Canon 5D IV GPS questions

[Birger.Niss]

Hi all,
Two findings:

1. Just returned from New York with my newly acquired 5D IV - which I am extremely content with - I find that the geo tagging on photos from Manhatten is often way off (several blocks). I assume that it is attributed to reduced number of satellites in view, but I didn't have the same problem with my iPhone?

2. Furthermore the geo tagging does not include direction, unlike the GP-E2 I used with my 5D III.

Anyone of you have similar or contrary experiences?

Greetings all
Birger

 

[LordofTackle]

Hi Birger,

I'm no expert in this but I think the reason is, that your phone also utilizes wireless signals as well as the signal from the phone masts to calculate its position. This is way more accurate, and it also gives you a direction (usually from the gyroscope sensors that measure the in which direction the phone points).

Greetings
Sebastian

 

[Birger.Niss]

Thanks for your input Sebastian!

You may very well be right that triangulation from mobile masts helps smartphones in getting their positions!

I don't think the GP-E2 "stand alone" GPS for the 5D III contained gyroscope sensors, but I may be wrong.

Greetings
Birger

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Birger.
I was surprised to see that you said the GPS info didn't include direction, I just checked, and my 7DII manual has an index entry for Digital Compass (and as you noted the GP-E2 has a digital compass too) and I see that the 5DIV manual doesn't, so I guess that for some reason Canon decided you may know where you tool a picture, but not which way you were facing when you took it!
More product differentiation at work?

Cheers, Graham.

Hi all,
Two findings:

1. Just returned from New York with my newly acquired 5D IV - which I am extremely content with - I find that the geo tagging on photos from Manhatten is often way off (several blocks). I assume that it is attributed to reduced number of satellites in view, but I didn't have the same problem with my iPhone?

2. Furthermore the geo tagging does not include direction, unlike the GP-E2 I used with my 5D III.

Anyone of you have similar or contrary experiences?

Greetings all
Birger

 

[Birger.Niss]

Hi Graham and all,

I just re-checked the specifications and it is actually stated explicitly that a digital compass is NOT included
So yes Graham - more product differentiation

BR
Birger