The Canon EOS 5D Mark II (Body Only) improves upon the EOS 5D by increasing the resolution by about 40% to 21.1 megapixels and adds a Live View feature that allows users to preview shots on the camera's high resolution 3.0" LCD display. It even incorporates the ability to record full motion HD Video with sound, so you can capture the action as well as superb images.
The camera's 21.1MP, full-frame 35mm-format (24x36mm) CMOS sensor captures image files with incredible image quality and color accuracy, as either JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG files. The camera also incorporates Canon's acclaimed DIGIC 4 imaging processor that works in concert with a high-speed DDR-SDRAM buffer to ensure quick performance and fast image processing times. Performance enhancements enabled by the DIGIC 4 processor include an incredibly fast full-resolution frame rate of up to 3.9 fps, improved battery life, noticeably improved image quality at all ISO sensitivities, fast start-up and reaction times, and improved noise suppression at ISO sensitivities ranging from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, plus the camera's sensitivity is further expandable to a range of ISO 50 to ISO 25600.
Other professional quality features found on the Canon EOS 5D Mark II include 14-bit A/D conversion, a bright viewfinder (with 98% image coverage), Auto Light Optimizer, Lens Peripheral Illumination Correction, 9-point AF plus 6-point assist AF, 25 Custom Functions with 71 settings, and 5 metering modes (35-Zone EV, 8% Partial Spot, 3.5% Spot, Center-Weighted, and Pre-Flash E-TTL II). Altogether, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II has been designed to serve the needs and interests of serious enthusiasts as well as professional photographers who are in pursuit of the perfect image.
21.1 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor
Developed by Canon, the high-resolution, 35mm full-frame CMOS image sensor incorporated into the EOS 5D Mark II sets the standard for its class, featuring a remarkable 21.1 million effective pixels for a maximum recorded resolution of 5616 x 3744 pixels. And since the image sensor is full-frame, all lenses used with the camera provide the angle of view that was intended by the manufacturer - this is of particular importance for photographers that often use wide-angle lenses and other specialty lenses.
DIGIC 4 Image Processor
DIGIC 4 is Canon's latest advanced imaging processor that transforms data from the large CMOS sensor at extremely high speed for photos of exceptional quality and definition. This accelerated performance contributes to highly responsive and user-friendly operation, including a fast continuous shooting speed. The DIGIC 4 processor also enables a number of processor intensive operations like Face Detection Live mode, HD video recording and lighting and lens peripheral optimization.
Picture Style Settings
Like choosing film for a film camera, users can choose a style from Picture Styles that is ideally suited to the subject or shooting objective. Users can select from 6 preset image style settings (Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful and Monochrome) and 3 user-defined styles, depending on their particular subject, shooting conditions and photographic intentions.
Record HD Video
The EOS 5D Mark II is unusual among SLR digital cameras in that it is capable of recording full HD video, and it's the cameras Live View function that makes it possible. You'll record video clips in full High-Definition with 1080p image quality and a capture frame rate of 30 fps with sound. Users can even attach an external microphone for recording professional-quality audio with the video, and all Live View AF features can be used when the camera is shooting video. Furthermore, users can play back video clips on a HDTV display in full HD quality with the camera's HDMI Video output (optional cable required).
9-Point AF Sensor Array
The newly developed 9-point AF sensor with 6 Assist AF points provides speedy and precise focus detection plus enlarged subject coverage. With an extra 6 AF assist points added to the spot metering circle, the EOS 5D enables highly detailed focusing around the center of an image in AI Servo AF mode. Of the 9 primary AF points, the high-precision cross-type center AF point is compatible with f/2.8 and f/5.6 lenses, while 8 sensors are sensitive to f/5.6. Upper and lower central points, 2 of the 6 Assist AF points, are also f/2.8 and f/5.6 compatible. All focusing points are configured for quick focus in any shooting situation.
Durable Shutter
An extremely fast, highly durable shutter unit has been especially developed to match the EOS 5D mark II's full-frame 35mm CMOS sensor. The high-torque shutter-cocking mechanism is rated to 150,000 shots, attaining speeds from 1/8000 sec. to 30 sec. and bulb. The unit's flash synchronization (X-sync) function uses an optically detected, contactless switch instead of a mechanical one, which contributes to high durability and reliability when a Speedlite is used and yields an X-sync shutter speed of 1/200 sec.
3.9 Frames-per-Second (fps) Shooting
Driven by the advanced DIGIC 4 imaging engine, the EOS 5D Mark II achieves a remarkable 3.9 fps consecutive shooting speed during maximum bursts of 78 shots for Large/Fine JPEG shots (13 shots for RAW images). For rare photo opportunities, the amazingly quick startup and short shutter release time lag will also help you capture the moment without delay.
Compatible With Over 60 Canon EF Lenses
The EOS 5D Mark II is compatible with all Canon lenses in the EF lineup (except EF-S lenses), ranging from 14mm Ultra-Wide to 600mm Super Telephoto lenses.
Lens Peripheral Illumination Correction
Canon's exclusive Lens Peripheral Illumination Correction function corrects for light falloff at the corners of the frame for evenly illuminated images.
Flash Photography Features
The EOS 5D mark II features Canon's E-TTL II flash metering system, which provides consistently accurate flash exposure from shot to shot. Canon's Speedlite 580EX and 430EX are perfectly suited to the EOS 5D. They include an AF-Assist Beam, which works in conjunction with the EOS 5D's focusing system and automatically sends color temperature information to the camera when the flash fires, for more accurate color rendition with flash photography.
Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E4A
The optional WFT-E4A accessory allows photographers to transmit images from their cameras directly to a computer over a wireless local area network (LAN).
