5 Reasons Why the Canon EOS 5D Mark II is Still a Good Buy
- The Body and Design of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II
- The Imaging Features of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II
- The Video Features of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II
- The Lens Compatibility of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II
- The Budget-Friendly Price of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II
- Final Thoughts on the Canon EOS 5D Mark II
- Camera Type: DSLR
- Sensor: 21.1MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 100 - 6,400 (expandable to 50 - 25,600)
- Lens Mount: Canon EF Mount
- Speed: 3.9 fps
- Autofocus: 9 focus points
- Video: 1080p/300p & 480p/30p
- Size/Weight: 152 x 114 x 75 mm / 907 grams
- Battery Life: 850 shots
- Stabilization: No
- Touchscreen: No
- Weather-Sealed: Yes
- Used Canon EOS 5D Mark II Price: $219 - $394
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS II USM
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
- Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
- Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART - Canon EF Fit
- Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro
- Looking for a Capable, Inexpensive DSLR? Try the Nikon D810
- What is the Best Cheap Full Frame Camera?
More and more photographers today are switching to mirrorless camera systems. However, don’t let that fool you. There are still tons of amazing DSLRs on the market–and they’ve never been cheaper. One such camera is the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, and if you are considering making it your next camera, it’s your lucky day!
In this Canon EOS 5D Mark II review, we’ll share five reasons why it remains a capable camera in 2023. From its premium build quality and unmatched lens compatibility to its photo and video capabilities, there’s lots to love about it. Additionally, thanks to innovative online platforms like MPB, buying a used DSLR camera has never been cheaper and easier than it is today.
Who is MPB? It is a trustworthy and reliable online platform selling used photography and videography gear at unbeatable prices. Moreover, all of its cameras and lenses are expertly hand-inspected by professional product specialists with years of experience and backed by six-month warranties, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
We’ve used MPB’s one-of-a-kind online marketplace countless times to upgrade our camera kit by buying, selling, and trading in photography gear, and have saved thousands of dollars in the process. You can start doing the same by visiting their website today. With that said, keep reading to discover more about the Canon EOS 5D Mark II!
Check out the video above by Run N Gun Photo to learn more about the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and see examples of photos and videos shot with it.
Table of Contents
The Body and Design of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II
The first thing you will notice when you get a hold of a Canon EOS 5D Mark II is how comfortable and sturdy it feels in your hands. It’s built from a rugged magnesium alloy and has an environmental seal that protects it from the elements (water, moisture, dust, sand, etc.). This makes it a great choice for travel, landscape, and adventure photography.
You will find a large three-inch LCD on the back of the camera, ideal for composing your frames and playing back photos/videos. The camera's top also has an LCD control panel for viewing important information like exposure settings, focus mode, and battery life. Speaking of battery life, the 5D Mark II can shoot up to 850 shots with a fully charged battery.
Now, here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
The Imaging Features of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Without question, the biggest strength of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II is its superb imaging capabilities. It shoots high-quality JPEG and RAW images using a 21.1-megapixel full-frame sensor. The large sensor also delivers excellent low-light performance (far superior to popular APS-C cameras like the Canon EOS Rebel T7i), making it a good choice for studio work.
Another standout photography feature is the camera's wide dynamic range. With a dynamic range score of over ten, photos shot on the 5D Mark II retain crucial information about exposure, color, contrast, etc. This makes adjusting and editing your images in post-production easier with programs like Adobe Lightroom.
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The Video Features of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II
While we just finished telling you how great the Canon EOS 5D Mark II functions as a stills camera, it’s also a surprisingly solid video camera, considering its age. It captures 1080p/30p full HD video utilizing the entire full-frame sensor and has a recording limit of 12 minutes (24 minutes for 480p video).
The one major drawback is the lack of 4K video capabilities. If you are new to videography or filmmaking, this shouldn’t be a deal breaker, though. Its full HD video quality is more than good enough for YouTube or social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok. Furthermore, the 5D Mark II has an internal microphone and a port for attaching an external mic.
The Lens Compatibility of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II
The Canon EF Lens Mount debuted in 1987, and Canon released 212 unique lenses until 2022, when they stopped manufacturing new EF mount lenses. That makes it one of the deepest native lens lineups in the world. On top of those in-house lenses, you can also find hundreds of fantastic third-party lenses from companies such as Sigma, Zeiss, Rokinon, Samyang, etc.
With that in mind, here’s a short list of a few of the best Canon EF lenses for photo and video to pair with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II.
The Budget-Friendly Price of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Last but not least, there’s the incredibly low price of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. When it originally debuted in 2008, it retailed for $2699. However, due to its older age and the release of newer models like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, the average price for a used Canon EOS 5D II currently sits between $219 - $394.
One important thing to remember when shopping for used camera equipment is to always purchase from a reliable and honest camera store. If you don’t, there’s no way to guarantee the condition of the gear unless you are extremely knowledgeable about cameras inside and out.
Final Thoughts on the Canon EOS 5D Mark II
From its ergonomic body and spectacular handling to its high-quality photos and videos, it’s easy to see why the Canon EOS 5D Mark II is still a good purchase in 2023. So, whether you are a beginner photographer looking for a capable first camera or a professional searching for a reliable backup, don’t sleep on the 5D Mark II!
Still unsure if the Canon EOS 5D Mark II is the right camera for you? Don’t sweat it! Instead, check out the list below of other similarly priced DSLR cameras in stock at MPB to compare it with its competitors:
Disclaimer: Our articles might have affiliate links and the occasional sponsored content, but don't sweat it – if you buy something, we get a little kickback at no extra cost to you, and we only hype products we truly believe in!
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