Canon EOS 5D Mark II sample video is very HD and very unofficial

Canon has already provided a few carefully prepared sample videos taken with its new EOS 5D Mark II DSLR, but those that prefer things a bit more unofficial may want to head on over to Akihabara News, which has new demo video of its own. Not surprisingly, the camera definitely impresses even when taken out of Canon's capable and controlling hands, but there's not much use in us simply describing it -- hit up the read link below to check it out for yourself (assuming your computer and internet connection is up to the task).

[Jeremy K. @ Nov 5th 2008 6:17PM]

Seems like a fantastic camera!

[Richard Lai @ Nov 5th 2008 6:22PM]

Wow! Fantastic quality! Although they could have included more panning footage to show the lack of jelly movement.

I take it the camera - like the Nikon D90 - doesn't do auto-refocus?

[VampireHunter Z @ Nov 5th 2008 6:31PM]

That was freaking amazing!!! This is light years beyond home video.

[Lowest Ranked @ Nov 5th 2008 6:35PM]

It also makes everyone look the same.

[VampireHunter Z @ Nov 5th 2008 6:46PM]

Sooo, who said video on a DSLR was a gimmick again? You could do better than Cloverfield with this thing.

[Valicore @ Nov 5th 2008 8:18PM]

WTF? BananaBoat: lololol, "No sweety, I'm not ACTUALLY recording anything, ignore the red light baby."

[lawyer bird @ Nov 5th 2008 8:24PM]

@Lowest Ranked

Wait, was that some kind of an asian joke?

jeez...

[Frankfurter @ Nov 5th 2008 9:46PM]

@bananaboat - does your Mom know you're on the internet again? Bet you already printed out your witty comment and stuck it in your trapper keeper, right next to the obligatory naked-girl-on-back pencil drawing.

That being said, thanks for reminding me why I only occasionally read Engagdet.

[BananaBoat @ Nov 6th 2008 12:04AM]

@frankfurter

Your mom knows I'm on the internet! (zzzzzzzzzzzingggggggggggggggggg)



.....You were wrong, I've got nothing.

I'm going to have to shake my Magical 8-Ball O'Witty Retorts to get some material

*Shake Shake*

The cow says "MOOOOO!"

Oh no, this thing is clearly broken.

[Lowest Ranked @ Nov 5th 2008 6:32PM]

Holy shit.

[Matthew Hilario @ Nov 5th 2008 6:35PM]

it's obvious he rolls more than just sushi!

[bangladeshiluv @ Nov 5th 2008 6:36PM]

I CANT AFFORD THIS!

[TubeTop100.com @ Nov 5th 2008 6:38PM]

Damn, I wanna go back to Tokyo. Best city in the world.

[Boards of Canada @ Nov 5th 2008 10:29PM]

Osaka is way more relax, food is way better and cheap!

Now Tokyo is full of stupid foreigners (like me) and people start to be quite rude...

and no damn takoyaki!!!!

[Jason Collin @ Nov 6th 2008 3:00AM]

Yes, Tokyo is the best city in the world if you are making your living as a photographer or in video somehow. Otherwise it's a huge, overcrowded mass. But for just walking out your door and immediately finding 100 things interesting to photograph, it can't be beat (maybe, I haven't lived everywhere yet).

[ropeburn @ Nov 5th 2008 6:41PM]

Holy S, that video is awesome.
total game changer.

[BobTurbo @ Nov 5th 2008 6:48PM]

Holy cow...............

That seems like very good quality. How does that compare to the top-end consumer HD camcorders? It seems like the low light, colours, and sharpness are much much better? Feature-wise it will probably not be so good. Why aren't there any consumer-sized HD camcorders coming out with these sensors/optics?

One think I noticed was lots of blocking artifacts in the night sky, would that be from the compression used by the camera or from the processing done on the macbook pro I wonder...

[Michael Scrip @ Nov 5th 2008 7:14PM]

> "Why aren't there any consumer-sized HD camcorders coming out with these sensors/optics?"

A consumer HD camcorder with a big senor and interchangable lenses would be expensive. The D90 is about as close as consumers can get... at $1300. It's a great still DSLR, that also happens to shoot video clips.

DSLR video probably won't appeal to most consumers for the simple fact that it doesn't have autofocus or motorized zoom. Using a DSLR to video a child's soccer game or school play would be difficult to hold onto. The D90 is not a replacement for a camcorder... but you can use it to take some video.

I'd love see a consumer HD camcorder with interchangable lenses... but, the price would begin to skyrocket out of control. The body would be well over $1000, a big zoom lens could be $400-500. It's just not a market camera manufacturers are concerned with. Canon can sell more XL-H1s to professionals... than a $2000 camcorder to families.

[Salsa Shark @ Nov 5th 2008 7:37PM]

If you want interchangeable lenses on a consumer HD camcorder, get a very reasonably-priced kit from Redrock Micro. I've seen some phenomenal footage shot with the Canon HV-20...

