Canon eos 5ds/r
It answers the only major criticism of the 5D Mk III, and then some, but you may need to upgrade your glass to match…
For those who think that more is merrier when it comes to megapixel count, the launch of the 5D Mk III was something of a disappointment. The increase of a single megapixel compared with the Mk II was negligible. By comparison, the 5DS and 5DS R really push the envelope, taking full-frame DSLRS into medium-format territory with their 50.6Mp image sensors. That’s two-and-a-half times the resolving power of even the mighty top-ofthe-range 1D X Mk II.
The 5DS and 5DS R are essentially identical cameras, except that the ‘R’ edition cancels out the anti-aliasing effect of the low-pass filter in front of the image sensor. This gives the potential of a small increase in the retention of extremely fine detail, but with a greater risk of moire patterning and false colour. Even so, the risk is very small with such a highresolution sensor.
Build and handling
Both cameras look pretty much the same as the 5D Mk III, with exactly the same layout of control buttons and dials, which is no bad thing. However, the newer models are redesigned to be slightly more rigid, despite shaving 105g off the weight. There’s also a new shutter module that reduces vibrations, along with more advanced mirror lockup/shutter delay modes, aiming to avoid degradation of the extreme resolving power due to camera-shake.
Newer-generation DIGIC 6 image processing beats the 5+ edition of the 5D Mk III and, to cope with the throughput of large data files when shooting 50.6Mp images, dual processors are
featured rather than just one. The trusty autofocus system of the 5D Mk III is retained but the metering system is based on a new 252-zone sensor (instead of 63 zones) with intelligent scene analysis.
Performance
For capturing ultra-fine detail and texture, the 5DS is simply epic whereas, in our tests, the 5DS R offered negligible extra benefit. Both cameras pay dividends for very large format printing but the high megapixel count comes at a price, and we’re not just talking about the cost of the camera.
To get the most out of all those megapixels, you need the sharpest glass and many of Canon’s popular optics don’t make it onto the approved list of recommended lenses. The cameras are poor choices for low-light photography as well, with a standard sensitivity range that tops out at just ISO6400, where image noise is clearly visible.
File sizes are also very large, which can make for laborious Raw image conversion and editing, although the dual processors at least keep the maximum drive rate to a respectable 5fps. Considering that the main selling point of the 5DS and 5DS R is to maximize resolution, it’s a shame that Canon didn’t add 4K ultra high-definition movie capture into the mix.