The Canon EOS 5D is the Schwarzenneger of Canon's newest digital camera line-up, with a massive, full-frame, single-plate 12.8 megapixel CMOS sensor and rugged construction featuring a stainless steel sub-frame and top, along with front and rear casings made of molded magnesium alloy. The benefits of a full-frame sensor present themselves immediately upon looking through the newly-redesigned optical viewfinder with its 96% inclusive representation of your image. Your field of view is a full 2/3 larger with the 5D than with any comparable camera. Think not Peewee Herman, but the Terminator. Full-frame means no 35mm lens magnification factor, none of the field of view cropping that occurs with lesser sensors, and drastically reduced noise and chromatic aberrations. It means bigger, more beautiful wide-angle shots up to 4368 x 2912 pixels in RAW format. Hasta La Vista, mediocrity. Hello, Canon EOS 5D.
Now With DIGIC II Imaging Processing
No matter how advanced the sensor, metering, or lens of your SLR, the backbone of an exceptional digital camera is the signal processing technology that renders and writes the image to the camera's memory card. Developed to maximize performance between the capture and recording aspects of digital photography, Canon's second generation DIGIC II (Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit) works in concert with Canon's newest and largest CMOS sensor to achieve even higher levels of performance. New signal processing algorithms work with the multichannel signal from the sensor and the high-speed DDR-SDRAM (Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) buffer to deliver dramatically improved camera response. Color reproduction, too, has been enhanced on the 5D, with more natural rendition of bright, high-saturation subjects and more precise auto white balance. Color accuracy and noise performance in low light have also been refined for this model.
Fast, Faster -- 5D Fast!
The highly responsive, professional-level auto-focus on the 5D makes for shooting excitement with both still and moving subjects. The Wide-Area Auto Focus (AF) System makes focusing quick and accurate, even when your subject is off-center. And, on this model the AF is as fast as you'll find on any digital camera. Nine focusing points are laid out in a cross pattern that's visible on the clear, uncluttered display and six invisible points inhabit the spot metering circle for use in predictive AF tracking. You can relax and let the camera detect your subject and choose the proper focusing point, which will be illuminated on the display for a no-surprise preview of your focus. The 5D supports your own creative vision as well by letting you choose your own focusing point. And, for those of you with less-than-perfect vision, a diopter correction wheel helps out. One-Shot AF works best for still subjects, locking in focus as you press the shutter button halfway. You can use the 5D's AI Servo AF option to track active subjects, predicting their movement. A high-speed, three frame-per-second motor-drive powers the Continuous Shooting mode, letting you capture split-second action sequences with a burst of up to SIXTY shots at JPEG Large/Fine quality and seventeen shots at RAW or RAW+JPEG quality. Nothing escapes the Canon EOS 5D, nothing.
Record Your Shots In Formats That Fit Your Needs
Whenever you shoot the 5D, you can choose to have it record your images in either the RAW or JPEG format, or -- heck, why not! -- cover your bases and record simultaneously in both. Both recording methods provide six selectable settings for JPEG image quality. The JPEG file format is ideal for things like Internet image transfers that require reduced file sizes. Canon's proprietary RAW (.CRW) format, on the other hand, employs lossless compression to ensure the highest possible quality, and is recorded at 12-bits-per-pixel to provide a wider range of tones and superior detail in bright highlights and deep shadows when compared with JPEG files. RAW files must be "processed" before they can be opened in your computer's image-editing software. This conversion process typically takes only a few seconds using the dedicated driver software, which will convert the RAW file into a standard 8-bit-per-channel TIFF file; or, for maximum tonal range, a 16-bit TIFF file to transfer to your PC. Whether publishing to the web, or in a glossy magazine, the 5D gives you the means to make your work scream "professional."
Looks And Feels Like A Dream--But It's For Real
Holding it is as dreamy as operating it--whether you're new to digital, SLR cameras, or even new to photography. The 5D's rigid chassis combines engineering plastic with stainless steel and is covered by strong, lightweight, magnesium alloy panels on the front and rear. This durable, well-built camera is made to endure even the most rugged conditions. Controls are ergonomically shaped and positioned for shot-excellence and sure-fire operation. The newly designed grip and refined finish add to the elegance of the camera body. The Mode Dial makes digital and shooting controls easy to access, and the over-sized quick control dial located right under your thumb handles the operations you'll use most. The generous 2.5" LCD monitor is big and informative; you can even adjust the brightness setting. All in all, a dream come true.
Beautiful Black-And-Whites With Built-In Monochrome Mode
The 5D has a built-in monochrome mode that uses digital processing to re-create the effects of a number of different black-and-white filters and toning effects. The digital filters (yellow, orange, red, or green) brighten colors similar to the chosen filter, while darkening their complements. Toning effects will give black-and-white images a sepia, purple, blue, or green tint. This all means a reduction in postprocessing for the detail and contrast needed for a great black-and-white image.
Extra Juice For Extra Shots
This camera uses the much-improved, higher-capacity BP-511A Li-Ion battery with 27% more energy. Because this camera doesn't waste power with LCD previewing like a fixed-lens camera, the battery allows you take up to 500 shots per charge! This lets you to stay focused on your shots instead of worrying about available power. When it's finally time to recharge the batteries, just pop them in the included charger and let them sit 100 minutes for a full power-up session. Purchase the optional vertical grip BG-E4 for twice the battery power and twice the shutter release flexibility.
Print Beautiful Photos At Home
With PictBridge enabling, you can connect the camera to any PictBridge-compatible printer with the USB 2.0 port to print images stored on the memory card. You can even trim images, add "frames," impose dates, or print multiple copies.
Included With Purchase
Canon EOS 5D Digital SLR (BODY ONLY), BP-511A Li-ion rechargeable battery pack, batter charger, eyecup, neck strap, USB cable, video cable, CD-ROMs featuring EOS Digital Solution, Digital Photo Professional, camera and software manuals.
