Canon EOS 5D Mark II administers the death blow to Nikon. 1080 HD Video in a DSLR with audio inputs.

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Zach Wise 09.17.08 / 12am

1

Certainly a nail in the coffin for Nikon. Gotta sell my old 5D, 20D, and XH-A1 with a Letus 35 now! The only thing that might top the 5D MkII might be the RED Scarlet. 2k video sounds pretty tempting.
Shaminder Dulai 09.17.08 / 7am

2

Is someone selling a Letus 35? Ooo… I can’t afford a $2700 camera right now but that I might like.

Hit me up Zach if you’re serious.
F 09.17.08 / 8am

3

Oh come on — can that headline get any cornier? Nikon has delivered one heavy punch after another against the Canon fetishists, so the opossite is true: Canon is finally catching up, even winning some skirmishes on the feature front.

However this war will end — we, the users, will profit. Apparently, war _is_ the father of all things
Beck Diefenbach 09.17.08 / 12pm

4

This isn’t a “death blow” or “nail in the coffin” to Nikon at all. The game now is that newspaper photogs need a high-end DSLR that does video and has an audio jack. No newspaper will buy the 5D Mark 2, why? Because it can’t do sports photo. Sports and especially high school sports continues to be the money maker. 4 FPS is less than half what the 1D Mrk 3 or the D3 can do.

The 5D’s sensor is designed for studio photogs (who don’t need video) or rich amateurs (who don’t effect the market enough). Let’s wait until the Canon 1D Mark 4 and the Nikon D4 come out to debate who’s winning the video race.
Adam 09.17.08 / 1pm

5

Clearly, you’re going to have to get a few of these for the Post-Dispatch interns… Right?

Regarding Beck’s prediction that newspapers will not adopt the 5D Mark II because it lacks a high frame rate, I strongly disagree. Shooting sports is entirely possible with a 5D, and somehow I think management would be keen to add video coverage to anything they could without deploying more personnel.

Plus there’s the fact that the thing will shoot at ISO 25,600…
Will Sullivan 09.17.08 / 11pm

6

@F I’m not sure what decade you’re visiting us from, but Canon has started owning the DSLR market since the Sydney Olympics. I don’t know any newspapers that shoot with Nikon gear anymore. Amsterdam (where your IP is pointing) may be different though.

@Beck True, I’ll give you that the 5D Mark II isn’t ideal for shooting sports, but I’m sure Canon will be rolling a version built for that within the year.

I’ll ask you to consider four points about the state of our industry and why this really is the future (and the final nail in Nikon’s coffin):
1- Most newsrooms already shoot Canon. They have the glass. They’re not going to switch now that Canon is clearly head and shoulders above Nikon in technology, again.

2- As the noose continues to tighten on newspaper budgets, the demand for multimedia — specifically video — is exponentially increasing. Preroll ads and Hulu’s video business model are currently the few relatively successful business models for mainstream media online. Banner ads are dying faster and faster than ever (there’s been a decade of studies about banner blindness and adblocking software is growing every day and advertisers are beginning to come around). Few outlets seriously invest in targeted text advertising and those that are can’t sustain their MSM-sized staffs on that alone without ridonkulous traffic. Video ads are something advertisers are already familiar with, it’s something many of they’re creative departments often already have created for TV outlets and they are willing to pay for them (especially when you have a captive audience, like you do on preroll video).

3- Few organizations are going to invest in tools anymore than can do just one thing. They’re buying cell phones that can shoot video, record audio, and write a 5 inch story for the web. Again, as the belt continues to tighten, the budget is not going to allow for ’single-taskers’ in their equipment… and in their employees.

