The Canon EOS 5DS - A Comprehensive Review

Looking for a high-performance camera that captures stunning details and resolution? Look no further than the Canon EOS 5DS. This camera comes equipped with advanced features that guarantee exceptional image quality and performance. Whether you're a professional photographer or keen amateur, the Canon EOS 5DS is an excellent choice.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Canon EOS 5DS article cover photo

Key Features

Feb 06 2015

Announced

51 megapixels

Resolution

BrandCanon
Sensor TypeFull frame
SensorCMOS
Weight930g
MSRP$3699USD

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Overview of the EOS 5DS

As a photographer, you know how important it is to have a camera that produces high-quality images. Whether you're shooting portraits, landscapes, or wildlife, you want to be able to capture the smallest details and nuances. The Canon EOS 5DS is a professional-grade camera that promises to deliver. In this blog post, we will explore the features and benefits of the Canon EOS 5DS, including its resolution and image quality, autofocus system, and shooting performance. We’ll also delve into the camera's build quality, design, and usability. Let's get started!

Canon EOS 5DS Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Canon EOS 5DS camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High-resolution 50.6 megapixel sensor
Dual DIGIC 6 Image Processors
Low noise and fast performance in low light conditions
61-point High-density Reticular AF system
Anti-flicker shooting functionality
HD Recording with Full manual control
Multiple exposure modes and creative filters
Wide range of compatible lenses available
Durable body with weather sealing

Cons

Heavy and bulky design
Limited dynamic range compared to some other high-end DSLRs
No built-in Wi-Fi or GPS
No image stabilization in the body
Expensive compared to some other DSLRs on the market
Quick battery drain with continuous shooting
Limited video functionality compared to mirrorless cameras
Slow live view autofocus and refresh rate

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Canon EOS 5DS

Weather sealed
Dimensions152 x 116 x 76mm
Weight930g
Thickness76mm
Weight
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Canon EOS 5DS camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the EOS 5DS is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderOptical (pentaprism)
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution1,040k dots
Body typeMid-size SLR

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.20" screen, with a display resolution of 1,040k dots. This makes the Canon EOS 5DS not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

EOS 5DS includes a optical (pentaprism) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.71x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Canon EOS 5DS has a 51MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 51 pixels. Canon EOS 5DS has a native ISO range of 100 - 6400 which can be boosted to null - 12800. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Feb 06 2015

Announced

100 - 6400

ISO Range

SensorFull frame
Extended ISOnull - 12800
Max resolution8688 x 5792 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

87 / 102

Color Depth

24.7 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

12.4 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

2381 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Canon EOS 5DS camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also above average, allowing it to retain medium amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is below average, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the EOS 5DS is above average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: Full frame

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible), CompactFlash
Battery Life700 shots
Battery ModelLP-E6
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Canon EOS 5DS supports SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible), CompactFlash with 2 slots for storage. Having dual SD card slots on the Canon EOS 5DS is highly advantageous as it mitigates the risk of losing footage due to memory card malfunctions. This feature is particularly beneficial for wedding photography and other professional settings.

Battery

The Canon EOS 5DS uses the LP-E6 model of battery pack. This is rated for 700 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Canon EOS 5DS does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Canon EOS 5DS boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Canon EOS 5DS includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 61 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Canon EOS 5DS?

The Canon EOS 5DS features a CMOS sensor

Is the Canon EOS 5DS weather sealed?

Yes the EOS 5DS does have weather sealing.

When was the Canon EOS 5DS announced?

The Canon EOS 5DS was announced on Feb 06 2015

Does the Canon EOS 5DS have in-body image stabilization?

No the EOS 5DS does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Canon EOS 5DS?

The EOS 5DS has a native ISO range of 100-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-12800 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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