Canon 5D Mk IV

30MP 7FPS Full-Frame, 4K, WiFi, GPS

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Canon 5D Mk IV

Canon 5D Mk IV (31.370 oz./889.25g with battery and cards, about $2,699) and 50mm f/1.2 L. bigger. I got mine at Adorama; I'd also get it at Amazon, at B&H or at Crutchfield.

Also comes as:

Body only: $2,699 at Adorama, at Amazon, at B&H and at Crutchfield.

Body with 24-70mm f/4 L IS: $3,399 at Amazon.

Body with 24-105mm f/4 L IS II: $3,799 at Adorama, at Amazon, at B&H and at Crutchfield.

BG-E20 Battery Grip: $299.

This junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally-approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Canon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, store demo or used camera. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.

 

August 2022   Canon Reviews   Canon Lenses   Canon Flash   All Reviews

Pro DSLRs Compared

 

Canon 5D Mk IV

Canon 5D Mk IV and 50mm f/1.2 L. bigger.

 

Canon 5D Mk IV

Canon 5D Mk IV. bigger.

 

Canon 5D Mk IV

Canon 5D Mk IV. bigger.

Please help KenRockwell..com

Introduction

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Accessories   USA Version   Performance

Compared   Usage   Recommendations   More

New   Good   Missing

Adorama Pays Top Dollar for Used Gear

Amazon

B&H Photo - Video - Pro Audio

Crutchfield

I buy only from these approved sources. I can't vouch for ads below.

The Canon 5D Mark IV is the world's most universal DSLR. It is competitive for sports and action as well as for wedding, nature, portrait, landscape and product photography.

With 7 FPS on tap, the 5D Mk IV is fast enough for just about anything other than dedicated full-time sports coverage for which you need a 14 FPS 1DX Mk II.

With 30 full-frame megapixels, it's also state of the art in resolution. Nikon's highest resolution camera today, the old D810 from 2014, has essentially the same resolution but only runs at 5 FPS. The only camera with significantly more resolution than this 5D Mk IV is Canon's 5DS and 5DSR, which are essentially a higher resolution but slower version of this 5D Mk IV.

This is why I'm so impressed that Canon chose to introduce this 5D Mk IV. Canon didn't need to; it already has this covered in the 5D Mk III that runs at 6 FPS, and the 5DSR has more resolution but less speed at about the same price. The 5D series sells very few cameras compared to Canon's APS-C DSLRs, so we ought to be glad that Canon actively develops new models that don't do much for Canon's profits (and eat into sales of other Canon cameras), but give us all more camera choices.

Bravo Canon!

 

New

blue ball icon © KenRockwell.com GPS.

blue ball icon © KenRockwell.com GPS also tags elevation.

blue ball icon © KenRockwell.com WiFi for use with Canon Camera Connect App.

blue ball icon © KenRockwell.com NFC.

blue ball icon © KenRockwell.com In-camera, as-shot distortion correction (absent in the 5DS and 5DS R).

blue ball icon © KenRockwell.com In-camera, as-shot diffraction correction (absent in the 5DS and 5DS R).

blue ball icon © KenRockwell.com In-camera, as-shot Digital Lens Optimizer (absent in 5DS and 5DS R, but works so slowly in this 5D Mk IV that it's not that helpful).

blue ball icon © KenRockwell.com New programmable control button (between the big rear dial and the thumb nubbin). I set mine to swap between AUTO and SINGLE AF area modes.

blue ball icon © KenRockwell.com Touch Screen.

blue ball icon © KenRockwell.com "Color Tone" adjustment for the rear LCD (MENU > WRENCH 2 > LCD color tone) lets you make it a little more orange or more blue if you prefer.

blue ball icon © KenRockwell.com All 61 AF points work at f/8; 41 of these are cross-type as well.

blue ball icon © KenRockwell.com 153,600 pixel (480 x 320) RGB + IR light meter.

blue ball icon © KenRockwell.com AF rated to work down to LV -3, and to LV -4 in Live View.

blue ball icon © KenRockwell.com 4,096 × 2,160 Digital Cinema Initiative 4K video.

blue ball icon © KenRockwell.com "Dual-Pixel RAW," an odd system Canon claims lets us touch-up focus after shooting.

blue ball icon © KenRockwell.com IPTC metadata entry.

