The EOS 5D series, which has won support from a wide range of users, now has a new member added to the lineup – the EOS 5D Mark IV. In the following, I will explain the exterior of this much-talked-about camera with a plethora of photo illustrations. (Reported by: Takeshi Ohura)

EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM attached to the EOS 5D Mark IV

 

A staple middle-range model with significantly-enhanced features

Ever since the appearance of the pioneer model in 2005, the EOS 5D series has always been strongly supported by a wide range of users from professionals to amateurs. Today, it has grown into a series that is representative of Canon’s DSLR cameras. It goes without saying that these middle-range models come with a 35mm full-frame sensor as well as the latest features in tandem with the current trends.

The camera that I have picked for this article, the EOS 5D Mark IV, is the successor model of the EOS 5D Mark III. It is equipped with a 30.4-megapixel image sensor as well as a diverse array of features.

For a sum-up of key new features on the EOS 5D Mark IV, check out our article on 12 Powerful New Features of the EOS 5D Mark IV. Or continue below for an in-depth walkthrough of the key aspects of the camera’s external design.

 

 

 

 

Addition of an AF area selection button

While there are some slight changes in the external appearance of the EOS 5D Mark IV compared to its predecessor, it takes after the previous models in the essence of the exterior design. You can find many curved lines and surfaces on the camera with some raised body lines, a design technique that is also commonly employed in the latest car models.

The design of the pentaprism cover has remained almost unchanged since the second-generation model, the EOS 5D Mark II, and it has now become one of the elements that define the identity of the camera.

 

Photographer Joseph Mak has owned all models in the EOS 5D series over the years. Find out what keeps him with the series in The Canon EOS 5D Series: Past to Present.

 

The pentaprism comes with a built-in GPS and Wi-Fi antenna. This is why resin has been adopted as the material of the pentaprism cover.

 

For the logo plate, instead of placing the “Mark _” name away from the “EOS 5D” logo as is the case of the previous models, having it located right below the “EOS 5D” mark makes it easier to identify the name, although users will need to get used to this new layout.

The brand name and model name are now placed together.

 

In my opinion, the most significant changes in the external appearance of the camera are the new location of the camera logo in front of the body and the new AF area selection button, which is located between the Quick Control Dial and the Multi-controller at the back.

A new AF area selection button is added between the Multi-controller and Quick Control Dial. After pressing the AF point selection button, you can press this button to select the AF area.

 

As the name of the button suggests, the AF area selection button is used to select the AF area, which was done in the past using the M-Fn button beside the shutter button (AF area can still be selected as before with the M-Fn button). Of course, this button can also be customised and assigned with functions such as ISO speed and AE lock.

The Multi function lock is a feature found on the EOS 5D Mark III that disables controls such as the Quick Control Dial to prevent accidental operation. This function can now be enabled using the new AF area selection button.

 

The newly-added AF area selection button is also customisable. You can assign it with features such as AE lock and ISO speed setting.

 

The body size of the EOS 5D Mark IV is 150.7 × 116.4 × 75.9 mm, and it weighs 890g with the battery and memory card included. While the size is almost identical to that of the EOS 5D Mark III (152.0 × 116.4 × 76.4 mm), the weight is about 60g lighter. This difference is more significant than it might seem. You will be able to feel it particularly when you use the camera with a lightweight lens.

The position of the Depth-of-field preview button remains unchanged. You can also alter the function of the button as before with Custom Controls.

 

The Remote control terminal, which used to be located on the side of the camera body, is now moved to the front on the EOS 5D Mark IV under the lens release button.

 

The wordings on the Mode Dial are now engraved. As with its predecessors, you can turn the Mode Dial while pressing the Mode Dial lock release button at the centre.

 

The interface section on the side of the camera body is equipped with the following: (in anti-clockwise direction) PC terminal, External microphone IN terminal, Headphone terminal, cable protector socket, Digital terminal and HDMI mini OUT terminal.

 

As before, the EOS 5D Mark IV has a dual card slot, with one that supports CF and the other SDXC, SDHC and SD cards. The slots are not compatible with CFast.

 

The same battery models as previous models, LP-E6N and LP-E6, are used on the EOS 5D Mark IV. For LP-E6N, you can capture up to about 900 shots (CIPA standard) with the standard viewfinder shooting settings.

 

LCD monitor now supports touch-screen operation

The greatest different in the operability of the EOS 5D Mark IV, as compared to its predecessors, is probably the touch-sensitive LCD monitor screen. It allows you to perform touch-screen operations during Live View shooting, such as moving the focusing point, using the Touch Shutter, changing menu settings and browsing through playback images. Particularly noteworthy is that operations such as enlarging the playback image and browsing through images can now be operated more intuitively at a faster speed.

The camera comes with a Touch Shutter feature, which allows you to release the shutter simply by tapping a point on the Live View screen as desired to set the focus.

 

You can also set the sensitivity of the response during touch-screen operation of the LCD monitor. The “Sensitive” option comes in handy when you are operating the touch screen while wearing touch-sensitive gloves.

The LCD monitor comes in a 3.2-inch size with 162,000 dots. It also offers a new feature that allows adjustment of the colour tone to Warm tone, Standard, Cool tone 1 or Cool tone 2. Other noteworthy features include the greater ease in selecting the AF area with the addition of a new AF area selection button which I have mentioned earlier.

 

Quieter shutter operation sound

Yet another characteristic of the new EOS 5D Mark IV is the quieter and more stable feel when you press the shutter button. Similar to the EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R, the up-down movement of the mirror is driven largely by a motor. Shutter release is crisp, and operation is extremely pleasant.

The EOS 5D Mark IV supports a continuous shooting speed of 7 fps. The shutter time lag is also the smallest among models of the same class, so users will find it easier to capture moving objects. Shutter durability remains at 150,000 cycles as before.

The image sensor uses a CMOS sensor developed by Canon that has an effective pixel count of 30.4 megapixels. This is a significant jump from the effective resolution of 22.3 megapixels on the EOS 5D Mark III.

Some may have concerns about the frame rate and high sensitivity performance with the higher pixel count. However, with measures such as the use of the DIGIC 6+ image processor, the continuous shooting speed has been increased by one step to 7 fps. The maximum ISO speed that can be employed for normal use has been raised to ISO 32000, while the minimum ISO speed remains at ISO 100.

For some insight into the development process of the EOS 5D Mark IV, check out our EOS 5D Mark IV Interview with Developers starting with Part 1: Development Concept & Improvements to the Body

 

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