Review: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV by TDP

[Canon Rumors]

The Digital Picture has completed their review of the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. The review does a good job of covering Dual Pixel RAW and showing you what sort of adjustments you can make in post processing using Canon’s DPP (Lightroom support coming).</p>
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<blockquote><p>The feature sets included in the 5D-series have enabled them to aptly serve a wide range of photographers’ needs including portraiture, weddings, events, landscapes, nightscapes, architecture, photojournalism, street/documentary photography and even sports. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV continues this tradition, taking performance, image quality and the feature set to new levels. This camera is going to take a lot of pro and amateur kits to the next level. <a href="http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-IV.aspx">Read the full review</a></p></blockquote>
<p>I think we’ve seen about 30 reviews of the EOS 5D Mark IV, and I have yet to find anyone that has any serious complaints or issues with the new DSLR.</p>
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[ahsanford]

I think we’ve seen about 30 reviews of the EOS 5D Mark IV, and I have yet to find anyone that has any serious complaints or issues with the new DSLR.

CR,

With Canon gear, folks complain about the specs and the specs that didn't happen, but they never complain how those chosen specs perform. #canonquality #theirstuffworks

But yes, some people are complaining about the 5D4: the folks who didn't buy one because it didn't do [insert features here], which are available everywhere else.

For the record: that wasn't a 5D4 dig at all. I'm sure it's a great rig. I just think some people's expectations might be better suited for other companies' products.

- A

 

[takesome1]

After years of reading Bryan's reviews I always try to find the part where he says the body found a place in his kit.

I didn't find a word that said the 5D IV replaced his go to 5Ds R.

 

[Loswr]

I think we’ve seen about 30 reviews of the EOS 5D Mark IV, and I have yet to find anyone that has any serious complaints or issues with the new DSLR.

Clearly, you haven't been reading your own forums. If you did, you'd know that the 5DIV is a failure.

For example:

Now we have 2016, and subjectively 50% of all people are disappointed about the 5D4

Pro cameras used to have this modularity, now they offer one body for all and no-one is happy.

Of course, there's the slightest possibility that some posters here have an overinflated sense of the importance of their own opinions and the hubris to think they speak for the majority of photographers.

 

[arcer]

Come on Neuro, don't invite them here also.
Let's keep them isolated in one thread, don't want the disease to spread do we?

 

[ahsanford]

After years of reading Bryan's reviews I always try to find the part where he says the body found a place in his kit.

I didn't find a word that said the 5D IV replaced his go to 5Ds R.

I noticed that as well.

He did say something critical for a change -- he was expecting the programmable shutter delay from the 5DS rigs to make it into the 5D4. As I've lamented many times, Mr. Carnathan and his site are a treasure and I love his work. But when you curve every test to an 'A' grade and everything gets between an A- and an A+, it's hard to size up which products outperformed or underperformed against expectations, price class, etc. I always love his work, but I'd still like to see him to get tougher on Canon products.

Bummer, he didn't itemize the pros/cons of the 5D4 vs. the 1DX II and vice versa like with the 5D3 vs. 1DX -- that's a super handy list and I refer to it often. Hopefully he'll add that later.

- A

 

[Loswr]

After years of reading Bryan's reviews I always try to find the part where he says the body found a place in his kit.

I didn't find a word that said the 5D IV replaced his go to 5Ds R.

Is the 5DIII in his current kit? IIRC, he swapped the 5DIII for a 5DsR, and I'd say the above makes sense in that the 5DIV isn't a replacement for the 5Ds/R.

 

[ahsanford]

After years of reading Bryan's reviews I always try to find the part where he says the body found a place in his kit.

I didn't find a word that said the 5D IV replaced his go to 5Ds R.

Is the 5DIII in his current kit? IIRC, he swapped the 5DIII for a 5DsR, and I'd say the above makes sense in that the 5DIV isn't a replacement for the 5Ds/R.

Unless he's shooting sports/wildlife, he tends to favor resolution over low light performance and harps on detail / crop-ability much much more than super high ISO shots. He rarely posts event photography unless it's his kids at a concert.

So I'm not surprised at all that as much as the 5DS R and 5D4 are for different uses, he likely prefers the 5DS R rig for the added detail.