4- This may be a crazy prediction, but I could see the majority of sports shooting disappearing all together for mainstream media outlets in the next 5 years — especially at the pro level — except for few organizations that can buy their way in (like Getty). Over the past year we’ve seen increasingly restrictive contracts pushed on us from the NFL, MLB, etc… As the net continues to blossom, these for-profit sports organizations (although the NFL is actually declared a “non-profit” through some crazy loophole) will continue to close the door on mainstream media because they are direct competitors to MLB.com, NFL.com, etc.. College football is a business too. You’ve probably heard about what even the Illinois High School Association did last year locking down the media’s shooting rights. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

What happens when papers shut down their print products because of cost cutting? What makes them different than John Q. Blogger wanting to shoot a sports event? It’s a slippery slope and it’s much easier and much more profitable for the powers that control sports access — and whom profit from that sporting event — to just shut the media out and provide hand out photos.

@Adam I can’t guarantee that. We do have full XH-A1 kits with all the goodies (wireless & shotgun mics, etc.) for all our photographers and multimedia interns though. I’m sure they can make due. Oh, and we do pay our interns. Which is (astoundingly) becoming rare in this business.
Rich 09.21.08 / 2am

7

Ahhh… good ol’ hyperbole.

Sure, this new camera has the bells and whistles, but will it deliver? After the MarkIII back focus fiasco, many, yours truly are a little wary of Canon products. We’ll see how this camera actually performs in real life. Give it a month or three.

As for the Oly, seems like there were a lot more black lenses in the crowd this time around at Beijing. The D3 smokes.

I would suspect the D90 is a foray into the SLR video thing, and come next year, Nikon will probably have something else up their sleeve.

What it really comes down to is. Can a person take photos? All the god-like powers of a box won’t save awful photos.

I do like that insane ISO, though.

Yeah, I use Canon, BTW.
Geoff 10.09.08 / 9am

8

To use phrases like “death blow” to a company like Nikon is laughable. Do you seriously think Nikon will stop competing and just fold up shop because of the 5D? Of course not. The great thing about competition is each rival will “one up” each other as technology goes forward, which only benefits we, the consumers.
Will Sullivan 10.09.08 / 2pm

9

@Geoff — i definitely agree that competition, especially in the technology business raises the bar for everyone and benefits the consumer.

But as I stated before, I don’t think Nikon can make up the lost ground in the professional photojournalism market. The majority of organizations have already converted their glass over to Canon, and with the new HD video system plugging into that HUGE investment of lenses and accessories, this is probably it for Nikon in that business.

Maybe they can go and focus on consumer point and shoots… Oh wait, Canon’s already crushed them there. Ok, well, maybe printers! Oh wait, Canon’s already crushed them there too. Hm… Well, maybe Nikon can start doing R&D for 3d holograms. Because it’s going to take a miracle to get them to turn around the tide and save themselves.

Thanks for reading and contributing to the discussion.
Dale 10.12.08 / 1am

10

Will this camera deliver a death blow to any photographers/cinematographers in the industry?

Could this camera replace a set/stills photographer if a production crew decides to use the new 5d to capture the video instead of typical film/video cameras?

What about all the still photographers that will all-of-a-sudden become film makers?

This camera seems to pack a real atomic punch. What photographer (of any level) wouldn’t want this? It is any photographers dream come true. Of course I want one but I am curious, does anyone else feel or get scared by the capabilities this camera possesses?

In todays world of downsizing, reformatting, budgets and economics, will any professional photographers/cinematographers end up on their butts eventually?

Maybe not with this camera alone but this is definitely a glimpse into the future.

Any thoughts?
What Haveyou 10.19.08 / 10pm

11

The lack of 24 FPS is a deal-breaker. Canon introduces numerous potential-ridden features but usually finds a way to hobble them with a major flaw.

24 FPS is less processor-intensive than 30, potentially better quality (less compressed), and relatively easy to convert to 30 FPS.

I don’t know that buying this camera in hopes of a firmware update to resolve the issue is a good gamble.
adrian 11.02.08 / 2pm

12

“I don’t think Nikon can make up the lost ground in the professional photojournalism market”…

therefore Nikon is dead?

Nonsensical

The digital camera market is massive, and Nikon has found a niche corner to play in. Over the last few years, Canon’s miss steps have opened the door for Nikon, and they have charged right in.

