Canon EOS 5D vs Canon EOS 5D Mark II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D and Canon EOS 5D Mark II. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Canon EOS 5D

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 5D were released 2005 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II was released 2008. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Canon EOS 5D	2005
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	2008

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Canon Full Frame") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.

Camera	Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 5D	50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 5D has a 12,7 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 5D Mark II has 21,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Canon EOS 5D	12,7 MP 12719616 pixels 4368 x 2912
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	21,1 MP 21026304 pixels 5616 x 3744

Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a 65 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 5D. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5D. Canon EOS 5D Mark II has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 25600 while Canon EOS 5D has 50 to 3200.

Camera	ISO Range
Canon EOS 5D	50-3200
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	50-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 5D can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 5D Mark II can shoot up to 3,9 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5D	3
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	3,9

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Sadly, the Canon EOS 5D does not support this.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 5D weighs 895 gr (equal to 1.97 lb) which is 5% heavier than Canon EOS 5D Mark II and its 850 gr (or 1.87 lb).

Camera	Weight
Canon EOS 5D	895 gr 1.97 lb
Canon EOS 5D Mark II	850 gr 1.87 lb