Rudy Winston (from Canon USA pro productions team) breaks down the differences between Canon's EOS 5DS and 5DS R cameras. At $3699.00 and $3899.00 respectively these 50.5 Megapixel full-frame offerings will take some serious consideration before committing resources. Fortunately, in this detailed 15 minute video, Rudy outlines where these new cameras fit in Canon's line up, who they will benefit most, how they stack up to medium format cameras and more.
For more details and specifications on these little beasts check out our coverage of Canon's 5Ds/5Ds R press release.
via [Canon USA]
Looks like a super interesting camera. From a marketing perspective, it is interesting how they are really trying to go after medium format. As a medium format user, I think the only thing he mentioned that appealed to me was the ISO capabilities compared to MF. Aside from nitpicking a camera I've never actually held before :), it's another step forward for photography and we should all be happy because it drives competition; so we all win. Now we get to look forward to how Nikon and Sony reply.
The ISO capabilities are not really that great, the high ISO from the new Leaf/Mamiya CMOS MF digital backs and 645Z still put the new 5DS 5DSR to shame in terms of noise. (as Canon has stated the ISO is comparable to the new 7DMKII, which is really not all the impressive). Then again the 5DS 5DSR are really meant to be more for landscape/studio use just like MF cameras. (something tells me the next 5D MKIV or the 1DX replacements will be meant for high ISO noise control). Still its pretty impressive that theyre getting so much resolution out of a 35mm sensor. (or course I think everyone is waiting to see what Sony has up its sleeve from there new sensors in the pipeline).
But then, seriously; Do we need a camera with ISO above 1 600? If you're shooting with that high ISO's I would say that you're not into image quality anyways - and maybe a medium format camera is something you should avoid?
I'm looking forward to see a side by side comparison between a - say - Pentax 645z and this Canon 5DS(r). I'm especially curious to see if the resolution power of the EF lenses holds up to 50 MP.
I am guessing only a hand full of the best lenses will really step up to the challenge of a 50 MP camera, I would guess most of the L primes and the newer L zooms will really do it justice, but I am really looking forward to trying it with the Zeiss Otus
Most L lenses, especially the newer ones will hold up just fine. This camera has near equivalent pixel density as a 7D Mark II, close to 128 lp/mm. It wouldn't stress an Otus lens. The lens resolution stuff is really overblown.
I attended a demo in LA last week. They said that the new lens versions (identified with II, like the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM) have been developer for the higher-resolution cameras.
Something tells me this will not be something that great. I doubt the EF lenses are capable of resolving the 50mpx sensor. I've noticed a difference from the 15 megapixel APS-C sensor of the EOS 500D/50D to the one i'm using on the EOS 6D with just more 5mpx. Nikon lenses strugle to take the maximum of the D800 sensor.
This new Canon 5Ds will do great with some zeiss lenses, other than that, and for the price i'd rather buy the Pentax 645Z or the IQ140 and the 75-150 Schneider lens.
Sensor resolution is a long way off film resolution and lenses did just fine with Pan F and the like. Can't see what the fuss is all about regarding lenses resolving 50mp! DSLR's have brought about a revolution in camera capabilities. However, do we really need so many? I never used film much above 400 ISO (ASA of old) and how often does anyone use shutter speeds of 1/8000th or 30 secs. I must admit that it is nice to have more options and capabilities and they are at least available if you really need them, so I shouldn't criticise. I started with a Pentax SV and that did have some advantages over modern DSLR's. It ran without batteries for a start, every shutter speed from 1 sec up to 1/1000th and including B were all mechanical (and fairly accurate too.) 'B' was useful because who couldn't count 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 seconds and longer? It also had an easy double exposure facility which only now has the Canon 5DS got round to having. Yes, Photoshop allows you to do it, but much better to do it in camera I think. On the down side ISO was determined by the film in use (it is so useful being able to change ISO on modern DSLR's as lighting situations dictate) and it's also useful being able to see the results of what you have taken straight away. Then the number of shots you can take are only limited by the size of the card you fit. Most 35mm cameras of old had a limit of 36 exposures on a roll of film. Electric lenses have brought in a whole range of new capabilities too, auto focus, auto diaphragms coupled to exposure values, image stabilisation. In fact you can't go far wrong with DSLR's, but then I didn't have many exposure failures with my Pentax. You tended to take more care over exposure and focusing that's for sure, but then it was easy to miss a shot! I tried a roll of B&W film in my old EOS 600 the other day and really missed the viewing screen, I kept looking at the back of the camera after each shot and felt really disappointed that there was nothing to view!
I attended a demo in LA last week. They said that the new lens versions (identified with II, like the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM) have been developed for the higher-resolution cameras.
This is an odd choice by canon, why not just make a true D800 competitor? I currently have a 6D which is great for low light and nice images with the FF sensor but it has just 9 AF points and a single center cross type!!! The 7DII, 70D, 5DIII, and now even the T6 Rebel ALL have more AF points and more cross type points! I am waiting for the 6DII with the new AF system canon is putting in all their gear now. Please throw in clean 1080p output while there at it and I am set for a few years. I just dont see this camera appearing any time soon.
I think that "set for a few years" is the last thing Canon wants you to be :).
If you close your eyes and imagine Neil Degrasse Tyson, it totally sounds like him.
hahaha so true
While I like the addition of more megapixels, it bothers me that Canon hasn't improved the dynamic range of the sensor; stating that it's about the same as the 5D3 which to say is a bit disappointing in this day and age when the a7r/D810 have over 2 more stops of DR. I'd really like to see how the new Sony 50MP sensor compares to the Canon.
Neither of them is right for me!
When the finally the pixelwar stops and the dynamic range increases I´ll relay only on digital for critical work. In the meantime, no modern DSLR can compete in terms of resolution and image quality with my Fuji GW690 mkII
I am really looking forward to this camera to go along with my 1DX. It is funny after having a couple 5D3s since 2012 and taking hundreds of thousands of pictures I didn't ever realize the DR was bad. Strange.
Well. I am using the 5DS R now and... well, let's crush some of the bullshit here and now:
1. The resolution is not too high. The people who are saying that probably still prefer VHS or DVD above bluray (Full HD and 4K). Yes, the image files will get bigger - then buy a bigger memory card. Did you also complain when video files started to go from 700 MB of size to several gigabytes...? "Oh no, I have to buy another hard drive". The resolution gives absolutely amazing images and I really like it. It's a worthy competitor for us who cannot afford e.g. a Hasselblad camera.
2. The ISO-limitation are... not limitations. I try to not (NEVER) shoot in anything above ISO 800. I prefer to not go above ISO 400 - and if I can actually control the light, I'll stick to ISO 50 or 100. If you need a camera that shoots in ISO 3 000 000 000 000 (kidding) - then you're not into image quality anyways.
3. No, the lack of a headphone output is not a problem! So you complain about those things, but not on the fact that there's only a 3,5 mm microphone input... which limits your recording possibilities A LOT? Record the sound externally and use headphones that way (and maybe you can choose from a wider range of microphones)!
The only problem I find:
When having such high resolution for still images - why not include 4K video resolution in e.g. 60 fps? Then Canon would conquer more of the camera industry. But then... maybe I should buy a video camera if the video quality isnt enough in the 5DSR.