Overview of Canon Full Fame SLR cameras
September 30, 2013
This page covers the "single digit" non professional Canon bodies,
such as the 5D and the 6D.
The "professional" full frame cameras in the 1Ds series,
are not covered here, see my
page on the 1D series
to find out about these.
Although I don't call these "professional cameras", they are certainly
in wide use by professionals.
The sense in which they are not professional is that they don't have
a "1D" model number. There is more to this than just numbers though.
The build quality of these cameras, while good, is not up to the
ruggedness and weather sealing of the 1D bodies. I have heard some
unhappy stories about the 5D Mark II in wet weather.
The 6D camera
This popped up in 2012 or so. It is a "bargain priced"
($2000 for body only at B and H in 9-2013) full frame camera
with 20.2 megapixels. It is interesting to compare it to the
5D Mark III (priced at $3500) and ask what the extra $1500 buys you.
It seems odd for Canon to shoot the 5Diii in the foot like this,
but I suspect some careful reading of reviews might yield answers.
People actually say that the sensor on the 6D has more dynamic range
than the 5D Mark III sensor; in other words, it is no slouch.
Interestingly, with the 6D (and the 1Dx) Canon seems to be learning the lesson
that more megapixels is not what it is all about. Note that the 1Dx is an
18 megapixel camera!! I find this gratifying, but there are still people
clamoring for a 36 megapixel camera, "just like Nikon offers".
The 5D series
This began with the 5D classic, which is a legend.
Then came the 5D Mark II, which is a fine camera, but often gets
mud thrown at it because of its antique focus system.
And then came the 5D Mark III, which now has to hold its own
against the 6D. All of these cameras offer a full frame sensor
in something like a normal camera body (in contrast to the massive
and heavy 1D bodies).
Canon 5D "Classic"
This is the 12.8 megapixel full frame camera.
When introduced in 2005, it sold for $3300,
but now (early 2008) the price is down to $2200 which makes it quite interesting.
It will not take EF-S lenses.
November, 2005
Canon 5D Mark II
This is the newer full frame camera with a 22 megapixel sensor.
The main complaint and limitation was its autofocus system, but this
has been remedied in the Mark III version. For me, coming from a 20D,
this camera had the same focus system I already knew and loved.
I do no sports or wildlife photography and often use it on a tripod as my
"digital view camera", so the focus system has not been a liability.
Canon 5D Mark III
This camera has a 22.3 megapixel sensor, replacing the 21.1 megapixel sensor on the Mark II.
The sensor is not big change (adding only a few megapixels, and perhaps a half stop of dynamic range.
The build of the Mark III is reported to be more sturdy than the Mark II,
but most importantly, the Mark III has the autofocus
system the Mark II should have had in the first place.
The camera now has 61 autofocus points instead of 9.
It takes both CF and SD cards.
Feedback? Questions?
Drop me a line!
Tom's Digital Photography Info / tom@mmto.org