Pro video blog…Produced by Philip Johnston DoP/Editor

Canon 5D v4

How many times are we going to get a minor update to this camera, here are the rumoured specifications…4K is good but 720p at 120fps is useless.

  • 30.4 MP Sensor
  • 7fps
  • Compact Flash/SD Card Slots
  • 4K at 25fps
  • 1080p up to 50fps
  • 720p up to 120fps
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • 4:2:2
  • 8bit 500mbps MJPEG
  • USB 3
  • Front Cable Release Port
  • 3.2″ Touchscreen Functionality
  • New Locking Switch

Still 8bit…WHY ? If the Panasonic GH5 appears with 6-8K this will leave the Canon dead in the water.

Personally I think cameras like this should be left as photographic tools and strip out all the video features, mirrorless is the only way forward for video featured photographic cameras.

Canon back

The 5D has been crying out for a swivel viewfinder from day one and Canon insist in leaving it as is.

I think with all the video options we now have like the JVC LS300, Canon C100 Mk11, Sony’s FS5 its clear we are now covered for shallow depth of field camcorders.

The need for Canon to keep updating the 5D is in my opinion driven by the sales in the past and not by anything technically outstanding.

author

Having been working in the video business since 1988 I have amassed a great amount of knowledge of both the kit and production values over the last 30 years.

7 thoughts on “Canon’s 5D Mk1V “Are Canon flogging a dead horse”

  1. Agree 100% , I often wonder who keeps buying Canon. They have a great selection of lenses but the bodies for video are pointless. I am holding on to my Canon lenses in the increasingly vain hope they are going to release a “real” large sensor video camera that doesn’t cost the earth.

  2. I agree it’s a little light on specs but DAF is a killer feature, especially with touch screen for focus pulls during solo interviews etc. I work alone a lot, and this is probably the only truly reliable video AF system available. Couple that with solid stills production.
    That alone may be enough for me.

    Also, this camera system is almost waterproof. I used a 5D3 with 70-200 f/2.8L IS II in the pouring rain in Florence and everything was fine, just let it dry overnight before removing the lens or opening any flaps. It’s not ALL about the specs, nor is it always about absolute image quality.
    Must admit that I was really hoping for a swivel screen.

    HDW : My point is you can get DAF with a certain model of the C100 Mk11, why would you choose this camera unless its 4K you need.

  3. HDW … C100 MkII has DPAF only in the center portion of the sensor and there’s no touch screen at all. Plus it has no 4K option and it is more expensive than the 5D4 will be. At this point I’m not buying a camera that lacks 4K, not for the delivery of 4K, but for cropping options. With 4K I can do a two-shot interview with one camera and zoom in on each speaker separately, as well as use the two shot. That approximates a three camera shoot delivered in 1080p (obviously not exactly the same). As I say, I am often working alone, and often conducting the interview while operating the camera.
    I may wait and see what the C100 mkIII offers, but it will not be waterproof, and I’d still have to bring a separate stills camera.

  4. I wonder if it has HDMI 4k out—or even HDMI RAW? But the lack of an articulated LCD is a real BUMMER! That combined with the lack of stabilized lenses or internal IS makes it a hard sell.
    Canon always seems stingy on specs,and some things don’t make any sense at all. But the DPAF is the best there is, and their color science is, IMO, peerless.
    But, Phillip is right–we have a great field of large sensor mirrorless video cameras from which to choose. And Canon did provide the XC10—a fantastic camera with a beautiful image, high bit rate 4k and 1080p, 5 axis stabilization, and so small it’s super stealthy. It is, for all practical purposes, wholly a video cam you can use to snap a photo or two now and then.
    Canon need their eyes removed from the backs of their heads and placed in the front. If they don’t, cameras like the GH4 and coming GH5 will continue to eat their breakfast, lunch, and supper.

  5. 720p at 120 the simplest cameras Gives fullHD 1080 at 120 !!! So what’s new improvements in this version 30.4 mp for video do you need it I don’t think so , if GH5 comes with new low light improvement and 60fps at 4K I am sure it won’t be good news for 5d mark 4

  6. I’m glad to see more folks pushing for articulated screens as opposed to arguing they’re “not professional”. The small form factor of hybrids is undermined by screens view-able only from behind. If a user has concerns over durability, just leave it in its default position like always. but I doubt anyone will..once they realize what a benefit that single feature is.

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