The Canon EOS 5D digital SLR offers a full-frame CMOS sensor with 12.8 megapixels of resolution at an affordable price of $3,299 USD. It is the world’s smallest and lightest full-frame digital SLR and features Canon’s proprietary DIGIC II Image Processor allows users to shoot up to 3 frames per second; record up to 60 full-resolution JPEGs and 17 RAW images in a single burst. The camera includes a new 9-point AF system with six supplemental AF points for fast and precise focusing and a new 2.5-inch LCD/TFT screen with 230,000 pixels that’s viewable even at extreme angles.

Combining the high-end specifications of the EOS-1 Line and the operational ease of the EOS 20D, the EOS 5D is a premium digital SLR designed for a wide range of photographers. While a 35mm full-size image sensor is already available on the EOS-1Ds Mark II, many photographers wanted a DSLR with a full-frame sensor that was smaller, lighter and more affordable. The EOS 5D with its magnesium alloy body weighs in at just 28.6 ounces (810 grams).

The full-size sensor maximizes the performance of Canon EF lenses – even wide-angle lenses have the same look and feel they have with conventional SLR cameras, preserving their optical signatures. Imaging quality in the EOS 5D is enhanced with the addition of the DIGIC II image processor, which provides detailed and natural color reproduction and fast image processing, including an incredible burst performance of 60 Large/Fine JPEGs or 17 RAW images at 3 fps. DIGIC II also enhances start-up time on the EOS 5D DSLR, bringing it down to a lightning fast 0.2 seconds.

A new feature called Picture Styles combines processing parameters and color matrix settings into easy settings designed to obtain the desired effect, almost like choosing a type of film to obtain a specific result. For users who do not want to bother with post processing, there is the Picture Style called Standard which produces images that look crisp and vivid with the sharpness set to mid-scale and the color tone and saturation set to obtain vivid colors. The Faithful setting is the same as Digital Photo Professional’s Faithful, so when the subject is photographed under a color temperature of 5200K, the color is adjusted colorimetrically to match the subject’s color with no sharpness applied. Monochrome is the same as the EOS 20D camera’s monochrome setting and with User Defined, the user can create and save their own preferred settings.

The EOS 5D has a new nine point AF system with six Supplemental AF points, a new AF algorithm and a new AF circuitry. The new AF system improves subject detection and focusing precision at the center, the most frequently used area, and significantly enhances subject tracking performance. The nine AF points are concentrated at the center, but the extreme left and right points are located in the same positions as the corresponding AF points on the EOS-1Ds Mark II. The six invisible Supplemental AF points, grouped around the center of the image provide highly accurate focusing and do a great job of tracking the subject in the AI SERVO AF mode. In addition, three AF points on the EOS 5D work with f/2.8 or faster lenses for enhanced precision.

The EOS 5D has a solid, substantial and organic feel that complements its compact dimensions and relatively light weight. With the top, front and rear covers and battery grip made from light and highly durable magnesium alloy, this new model is truly a premium camera. The EOS 5D also has an improved grip and mode dial, a modified terminal cover and clearer rear controls. The pentaprism has an all-new shape necessitated by the full-frame sensor and all associated components such as the mirror, mirror box and shutter. Thanks to Canon design and manufacturing know-how along with having the low-pass filter integrated with the CMOS cover glass, the EOS 5D is unusually streamlined for a camera with a full-frame sensor.

The EOS 5D has a 2.5-inch polysilicon TFT LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 pixels. At 170 degrees, it has an exceptionally wide viewing angle and maintains the same brightness from almost any viewing angle. Brightness is also adjustable in five levels and the screen’s backlight feature uses six LED modules, as opposed to three on previous models, to helps illuminate the 2.5-inch LCD evenly. Along with the larger monitor, the menu text is also larger and easier to red. The full-featured INFO screen includes files sizes, RGB histogram and AF frame displays. In addition, Quick Review images are enlargeable.

The camera body consists of a stainless steel chassis and a mirror box made of high- strength engineering plastic. Since the grip and front cover are one piece, body rigidity on the EOS 5D DSLR is excellent. The exterior surface is a high-density black satin finish with a leathery touch that feels smooth in the hands. The three grip surfaces are covered with rubber and the electroplated “EOS 5D” badge and recessed and painted Canon logo give a quality appearance to the camera.

The EOS 5D has a solid and substantial feel that complements its compact dimensions. The camera body is constructed of a magnesium-alloy known for its lightweight and ultra-rigid strength. The EOS 5D also boasts a newly developed, high-speed and durable shutter unit that was designed to meet the demanding requirements of a full frame sensor in a relatively compact body. With a top shutter speed of 1/8000 sec. and with a remarkable 100,000-cycle shutter life, it truly is a camera built to professional standards.

The EOS 5D has a bevy of other high-end features including the same ISO range as the 1Ds Mark II – ISO 100-1600 in 1/3-step increments and ISO speed extended at L:50, H:3200. Also included on the camera is ultra-precise white balance with nine types of white balance settings, white balance bracketing (blue-amber and magenta-green, even on RAW and RAW+JPEG shots) and white balance correction. Other features include enhanced 35-zone exposure metering; spot metering in approximately 3.5 percent of the viewfinder area; six selectable JPEG recording modes including RAW and simultaneous RAW+JPEG; a large bright viewfinder with three interchangeable focusing screens; new flexible and convenient folder creation and selection; and more advanced PictBridge functions.