- A

 

[takesome1]

After years of reading Bryan's reviews I always try to find the part where he says the body found a place in his kit.

I didn't find a word that said the 5D IV replaced his go to 5Ds R.

I noticed that as well.

He did say something critical for a change -- he was expecting the programmable shutter delay from the 5DS rigs to make it into the 5D4. As I've lamented many times, Mr. Carnathan and his site are a treasure and I love his work. But when you curve every test to an 'A' grade and everything gets between an A- and an A+, it's hard to size up which products outperformed or underperformed against expectations, price class, etc. I always love his work, but I'd still like to see him to get tougher on Canon products.

Bummer, he didn't itemize the pros/cons of the 5D4 vs. the 1DX II and vice versa like with the 5D3 vs. 1DX -- that's a super handy list and I refer to it often. Hopefully he'll add that later.

- A

In what respect, bash Canon maybe?

I find his reviews fairly neutral, keeping in mind he is making money when you buy through his site.

He even mentions he returned his first 5D IV, and when he reviewed the 24-70 II I remember he returned several versions.

Overall though I have found if you read his reviews carefully he is usually very accurate. As with any reviewer you have to read between the lines a bit, in this case the gear he chooses to use carries weight. For instance his choice of the 5Ds R and only using the 1Dx for action.

 

[ritholtz]

After years of reading Bryan's reviews I always try to find the part where he says the body found a place in his kit.

I didn't find a word that said the 5D IV replaced his go to 5Ds R.

Is the 5DIII in his current kit? IIRC, he swapped the 5DIII for a 5DsR, and I'd say the above makes sense in that the 5DIV isn't a replacement for the 5Ds/R.

Unless he's shooting sports/wildlife, he tends to favor resolution over low light performance and harps on detail / crop-ability much much more than super high ISO shots. He rarely posts event photography unless it's his kids at a concert.

So I'm not surprised at all that as much as the 5DS R and 5D4 are for different uses, he likely prefers the 5DS R rig for the added detail.

- A

I never shot with FF camera. Based on charts and pics on net, 5DS R is nice. It has high iso DR as good as 5d4 if not better and very close to 5d4 low ISO DR even with old sensor tech. It has some kind of negative image as a specialist tool. Some blame should go to DPR for their contrived DR test and not so good third party software. Hoping to see everyone to pile on this thread now. ;D

 

[douglaurent]

It is the best camera of all times and impossible to improve. Ever, under no circumstances. Whoever says something else is a troll.

 

[ahsanford]

In what respect, bash Canon maybe?

I find his reviews fairly neutral, keeping in mind he is making money when you buy through his site.

He even mentions he returned his first 5D IV, and when he reviewed the 24-70 II I remember he returned several versions.

Overall though I have found if you read his reviews carefully he is usually very accurate. As with any reviewer you have to read between the lines a bit, in this case the gear he chooses to use carries weight. For instance his choice of the 5Ds R and only using the 1Dx for action.

We're looking at the same body of work two different ways. Your perspective is entirely fair: he is factual and he backs up what he says. 100% true.

What I am saying is that his reviews presume Canon innocence until proven guilty. He runs basic AF hit rate studies on Sigma lenses, yet with Canon lenses the same body of work is not done. This is likely because Canon AF has not let him down before, but it only underscores my point: 'why report a test on something I know the outcome to?'.

Also, from his test swatches, the 5D4 does not (to my eyes) comprehensively beat the 5D3 or a downsampled 5DS in his higher ISO shots. As much as it's hard to make massive breakthroughs there in a new rig, the only take home I got from that review was that a downsampled 5DS is only marginally worse than a 5D4. He could have been far more critical here and said "In 4 years time, one would have expected a stronger result over the 5D3" or "with 20 less MP, I was counting on clearly, demonstrably better high ISO performance than the 5DS R. At only +2 fps over the 5DS R with similar (downsampled) high ISO performance, I am tempted to just stick with my 5DS R as my general purpose shooting rig."

Other times, he only has a Canon-tinted pair of glasses on: "I still give the AI Servo performance edge to the 1D X Mark II, but the difference I'm perceiving is only very slight. The 5D IV is performing among the best-ever DSLRs." (Probably true, but when's the last time he tried a D5 or D500? You get my point.)

