The Canon 5D line of digital single-lens reflex cameras has been vital because it bridges the gap between professional and amateur photography. It provides photography enthusiasts with an affordable route to full-frame shooting while giving professionals a more miniature, lighter camera to use as a backup for their fully professional-level model. It is also the statement that is credited with starting the whole DSLR video movement, due to which many filmmakers decided to utilize the 5D Mark II and later the 5D Mark III.
At this time, we have the 5DS and the 5DS R, both of which contain a full-frame sensor with a resolution of 50.6 million effective pixels. They are not intended to take the place of the 5D Mark III; instead, they are meant to provide an alternate camera with a more excellent resolution to the previous model that is more versatile.
Canon EOS 5DS 50.6-megapixel ramifications
One advantage of having a sensor with a high resolution is that it enables the camera to catch more detail and allows for photos to be reproduced at more significant sizes. This advantage is contingent upon the noise is under control, though. Images captured by a 5DS with 50 megapixels and a resolution of 300 PPI have a dimension of 73.56 x 49.04 centimeters, equivalent to 28.96 x 19.31 inches.
The photoreceptors, sometimes referred to as pixels, on the sensor, however, have to be smaller than on sensors with a lower resolution. As a result, they provide a weaker picture signal, which necessitates additional amplification. This may be a formula for poor dynamic range and plenty of noise, so camera developers have their job cut out for them if they want to generate good-quality photos.
Canon EOS 5DS Features
Since the 5DS and the 5DS R are indistinguishable from one another except for a slight but discernible change to the sensor, we will use the name of the 5DS model to refer to the 5DS R until we precisely specify otherwise.
The 5DS R differs from the other camera in that it is intended to extract greater detail from the 35 x 24mm 50.6-megapixel CMOS sensor. This is the primary distinction between the two cameras. A low pass filter covers the sensor in both cameras; however, the 5DS R also features a secondary filter known as a “cancellation” filter, allowing it to resolve a little bit more information.
It is a different strategy from the one we have seen with manufacturers like Nikon and Sony, which removed the low-pass filter to achieve the same effect. This is an alternate method. According to Canon, removing the filter would cause the focus plane of the camera to shift, which would necessitate an internal redesign. To this day, Canon has not been able (or willing) to explain why removing the filter would create this problem, yet adding a second filter would not cause this problem.
Canon EOS 5DS Build Quality
The 5DS seems to be identified as the 5D Mark III from the outside; however, certain modifications have been made to the camera’s construction to reduce vibrations, which might have substantial ramifications for a camera with such a high resolution. For example, Canon has utilized a more durable resin for the camera’s body. Furthermore, the base plate and the tripod mount have been reinforced to provide a more stable platform.
Canon EOS 5DS Performance
The Canon EOS 5DS has a sensor with 50 million effective pixels, which places it in direct competition with medium format cameras such as the Pentax 645Z and the Hasselblad H5D, both of which have the same number of pixels but on considerably larger sensors. Since of this, medium format cameras should have an advantage over smaller format cameras because the photoreceptors, also known as pixels, are bigger. This should allow for better noise reduction.
Canon EOS 5DS Focus modes
Pressing the AF Point Selection button, which is located on the back of the camera near the thumb rest, and then using the Multi-controller, which looks like a little joystick, are the steps that are taken to set the focusing point. On the other hand, I have found that using the Custom Controls settings to enable me to adjust the AF point directly with the Multi-controller is a handy technique.
There are a total of six different AF Area Selection modes, which are as follows: Single-point Spot AF (Manual Selection), Single-point AF (Manual Selection), AF Point Expansion (Manual Selection), AF Point Expansion (Manual Selection, Surrounding 8 Points), Zone AF (Manual selection of Zone), and 61-Point Automatic Selection AF. Each of these modes can be selected manually or automatically.
To choose one of them, click the AF Point Selection button on the rear of the camera and then use the Multi-function (M-Fn) button next to the shutter release to cycle through the available choices. This is a simple process; the viewfinder’s AF points will glow to show which option is picked.
Canon EOS 5DS Image Quality
During this evaluation, the Canon EOS 5Ds produced photographs of exceptionally high quality. This camera can create noise-free JPEG photographs from ISO 50 to ISO 1600, with the first sign of noise showing at ISO 3200 – an impressive feat for a 35mm SLR with 50.6 megapixels. Although the quicker settings of 6400 and 12800 display more noise, it is still possible to use them.
The JPEG photographs were a touch soft right out of the camera when using the default Picture Style. If you want them to look their best, you should sharpen them some more in an application like Adobe Photoshop, or you may alter the option on the camera itself. The nighttime shot turned out well thanks to the camera’s Bulb mode and a maximum shutter speed of 30 seconds, which enabled you to catch sufficient light in any given environment.
When applied in the appropriate contexts, the Highlight Tone Priority and Auto Lighting Optimizer custom settings may benefit JPEG photographers. This is also true of the six various Picture Styles that can be employed, plus the possibility to build one’s own. The HDR mode combines three photographs that were shot at multiple exposures to produce a single picture with a higher dynamic range, providing more creative and natural-looking results.
Canon EOS 5DS Specs
| Body type | Mid-size SLR |
|---|---|
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 8688 x 5792 |
| Image ratio w:h | 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 51 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 53 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Full frame (36 x 24 mm) |
| Sensor size notes | Offers 1.6x and 1.3x crop modes, as well as medium and small Raw sizes. |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Dual DIGIC 6 |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100-6400 (expandable to 50-12800) |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 50 |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 12800 |
| White balance presets | 8 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, normal |
| File format | JPEG (Exif v2.3, DPOF v2.0)Raw (Canon CR2, 14-bit) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View |
| Autofocus assist lamp | No |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 61 |
| Lens mount | Canon EF |
| Focal length multiplier | 1× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3.2″ |
| Screen dots | 1,040,000 |
| Touch screen | No |
| Screen type | ClearView II TFT-LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.71× |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Exposure modes | Scene Intelligent AutoProgram AEShutter Priority AEAperture Priority AEManualBulbCustom |
| Built-in flash | No |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe and PC sync port) |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/200 sec |
| Drive modes | SingleHigh-speed continuousLow-speed continuousSilent single shootingSilent continuous shootingSelf-timer |
| Continuous drive | 5.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpotPartial |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±3 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes |
| Videography features | |
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) |
| Format | H.264 |
| Videography notes | Supports ALL-I and IPB compression |
| Microphone | Mono |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible), CompactFlash |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (mini-HDMI) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | No |
| Remote control | Yes (Wired and wireless) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes (dust and water-resistent) |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | LP-E6 lithium-ion battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 700 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz) |
| Dimensions | 152 x 116 x 76 mm (5.98 x 4.57 x 2.99″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | None |
Canon EOS 5DS Verdict
The Canon 5DS and 5DS R are exceptional cameras that resolve an incredible amount of information, surpassing the capabilities of 50-megapixel medium-format cameras. A brand new standard has been established. However, before you make the purchase, you should ensure that you already own lenses that are compatible with the camera.
