in
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 5616×3744, 4080×2720, 2784×1856, 3861×2574, 2784×1856
Continuous-mode frames/second:     3.9
Movie Resolution: 1920×1080
Movie Frame Rate: 30
Movie Audio: Yes
Imaging Sensor (Megapixels): 22.00
CMOS Size (inches): 1.70
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.00
Aspect Ratio: 3:2
Sensor Type: CMOS
Effective Megapixels: 21.10
Display
Optical Viewfinder: Yes
LCD Viewfinder: Yes
LCD Size (inches): 3.0
LCD Resolution (pixels): 920,000
Max Playback Zoom: 10x
Exposure
ISO Settings: 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 25600
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temperature
Shutter Speed Range: 30 – 1/8000
Exp Adj Range (EV): +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 35-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Partial (8%), Spot (3.5%)
Aperture Priority: Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes
Self Timer: 10, 2 seconds
Flash
Internal Flash: No
Flash Modes: n/a
Flash Guide Number (Meters): n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a
Ext Flash Connection: PC Sync, Hot Shoe
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive
Memory Included (MB):
Uncompressed Format: RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2; 14-bit CR2
CCD Raw Format: Yes
Movie File Format: .MOV (MPEG4)
Connectivity
Video Out: Yes
Video Mode (NTSC/PAL): Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed
Other Connection: System Extension Terminal (for WFT-E4)
Power
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary LP-E6
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary LP-E6 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included: Yes

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