 

Good

green ball icon © KenRockwell.com Touch-control LCD with Auto Brightness Control and anti-smudge and anti-reflection coatings.

green ball icon © KenRockwell.com 3 total-recall C1, C2 and C3 memories on the mode dial (also in 5DS and 5DS R).

green ball icon © KenRockwell.com Multi-shot noise reduction (also in 5DS and 5DS R).

green ball icon © KenRockwell.com Shoots-through flicker (also in 5DS and 5DS R and other recent Canons).

 

Bad

red ball icon © KenRockwell.com Digital Lens Optimizer runs so slowly as to be almost useless for most practical shooting; it locks-up the 5D4 for 3 seconds after each shot!

 

Missing

gray ball icon © KenRockwell.com No built-in flash.

gray ball icon © KenRockwell.com No flipping LCD.

gray ball icon © KenRockwell.com No as-shot, in-finder cropped-sensor options. (no 4:5, 1:1, APS-C or other crop options as we have in the 5DS and 5DS R).

gray ball icon © KenRockwell.com No magnetic compass as in the 5DS and 5DS R.

gray ball icon © KenRockwell.com Focus screen is not interchangeable.

gray ball icon © KenRockwell.com No Mup shutter delay.

 

Lens Compatibility

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Canon 5D Mk IV

Canon 5D Mk IV. bigger.

Works perfectly with all Canon EF lenses ever made since 1987.

EF-S and EF-M lenses won't mount; they won't cover this full-frame sensor anyway.

 

Specifications

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Image Sensor

30 MP.

24 × 36 mm full-frame.

1.5:1 aspect ratio.

5.36 µm pixel pitch.

Ultrasonic cleaner.

In-camera DSP for Digital Lens Optimization and Diffraction Compensation for JPEG shooting.

 

Image Sizes      specifications       top

 

Uncropped 3:2

Large JPG and raw: 6,720 × 4,480 pixels (30 MP) native.

mRAW: 5,040 × 3,360 (17 MP).

Medium JPG: 4,464 × 2,976 (13 MP).

Small JPG and sRAW: 3,360 × 2,240 (7.5 MP).

Small 2: 1,920 × 1,280 (2.5 MP).

Small 3: 720 × 480 (346 kP).

 

4:3 Crop

Large JPG & raw: 5,952 × 4,480 (27 MP).

mRAW: 4,480 × 3,360 (15 MP).

Medium JPG: 3,968 × 2,976 (12 MP).

Small JPG or sRAW: 2,976 × 2,240 (7 MP).

Small 2 JPG: 1,696 × 1,280 (2 MP).

Small 3 JPG: 640 × 480 (307 kP).

 

Square Hasselblad 1:1 Crop

Large JPG & raw: 4,480 × 4,480 (20 MP).

mRAW: 3,360 × 3,360 (11 MP).

Medium JPG: 2,976 × 2,976 (9 MP).

Small JPG or sRAW: 2,240 × 2,240 (5 MP).

Small 2 JPG: 1,280 × 1,280 (1.6 MP).

Small 3 JPG: 480 × 480 (230 kP).

 

16:9 crop

Large JPG & raw: 6,720 × 3,776 pixels (25 MP).

mRAW: 5,040 × 2,836 (14 MP).

Medium JPG: 4,464 × 2,512 (11 MP).

Small JPG and sRAW: 3,360 × 1,888 (6 MP).

Small 2: 1,920 × 1,080 (2 MP).

Small 3: 720 × 408 (290 kP).

 

ISO       specifications       top

ISO 100 ~ 32,000 in regular modes.

ISO 50 ~ 102,400 in expanded modes.

Auto ISO with full manual and shiftable Auto slowest shutter speeds.

 

White Balance      specifications       top

Auto (two settings: "Ambience" lets tungsten stay warm, and "White" which fully corrects tungsten.)

Daylight

Shade

Cloudy

Tungsten

White Fluorescent

Flash

Custom

Kelvin

±9 steps amber/blue and magenta/green trim.

 

Still Formats      specifications       top

JPG and/or 14-bit raw.

sRGB and Adobe RGB.

 

Video      specifications       top

 

MOV files

4,096 × 2,160 (Digital Cinema Initiative 4K) at 29.97, 24.00 or 23.976 FPS. These 4,096-wide images are ideal for 'scope (2:40:1) shooting.

