Canon EOS 5D Comparison (Original vs Mark II vs Mark III)

EOS 5D Comparison
Image courtesy: ephotozine.com

ephotozine published an interesting comparison between the three iterations of the Canon EOS 5D, i.e. the original one, the Mark II and the Mark III. Purpose of the comparison is to see “how far we’ve come since the first affordable full frame digital SLR was announced and released in 2005“. Well, yes, a lot happened since the first EOS 5D, things changed even more with the EOS 5D Mark II (price & specs), and then came the Canon EOS 5D Mark III (price & specs). The Mark III was seen by most people as a rather evolutionary update, not as the big step forward represented by the Mark II (though I do not agree, the Mark III for many aspects was also a totally new camera).

ephotozine’s conclusion:

Each successive Canon EOS 5D has been revolutionary in its own way, with exception, perhaps of the latest, the Mark III, which in appearance at least has been a much more evolutionary update. However, from the images produced and the additional advances made in speed, image processing and quality of the camera, it is by far the biggest upgrade to the 5D yet. While it hasn’t seen the megapixel number jump as much as from the Mark I to the Mark II, it has seen nearly every feature and function updated and improved. The Canon EOS 5D Mark III, looking at the additional specifications, features and upgrades, is a completely refreshed camera, and if the 5D Mark II was one of the best Digital SLRs available, then the Mark III is also one of the best Digital SLRs currently available.

The only problem being faced by the 5D Mark III being the obvious Canon choice, is the recent introduction of the Canon EOS 6D (price & specs) (have a look at our 6D vs 5D Mark III comparison), available for much less than the 5D Mark III, and offering some of the best low-light performance of any Digital SLR yet. We’ve come a long way since the Canon EOS 5D was first introduced, and whether you’re buying a new or second hand camera, the choices available are now more vast than ever before, making it even more affordable to enter into full frame photography, with great results possible.

There is more in ephotozine’s review, as performance charts, sample pics etc. There are two cool deals for refurbished 5D Mark II and Mark III in the Canon Direct Store (expires today), the Canon EOS 5D Mark III for $2799.21 (click here) and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II for $1407.36 (click here).

Canon EOS 5D Mark II price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Artists Portraits Shot With The Original Canon EOS 5D

Original Canon EOS 5D
Image credit: Mike Kobal

Photographer Mike Kobal posted a series of portraits he shot using the original Canon EOS 5D (still on sale on eBay). As you probably know, the EOS 5D was a game changer, the first affordable full-frame DSLR. Lots of professional photographers were excited by the possibility offered by a full-frame sensor. Sure, it was not a perfect camera, it was a new kind of tool. As Mike Kobal writes:

A craftsman is only as good as his tools. Certainly a true statement, one could add, a good craftsman knows the limits of his tools. The 5D was the first affordable full frame camera, very exciting break through and the sensor beat pretty much anything out at the time except for a few medium format offerings. I loved mine because it was compact, I could easily pack two. I did not have to take out a loan either, all I had to do was sell my 1Dseries bodies. Af was not as good, well, it sucked but I found a way to work with it. Buffer, when shooting raw, wasn’t great either and neither was the LCD. But what mattered to me most was there, a full frame sensor, producing very sharp files thanks to a weak AA filter and it was damn good in low light compared to anything else available. Color depth and dynamic range weren’t great and it was a problem in underexposed beauty shoots.The answer to that was to not underexpose. The 5D was great for my type or work. As a sports photographer I would have never touched it. 12mp was plenty for most publications.

Check out Mike's work on his site.

A lot happened in the evolution of full-frame sensors since the days of the original Canon EOS 5D (it was 2005 when the original Canon EOS 5D was released). Digital sensor technology made leaps forward, and the tech is getting cheaper. Take the Canon EOS 6D (price & specs) for instance, Canon's entry level full-frame DSLR which is selling good and is becoming highly popular. DPreview published their in-depth review of the EOS 6D just a few days ago.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USACanon EOS 5D Mark III price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USACanon EOS 6D price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Original Canon EOS 5D
Image credit: Mike Kobal