FixThePhoto Verdict: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
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. Fitted with a 30.4MP full-frame sensor, this model produces photos with a high level of detail, crisp colors, and impressive dynamic range. Another highlight of this model is a fast and reliable 61-point AF, which flawlessly performs even in low-lighting scenarios. All of these make 5D Mark IV a perfect option for weddings, portraits, and action shots.
|
|
|
|
✔️ Multi-shot noise reduction |
❌ Not many frame rate options |
Key Specifications:
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV came out in August 2016 and was an important update to Canon's popular 5D series. It was made for professionals and serious hobbyists, offering new features to improve both photos and videos ( but it wasn’t the best option for video for the reasons provided below)
Equipped with a 30.4MP full-frame sensor, an advanced autofocus system, and the ability to record 4K video, this Canon camera became a go-to choice for photographers across various fields, including portrait, landscape, wedding, and commercial photography. Multiple positive reviews about the Mark III played a big role in my decision-making process, ultimately leading me to choose the Mark IV as my very first camera when starting my career as a portrait photographer.
Canon has kept the 5D Mark IV up to date with firmware updates that made it work better and added new features. These updates improved autofocus, made it work more smoothly with lenses, and added better connectivity for easier use. I noticed these changes myself when I switched from the Mark III to the Mark IV.
Canon also responded to user feedback by offering Canon Log (C-Log) as a paid upgrade, which gave videographers a flat color profile for easier color grading. However, I didn’t try these paid updates myself because I’m not very interested in video and mostly focus on photography.
I don’t have much to compare it to, but I’m absolutely amazed by how well the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV performs in different situations.
Image quality: The 30.4MP sensor delivers amazing detail, dynamic range, and accurate colors, which is perfect for my cooperation with a local sportswear shop. I need to capture clear, detailed photos with accurate colors on the models.
Autofocus system: The 61-point AF system helps the camera focus accurately even in poor lighting conditions. Dual Pixel AF makes focusing smoother and faster when recording videos or using Live View. This is especially useful for me when I want to shoot behind-the-scenes footage to share later on my social media.
4k video: This camera can shoot DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) video, but the 1.74x crop makes wide shots narrower. Even so, the Dual Pixel AF is smooth and reliable, making it a good choice for those who want quality video without paying for high-end models of Canon for video.
Speed: The camera’s 7 fps burst shooting speed makes it well-suited for capturing fast-moving subjects, from dynamic sports to wildlife in motion.
Low-light capability: The camera's ISO range of 100-32000, expandable to 50-102400, delivers excellent low-light performance with minimal noise even at higher settings. I realized just how valuable this feature is when I shot a love story on a gloomy November day - the results far exceeded my expectations.
The Canon 5D has a solid design but handles like a pro, so it is great for serious work. Its magnesium alloy body and weather sealing provide excellent protection from rain, dust, and bumps, so you can rely on it in challenging conditions.
This Canon model also stands out because of its comfortable design. It has a deep and ergonomic grip, which makes it ideal for long photo sessions. Fitting naturally in my hand, it provides a secure and balanced feel, even when using heavier lenses. However, despite the comfortable grip, the camera's weight can be a challenge for me. During long shoots, my hands tend to tire, which is a major drawback for me.
There’s also a top LCD screen that allows adjusting settings with ease, while a bright, responsive 3.2-inch touchscreen lets you preview shots and navigate menus without any trouble. The touch controls offer a modern, user-friendly feature that keeps things simple and intuitive.
For practical use, the dual card slots (CF and SD) are a game-changer. You can back up photos as you shoot, ensuring your work is secure, which is a must for professionals like me. Separating RAW files from JPEGs streamlines file management, while the large, clear viewfinder offers an accurate preview for precise framing. Customizable buttons further enhance efficiency by allowing the setup to match your workflow seamlessly.
As for minuses, the camera’s body is a bit bulky. If you’re used to mirrorless cameras for video and photo or smaller DSLRs, you’ll find it not the most compact model out there. But when it comes to durability and performance, the size is what I’m ready to compromise with.
What I like about this DSLR camera is the amazing image quality it produces. Thanks 30.4-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, the photos turned out to be sharp and detailed. Such high-resolution images are ideal for portrait photography.
The 5D Mark IV excelled in various shooting conditions, delivering stunning clarity and natural skin tones in studio portraits. Its impressive dynamic range beautifully preserved highlights and shadows, even in high-contrast scenes, making it ideal for professional photography.
Moreover, this model is equipped with a 150,000-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor, which ensures excellent exposures even under harsh sunlight, eliminating the risk of blown-out highlights or underexposed shadows.
The camera performed impressively in low-light conditions, maintaining minimal noise even at ISO 3200 and higher. This was made possible by its advanced noise reduction algorithms and the powerful DIGIC 6+ processor.
Equipped with a 61-point AF system, including 41 cross-type points, the camera boasts exceptional precision. Its Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology ensures smooth and dependable focusing, whether you're shooting through the viewfinder or in Live View mode.
During the test in a studio, I managed to take excellent still portraits. There was no hunting or lag when the AF tried to lock on the model’s eyes. Even combined with such lenses as the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L, the performance was fast and consistent.
