Canon EOS 5D

    58
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    Highlights

    • 13.3 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
    • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
    • 9 Focus Points
    • 2.5" 230k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
    • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • Wheather Sealed Body
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Canon EOS 5D was announced in 2005 and is a Full Frame (36 x 24 mm) DSLR camera with 13.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 3,200. The camera has a Fixed 2.5" screen with 230k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Successor
    4. Screen and Viewfinder
    5. Sensor
    6. Photography Features
    7. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    8. Other Features
    9. Physical Parameters
    10. For Different Types of Photography
    11. Evaluation
    12. Specifications  

    Here is the Canon EOS 5D series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Canon EOS 5D series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Canon 5D IV
    Compare
    		August
    2016    		 30.4 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 32,000 Fixed 3.2"
    1,620k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Canon 5DS R
    Compare
    		February
    2015    		 50.6 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 6,400 Fixed 3.2"
    1,040k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 5DS
    Compare
    		February
    2015    		 50.6 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 6,400 Fixed 3.2"
    1,040k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 5D III
    Compare
    		May
    2012    		 22.3 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 25,600 Fixed 3.2"
    1,040k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 5D II
    Compare
    		February
    2009    		 21.1 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 5D November
    2005    		 13.3 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 2.5"
    230k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV vs EOS 5DS R vs EOS 5DS vs EOS 5D Mark III vs EOS 5D Mark II vs EOS 5D.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Canon EOS 5D.

    PROS

    •   Large Sensor
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 13.3 Megapixel
    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
    •   DxO Overall Score - 71
    •   Weight - 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 800 shots

    Successor

    In 2009 Canon EOS 5D was replaced by Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Canon EOS 5D and its successor.

    UPGRADES Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Canon EOS 5D
    Video Capture vs
    Higher Sensor Resolution 21.1 Megapixel vs 13.3 Megapixel
    Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 3,200
    More Powerful Processor DIGIC 4 vs DIGIC II
    Max Image Resolution 5616 x 3744 vs 4368 x 2912
    Center Autofocus vs
    Tracking Autofocus vs
    Face Detection vs
    Live View Autofocus vs
    Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
    Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.5"
    Higher Resolution Screen 920k dot vs 230k dot
    Live View vs
    Higher Viewfinder Coverage 98% vs 96%
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.9 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Partial Metering vs
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 1815 vs 1368
    Higher DxO Color Depth 23.7 vs 22.9
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.9 vs 11.1
    Higher DxO Overall Score 79 vs 71
    HDMI Output Mini vs
    Built-in Microphone Mono vs
    Microphone Input vs
    Lighter 850 g (1.87 lb / 29.98 oz) vs 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz)
    Longer Battery Life 850 shots vs 800 shots

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Canon EOS 5D vs EOS 5D Mark II.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Canon EOS 5D has a 2.5" Fixed screen with 230k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.


    Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 96% coverage and 0.71x magnification.

    Sensor

    Canon EOS 5D features a 13.3 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 864 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Canon EOS 5D's Full Frame sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera is equipped with DIGIC II processor and can take pictures up to 4368 x 2912 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 3168 x 2112, 2496 x 1664 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Canon EOS 5D has Canon EF lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.


    No In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) so it needs lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS 5D.

    Canon 5D III
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    22.3 MP

    Canon 5DS
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    Full Frame

    50.6 MP

    Canon 5DS R
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    50.6 MP

    Canon 5D II
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    21.1 MP

    Canon 5D IV
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    30.4 MP

    Nikon Z9
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    45.7 MP

    Panasonic GH5
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    20.3 MP

    Sony a7
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    24.3 MP

    Fujifilm X-E4
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    26.1 MP

    Nikon D500
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    20.9 MP

    Fujifilm X-E1
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.3 MP

    Canon 4000D
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    18.0 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input

    Canon EOS 5D has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.


    Battery

    Canon EOS 5D comes with BP-511A battery pack with battery life of 800 shots.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II) card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Canon EOS 5D's shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


    Flash

    Canon EOS 5D has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Canon EOS 5D has dimensions of 152 x 113 x 75 mm (5.98 x 4.45 x 2.95"). It weighs 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    152 mm (5.98")

    113 mm (4.45")

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    113 mm (4.45")

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    75 mm (2.95")

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    Canon EOS 5D dimensions

    Canon EOS 5D for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Canon EOS 5D is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    80

    Canon EOS 5D gets a score of 80 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    58

    Canon EOS 5D gets a score of 58 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Battery Life - 800 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    61

    Canon EOS 5D gets a score of 61 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Battery Life - 800 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    73

    Canon EOS 5D gets a score of 73 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    77

    Canon EOS 5D gets a score of 77 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    77

    Canon EOS 5D gets a score of 77 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 800 shots

    Canon EOS 5D Evaluation

    We evaluate Canon EOS 5D and give score of 58 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    58

    Sensor

    GOOD
    72

    We give Canon EOS 5D a score of 72 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 13.3 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   DxO Overall Score - 71

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    57

    We give Canon EOS 5D a score of 57 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Canon EOS 5D a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    AVERAGE
    69

    We give Canon EOS 5D a score of 69 for Focusing parameters.

    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection

    Screen and Viewfinder

    AVERAGE
    68

    We give Canon EOS 5D a score of 68 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

    Connectivity

    POOR
    40

    We give Canon EOS 5D a score of 40 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    AVERAGE
    68

    We give Canon EOS 5D a score of 68 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 800 shots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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