1,920 × 1,080 at 59.94, 29.97, 24.00 or 23.976 FPS.

1,280 × 720 at 119.88 FPS.

Motion JPEG (4K) or MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (HD) video.

Linear PCM audio.

 

MP4 files

1,920 × 1,080 at 59.94, 29.97, 24.00 or 23.976 FPS.

MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video.

AAC audio.

 

Audio      specifications       top

Recorded only along with video.

 

Autofocus      specifications       top

Viewfinder

61 points, all of which work at f/8.

41 of these are cross-points.

Rated to work down to LV -3.

Standard SLR TTL secondary image-forming phase-difference detection system with dedicated AF sensor.

 

Live View

Contrast detection or Dual Pixel CMOS AF.

Rated to work down to LV -4.

 

Finder      specifications       top

100 % coverage.

0.71× magnification with 50mm lens.

21 mm eyepoint.

-3 ~ +1 diopters.

Fixed focus screen; not interchangeable.

 

Data shown in finder:

AF point information

AF operation*

Area AF frame

Metering mode*

Spot metering circle

Image quality*

Electronic level (dedicated indicator)*

Digital Lens Optimizer*

Battery (remaining capacity)*

Dual Pixel RAW setting (shooting)*

P/Av/Tv/M Shooting mode*

Flicker detection*

White balance*

Warning symbol

Drive mode*

AF status indicator

* these items you can activate or deactivate.

 

Shutter      specifications       top

Vertical metal focal-plane.

1/8,000 ~ 30 seconds.

 

Frame Rates

7 FPS.

6.6 FPS with flicker reduction.

Much slower with Digital Lens Optimizer enabled.

SILENT or CONTINUOUS LOW settings: 3 FPS.

 

Flash      specifications       top

1/200 sync speed.

E-TTL-II system ideal with all EX-series flash.

 

Built-in Flash

NONE.

 

External Flash

Dedicated hot shoe.

Standard PC (Prontor-Compur) flash sync, works with either polarity..

 

Light Meters      specifications       top

 

Viewfinder

153,600 pixel (480 x 320) RGB + IR sensor.

Evaluative.

Center-weighted.

6% partial.

1% spot.

Range: LV 0 ~ 20.

 

Live View

315 zone (21 x 15) evaluative.

Center-weighted.

6.3% partial.

3% spot.

Range: LV 0 ~ 20.

 

Live View      specifications       top

Stills and video.

5× or 10× magnification (stills only).

Mode 1 and 2 silent shooting.

3 x 3, 6 x 6 grids and also diagonals at 3 x 3.

 

LCD Monitor      specifications       top

3.2" Touchscreen TFT.

Full touch-screen interface, including f AF area selection.

1.5:1 aspect ratio.

1,620,000 dots.

170º viewing angle.

Image Dimensions:

   1.77 x 2.65" (3.19" diagonal).

   44.9 x 67.4 millimeters (81mm diagonal).

Does not swivel.

Clear View LCD II anti-smudge and anti-reflection coatings.

 

Electronic Level      specifications       top

In Finder

±7.5° roll and ±4° pitch in 1° increments.

 

On Rear LCD

360° roll and ±10° pitch in 1° increments.

 

Accuracy

1° to ±10°

3° to ±45°

 

Connectors      specifications       top

USB. This is also how we connect the WFT-E7 and CS100 Connect Station.

HDMI type C. CEC compatible.

 

WiFi      specifications       top

For use with Canon Camera Connect App.

Also has NFC.

 

Storage      specifications       top

Canon 5D Mk IV

Canon 5D Mk IV CF and SD card slots. bigger.

One CF and one SD slot.

Work either as one card at a time, or to overflow to the next card as needed, or to record different image formats or sizes on each, or my favorite, recording the same thing to both as a real time backup.

 

CF

Type I only (Type II and Microdrives won't fit and CFast cards are also completely different and incompatible.)

Up to UDMA Mode 7.

 

SD

SD, SDHC and SDXC.

UHS-I supported.

No MultiMediaCards (MMC) or UHS-II. (UHS-II will work, but probably will be slower than a UHS-I card.)

 

Convenience      specifications       top

LCD Auto brightness control

C1, C2 and C3 total camera-state recalls on the mode dial.

My Menu menu.

Quick Control [ Q ] button.