There is no indication, at all, that the power/performance of the D300/D700/D3 lineup is being killed by a single press release. Shooters that want and need the ability to shoot in low light conditions will naturally be drawn to Nikon’s lineup. Anyone wanting a hybrid HD cam will lean to Canon.

To signal the death knell of Nikon, because a camera you really, really want is coming out is near sighted, and makes you sound like a giggling Canon Fanboy

Quite the opposite to “game over”, this is step one.. game on. Finally Canon have found something to push back at Nikon’s incursions into their once 100% safe territory. This camera will hold back folks that were selling L glass and moving to Nikon. Whether it can offer the sort of “best in class” dominance of the D3 is something only time will tell. The 50D has had a massive, massive amount of gloss taken off it since the dpreview conclusion that noise is actually UP from the 40D. Canon are focusing on megapixels and video, while Nikon continue to blaze away in the lowlight/low noise field.

It’s going to be a very, very interesting year or two for cameras. I’m sure lots of fanboys will jump up and sign off on the death of both companies along the way. They are both going to make seriuos cash from pushing the technology, and engaging consumers in this little war. Canon just need to find a way to lead again, and not just follow
SU 11.02.08 / 3pm

13

Will, some real facts for you

http://www.ftd.de/technik/it_telekommunikation/:Photokina-Canon-sieht-schwarz/419457.html

(that’s an article in the Financial Times, in German => according to this article, the profesional market dominated by Canon for the last years has completely altered : over 50% Nikon since the introduction of the D3 and the 1DIII-blooper)

I’ve been a Canon shooter btw…
JC 11.02.08 / 4pm

14

The video is just a gimicky feature I would never use.
Jay Abramson 11.02.08 / 8pm

15

To suggest Nikon’s (or anyone’s) death because Canon released a new camera is ridiculous. Canon has been losing ground ever since they built an $8000 camera that couldn’t autofocus. Nikon’s D3 flat out has whupped the 1Ds III in every area except resolution. Big deal. Now they introduce the 5D Mk II….OK, they give the camera the sensor from the 1Ds III. They give it the same high ISO as the Nikon D3/D700 combo. Wanna bet Canon can’t deliver the resolution at ISO 25600 Nikon can? Hint: Don’t. If the 50D is any indication, Nikon has nothing to worry about.

By all means enjoy the new 5D MkII, but get real!
Charly 11.03.08 / 10am

16

>>>The majority of organizations have already converted their glass over to Canon.

Strange.. I see more and more Nikons everyday… as a matter of fact what happened with AFP (Agence France-Presse) ? they changed all the gear to Nikon.. what happened at Beijing ? Nikon forced the photogs to use Nikon gear ? Nikon forced Sports Illustrated to use Nikon gear ?… yeah sure… first Canon needs to delivers a “reliable” pro body 1D Mk IV (not the Mk III fiasco) then we’ll see what happends
Hint, there’s a world outside your Canon bubble, believe me Canon lost a big pro market share with the D3/D700 .. besides we all know Nikkor glass is better you like it or not.
Regards
Corliss 11.03.08 / 1pm

17

What continues to amaze me is why anyone would care what anyone else uses? I use what I feel fits best for what I can afford and shoot. It matters not what anyone else uses.

The cycle of technology and upgrades will continue, regardless of what I or anyone does. There will always be something technologically better down the road. But as someone pointed out, it’s the ability to create photographs that is within the photographer. The camera and lenses are merely the tools.
MichaelM 11.03.08 / 1pm

18

Nikon dead, Canon lay Nikon down ??? Let me wonder : it’s like, in another area, an assertion coming from wellknown worldwide consultants explaining in the past that they are not sure Hp will live after 20th century because Digital and Compaq were better settled on market.. So, short after that Compaq and Digital were bought from Hp ! The way the company is managed is at least so important as their products, even if they are very good.
Just to mention, it’s useful to be very careful with optimistic assertions… and : photography is not only cameras bodies, isn’t it ??? Canon can bring on market what they want with new technology, I will stay with Nikon with my DLSRs and Nikon lenses. Try a D3 and you will understand why.
Have a nice day.
Leping Zha 11.03.08 / 3pm

19

Xinhua News Agency, the official China news agent, dumped all their Canon gears for Nikon D3 and D700.

