Exploring the Canon EOS 5D Mark II: Movie Mode

Most of the attention surrounding the Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR camera is centered around the 21 megapixel full frame 24×36mm CMOS sensor that the camera is built around. But cameras are quickly moving into new territory, with convergence being a term more and more discussed, specifically the merging of a still camera and video camera in one device. In digital SLRs, this started with the Nikon D90, but Canon has more fully realized video in a digital SLR with the EOS 5D Mark II.

The 5D Mark II is able to capture 16:9 HD video at 1920×1080 pixels, for 30 FPS (additionally the 5D Mark II also captures video at 640×480 in 4:3 format). How does this work? The movie function works as an extension of Live View. When recording a transparent overlay will cover the LCD screen to indicate the chosen aspect ratio. During movie mode, the photographer can use the creative picture style chosen in still image shooting. In addition the following settings can be adjusted: AE lock, exposure compensation, peripheral illumination correction, white balance, auto lighting optimizer, and highlight tone priority.

It might be assumed that the user has total control during movie mode, but some settings can’t be adjusted and are automatically controlled by the camera. These include the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

Sound is handled by a microphone located on the front of the camera. The included microphone is for convenience only, as it is a strictly monaural affair. For more serious creative movie attempts, users are going to want to take advantage of the external stereo microphone 3.5mm diameter input.

Movies on the 5D Mark II are recorded in .mov file format using the MPEG-4/H.264 codec. Sound is uncompressed PCM. For HD recording at 1920×1080, the bit rate is 38.6 Mbits. The movie file is directly recorded to the compact flash card, and while Canon states that most compactflash cards should be fast enough to handle the data transfer, UDMA CF cards are definitely recommended. Movies can be filmed in up to 4GB clips or in lengths as long as 29 minutes and 59 seconds. These limitations are due to FAT32 constraints (limited to 4GB). Users will be wanting to purchase high capacity CF cards, as the current estimate is about 12 minutes of HD video fills a 4GB compactflash card. Your mileage may vary, but for most photographers, storage could quickly become an issue when combining the already large still image files and HD video.

For the curious, the Canon 5D Mark II can capture still images while in movie mode. This is done by simply pressing the shutter button during recording. It’s important to note that these are real still images and not just frame grabs from the recorded movie. Also, there will be a pause in the recorded movie from the beginning of the still image exposure till the end of it.

In movie mode the photographer can use both live mode AF and face detection AF to set focus before and during video capture. It’s likely however that manual focus will be the preferred method, as neither live mode AF or face detection live mode AF are fast enough to use effectively during video capture, nor is either method a dynamic method of focusing, as both will lock focus on a subjects fixed position, and if the subject or photographer moves, focus will have to be reacquired. A more typical method likely will be to acquire focus via live mode AF before video capture, and then manually handle focus during the capture.

One final note. If you’re like me, you’ve noticed a distinctly unique look to the video capture of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. This look takes us back to the begining because it is due in part to the 24×26mm CMOS sensor at the heart of the 5D Mark II, which is significantly larger than the typical sensor found in an HD video camera. As with still imaging, this size differential creates a much shallower depth of field in the 5D Mark II. Combined with the 5D Mark II’s abilities as a still camera, along with the use of Canon’s extensive lens lineup during movie mode, the photographer will have vastly more control than any similarily priced video camera, with noticably better results. Because of this, I’d guess that the 5D Mark II remains in high demand for some time to come, and photographers had best get used to the idea of convergence, as it’s likely the concept is here to stay.

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1. 

   Cacasodo says:

   November 28, 2008 at 2:22 pm

   Patrick,
   Nice synopsis of the movie mode features as well as benefits/drawbacks.
   sodo

   reply
2. 

   Patrick says:

   November 28, 2008 at 2:27 pm

   Thanks. There are some big pluses, especially the video quality, though some control freaks might be turned off by not having total control.

   reply
3. 

   Daryl L. Hunter says:

   November 29, 2008 at 11:09 pm

   I eagerly look forward to the arrival of my back ordered package so I can mess with this video.

   reply
4. 

   Patrick says:

   November 30, 2008 at 12:38 am

   Oh I envy you Daryl, and by the way come back and share your thoughts when you get it, I’d be more than happy to put them in a post.

   reply
5. 

   Daryl L. Hunter says:

   June 15, 2010 at 8:40 am

   Patrick,

   Couldn’t be happier with the results

   http://the-hole-picture.com/video.html

   reply