Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Review: A Powerhouse DSLR For Filmmaking

If you are looking at DSLR cameras in the upper spectrum of the market, you should certainly consider the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. As you may expect for the price, you can look forward to fantastic images, building on its predecessor, the 5D Mark III.

With headline features such as a new 30.4 sensor and Dual Pixel RAW (allowing you to shift the focus after you’ve taken a shot), the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV doesn’t disappoint, and in this review, we take you through its stand out characteristics, including some pros and cons.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Review

If you are ready to step up your 4K filming then the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is an excellent choice as it has outstanding video performance right out of the box.

Body and handling

If you have used the 5D Mark III, it might immediately strike you how similar the two models are. That seems to be a deliberate ploy by Canon to keep a level of familiarity. There are, however, some changes, such as a larger optical viewfinder and a grip which feels even more stable.

The layout of the buttons should also feel familiar. A dial helps you to scroll through settings quickly and the Q button allows you to change what you see on the main display.

Screen

Usability is certainly helped by a touch-sensitive screen, and this comes in handy for setting an autofocus point. It comes down to the user’s preference whether they use the buttons or employ the touchscreen to achieve what they want to. Those who are eyeing the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV for video work should note that the screen is non-tilting.

Image quality

Canon achieves remarkable image quality with the EOS 5D Mark IV. Whether you are shooting in overcast or bright conditions, this is one of those digital cameras that still delivers. Noise-free images are produced, although the quality may be compromised at the top ISO settings. There is a weighting of exposures to the AF point, and the Dual Pixel RAW feature can be used in tandem with Canon’s Digital Photo Professional application

READ MORE: DSLR camera guide: What to look for when buying a DSLR?

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Video Test

Here’s a great example of how awesome the video quality is with using the 4K video setting. Check out how crisp the video is within the dark setting. Love this filmmaking!

Performance

Thanks to slick autofocus, you are able to use the touchscreen to focus quickly when shooting macro subjects. You’ll benefit from wide AF coverage of the entire frame, and excellent tracking focus which allows you to stay with moving subjects.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Better dynamic range than previous models
• An unlimited JPEG buffer
• Excellent quality images from RAW files
• Superb high ISO performance
• Built-in wifi
• Dual Pixel Raw

Cons:

• 4k video codec is rather slow
• JPEGs can lack punch in default settings
• A limit on the continuous video recording of 29:59

Conclusion

If you take photographs for a living or are an experienced amateur, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV will be irresistible. This is one of those digital cameras which is a joy to operate, and crucially delivers outstanding images and excellent video footage, underpinned by a quicker processor and higher resolution sensor than previous models. The 5D Mark IV can be purchased for a lower price tag than the one it was launched within 2017, meaning now could be a good time to pounce.

Where Can You Buy The Canon EOS 5D?

With a camera that is this expensive, you want to make sure you purchase from a online store that has a great reputation. In our opinion, there are two main choices to purchase online: B&H Photo and Amazon.

While B&H Photo has a great reputation and physical locations, they tend to be more expensive. Our recommended location to purchase would be Amazon.

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