Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Announced August 25, 2016
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a versatile full-frame DSLR that excels as a high-performance stills camera for professionals and enthusiasts alike. While it delivers significant improvements in resolution, dynamic range, and autofocus, its implementation of 4K video is hampered by a heavy crop factor and inefficient file formats.
Weighted from 42 reviewer scores
Pros
- Highly reliable and fast autofocus system with excellent tracking
- Improved 30.4MP sensor with strong dynamic range and high ISO performance
- Responsive touchscreen interface and intuitive menu system
- Robust weather-sealed body with durable build quality
- Fast 7fps continuous shooting speed
Cons
- 4K video recording features a significant 1.74x crop factor
- Inefficient 4K video file formats and large storage requirements
- Fixed rear LCD screen lacks articulation
- High retail price relative to some competitors
- Lack of modern video tools like focus peaking, zebras, and Log profiles
- Launch price $3,499 (USD)
- Sensor 30.4MP Full-Frame CMOS
- Video 4K 30p
- Stabilization None
- Burst 7 fps mechanical
What the Reviewers Say
All 42 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 8.5/10
The Mark IV is a great camera that can be used for pretty much any genre of photography.
- DPReview 87/100
With the EOS 5D Mark IV, Canon has further refined its semi-professional full frame all-rounder.
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[...] The familiar yet refreshed Canon 5D Mark IV is a top-notch, all-around professional DSLR. Performance-wise, the 5D IV earns the high marks in all the areas we expect from a pro-level DSLR.
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[I]t represents a significant step-up from the Mark III, but high-end videographers will be frustrated by the tight crop and high bit-rate when filming 4k, and the lack of Log profiles, peaking [...]
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The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV did bring along some enticing features to its DSLR line-up, but arguably it was the 30.4-million-pixel sensor that stole the limelight.
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The Canon EOS 5-series cameras have become synonymous with value and versatility. Though they are not inexpensive cameras, they are considerably cheaper than the 1-Series models.
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[...] Canon has (mostly) lived up to the potential that I saw when I looked at the specs and was delighted by them. After two and a half months of using the camera I am confident that this will be my workhorse for the next three or four years.
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All-in-all, this camera makes for a fantastic evolutionary upgrade for 5D line-up of cameras.
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The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is the fourth version of the highly popular 5D series, and brings with it a number of improvements that make it a highly competitive full-frame Digital SLR.
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The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV builds on the proven design of its popular 4-year-old predecessor, the 5D Mark III, upgrading just about every aspect of its performance, which all adds up to a much better, yet still familiar, all-round camera for stills and video shooters alike.
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I think the 5D Mark IV is one of those all-encompassing cameras that can do a little bit of everything and do it well.
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Canon has produced another camera that’s likely to be drooled over by both professionals and experienced amateurs. While it’s a shame that the price is so high, you do get a mighty fine camera for your money.
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The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is still a very effective all-purpose full frame DSLR for professionals.
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The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV balances resolution and shooting rate, making it an ideal camera for professional photographers.
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The Canon 5D Mark IV is a solid follow-up to the much lauded 5D Mark III. Though the new camera is capable of 4K video recording, the 1.74x crop factor is a bit of a disappointment.
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[...] D810 and A7R II images look slightly better than the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, but it's so close that other aspects of the cameras that we'll cover in later reviews, such as usability, speed, and lens quality, will make bigger differences in your photography.
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All right, so overall I found the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV to be, it was a good camera, was definitely an improvement on the 5D Mark III.
- Digital Trends 8/10
While not the most advanced camera available, the EOS 5D Mark IV excels at being an all-around performer. Targeted to serious enthusiasts and pros, we feel it was worth the wait for the right user.
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So in conclusion, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is the new generation embodiment of what has always been Canon's goal with the 5D line. It's a full-frame core stills camera that has a video mode for the casual or prosumer video enthusiast, and it's very good at what it does: stills.
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Other options aren't perfect either, but it just seems like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a kind of decent stills camera, although not the best, and it would be a decent camera for video if there weren't a good number of better cameras for video out there.
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Add to that comfortable handling, fast autofocus, and strong performance in our image quality testing and you’ll see why we’ve awarded 5D Mark IV an Editor’s Choice in the Pro DSLR category.
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While it may leave a dent in the wallet, the Canon 5D Mark IV – with its addition of Wi-Fi, GPS and touchscreen features – is ideal for enthusiasts and pro photographers seeking an all-rounder that handles well.
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[A]s full-frame all-rounders go the 5D Mark IV is hard to beat.
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With welcome improvements to an already great camera, the 5D Mark IV is very nearly the perfect SLR.
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Canon does it again with a 5D camera to be proud of. The Mark IV builds on the heritage of previous models and brings new improvements that make it simply superb.
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Altogether, I am very pleased with Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. It has everything a working photo professional who needs uses, it really shows significant improvement in the dynamic range and has one of the best high ISO performances on the market.
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There’s really not much more to say in this review, other than the Canon 5D Mark IV was worth the wait. It is a camera that is unlike anything in the Nikon line-up, the closest thing to it being the $6500 flagship D5.
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Any other things you’re going to use this camera for like weddings, like portrait photography, like product photography, it’s going to be absolutely perfect for that. I can highly recommend it, if you are a working professional or a very enthusiastic amateur, then go for it.
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So what do I think of the 5D? Mark IV, well honestly, this is the best camera I've ever worked with for stills.
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Being the last-of-the-line DSLR for Canon, it is still the best 5D camera they will ever make.
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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.
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For the professional who needs a single grip design or the studio that needs a mount anywhere 4K camera, the 5D Mark IV is still in a league of its own.
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[W]ith 7 frames per second and 21 RAW files before the buffer hits in continuous shooting I think Canon has made this camera very capable of dealing with most wildlife situations.
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Okay, so overall I'd highly recommend this camera to anyone who's buying into the 5D line for the first time or upgrading from the Mark II. If you have the money, I do think it is a worthy upgrade from the Mark III.
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So my final thoughts on the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV: although it's not the camera that everyone in 2016 pre-release hyped it up to be, it is still a brilliant and top-notch camera and one of Canon's best cameras, therefore, at least today.
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The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV does not have all the new bells and whistles, but it’s a strong, sturdy, all-round full-frame camera, worth a buy.
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In my opinion, they are worth every penny.
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Canon EOS 5D Mark 4 is a pro-level camera that stands out with amazing image quality and performance, so it is sought after by both aspiring and seasoned photographers.
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As a stills camera, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is fantastic. I personally feel that the video features should have been left out altogether and that is from someone who shoots video. The video features of the 5D IV fall way short...
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As a standalone video camera, the Mark IV certainly offers a lot of different capabilities. That 4K video quality is absolutely sensational; very high bandwidth and overall detail that you get from the resolution and overall color rendition is quite fantastic.
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Canon’s EOS 5D Mark IV is now two years old, but it’s still holding its own in the professional photography world as a high performance stills camera for the discerning stills shooter.
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The Canon 5D Mark IV is not just another number in the 5D series lineup but an evolution from its predecessors completely.
