Canon EOS-5DBy: Dave EtchellsSlightly smaller and lighter upgrade brings greater speed and ease of use along with higher res and lower image noise. <<Image Storage & Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Test Results & Conclusion>> Page 11:Video, Power, SoftwareReview First Posted: 04/02/2006 |
Video Out
A video cable comes packaged with the 5D, allowing you to connect the camera to your television set for image playback. The video signal can be switched between NTSC and PAL timing via a menu preference, for use in the US and Japan, or most European countries. All menus, etc. appear on the external video monitor, but do note that it won't work as a viewfinder for the same reason that the rear-panel LCD won't. (The SLR optics mean that the sensor is only exposed to light when the shutter is open.)
Power
The EOS 5D uses the same BP-511A battery introduced with the Canon PowerShot Pro1, and which now appears as standard in many of Canon's cameras. These are compatible with older chargers and cameras, they're just of higher capacity. The BP-511A battery pack provides 1390 mAh at 7.4 volts. A separate charger comes in the box with the 5D. It works much like many of the recent ELPH chargers, with two flip-out prongs that plug directly into the wall. You'll need to purchase the AC adapter kit ACK-E2 if you need to run the camera from AC power. Canon's optional BG-E4 battery grip permits the use of either two BP-511A or six AA-size batteries.
Because it lacks an external power terminal, I couldn't perform my usual direct measurements of power consumption on the EOS-5D. I can attest to its excellent battery life though, as I should shoot literally for days without exhausting a fully-charged battery. Canon rates battery life at 800 shots, at 20 degrees C / 68 degrees F, or 400 shots at 0 degrees C / 32 degrees F which certainly seem like reasonable ratings given my personal experience with the camera.
Of course, regardless of how good a camera's battery life is, there's rarely an excuse to not purchase at least one extra battery to bring along as a hot spare. Plan on buying a second battery along with your 5D, it'll save you a world of grief later on when the battery that you were sure was full of juice runs out of gas in the middle of an important shoot.
Included Software
The 5D ships with a pretty complete complement of Canon-developed software on both Mac and Windows platforms, on Canon's EOS DIGITAL Solution Disk. The EOS DIGITAL Solution Disk enables image downloading and management, as well as the necessary tools to process the camera's RAW files. For the Mac platform, it includes ImageBrowser v5.5, Digital Photo Professional v2.0, EOS Capture v1.5, and PhotoStitch v3.1. For Windows computers, it offers ZoomBrowserEX v5.5, Digital Photo Professional v2.0, EOS Capture v1.5, PhotoStitch v3.1, PhotoRecord v2.2, WIA/TWAIN Driver v 5.5/5.7/5.8, and PTP WIA/TWAIN Driver v1.1.
In the Box
The EOS 5D comes with the following items in the box:
- Neck strap.
- Eye cup.
- BP-511A battery pack and charger.
- CR2025 lithium battery.
- Video cable.
- USB cable.
- Software CD.
- Software Instruction/Manual CD.
- Instruction manuals and registration information.
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