 

Quality      specifications       top

Canon 5D Mk IV

Canon 5D Mk IV. bigger.

Made in Japan.

 

Power      specifications       top

Either of the LP-E6N (new, included) or the old LP-E6 batteries work. The new one has more capacity than the older LP-E6 battery, and they are interchangeable and both charge in the usual Canon LC-E6 charger.

The LP-E6N is rated for 900 shots. (850 at 0ºC/32ºF; 300 with live view or 280 with live view at 0ºC/32ºF.)

When used with a second battery in the grip, the rated number of shots doubles.

 

LP-E6N Battery

LP-E6N Battery (looks the same as the older LP-E6).

 

LC-E6 Charger

Battery Charger LC-E6.

LC-E6 folding plug 100-240V 50-60 cps charger.

Optional AC Adapter Kit ACK-E6.

Internal rechargeable battery for the clock: charges in 8 hours and runs for three months if you take out the LP-E6N.

 

Size      specifications       top

4.58 × 5.93 × 2.99 inches HWD.

116.4 × 150.7 × 75.9 millimeters HWD.

 

Weight      specifications       top

31.39 oz. (890g) with battery and card.

28.22 oz. (800g) stripped.

 

Environment      specifications       top

Operating

0 ~ 40º C (32 ~ 104º F).

Up to 85% RH.

 

Included      specifications       top

Canon 5D Mk IV

USA Warranty Card, Discs and Manuals, Canon 5D Mk IV (USA Version). bigger.

 

Canon 5D Mk IV

Canon 5D Mk IV. bigger.

5D Mk IV body.

Body cap.

Strap.

Eg eyecup.

LP-E6N battery.

LP-E6 Charger (folding plug without cord in USA)

IFC-150U USB 3 cord.

Software disk.

English and Spanish printed manuals.

USA Warranty Card.

(Lens, hood and sack if part of a kit.)

 

Announced      specifications       top

12:01 AM NYC time, Thursday, 25 August 2016.

 

Promised for      specifications       top

Early September 2016.

 

Price, U. S. A.       specifications       top

August 2022

Body only: $2,699 at Adorama, at Amazon, at B&H and at Crutchfield.

Body with 24-70mm f/4 L IS: $3,399 at Amazon.

Body with 24-105mm f/4 L IS II: $3,799 at Adorama, at Amazon, at B&H and at Crutchfield.

BG-E20 Battery Grip: $299.

 

August ~ November 2016

Body only: $3,499 (also at Amazon, at B&H and at Crutchfield).

Body with 24-70mm f/4 L IS: $4,399 (also at Amazon, at B&H and at Crutchfield).

Body with 24-105mm f/4 L IS II: $4,599 (also at Amazon, at B&H and at Crutchfield).

BG-E20 Battery Grip: $349.

 

Canon 5D Mk IV

Canon 5D Mk IV box. bigger.

 

Optional Accessories

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Canon 5D Mk IV

Canon 5D Mk IV with 24-105mm L IS II and BG-E20 grip. bigger.

BG-E20 Battery Grip: $349.

Rain Cover ERC-E5S/E5M/E5L.

Protecting Cloth PC-E1.

 

Getting a Legal USA Version (for USA only)

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USA versions include a white Canon USA warranty card marked "U.S.A & Canada only." It lists the serial numbers of whatever's in the box:

Canon USA Warranty

Canon USA Warranty Card. bigger.

If yours has no USA card, you got ripped off with a gray market version from another country. This is why I never buy anyplace other than from my personally approved sources. You just can't take the chance of buying elsewhere, especially at any retail store, because non-USA versions have no warranty in the USA, and you won't even be able to get firmware or service for it — even if you're willing to pay out-of-pocket for it when you need it!

If a gray market version saves you $1,000 it might be worth it, but if saving only $100 I wouldn't risk having no warranty or support.

Always be sure to check yours while you can still return it, or just don't buy from unapproved sources or at retail so you'll be able to have your camera serviced as needed.

Get yours from the same places I do and you won't have a problem, but if you take the risk of getting yours elsewhere, be sure to check everything while you still can return it.

 

Performance

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Autofocus

Autofocus is as we expect for the 5D series: fast enough, but it's no 1DX Mk II.

