Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera Body {30.4MP}

Canon's proven 30.4MP full-frame workhorse with flagship AF.

The 5D Mark IV sits at the practical center of Canon's full-frame lineup: 30.4MP from a 36x24mm CMOS sensor, enough resolution for full-bleed editorial spreads and significant crop room, without the file-size overhead of the 50MP 5DS. The DIGIC 6+ processor keeps pace at 7 fps with an unlimited JPEG buffer, and the 14-bit RAW files hold shadow detail well enough to recover underexposed frames by several stops without banding. Native ISO runs to 32,000, expandable to 102,400, and the 252-zone RGB+IR metering sensor handles mixed and backlit situations with a consistency that rarely demands manual exposure correction.

The 61-point AF system borrows directly from the 1D X Mark II. All 61 points function at f/8, meaning teleconverter combinations stay viable across the full array than dropping to a single center point. The center point works down to EV -3 with a f/2.8 lens, and Dual Pixel AF in Live View extends that to EV -4 while enabling continuous tracking during video. Speaking of video, the body records 4K DCI (4096x2160) internally at up to 29.97 fps via Motion JPEG at 500 Mb/s, grabs 8.8MP stills from 4K footage, and supports Canon Log for post-production color grading latitude. Full HD extends to 60 fps, and 720p reaches 120 fps for slow-motion work. Built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, NFC, dual card slots (CompactFlash + SD), weather sealing, and a 900-shot battery life round out a body that has spent years proving itself in demanding professional conditions.

Who It's For

Wedding and portrait photographers working the EF lens ecosystem get the full-frame field of view at 1080p and 4K, plus the 7 fps burst and reliable iTR face-tracking AF to stay locked on moving subjects at receptions and during ceremony walks. Photojournalists and documentary shooters benefit from built-in GPS geotagging and Wi-Fi transfer without carrying additional hardware. Nature and wildlife photographers gain access to all 61 AF points at f/8, keeping cross-type coverage active with 400mm-plus teleconverter combinations. Studio and commercial photographers working at high resolution will find 30.4MP sufficient for full-page print at 300 dpi with room to crop, alongside dual card slots for simultaneous backup.

Key Features

• 30.4MP Full-Frame CMOS sensor with 14-bit RAW output
• DIGIC 6+ processor at 7 fps with unlimited JPEG buffer
• 61-point AF system with 41 cross-type points, all function at f/8
• 252-zone RGB+IR metering with Intelligent Tracking and Recognition
• 4K DCI (4096×2160) at up to 29.97 fps via Motion JPEG, 8.8MP still grab
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF for continuous video and Live View autofocus
• Native ISO 100–32,000 (extended to 50–102,400) with improved noise control
• Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS; dual card slots (CompactFlash + SD UHS-I)

FAQ

How does the 5D Mark IV's 30.4MP resolution compare to the Mark III?

The sensor gained 8.1MP over the Mark III's 22.3MP, allowing prints roughly 3 inches wider and 2 inches taller at 300 dpi without interpolation. The resolution sits squarely between Canon's 1D X Mark II (20.2MP) and 5DS (50.6MP)-enough for full-bleed editorial work without the file overhead of the 50MP body.

Can all 61 AF points work with teleconverters?

Yes. All 61 points function at f/8, which means you retain full AF coverage even with 1.4x or 2x teleconverters on f/5.6 and slower lenses. The Mark III limited teleconverter use to the center point; the Mark IV extends that across the entire array.

What's the practical difference between native and expanded ISO?

Native ISO runs 100–32,000 and handles shadows cleanly without banding when pulled in post. Expanded mode (50–102,400) trades some baseline image quality for the ability to shoot in near-darkness. Most professionals stick to native range for critical work and use expanded only when available light requires it.

Does the 4K crop matter for general photography?

No-the crop only applies to 4K video recording (1.64x horizontal crop, roughly APS-C coverage). Stills and 1080p video use the full frame, so normal lens coverage applies. If you're primarily shooting stills with occasional video, you won't notice the 4K limitation.

How reliable is 4K recording on SD cards?

Unreliable. The UHS-I SD slot bottlenecks at roughly 10 seconds before stalling, even with fast cards rated for 4K. Use CompactFlash for 4K work; a 128GB CF card holds about 30 minutes at 500 Mb/s. If you prioritize 4K stability, the dual card architecture favors CF over SD.

What's the metering improvement over the Mark III?

The Mark IV jumps from 63 zones to 252 zones (150,000 pixels) with RGB+IR sensing. It reads light sources more intelligently, handles mixed and backlit scenes without requiring manual exposure compensation in most situations, and tracks subjects reliably-a major workflow boost for documentary and event shooting.

How much slower is battery life compared to the 1D X Mark II?

The Mark IV rates 900 shots per charge; the 1D X Mark II reaches 1,200. The difference reflects the Mark IV's lighter duty cycle and smaller battery. Add the optional BG-E20 battery grip with a second LP-E6N and you'll double your shooting time per charge cycle.