Audio Video News

Canon's much-acclaimed new 5D Mark II is making its grand debut, living up to the hub-bub. It does it all. It's a 21-megapixal digital SLR, and it's the first still camera to shoot full HD video - 1920 x 1080 at 30 frames per second. It will record that video for up to 12 minutes, or up to 24 minutes of standard def. Plus, there's an HDMI port to connect directly to an HDTV.

How does it compare to the competition?

Similar to the Nikon D3 and the D700, the 5D Mark II has good low-light specs with an ISO range of 100-6400 but it can be extended to 12,800 and 25,600.

Better than the D90, the 5D Mark II records stereo sound.

The new battery design lasts for 850 shots or 1.5 hours of video recording. Our biggest complaint off the block is that there is no built-in flash. Grrrr. Perfection was so close. The body will start selling in November for $2,700, or with a 24-105mm lens kit for $3,500.

Here's the short list of features. Click on the Canon link below for full specs.

Features: -21.1 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS sensor, 14-bit A/D conversion (16,384 colors/each of 3 primary color), wide range ISO setting of 100-6400 (expandable L: 50, H1: 12800 and H2: 25600).

-Full HD Video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution for up to 4GB per clip with HDMI output for HD viewing of stills and video.

-Next generation DIGIC 4 Image Processor for faster processing of fine detail and color reproduction as well as reduced image noise.

-High performance with 3.9 fps continuous shooting, new shutter with a durability of 150,000 cycles and improved weather-resistant body.

-Live View Function for stills (Quick, Live and Face Detection AF modes) and video.

-3.0-inch Clear View LCD (920,000 dots/VGA) monitor with anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coatings for improved viewing and smudge protection.

-Updated EOS Integrated Cleaning System specifically designed to work with a full-frame sensor.

-Compatible with over 60 Canon EF/EF-S lenses and most EOS System accessories.

This is an exciting new option. Now we have to choose: video camera that does stills, or amazing still camera that also does amazing video. What would you choose? -Leslie Shapiro

Canon Specs

Photo courtesy of DP Review