Specifically, like all Canons it's as fast as can be if you select just one AF point, but if you set AF Area Select to AUTO, then the 5D Mark IV doesn't auto-select or track among all the AF areas very quickly. This is in stark contrast to the 1DX Mk II, which auto-selects and tracks among all its AF areas pretty much instantly. In other words, the 5D4 focuses in and out as fast as every other camera, however the 5D Mark IV's ability to select among the AF areas by itself (if you use this feature as I do), isn't that fast.

It's as good as the 5DSR; no better and no worse. Either of these 5D series is slow in dim light, especially if you expect the camera to select the AF area for you.

With the 100~400mm f/4.5~5.6 L IS II and the 1.4x extender II, only a central horizontal stripe of 9 AF zones work. The great news is that they are outlined so we know exactly where they are.

With the 100~400mm f/4.5~5.6 L IS II and the 2x extender II, there is no autofocus because the combination is too slow (f/9~11).

 

Finder

Canon 5D Mk IV finder

Actual view through Canon 5D Mk IV viewfinder. Note 2-axis level display at top. bigger.

The active AF areas are black LCD boxes that can block our view of the subject. They can light in red in the dark, but it's nowhere near as nice as the true LED active AF areas of the 1DX Mk II.

There are also settable dark LCD text overlays along the bottom of the ground glass to warn of various settings.

 

Flash

Flash exposure is good; no different from other Canon DSLRs.

The 5D4 is smart enough to optimize exposure and EXIF data on the fly if you flash hasn't recycled from the previous shot. If the flash isn't ready yet, the 5D Mark 4 takes the picture, exposes it correctly without the flash, and records the image with correct EXIF exposure and "flash not fired" data.

 

High & Low ISO Performance & Sample Image Files

High ISO performance is spectacular. Regular ISOs run from ISO 100~32,000. It can also run as low as ISO 50 or as high as ISO 102,400 (H2), but only if you enable these at MENU > CAMERA 2 > ISO SPEED SETTINGS > RANGE FOR STILLS.

Other cameras like the Nikon D5 allow setting foolishly high push ISOs that look awful and are included only for marketing purposes, while this 5D Mk IV looks pretty good at every ISO setting, including H1 and H2. As you'll see in the complete images, the pictures all look the same at every ISO at normal web and print sizes, and if you crop them to show extremely high magnification (45 x 67" or 115 x 175 cm prints), the highest ISOs never get noisy or blotchy; they just get dirtier and lose fine details and texture only visible at high magnifications.

In other words, while other cameras like the Canon 1DX Mk II and Nikon D5 can be set higher, they look much worse. The 5D MK IV looks as good at ISO 102,400 as these other cameras.

 

Complete Images

Click any for the camera-original © files to explore on your computer; mobile devices rarely show the full resolution files properly.

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

 

Crops from above

These are 600 x 450 pixel crops from the original images. They will vary in size to fit your browser window; if they are about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at 45 x 67" (115 x 175 cm) at this same magnification.

What we lose at high ISOs if you look at the original images and crops below are details and subtle textures. As ISO climbs, we lose grain in the wood, the sparkles in the black grain on the right, and everything gets softer. Fireplace bricks inside the grille disappear first on the left then the right, and the dust on grill vanishes.

Click any for the same camera-original © files as above to explore on your computer (mobile devices rarely show the full resolution files properly).

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

Canon 5D Mk IV High ISO Sample Image

 

Mechanical Sound and Noise

This 5D Mk IV is as quiet as the 5DS and 5DS R. It is much quieter than the 1DX Mk II.

In single shot or 3 FPS modes, the 5DS and 5DS R are just a tiny bit quieter than this 5D Mk 4.

At 7 FPS this 5D Mk IV is a bit louder than the 5DS and 5DS R are at 5 FPS because the 5D4 is running faster.

In quiet mode this 5D Mk IV is a little bit quieter than the 5DS and 5DS R, again not different enough to notice unless you have them both in your hands for comparison.

 

Playback

It's the same as other current Canons. Just like the top-of-the-line 1DX Mk II, a zoomed playback image doesn't become sharp as you scroll around until after you release the thumb nubbin.

The 5D Mk IV is slow when swapping among Large JPG images, taking 850 milliseconds each.

 

Clock Accuracy

Every sample will be different.

My 5D Mk IV runs fast 1.66 seconds per day (51 seconds per month).

This is the internal clock; if you set it to set itself to the GPS it should be better, but I didn't test that.

