• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 21.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 50.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Canon 5D Mark II advantages over Canon 5DS R

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.41 vs 4.14 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 850 vs 700 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    75 vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 5DS R advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

  • Less expensive
    $1499* vs $2999
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,308 vs 1,815 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More cross-type AF points
    41 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    9 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    50.6 vs 21.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    61 vs 15
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.8 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.9 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Phenomenal resolution and sharpness; Fine Detail Picture Style is like in-camera Unsharp Mask; Excellent print quality; Decent high ISO performance; Improved normalized dynamic range compared to 5D Mark III; Decent burst speed with good buffer depths; Built-in intervalometer & timelapse movie mode.

  • AF speed tested closer to consumer-level DSLRs; Dynamic range lower than competing models from Nikon & Sony; Lack of OLPF means subject to more aliasing artifacts with some subjects; No 60p video frame rate; No headphone jack; Timelapse video is only 1080p.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D3X
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Canon 5DS R
Nikon D3X
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D600
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Canon 5DS R
Nikon D600
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 6D
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Less shutter lag
  • More AF points
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Canon 5DS R
Canon 6D
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Nikon D810

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D810
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
Canon 5DS R
Nikon D810
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Canon 5DS

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 5DS
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
Canon 5DS R
Canon 5DS
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
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