canon eos 5d mk iv
A major upgrade, the 5D Mk IV proves that compromise can be a good thing, particularly when it comes to megapixel count
Sitting on the resolution fence between the 22.3Mp 5D Mk III and 50.6Mp 5DS/R, the 5D Mk IV has a 30.4Mp image sensor. It’s a good compromise, potentially offering the best of both worlds – highresolution images with plenty of fine detail, coupled with sporty continuous drive performance.
More than just a minor refresh of the 5D Mk III, the Mk IV is a major revamp in which you’d be hard pressed to find any facets that haven’t been improved. A nextgeneration image sensor boasts Dual Pixel Raw and Dual Pixel AF, enabling bokeh shift and ghosting reduction at the editing stage (with supporting Canon software) and highly effective Live View and movie autofocus, respectively. It’s coupled with a new DIGIC 6+ image processor.
The main autofocus module still has 61 AF points but is uprated so that all points are available at f/8. Metering is inherited from the 5DS/R, with 252 zones and intelligent scene analysis, coupled to a secondary, dedicated DIGIC 6 processor. Other improvements include 4K ultra-high definition movie capture and built-in GPS and Wi-fi, plus with NFC compatibility.
Build and handling
Better built than the 5D Mk III, the Mk IV has enhanced weather-seals and feels more comfortable in handheld shooting, thanks to a redesigned grip area. A small but useful addition around the back is a customizable button that can be assigned to various functions to enable easy, intuitive adjustments while shooting. A more major difference is that the rear LCD is touchscreen, with full functionality in both shooting and playback
modes. It’s crystal clear too, thanks to a 1620k dot array that’s 1.5x as densely packed as the screens of 6D, 5D Mk III and 5DS/R.
Overall, most of the important features and specifications are inherited from the top-spec 1D X Mk II, announced six months earlier. But as with previous editions of the 5D, everything’s shoehorned into a more convenient size, and the Mk IV also undercuts the Mk III for weight, tipping the scales at 60g less. That’s nearly half a kilo less than the 1D X Mk II.
Performance
Improved specifications translate into better performance in key areas. Autofocus accuracy is better than in the 5D Mk III, especially in low-light conditions (down to EV -3) and when tracking moving subjects. The new metering system delivers results that are more predictable and consistent, and the faster 7fps maximum continuous drive rate comes with a bigger buffer that can enable limitless shooting in JPEG mode.
Despite the increase in image resolution, noise remains very well controlled at high ISO settings. Thanks, in part, to the newgeneration image sensor with on-board digital-to-analogue conversion, the Mk IV wins out against the Mk III in this respect.