• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 21.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A55V
Links
Prices: Compare Prices  
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon 5D
5D vs 5D Mark II
 
Successor: Canon 5D Mark III
5D Mark II vs 5D Mark III
 
General
Model Number: 5D Mark II A55
Alternate Model Number(s):   SLT-A55 (w/o GPS)
Camera Format: Pro SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $3499.00 $849.99
Street Price: $1,199.95 $733.99
Date Available: 2008-11-30 2010-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 56.0 oz (1,588 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
25.6 oz (727 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 6.0 x 4.5 x 3.0 in.
(152 x 114 x 75 mm)
4.9 x 3.6 x 3.3 in.
(124 x 92 x 85 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Canon Sony
Effective Megapixels: 21.1 16.2
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 864mm2 (36.00mm x 24.00mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 6.41 microns 4.82 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 79 73
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.7 23.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.9 12.4
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,815 818
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 5616 x 3744 (21.0 MP, 3:2),
4080 x 2720 (11.1 MP, 3:2),
2784 x 1856 (5.2 MP, 3:2),
3861 x 2574 (9.9 MP, 3:2),
2784 x 1856 (5.2 MP, 3:2)
4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2),
4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9),
3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other),
3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9),
2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other),
7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other),
4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2; 14-bit CR2 JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.9 9.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
1920x1080 (60i/​50i)
1440x1080 (30/​25)
640x480 (30/​25)
Movie File Format: .MOV (Video: H.264, Sound: Linear PCM) AVCHD, MP4
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Canon EF Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 24 - 105mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 24 - 105mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 4.40x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/4 (W/T) to f/22 f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 45 cm to Infinity
17.7 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 77.0mm 55.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values:   n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: TTL-CT-SIR AF-dedicated CMOS sensor; 9 AF Points (1 Cross Type) + 6 AF Assist Points Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide, Spot, Local.
Auto Focus Assist Light? No Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 98% coverage, 0.71x mag., 21mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1,152Kdots, 100% coverage, 1.10x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a  
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.71x 0.73x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.71x 1.10x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 11.8x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: 100-6400, extendable to 50/25600, 1/3 EV increments Auto (100-1600), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800. (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temperature Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500 – 9900K with 19-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 35-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Partial (8%), Spot (3.5%) 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Creative Auto, 3 Custom Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports action, Sunset, Night portrait, Night view, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama (2D/3D)
Self Timer: 10, 2 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: n/a Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 10.0 m / 32.8 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/200 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: PC Sync, Hot Shoe Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: No UHS support  
Other Memory: UDMA compliant  
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2; 14-bit CR2 RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: .MOV (Video: H.264, Sound: Linear PCM) AVCHD, MP4
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No Yes
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or IR wireless Optional Wireless or Wired
Connections (extended): System Extension Terminal (for WFT-E4) Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.35 0.52
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.37 0.52
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 14 28
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.35  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.9 9.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 75 32
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 3.9  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 11  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 3.9  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 8  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.21 seconds 0.22 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 1.19 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.119 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.118 seconds 0.214 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.48 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.082 seconds 0.103 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Full AF, Quick Mode: 0.47s Full AF, Live Mode: 1.189s Prefocused: 0.119s Full AF, wide-area mode = 0.218s
Startup Time: 0.4 seconds 0.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.1 seconds 0.6 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   3.7 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 850 shots 330 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary LP-E6 Proprietary NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary LP-E6 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Canon EOS Digital Solution Disk (Version 19.1): EOS Utility (Version 2.5), Digital Photo Professional (Version 3.5), ZoomBrowser EX (Version 6.2), Picture Style Editor (Version 1.4) Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR)
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP2/Vista, Mac OS X 0.3 or higher Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization, Articulating LCD, 1080i HD Video, Multi-frame NR, Hand-held Twilight, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer, 2D/3D Sweep Panorama, Smile Shutter, DOF Preview, 10fps Burst Mode, Built-in GPS. SLT-A55 is identical but without GPS.