http://www.dpreview.com/news/0809/08091705canon_5dmarkII.asp

I can't tell if you can autofocus during movie recording?

Would have liked to have seen:
1) full weather-sealing
2) built-in GPS
3) 5 fps
4) level in viewfinder

But that is just nit-picking. Probably can't afford to upgrade from my current 5D though.

Also would have liked to have seen a 17 or 18mm L instead of redesigned 24.

it has contrast detect (slow) during movie.
http://robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-9316-9603

Also the direct print button lives on

No change in AF?


Precision focus and metering
A 9-point auto focus system is supported by 6 additional invisible Assist AF points, located inside the spot-metering circle to optimise subject tracking performance in AI SERVO AF mode. For accurate exposure readings in tricky lighting conditions, the spot metering circle covers just 3.5% of the frame.

theophilus wrote:
Also the direct print button lives on

AND no MLU button.

How is this even remotely possible?

Considering that the video function will likely be some kind of compromise (don't expect Canon to stop making camcorders) this new camera is a bit of a yawn.


-And weren't they supposed to use a new battery? Looks like the same bulbous grip-size to me.
Same ergonomics, same horrid DOF-preview button.

Feh.

Cableaddict wrote:
theophilus wrote:
Also the direct print button lives on

How is this even remotely possible?

I would hope to God it is programmable.

It was long since I wanted a camera so bad!

So how's that mirror for Alternative lenses?

It's a predictable upgrade except for the HD video maybe. Boring even.

- 21MP, great, but not necessary for me. 16 would have been enough.
- AF system, who cares.
- FPS, this is a bit of a disappointment for me. I was hoping for 5.

The best part is the three custom functions! Canon really got bold with that!

This plus all the usual bitches and moans: mirror lock, direct print, EC limited to +/-2, etc.

I'm sure the image quality will just smoke though. Where're the samples??

Feh.

Not trying to stir a N/C war but the 5D II makes the Nikon 12MP FX cam look expensive and outdated....

The ONLY true upgrade is the 21MP sensor which Canon themselves claim offers the best image quality available in ANY Canon DSLR, including the 1DsIII. That's a big deal for $2699.
I would not trust the weak weather sealing anymore than what was in the original 5D. It's not up to 1D weather sealing by any means. Movie mode - sigh. Available end of November - might be too long to wait for myself as I just sold my 5D. Every other feature, just as with the original 5D has been held back as to not interfere with 1 series sales apparently.

weekh wrote:
Not trying to stir a N/C war but the 5D II makes the Nikon 12MP FX cam look expensive and outdated....

Except that the Nikon offers better AF, true weather sealing and much faster FPS in a more rugged body. A different customer will buy these two cameras.

"Flash X-Sync: 1/200 sec" is not enough>

weekh wrote:
Not trying to stir a N/C war but the 5D II makes the Nikon 12MP FX cam look expensive and outdated....

Well, Nikon has always been more expensive, so no surprises there. But outdated? That's going too far. The only thing that seems outdated about it is the 12MP. The sensor produces amazing pictures on screen and in print. But is 12MP enough? Versus 21MP? It's a tough call. I wish one of these new sensors were 16MP. That would be a nice upgrade from my current 5D.

Assuming AF doesn't get a revamp, let's sum it up, key points include:

21.1MP
Dust reduction
Digic IV, 14 bit
AF micro adjust
3" 920k dot LCD /w Live View
ISO 100-6400 (50-25600)
98% VF, 0.71 magnification
3.9fps

Best of all, list price $2699 !

That's what we've been waiting for after 3 years. Evolutionary or Revolutionary upgrade pretty much depends on the quality of the sensor now, 5D's design and marketing philosophy still hasn't changed: average body with adequate features and an awesome FF sensor.

Tariq Gibran wrote:
The ONLY true upgrade is the 21MP sensor which Canon themselves claim offers the best image quality available in ANY Canon DSLR, including the 1DsIII. .

Yes, Canon claims that. We shall see.

The only tempting thing for me is the higher ISO performance, but if it gets this via software & thus looses sharpness, like the Nikon D300 & D3, then big yawn again.

No articulating LCD.

No mention of adjustment for back-focusing lenses.

No MLU button.

No silent mode.

Serious video recording will require a laptop, for data storage, so I see that feature mostly for mom & pop quickies ( "hi kids!") and photojournalists.

Feh.

I think I'll probably put my money into ZE lenses instead. A Distagon 21mm on my current 5D would be sweeeet.

Cable, 5DII does have AF micro adjustment for your bad Canon EF lenses

And I'm sure we "alternative" folks will appreciate the big 3" hi-res LCD with Live View (especially landscape and macro).

Leon Noel wrote:
Assuming AF doesn't get a revamp, let's sum it up, key points include:

21.1MP
Dust reduction
Digic IV, 14 bit
AF micro adjust



AF micro adjust ?

Leon, where did you see this? I read the whole official page and didn't see this anywhere.
Is this an adjustment for individual lens back-focus? If so, Canon has my attention again.

Ha! You posted before I could hit "enter."

Where is this written? Again, I've read the official pages several times and see no mention of this at all.

So much for megapixel wars ending anytime soon. Wish they had kept it at 16MP or even at 12.8 MP and simply updated other features.

Now Nikon will be forced to provide for a 24MP SLR.... the Sh&^ never stops....

Regardless, I think Nikon seems to have the edge for now...The sensor alone does not make the camera a winner.
By sticking to 12MP, the image quality on the D3 is exceptional. I wonder how the 5D Mk II will compare in terms of ISO 3200 or ISO 6400 performance.

As per RG writeup it seems to have the same mirror assembly as the 5D so will likely have the same issues with some alt lenses. I guess my Rokkor will have to stay as a <infinity lens. Like the LV/screen for alt lenses though.

pascal03 wrote:
So much for megapixel wars ending anytime soon. Wish they had kept it at 16MP or even at 12.8 MP and simply updated other features.

But then Canon would be in real trouble as they never upgrade other features. Alas, I agree, TY. I would trade pixels for features on this new model.

I don't think the "5D" series, now and in the future, calls for high-end features that are found in the D700.

The specs of the original 5D showed that this series is not meant to have a million AF points, or weather sealing, or high-speed FPS. It was an economical way of creating a camera with a full-frame sensor with a good MP count. Period.

What it probably will offer is top-notch image quality from the new sensor. And I'm not talking about 21 megapixels.

I hope another camera is announced though... 3D? Pretty please!

I'll be waiting to see if Nikon is going for 20+mp as their lenses ( 24mm shift and 12-24) are of more interest and relevence to my work. My main tools 24mm TSE and 16-35L still can't resolve properly on a 12mp sensor so upgrading to 21mp on a Canon platform would be pointless to me at the moment.