[Frankfurter @ Nov 5th 2008 9:48PM]

"A big senor"? For what, a bodyguard? I prefer asian thugs.

[jburton @ Nov 5th 2008 6:49PM]

Truly a revolution in one unit...... now let us see what RED will supposedly announce on the 13th......

[LondonConsultant @ Nov 5th 2008 6:50PM]

Impressive footage - DoF etc. Actually, really nice...

[Anthony @ Nov 5th 2008 6:50PM]

This was depressing on two fronts. First the quality was great & I can't afford to buy one. Second my eco computer had trouble playing it, so clearly I need to upgrade that too.

[ducky @ Nov 5th 2008 6:57PM]

...Why is there so much blur? It doesn't autofocus? I'm not a camera person, so I don't know if this is how it's supposed to be or whatever.

[BobTurbo @ Nov 5th 2008 7:03PM]

The blur is because of the depth of field. I am guessing you will be able to change the DoF while shooting video. They were probably doing it to show off the effect and power of this thing. In other scenes there was not the same blur.

[Boards of Canada @ Nov 5th 2008 8:23PM]

I think you miss the point... Indie Filmakers wants Depth of field! Before only expensive film camera could give us that effect but now everyone will be able to do it. I just hope we can lock the shutter... still the lights change of automatic look smooth... way better than the nikon!

is it 1080??

[Flunky Carter @ Nov 5th 2008 6:59PM]

So... the Mark doesn't have the jelly???????

[Jack @ Nov 5th 2008 7:04PM]

apparently no jelly effect nor rolling shutter. same with the sample video I saw from Vincent Laforet. This is outstanding. The ONLY drawback I can see is that the audio stream falls short in the kHz sampling rate so it probably won't be the best. But then again, I would use this for photography first, video clips second. Bu

[tuna @ Nov 5th 2008 7:05PM]

Beautiful short film. Bravo!

Great shots. Masterful editing. Excellent soundtrack choices.

[Jack @ Nov 5th 2008 7:05PM]

but all in all, it makes it a very compelling product to purchase.

[BobTurbo @ Nov 5th 2008 7:06PM]

To change the DoF you change the aperture (how wide open the lens is), or the zoom, or get a different lens with different focal length.

[cesium @ Nov 5th 2008 7:07PM]

So can you record sound somehow

[JK @ Nov 5th 2008 7:12PM]

Yes, it comes w/ a built-in mic, and I think a port for an external mic, not sure on that one.

[Michael Scrip @ Nov 5th 2008 7:17PM]

Yes, it has a 1/8" jack... perfect for plugging in one of those XLR boxes!

http://www.beachtek.com/dxa2s.html

[cesium @ Nov 5th 2008 7:19PM]

Cool!

[Boudu @ Nov 6th 2008 12:18AM]

While the 1/8" jack isn't a substitute for XLR, you can still use an external mic, like a Zoom H2, which produces far better quality, You'll just need to clap sync it in post (not so great for vacation amateurs but easy for any decent videographer).

[InfinityPlusOne @ Nov 5th 2008 7:08PM]

That was crazy! I want one. How much?

[balls @ Nov 6th 2008 1:21AM]

I think body only was like $2699 list.

Which will probably drop a couple hundred at the street after a few months.

[SimonRichards @ Nov 5th 2008 7:15PM]

"Oooopppsss, you are not allowed to see this news yet, please come back later"

...the hell?

[o29 @ Nov 5th 2008 7:19PM]

Uh same here. It seems Engadget created a portal into the future.

[kevin @ Nov 5th 2008 7:20PM]

what the jesus? vid don't work.

[Joshh @ Nov 5th 2008 7:20PM]

some more here --> http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canoneos5dmarkII/page15.asp

[Kapla @ Nov 5th 2008 7:26PM]

Eh ! AkihabaraNews is down !
So for watch the video go directly on Dailymotion : http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7b3rx_tokyo-reality-canon-5d-mark-ii-fina_travel
Or Vimeo : http://www.vimeo.com/2125645

[drew @ Nov 5th 2008 7:28PM]

when's the release date? i've searched all over and no website mentions a release date.

[Tom @ Nov 5th 2008 8:35PM]

Early December. Some sources are saying November 18th, but Canon's original press release stated Late November for the camera to be in dealers' hands.

Don't expect to get one in 2009 if you didn't pre-order one... Or you could camp outside of B&H if they ever give a solid date.
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/cameras/Canon_5d2_3d_7d.html

[balls @ Nov 6th 2008 1:22AM]

I think you mean 2008.

I'm pretty sure they'll be easy to come by in 2009 ;)

[Tom @ Nov 6th 2008 10:26AM]

Whoops! Thanks - I meant until 2009.

[Benji @ Nov 5th 2008 7:33PM]

November 17th for USD $2699 Body Only.

[GW @ Nov 5th 2008 7:54PM]

This camera owns all other DSLRs.

[Johan S @ Nov 5th 2008 9:35PM]

Does it do the Jello? Actually i don't mind it cause the effect can be mitigated in post processing.