• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 21.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-H 518.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark II advantages over Canon 1D Mark IV

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-H
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,815 vs 1,320 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.71x vs 0.58x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    21.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    75 vs 46 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon 1D Mark IV advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

  • Less expensive
    $1900* vs $2999
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1500 vs 850 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    39 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    45 vs 15
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D3X
  • $1200
  • 35mm
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More dynamic range

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D3X

Canon 1D Mark IV
Nikon D3X
  • $1900
  • APS-H
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Nikon D3S

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D3S
  • $1200
  • 35mm
  • External Mic Jack
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D3S

Canon 1D Mark IV
Nikon D3S
  • $1900
  • APS-H
  • External Mic Jack
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Nikon D3S

Compared to Canon 7D

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 7D
  • $1200
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 7D

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 7D
  • $1900
  • APS-H
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Canon 7D

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D600
  • $1200
  • 35mm
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D600

Canon 1D Mark IV
Nikon D600
  • $1900
  • APS-H
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Nikon D600

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 6D
  • $1200
  • 35mm
  • Less shutter lag
  • More AF points
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 6D

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 6D
  • $1900
  • APS-H
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Canon 6D

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