 

Compared

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See Pro DSLRs Compared.

 

Compared to the Canon 5D Mk III

The 5D Mk III is the older model, introduced in 2012. It's also a fantastic camera, just 1 FPS slower and with slightly lower resolution (there is negligible visible difference between 22MP and 30MP). I'd pick a 5D Mk III over a Nikon D810 any day.

The 5D Mark III lacks features like GPS, WiFi and flicker shoot-through, and otherwise takes the same spectacular pictures. If money matters, by all means get a 5D Mk III, and if you can afford it, you'll love the new features of this Mk IV.

See Is It Worth It.

 

Compared to the Canon 5DS and 5DSR

The 5DS and 5D Mk IV sell for the same price.

There is no difference other then the price between the 5DS and the 5DSR. The images are indistinguishable; the R is just a way for Canon to get more of our money — but you'll probably recoup the $200 difference at resale time.

I prefer my 5DSR because I set my M-Fn button for real-time in-finder still-image cropping, a feature not in the 5D Mk IV. I don't use the Mk IV's GPS, WiFi or touch screen absent in my 5DSR, but I often do like to shoot in 1:1 or 4:5 cropped sensor modes in my 5DSR.

In actual use, 30MP looks the same as 50MP.

7 FPS isn't that much faster than 5 FPS if you're not a dedicated sports shooter, and if you are, you need the 10 FPS 7D Mk II or 14 FPS 1DX Mk II, not the 5D Mk IV.

It's a coin flip, which is why the prices are similar. Get the 5DSR if still subjects are your thing, and get the 5D MK IV if occasional sports and action shooting are more important.

 

Usage

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Don't bother using the Digital Lens Optimizer option, unless you don't mind it locking-up the 5D4 for several seconds after every shot. When I tried this option, I didn't see any difference with it ON or OFF anyway.

See my 5D Mk III User's Guide for now; I set my Mk IV the same way and haven't written a specific Mk IV guide yet.

 

Recommendations

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Canon has really hit it out of the park again with this 5D Mark 4. The only bad thing is that it costs the same as the 5DS just to confuse you. I prefer the 5DS (or the identical but $200 more expensive 5DSR) because I prefer its in-camera as-shot crop options, while if you prefer more frames-per-second, WiFi or GPS, you'll prefer this Mark IV.

If you only shoot sports and action, get the 7D Mk II or 1DX Mk II. Sports, news and action shooters live for speed. On the other hand, if you only shoot things that don't move for Sunset Magazine or large gallery shows, the 5DS/R remains state of the art for nature and landscape just for its slightly higher resolution.

Most of us shoot a little of everything, so this new 5D Mark IV will be a little of the best of everything. I own some cameras for speed and others for resolution, and now this 5D Mk IV does it all in one camera. It's got most of the insane resolution of the 5DS/R, with more speed than any other 5D or 6D series camera ever.

This Mk IV excels at both speed and resolution in a way that no other camera from anyone has ever done. There's no reason not to get this camera; even if all you shoot is landscapes and test charts or just sports, it has no weak points other than having no built-in flash, missing in all of the 5D series.

 

Flash

I use my Canon 320EX flash with my Mark IV. It has more than enough power and is small and works fast.

 

Lenses

The only lenses you need are a tele and a midrange or wide zoom.

The 100-400mm L IS II is the state-of-the-art in tele lenses. It is the world's best for nature, landscape and especially sports. It focuses so closely it eliminates the need for a macro, and is the fastest focusing tele I've ever used.

Add your choice of a midrange zoom, and if you do nature, landscapes or interior, add the 16-35mm L IS.

See also Best Canon Lenses, but all you need for everything are the 100~400 and a midrange or 16-35mm lens.

 

Where to get yours

I got mine at Adorama; I'd also get it at Amazon, at B&H or at Crutchfield, and it also comes as different kits with lenses.

This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Canon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, store demo or used camera. I use the stores I do because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new camera before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.

Thanks for helping me help you!

Ken Rockwell.

 

More Information

Top   Intro   Compatibility   Specifications

Accessories   USA Version   Performance

Compared   Usage   Recommendations   More

 

Canon's 5D Mark IV User Manual

 

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Thanks for reading!

 

 

Ken Rockwell.

 

 

 

29 August 2022, 28 October 2016, 25 August 2016