Canon 5Ds review

Image quality

I’ve long admired EOS cameras’ JPEG output, with a colour palette that strikes a sublime balance between accuracy and flattery, and the 5Ds is no exception. Automatic exposures were expertly balanced, and I rarely felt the need to reach for the exposure compensation dial.

This camera is all about detail, and the majority of shots had it in abundance. There were times when camera shake, focusing errors or subject motion took the edge off, but given the number of things that can compromise detail levels, it’s reassuring that sensor resolution isn’t ever likely to be the weak point in the chain.

The downside is that noise levels are higher than from the EOS 5D Mark III and other modern full-frame cameras. The difference was noticeable at ISO 800 and more significant at ISO 3200 and above. However, comparing photos at 1:1 pixel magnification isn’t a fair test. Comparing their output at similar overall sizes, the difference was much subtler. Personally, I struggle to get excited about the increased resolution but I’m not particularly worried about the increased noise, either. This is a modern full-frame digital SLR and image quality is as high as I’d expect.

^ Canon’s usual flair for vibrant JPEGs is evident here, and there’s enough detail for gargantuan prints. (1/200s, f/10, ISO 100, 40mm equivalent) ^ The wall texture at the centre of this shot is exceptionally sharp. The edges of the frame are slightly less so. If a lens has limitations, this camera will find them. (1/160s, f/8, ISO 100, 20mm equivalent) ^ These dense, subtle textures are handled superbly by the JPEG engine. The exposure is well judged, too, keeping the sky and shadows just short of clipping. (1/200s, f/10, ISO 100, 23mm equivalent) ^ 50 megapixels are enough to pick up every pore and strand of hair. (1/200s, f/4.5, ISO 100, 176mm equivalent) ^ Autofocus wasn’t always as reliable as we’d hope for. This shot (and a few others in my tests) has front-focused. (1/400s, f/4, ISO 1250, 191mm equivalent) ^ A major advantage of the 50-megapixel sensor is the ability to apply substantial crops and still have plenty of pixels to play with. (1/160s, f/9, ISO 100, 40mm equivalent) ^ This crop is of the above frame is 7 megapixels – still enough for an A4 print. ^ The downside of 50 megapixels is that pixel-sharp focus can be elusive. (1/400s, f/4, ISO 2500, 200mm equivalent)
^ Noise is understated at ISO 1000 but close inspection reveals some grain, especially in out-of-focus areas. (1/80s, f/4, ISO 1000, 70mm equivalent) ^ By ISO 3200 it’s quite pronounced – on close inspection at least. (1/400s, f/4, ISO 3200, 200mm equivalent) ^ Per-pixel noise is on a par with cropped-sensor SLRs, but with so many pixels available, even ISO 6400 is easily good enough to print at modest sizes. (1/5s, f/4, ISO 6400, 35mm equivalent)

Recipe for success?

Those who have been waiting expectantly for an EOS camera with 4K video recording (and which costs less than the £6,000 EOS-1D C) will have to keep waiting. The 5Ds is a stills camera with few incentives for videographers. That’s perfectly reasonable, but I can’t help thinking that Canon could have come up with a little more in the three years since the 5D Mark III. The new sensor will be welcome for some people but fairly irrelevant for many. They may as well stick with the Canon 5D Mark III, which remains on sale for around £2,250.

I’d have liked the 5Ds to include an articulated touchscreen, particularly if it could be used to adjust the autofocus point while using the viewfinder – a technique I find much quicker than pressing buttons or wiggling joysticks. A touchscreen could also have unlocked faster, more sophisticated autofocus control in live view mode, too. Articulated touchscreens seem to be associated with consumer-level cameras but not for any objective reason that I can see. Wi-Fi and GPS wouldn’t have gone amiss, either, even if it had to be a removable hotshoe-mounted unit to get around the shielding of the magnesium alloy body.

Sadly, though, Canon doesn’t offer bespoke camera designs to order. The 5Ds is what it is, and for the most part, it’s extremely successful. If the 50-megapixel resolution appeals and you’re willing to sacrifice a little performance, battery life and an extra £750, this is clearly the camera for you.