Canon 5D Mark II
The Canon 5D Mark II came out over a decade ago, so why do so many photographers insist it's a better camera than many new cameras on the market in 2021?
We walk you through the Canon 5D Mark II debate and show you why the Canon 5D Mark II in 2021 is still one of the best purchases you can make. Likewise, read about, is the Canon 5D Mark III Still Worth It in 2020?
Table of Contents
- Canon 5D Mark II Specs
- Canon 5D Mark II Features
- Canon 5D Mark II Design & Handling
- Canon 5D Mark II Lenses
- Canon 5D Mark II Performance
- Canon 5D Mark II Pros
- Canon 5D Mark II Cons
- Where to Buy a Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 5D Mark II Specs
The primary reason why the Canon 5D Mark II is still in the running to be a professional photographer's day-to-day camera in 2021 is that it was lightyears ahead of its time when it dropped back in 2008.
The DSLR has a premium processor, a large resolution screen and full HD video recording.
Other Canon 5D Mark II specs include:
- 21.1 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor
- ISO of 100-6400
- Full HD video at 1920 x 1080 resolution
- Weather-resistant body
- 3.0-inch clear view LCD monitor
- Compatible with over 60 Canon EF lenses
Now, these aren't mind-blowing specs by today's standards, but are they more than sufficient for a lot of photography work? You bet!
After all, it isn't the camera that makes the difference - it's what you do with it.
Canon 5D Mark II Features
In this video by Media Unlocked, all of the incredible Canon Mark 5D II features are explained in depth, but I'll dive in a little bit.
This camera is extremely lightweight. It weighs just 1.87 pounds, which isn't bad for a full day of shooting with a full frame DSLR.
As I mentioned above, it has a full-frame 21.1 MP CMOS sensor that has gotten solid marks over the years for its image quality.
It was also the first digital SLR to use HD 1920 x 1080 video.
Plus, there's no need to recharge your camera in the middle of a shoot because with its lithium ion battery, the camera stays charged for more than 24 hours at a time.
Canon 5d Mark II Design & Handling
The Canon 5D Mark II features the same, beloved Canon 5D design, but with a larger LCD screen.
The microphone is located just below the 5D badge, so it can record the best audio (sans an external mic of course) without interruption from, say, a wandering finger.
The camera features a nice, leather-like grip to ensure you don't accidentally drop it when trying to grab the perfect shot.
All of the ports for audio and video are located on the left side of the camera, while the right side is reserved for the card slot.
Overall, this camera's handling is very standard. If there's anything to complain about, it would be that the design is not different enough from other similar cameras.
Canon 5D Mark II Lenses
The Canon 5D Mark II is compatible with Canon EF and EF-S lenses. That's a good thing because there are a lot of EF and EF-S lenses floating around out there. Honestly, the most difficult part of the process is simply deciding which lenses fit your workflow the best. Here's a few options!
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
The Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM is spendy, but the extra money for an L-series lens is worth it. The wide-angle view makes this a perfect match for the 5D Mark II's full frame sensor for use in landscape photography. And with a rugged build, this lens can stand up to wind, rain, and other environmental elements.
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is an L-series lens with superior optics and build quality that stands up to the rigors of professional photography. The wide-angle to standard zoom range is ideal for everything from landscapes to portraiture, so it's a highly versatile lens, too.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM completes the "holy trinity" of lenses for the Canon 5D Mark II. This telephoto zoom lens gives you incredible reach for sports and wildlife photography on the long end, while the 70mm end is great for portraiture. Like the other lenses discussed above, this one has superior optics and rugged build quality, making it a rough and ready lens!
Canon 5d Mark II Performance
All of the real-world performance of a Canon 5D Mark II is explained in this video by Zed Pro Media.
And I have yet to come across a Canon 5D Mark II review that is negative.
While the Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 5D Mark IV are more capable options than the Canon 5D Mark II in low light situations, the Mark II introduced the incredible burst mode the line is known for.
The 3.8-13fps was pretty astounding back in 2008, and honestly is still pretty impressive today.
The camera's autofocus system is fast, accurate, and isn't very loud, either. You can get clear, crisp images without disturbing whatever it is you're shooting with loud operation.
Canon 5D Mark II Pros
Like JordanPhotoAudio, I believe the Canon 5D Mark II's pros far outweigh its cons.
Canon 5D Mark II pros include:
- Crisp visuals in burst mode
- Full video capabilities
- An incredible battery life (over 24 hours on one charge)
- A built-in cleaning system to keep dust away from sensing points
- Excellent LCD screen
- Great JPG compression
Plus, as I note below, you can pick up a used Canon 5D Mark II on the cheap these days, which is a definite bonus if you ask me!
Canon 5D Mark II Cons
While there aren't very many cons to the Canon 5D Mark II, there are a few and it's only fair to name them.
Some cons to this camera include:
- An autofocus illuminator is absent
- Images become quite noisy when shooting in low light with an ISO of 200 or more
- Orange creeps into your auto-white balanced photos
- The power switch can be difficult to press
Some of these are a little nit-picky, I admit. But in the interest of offering full disclosure, it's important to point out the things I'm not all that excited about!
Where to Buy a Canon 5D Mark II
The largest used stock of Canon 5D Mark IIs I've found so far is on MPB.
There are currently 12 Canon 5D Mark IIs available on the site and they range in price from $420 to $670, although cameras are added on a regular basis.
MPB is also a good website for photographers because you are never dealing with a third-party seller. All cameras go to MPB to be photographed, graded and sold, so there aren't any sketchy, incorrect grades (you can't call a camera in fair condition "excellent").
MPB also adds a 6-month warranty to each of their cameras, which is amazingly better than purchasing it off Amazon.
Even if the Canon 5D Mark II price is a little out of your budget, I suggest you check out MPB for any future purchases.