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

Buy From

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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5D Mark II
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 24-105mm f/4 lens
All 5D Mark II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 1D Mark IV
Body Only
All 1D Mark IV Deals

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
  • $1499
  • 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
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Canon 6D

Compare Other Cameras?