I shoot both and hate neither. Why some Canon shooters allow themselves to fall so low?

Leping Zha
http://www.lepingzha.com
Will Sullivan 11.03.08 / 8pm

20

Welcome to all you new readers from the Dpreview.com Nikon forum!

While I think this may be as productive as an argument about religion, politics or coke vs. pepsi, here are some of my responses (I’ll do my best to address what I can in a timely manner but I’m an actual working professional journalist and we have one of the most historic elections in the history of the United States being decided in the next 24 hours).

First, as a matter of honesty, common courtesy, and transparency, I’ve always offered extensive information throughout this site about about who I am and what makes me qualified to talk about this. I’d appreciate the same from you, thus far, none of the DPreview commenters seems to have identified themselves as professionals — let alone professional photojournalists (please note: I’m not talking about wedding photography, nature photography, food photography, or any other flavor of photography except photojournalism). Only one of the Dpreview commenters have even volunteered a real, full name and none has offered a website or any sort of authentication pointing to who they are and why their experts to talk about this. So, quite frankly, it’s hard to take a lot of your comments more serious than random spammers or forum trolls without some sort of identification.

This blog is called Journerdism because it’s about technology in the context of professional journalism organizations and it’s coming from an American perspective. So this is where I’m talking about Canon administering a death blow to Nikon.

Nikon is already used in a minority of the professional journalism organizations in the United States and with this development, Canon effectively takes their expertise from their incredibly successful point and shoot cameras that encode direct to digital video files (which regularly outsell and outperform Nikon — and just about everyone else in the point and shoot marketplace) and merging it with their growing professional HD video camera lines and their DSLR gear. It clearly puts them in the catbird seat as a key tool in the professional journalism market and puts Nikon miles behind.

Yes, Nikon could reinvent itself and corner a different niche (such as wedding, nature, food, etc..), but the reality at most professional journalism organizations is they already have the Canon glass and this just gives them one less reason to sell it all and move to Nikon.

I’m not a Canon fanatic by any sort and I don’t doubt that Nikon has great products. I’ve shot with them frequently. I’ve shot with Canon also. Hasselblad also makes great products. Leica makes great products. But professional journalism organizations rarely use them because they don’t meet their needs and that’s the perspective and reality I’m presenting.

Is this the ultimate perfect camera that will replace and end all cameras ever produced in the U.S.? No, not at all. It’s a game changer though. Like the iPhone. And much like the iPhone, it will likely come out with several bugs and things that need to be improved. But that doesn’t mean that it still isn’t a radical shift in the industry, an important new development for professional photojournalism and one that puts Canon further ahead of Nikon, in a race that they were already winning.

@Corliss I definitely agree; it’s all just tools. But a ‘Swiss army knife’ camera is worth much more to a professional journalism organization in this current environment than a ’switchblade’ camera. Both knives may be great for their separate applications but for the professional journalist, Canon has made a proposition that is hard to pass up. And personally, I know how difficult it is to get traditional still photographers shooting video regularly, just because of the physical hindrance of having to carry three cameras (two DSLR’s and a video camera). This merge of video into their DSLR bodies will expedite the quality and quantity of video that professional journalism organizations — especially newspapers — are producing, as well as elevate the craft, speed and editing quality to a new level by bypassing much of the time wasted rolling in tape video into a computer. It’s a massive game changer.

@JC Color photography was a gimmick too. So was the Internet. Change is constant. Wake up.
riza 11.03.08 / 11pm

21

Just sell all my canon 5D and all lenses…, because :
1. Its Vignett at 24mm on my 24-205 lens f.4
2. Mirror jumps out from its place in the middle of important event.
3. It has only 6 focus points and sometimes it miss focus.

