Canon EOS5D Mark IV Review

The Canon 5D Mark IV is a weird camera in 2024. It's a DSLR in a mirrorless world, and it feels like it. The one thing you need to know? Its video specs are shockingly good for its age, but you're buying into a bulky, dated body that's missing key modern features. It's a powerhouse for a very specific user, but for most people, it's a tough sell.

The big surprise here is the video. Hitting the 100th percentile for video performance, it shoots DCI 4K at 30fps, which is genuinely impressive for a camera this old. The 61-point autofocus system is also solid, landing in the 93rd percentile. But the 30.4MP sensor is only in the 32nd percentile, which means newer cameras eat its lunch for pure image quality. And that 7fps burst? Perfectly fine, but not class-leading.

Worth it? Only if you find it cheap. Prices are all over the place, from $1999 to a laughable $3299. At the low end, it's a decent value for a 4K video workhorse. At the high end, it's a rip-off. Shop around hard.

The Sony a7R IV is the obvious upgrade: it's mirrorless, has a massive 61MP sensor, and is lighter. The Canon EOS R7 is a better all-rounder for most people, with faster burst shooting and better stabilization. Even the Fujifilm X-S20, while an APS-C camera, offers better video features, a flip screen, and IBIS in a much smaller package. The 5D Mark IV wins on lens selection and that specific video codec, but loses everywhere else.

I can't recommend the 5D Mark IV for most people. It's a specialist tool now. Buy it only if you're deeply invested in Canon EF glass and need its specific 4K video capabilities on a budget. For everyone else, especially beginners or travelers (its weakest area), a modern mirrorless camera is a better, lighter, and more capable choice.