When photographing moving portrait subjects, such as a model walking toward the camera or children playing in a natural setting, the AI Servo mode truly excelled. It demonstrated remarkable tracking capabilities, smoothly following the subjects' movements and keeping focus precise even during sudden or unpredictable shifts in direction.
The touchscreen in Live View mode made focusing easy and precise, letting me select the focus area with a simple tap. The wide coverage of focus points was especially useful for off-center portraits.
Even when shooting in bad lighting conditions like in the evening or poorly lit spaces, the AF was responsive thanks to its 3 EV sensitivity, which ensures accurate lock onto the subject. Therefore, the autofocus option in this camera for portraits is really great.
A key feature for me is the ability to quickly transfer photos. Sometimes I send the originals straight to the client, and in other cases, I upload them to the cloud to free up space on my PC, which is crucial during long, intensive shoots that last for hours.
The camera has Wi-Fi, NFC, and built-in GPS, along with traditional USB 3.0 and HDMI outputs. The Wi-Fi worked great for transferring photos straight to my smartphone using the Canon Camera Connect app. Setting it up was a no-brainer: just pair the camera with your phone, and launch the transfer process in an instant.
Android users will appreciate the NFC, as it simplifies the process considerably making a pairing a one-tap procedure. In a studio environment, the USB 3.0 connection was used for tethered shooting, providing fast and reliable data transfer to a laptop. This setup allowed real-time image previews on a larger screen and seamless adjustments in software like Lightroom.
The built-in GPS is a handy feature that adds location tags to photos during outdoor shoots to organize files effectively. I found it especially useful when I went to Canada to shoot a wedding story. It saved all the locations, making it easy to add notes and tag places when I shared the photos on Instagram.
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV includes some handy video capabilities but isn’t the best fit for professional videographers. It offers 4K recording at 30fps, which initially seems impressive, but practical use highlights its shortcomings.
The 4K recording on the Canon camera comes with a 1.74x crop, which limits the field of view and poses challenges for capturing wide-angle shots. Although the Dual Pixel CMOS AF system delivered reliable and smooth focus for still subjects and slow movements, it fell short when trying to track fast-moving kids during a birthday party in video mode.
When I tested the camera in different lighting conditions, the results in well-lit spaces were decent, but when shooting in low-light scenarios, noise became noticeable, even when paired with higher-end lenses.
The Canon EOS 5D DSLR lacks key video-focused features like high frame rates for 4K slow motion, log profiles for enhanced color grading, and robust in-camera stabilization, limiting its appeal for serious video work. Additionally, its use of the Motion JPEG format for 4K results in bulky files, making storage management more cumbersome during shoots.
When shooting handheld, it became apparent that external gear for added stabilization is needed. While the 1080p Full HD video is suitable for casual content creators, this model is ideal for photographers who occasionally shoot video, but not for those who specialize in professional videography. While I'm fine with sacrificing some video features, I wouldn’t suggest this camera for high-level video work.
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV uses the LP-E6N rechargeable lithium-ion battery, offering a battery life of around 900 shots per charge when shooting with the optical viewfinder, according to CIPA ratings.
To evaluate its performance, I tested the battery both in the studio and outdoors. In the studio, the camera worked exceptionally well during long shoots, especially when plugged into a power source. This made it an excellent camera for product photography, where charging interruptions are kept to a minimum.
On the other hand, during outdoor shoots, the battery life became a serious limitation, particularly for extended events like weddings, travel photography, or video recording. Features like Live View, Wi-Fi, and GPS tend to consume power more quickly in these situations.
While the battery is decent for shorter sessions, photographers working in remote locations or on multi-day shoots may need to carry multiple spare batteries or consider external third party camera batteries. Though suitable for controlled environments, a longer-lasting battery would significantly enhance the camera's usability in outdoor scenarios.
The battery life of the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is sufficient for shorter photo sessions, but for photographers working in remote locations or on extended shoots, such as multi-day events or outdoor sessions, having extra batteries becomes essential. While the battery performs well in controlled environments like the studio, a longer-lasting power source would enhance the camera's overall performance during outdoor shoots.
Of course! While Canon Mark IV is an outstanding DSLR for both professionals and enthusiasts, there are other great options available that might better suit different needs, features, or budget preferences.
Another top-level alternative is Nikon D850. This is an ideal option for photographers who require outstanding detail. The camera features a 45.7 MP sensor, which is great for landscape and studio work. Its superior dynamic range and excellent weather sealing also make it an excellent choice for shooting in different outdoor conditions.
Sony A7R IV is another fantastic mirrorless camera that offers a 61 MP sensor and advanced AF. Other appealing features of this model are compact design, in-body image stabilization, and excellent 4K video. Such functionality makes this model a great option for both photographers and videographers.
Canon EOS R6 is a light and affordable mirrorless camera for photography that boasts superior low-light performance, 20 MP resolution, and amazing video features like 4K at 60 fps. It’s also lightweight and easy to carry, making it a great choice for travel or event photography.
If your budget is restricted, the Fujifilm X-T5 is another great option for you to consider. This APS-C mirrorless camera has a retro design, great color technology, and excellent JPEG quality, making it ideal for portraits and street photography.
Good for
Not so good for