Just Bought new Nikon D700, and suddenly my world of photography becomes so easy, no more worries about technical limitation of your camera, just consentrate in composing and object to shot… what a wonderful world…

HD Video ? .. to get the full use of it, you must have HD video disc, HD Video Player, and HD video TV (thats to enjoy it by yourself), but to share it with others with no HD player and HD monitor ? this will become regular video… and for how long is the duration ? 5-10 minutes up to 30 minutes ? how Giga byte memory card does it requires ?
Isn it better to have US$900 HD VideoCam to shoot… ?
(btw, I own Sony HVR A1U to shoot video)
riza 11.03.08 / 11pm

22

sorry i meant 24-105mm canon Lens
DDriver 11.07.08 / 5pm

23

One thing is for certain though, this “article” wreaks of vile fanboyism….

I am sure glad I don’t limit myself to either camp. I shoot both.
Will Sullivan 11.07.08 / 6pm

24

@Leping Zha Thanks for commenting and for signing your post! I don’t know much about the Chinese media, although I kind of suspect they may not have free choice as American outlets do. But I don’t know. Again, I’m just speaking from an American professional photojournalism perspective.
Will Sullivan 11.07.08 / 6pm

25

@Riza We’re talking about HD at media outlets, so there’s not really an issue of HD video disc, these are TV stations and soon, newspapers will have HD quality over the Internet. Storage is definitely a valid concern, but storage space is continuously dropping in price. There’s also a 640x SD mode available, which is what point and shoot cameras do right now.
Stephen Turrell 11.15.08 / 5pm

26

The D3 D700 & D300 cameras are allready released & have been reviewed, every review i’ve seen has been very positive i own a D300 & love it.
The Canon 50D looked a D300 beater on specs but in reviews comparing it to the D300 it comes in 2nd place despite it’s higher resolution.When the 50D was introduced it was more expensive than the D300 now it’s cheaper .
Nikon glass has allways been good & the 24-70 2.8 & 14-24 2.8 seem better than the equivalent canon glass.
The bad news for Canon is the D700 5 fps or 8fps with a grip & a faster better performing autofocus system & it’s cheaper for now i’m guessing in 6 months the Canon 5D mark 2 will sell for less than the D700.
Does anybody need more than 12 megapixels for sport or widlife
Correct me if i’m wrong but i don’t think the Canon 5D mark 2 can focus while shooting video..
The new Canon looks like a great camera for landscape or weddings & studio & a great upgrade from the Canon 5D
but it’s not going to put Nikon out of the game.
Pete 01.02.09 / 8am

27

Coming at this from the other side as a video journalist who occasionally shoots stills on a cheap-n-cheerful Canon DSLR, I found the news of a DSLR that can do decent HD recording very exciting. It would be incredibly liberating to be able to shoot video with the range of lens I already have - especially as most of my filming is done in theatres where I’m given a specific place to set up, and that may not always be ideal for the zoom range on the camera.

I’ve looked at the quality of sample video elsewhere on the net, and it has to be said the pictures are astounding for the price of the kit.

However, the recording limit of 4GB (about 12 mins at HD) on the 5D Mk II makes it useless to me currently and I understand this is just a software restriction because the storage is the old FAT format rather than NTFS or other modern file system. If Canon could address this I’d have a 5D Mk II on order straight away.
Alain 08.18.09 / 12am

28

Hi
well Canon will ever never finish off Nikon.Nikon has always better engineering for their cameras.The reason why canon was a bit better on the market ,Canon has always been on consumers plastic cameras much more than Nikon.Whenever Nikon wake-up,look with the D300,D3 and later D700 Nikon put canon’s supremacy down overnight.’And since Nikon is more in the consumers erea,D3000,D5000,etc,etc would be very hard for canon to claim back the No 1 spot.Remember in 1959 when Nikon released the F it took 14 years to canon to answer by then Nikon was coming with the F2 haha
cheers Alain

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Canon EOS 5D Mark II administers the death blow to Nikon. 1080 HD Video in a DSLR with audio inputs.

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