Is he thorough? Absolutely.

Is he transparent with his methods? Absolutely.

Will he go on-record that Canon dropped the ball on something? [....Crickets]

I'm not looking for him to rage or bite the hand that feeds him. I'm looking to see the word 'disappointed' come up more than once in a 16,000+ word review. :

#ilovetdp #justsaying

- A

 

[Loswr]

It is the best camera of all times and impossible to improve. Ever, under no circumstances. Whoever says something else is a troll.

Exactly. Because of course, Bryan @ TDP didn't say a single negative thing about it, did he?

#readingcomprehension

#hyperboleisAWESOME

 

[ahsanford]

It is the best camera of all times and impossible to improve. Ever, under no circumstances. Whoever says something else is a troll.

Exactly. Because of course, Bryan @ TDP didn't say a single negative thing about it, did he?

#readingcomprehension

#hyperboleisthemostAWESOMESTever

Corrected. (Jeez. Someone flunked out of hyperbole school.)

- A

 

[AvTvM]

5D IV? Here comes review #31, short and concise.

Not much progress over 1949 apparatus of a certain Mr. Jenö Dulovits. Many fatal flaws still not corrected. Including but not limited to the following:
* flapping mirror causing unwanted noise, vibrations and possibly even oil splatters ... detrimental to image quality
* mechanical shutter causing unwanted noise and vibrations ... detrimental to image quality
* much bulkier, heavy, cludgy than necessary ... detrimental to health of users' locomotory system and willingness to carry device around so it is at hand when actually needed
* more conspicuos than necessary ... detrimental to capturing living subjects unnoticed and behaving naturally rather than grinning and posing or taking cover
* way more expensive than necessary just to capture some photons, detrimental to financial well-being of owners
;D

Three patents from Dulovits in 1943 (eye level horizontal view finder giving unreversed upright picture; retractable instant return mirror; metallic focal plane shutter)

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/DUFLEX

 

[takesome1]

Will he go on-record that Canon dropped the ball on something? [Crickets]

You mean the disappointment he expressed when the 24-70 II was released without IS.

"And much to my disappointment, the dilemma is still not resolved - the 24-70 L II does not have image stabilization."

Or check out the disappointment he expressed when the 1Dx was released with just 18.1mp.

I remember both of these, mainly because I shared the disappointment.

His reviews are Canon vs Canon reviews, not Canon vs Others. They are best for Canon users to determine the best gear for them.

 

[ibleedblue244]

I enjoy reading all the reviews of Canon products. As a ghost reader of CR for many years what I find interesting is the similarities between a minority of CR folks, visitors, trolls and co-workers in my industry. I do photography and take exposures because it is challenging, relaxing and the results are sometimes breathtaking but my calling in life is to serve, protect and train co-workers. As a CA state trained firearms instructor and armorer of numerous handguns and rifles it never ceases to amaze me how many co-workers are attracted to and willing to throw money at this feature or that feature of brand (insert name) firearm manufacturer who have little or no knowledge of the manufacturer, minimal if any advanced firearms / tactical training, actual experience with the firearm(s) and regularly perform at a Department level of, "Meets expectations" during training sessions / scenarios! I have a Canon 6D, bought, used and returned a Canon 5DSR and now am putting my 5D Mark IV through its paces and so far I am impressed with its impressive and fast low light autofocus performance and very, very, very impressed with the DR improvement! I am performing far less post adjustments, noise reduction and sharpening then I have with any other Canon I have owned besides the 5DSR that I returned. Thanks for years of entertaining and educational reading and Nero keep up the fight!!!

 

[Loswr]

Many fatal flaws still not corrected.

fa·tal ˈfādl/ adjective
1. causing death
2. leading to failure or disaster

Bummer for Canon that the 5DIV is a dead-on-arrival failure. Better not tell them, or the millions of people who have and/or will buy one.

 

[AvTvM]

Many fatal flaws still not corrected.

fa·tal ˈfādl/ adjective
2. leading to failure or disaster

 

[Loswr]

Many fatal flaws still not corrected.

fa·tal ˈfādl/ adjective
2. leading to failure or disaster

As a failure, it's off to a great start. 8)