ProductCritic: Canon EOS 5D Reviews

Digital Camera Magazine (100)

The EOS 5D is Canon’s “entry-level” full frame SLR. It’s a stunning camera that has many advantages but it does require the very best lens in order to make the most of its features. Unless you’re printing up very large photos this camera could be a case of overkill.

DPexpert (100)

The Canon EOS 5D gets a 5 star rating because, measured against its intended purpose, it is perfect. There is a feeling about this camera that no matter how fast the technology evolves this one is as near future proof as possible. At 12.8 megapixels the sensor now is probably close to the resolving power of any lens. Very highly recommended to the lucky few.

Steve's Digicams (96)

Canon has produced an outstanding addition to its dSLR product line in the 5D, but its total cost of ownership may place it beyond the means of the average enthusiast. As a professional camera, the 5D may be a cost-effective alternative to the 1DS Mark II if you can live without its weather sealing and extra 3.9-megapixels of resolution.

DigitalCameraInfo.com (96)

Other than a disappointing LCD screen and limited x-sync, the EOS 5D is about all consumers can ask for at a retail price of $3299. Currently, the 5D is truly without competition.

The-digital-picture.com (95)

The Canon EOS 5D represents a great value in a high quality, high performance, full-frame Digital SLR. You get excellent quality, high resolution images for less money than ever before. I found very little to critique or complain about. This camera will exceed the requirements of many photographers.

Digital Trends (95)

This is a terrific D-SLR as one would expect for the price. There’s no getting away from the fact it’s the smallest and lightest full-frame D-SLR available and it delivers superb picture quality. Bottom line? For serious, demanding and wealthy photographers only.

PhotographyREVIEW.com (93)

The Canon EOS 5D lives up to the hype. It breaks new ground with its full-frame sensor and huge rear panel LCD. Comparing it to Canon’s $7,999 flagship EOS 1Ds Mark II tells it all. The 5D offers a comparable full-frame sensor but beats the more expensive Canon with its lightweight construction, simple control layout, simplified menu, and a much larger LCD monitor.

Digital Photography Review (92)

If the EOS 5D had been introduced a couple of years ago before the availability of designed-for-digital ultra-wide angle zoom lenses it could easily have walked away with a clear lead against ‘cropped sensor’ models.

Maximum PC (90)

We give Canon kudos for getting a full-frame sensor into the hands of serious amateurs, but Canon isn’t demonstrating the zany, out-of-the-box thinking that Nikon has with its D2X, which features an even more “cropped” mode to increase the frame rate from 5fps to 8fps at the cost of resolution.

Digital Camera Resource Page (90)

The Canon EOS-5D is an excellent (albeit expensive) digital SLR that offers great photo quality and performance and a full-frame sensor, all in a normal-sized body.

MobilityGuru (88)

The Canon EOS 5D is a breakthrough digital camera. It sets the stage for full 35mm film size sensors in prosumer cameras. The 5D itself produces excellent images that should satisfy the most demanding professional or advanced amateur.

ePhotozine (88)

The Canon EOS 5D is a very capable camera, which produces silky smooth images right up to ISO400 and beyond that, noise levels are still very well controlled thanks in part to the full frame sensor. Sensor size is also to blame for another trait, vignetting with wide angle lenses is a real problem if you like to shoot wide open.

Cameralabs (88)

By not increasing the resolution of the 30D, the 5D has become desirable both to photographers who’ve always wanted full-frame and those who simply want a higher resolution Canon body. There’ll certainly be plenty of 10D and 20D owners who, disappointed by the modest benefits of the 30D, will instead turn to the 5D for an upgrade.

Shutterbug (88)

I can’t speak for what the future will hold, but if a great performing camera is what you want and need, and you have the courage, go for it. It seems to me, from what I’ve experienced using the Canon EOS 5D, it’s unlikely to disappoint.

Digit-life.com (85)

The 5D camera is for those photographers, who have a lot of good optics, which full potential is not revealed when used with a small sensor. It’s for those who always process photos afterwards. Lens aberrations and distortions become noticeable at the edges, so you have to process the photo with utilities.

Imaging Resource (84)

For the record, we highly recommend the Canon EOS 5D as a full-frame d-SLR option, but do counsel readers to consider their sub-frame options carefully before taking the plunge with a 5D.

Pocket-lint (84)

What we have here is a very highly specified machine indeed, but given its professional bent, there are a couple of surprising omissions.

PC Pro (83)

Make no mistake – the 5D is a fantastic camera. However, it isn’t an unqualified success.

PC Advisor (82)

Canon’s EOS 5D is the most affordable full-frame D-SLR yet, allowing lenses to be used without affecting their field of view.

Let's Go Digital (82)

I am convinced that the EOS 5D is not the end of a period but the start of a whole new interesting era; a time with affordable cameras that combine a high resolution and an outstanding image quality. The Canon 5D has truly impressed me and I reluctantly returned it to Canon.

Good Gear Guide (80)

Canon’s EOS 5D is the most affordable full-frame D-SLR yet, allowing lenses to be used without affecting their field of view. It’s quite a premium to pay even considering the 12.8Mp resolution, but if you curse the cropped view of cheaper D-SLRs, this could be the camera you’ve been waiting for.

CNET (79)

A decent midrange digital SLR camera built around a superb sensor, the Canon EOS 5D delivers great images and the familiar 35mm-film-format shooting experience for a comparatively low (though still hefty) price.

ThinkCamera (70)

The EOS 5D isn’t the ideal camera for everyone and there are some minor compromises as well as some excellent features. It isn’t a point and shoot camera by any means and both the body and the price tag are substantial – but it’s smaller and better priced than many full-frame sensor cameras. If this is your first foray up the chain of D-SLR’s and you don’t want to spend too much first time round, the EOS-5D is a good starting point.