Photography News Issue 36

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Photography News | Issue 36 | absolutephoto.com

News

Canon EOS 5DMkIV Photography News attended the London announcement of the EOS 5DMkIV and Roger Payne got the chance to enjoy its delights – or at least of a working beta sample – and he came away mightily impressed

Specs

Price £3629 body only Effective pixels 30.4 megapixels Total pixels 31.7 megapixels ISO range 100-25,600 Sensor size/type 36x24mm CMOS Processor DIGIC 6+ Image size 6720x4880pixels ISO range 100-32,000 (expandable down to 50 and up to 102,400) Autofocusmodes One Shot, AI Focus, AI Servo AF Autofocus points 61 Exposure compensation +/-5 EV in 0.3 or 0.5 EV stops, AEB +/-3 EV in 0.3 or 0.5 EV stops Shutter speeds 30secs-1/8000sec, plus B Metering 150,000-pixel RGB+IR sensor, 252 zones. Evaluative, partial (approx 6.1%), spot (approx 1.3%), centre-weighted Exposuremodes Scene Intelligent Auto, Program AE, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, Manual, Custom x3 Max frame rate 7fps unlimited JPEGs or up to 21 Raw files LCD Fixed 3.2in touchscreen, 1620k dot resolution Video functionality 4K (4096x2160 pixels) at 30p/25p/24p, Full HD at 60p/30p/25p/24p, HD at 120p/60p Other Built-in GPS, Wi-Fi and NFC Interface USB 3.0, HDMI mini out, 1xCompactFlash (UDMA 7 compatible) and 1xSD (UHS-I compatible) Dimensions (wxhxd) 150.7x116.4x75.9mm Weight 890g (body only) Contact canon.co.uk microphone socket, headphone socket Storage Dual card slots:

Words by Roger Payne

Eleven years after the original 5D we have the EOS 5D Mk IV and very impressive it looks too. The resolution has seen a big jump, now weighing in at 30.4 megapixels with a supporting DIGIC 6+ processor taking care of data handling. In reality, there’s a DIGIC 6 processor which takes careofmetering, leaving the 6+ to concentrate on image capture. New algorithms mean enhanced low-light performance, plus there’s also a jump in native ISO, which now extends from 100 to 32,000 and onward to 50 and 102,400 with expansion. Frame rates top out at seven frames-per- second for unlimited JPEGs and up to 21 Raws, while Live View images can be recorded at up to 4.3 fps. Design and handling are reassuringly familiar for existing EOS 5D series owners. EOS 5D spotters will notice that the handgrip and rear thumb rest are both a tad deeper for a more solid

Summary Canon had beta working samples of the camera and a group of bike riders and skateboarders on hand to be photographed at the London launch, so it was rude not to give the EOS 5DMk IV a try. Although I only had the camera for a matter of minutes, its capabilities were immediately evident; keeping up with trick- performing cyclists in a low-lit interior and delivering remarkably impressive results at high ISOs. The camera is everything you’d want the latest incarnation of the EOS 5D dynasty to be, although some may bemoan the lack of articulated LCD. Perhaps the only eyebrow raiser for me is the £3629 price tag, but we’ll have to see where the price settles on the high street after the initial flurry of pre-orders.

hold, plus there’s a new thumb- controlled button on the rear of the camera that can be customised to your own taste. By default, this button provides access to the new AF Area Selection feature for quick AF point selection. The rear LCD is now touch sensitive, plus there is a modest increase in the size of the pentaprism to house the necessary gubbins for the built-in GPS and Wi-Fi. Weatherproofing has also been improved and there are dual cards slots: one for CF, the other for SD. Despite these additions, the body is 50g lighter than the Mk III. The autofocusing system is plucked pretty much straight from the EOS-1D X Mk II. There are 61 points, 41 of which are cross- type. AF sensitivity goes down to EV-3 if you’re viewfinder shooting or EV-4 with Live View. Attach a teleconverter and you still keep all 61 points, plus you retain 21 cross- types, too. Like the EOS-1D X Mk

II, the 5D Mk IV uses Dual Pixel AF technology to deliver a more accurate focusing performance, but now Canon has added extra functionality off the back of this tech in the form of Dual Pixel Raw. Activated through the menu, this new feature works with each pixel being split into two separate photodiodes that can be used individually or together. Raw file size virtually doubles as a result, but the captured file allows you control sharpness and resolution in post-production, although it’s only available through the proprietary Digital Photo Professional software. Canon stopped short of suggesting this was a cure for inaccurate focusing, but it’s a feature that will be worthy of further investigation when we get a test sample. Video has also been given a leg up, after significant enhancements were largely overlooked on the Mk III. 4K footage is possible up to 30p.

canon.co.uk

David Parry – product specialist, professional

DP: It’s the fundamentals. This camera is all about image quality, giving the best images possible. The EOS 5D Mk IV has the latest sensor and I think it represents a big step forward for a full-frame sensor. You will notice straightaway the difference in the detail, high ISO capability and dynamic range. PN: Tell us about the new reflex mirror mechanism. DP: We’ve been trying to get rid of the springs in the mirror box, because once you release the energy in a spring there’s no controlling it. So we’ve tried different cams, gears and motors that you can control a lot better and eliminate mirror bounce. The new design slows the mirror down when it comes to the end of its travel and then speeds it up incredibly quickly. PN: Canon is dominant in all markets apart frommirrorless. Will we ever see a mirrorless model with an EF mount? DP: We are 100% behind mirrorless with two bodies and five lenses, but we don’t want to go off on a tangent and sacrifice other parts of our business. There are a lot of cameras in our offering and mirrorless sits as part of that.

Photography News: 11 years on, do you feel the essence of the original 5D has been retained in the EOS 5D Mk IV? David Parry: Without a doubt, but it has been moved on leaps and bounds. It’s still the workhorse, the tool, the thing that gets the job done. PN: Who is the typical EOS 5D user. Is there one? DP: Yes and no. The people who need to make the money out of photography, those are the guys who will be really excited by this new generation of 5 series, but there are a lot of enthusiasts out there who will enjoy using this product as well. There’s so much you can learn about this camera and it opens up so many different opportunities. What’s great about the last two generations – the Mk III and now the Mk IV – is that one day you can be shooting weddings and the following day you can be shooting motorsport with the same camera, which I think is really powerful.

Eleven years after the original 5D we have the EOS 5D Mk IV and very impressive it looks too

PN: What do you think are the key attributes of the new 5D Mk IV camera?

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