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The Canon EOS 5D Mark III was an unquestionable success as a pro-grade DSLR. It even won our Camera of the Year award back in 2012. Now, we get to meet its successor in the form of the EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR and there’s a lot of new stuff to talk about. We even had a chance to get some hands-on time with a preproduction version of the camera.

One of the biggest hardware upgrades comes in the form of the 30.4-megapixel, full-frame, CMOS sensor, which gains 8 megapixels over the EOS 5D Mark III that came before it. The sensor is coupled with the latest DIGIC 6+ Image Processor, which gives it a native ISO range of 100–32,000, expandable down to ISO 50 and up to ISO 102,400. So, there’s no sky-high jump in maximum ISO settings, but the native range has been bumped up from 25,600 in the EOS 5D Mark III. But, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t expect increased ISO performance over the previous model.

Another headline feature added to the EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR is 4K video capture, something many people were certainly expecting. It can capture 4096 x 2160 footage (4K or Ultra HD) at 30 or 24 frames per second, in addition to 1080p (Full HD) at 60 fps and 720p at 120 fps for slow-motion capture. As an added bonus to the 4K capture mode, the camera allows shooters to pull 8.8-megapixel still images out of the video files, which makes it a more viable hybrid shooting machine.

The screen on the back of the camera is now fully touch-enabled, which makes tasks like picking a screen from a 4K video much simpler with swiping. Of course, it can also be used to navigate menus, zoom in on images, and quickly flip through photos.

The dedicated autofocus system has 61 individual focus points, 41 of which are cross-type. All of the points are effective down to f/8 to increase compatibility with extenders. In addition to the typical DSLR focusing, the new sensor is equipped with Canon’s Dual Pixel tech for smoother, more accurate focusing when using Live View.

In addition to its focusing abilities, Canon is now leveraging Dual Pixel into something called Dual Pixel Raw, which essentially allows for lens micro-adjustments and corrections to be made after the fact. Canon was very careful to emphasize that it doesn’t allow for the refocusing of an image after the fact (in the style of the now-defunct Lytro camera), but simply to make adjustments. This is a feature that we’ll be diving into rather deeply once we have a review unit.

The dedicated autofocus system has 61 individual focus points, 41 of which are cross-type. All of the points are effective down to f/8 to increase compatibility with extenders. In addition to the typical DSLR focusing, the new sensor is equipped with Canon’s Dual Pixel tech for smoother, more accurate focusing when using Live View.

In addition to its focusing abilities, Canon is now leveraging Dual Pixel into something called Dual Pixel Raw, which essentially allows for lens micro-adjustments and corrections to be made after the fact. Canon was very careful to emphasize that it doesn’t allow for the refocusing of an image after the fact (in the style of the now-defunct Lytro camera), but simply to make adjustments. This is a feature that we’ll be diving into rather deeply once we have a review unit.

Another feature that has been a long time coming is the addition of Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity to link up the camera with smartphones and tablets. The camera can beam images to devices where they can be edited, and the dedicated app can also control the camera from afar while showing a Live View preview on the screen. This will likely be a very welcome addition for many wedding and event photographers who now have to compete with smartphone shooters in regards to posting images to social media. There’s also built-in GPS.

The EOS 5D Mark IV has a pair or memory card slots, including a CompactFlash slot and a Secure Digital slot, much like the EOS 5D Mark III that came before it.

The last big addition is the new 150,000 pixel RGB+IR metering sensor, which Canon claims is faster and more sensitive than the previous model. It has better facial recognition and tracking, and it focuses down to EV –3 or even EV –4 if you’re using Live View. This combines with the new EOS Scene Detection System, which detects flickering light sources like the ones typically found in gyms and offices, and tries to compensate for the variance by timing the shutter release.

From a design and usability standpoint, not much has changed going into the era of the EOS 5D Mark IV. The touchscreen will likely take some getting used to for those moving up from the EOS 5D Mark III or other non-touch-enabled DSLRs, but it seems very intuitive, especially for tasks such as focusing during video capture and swiping through images.

The Wi-Fi feels like a rather huge addition, especially since the remote-control smartphone and tablet app is well done and responsive, which isn’t always the case with proprietary camera apps.

We won’t have a real handle on how much image quality improvement there is until we have the chance to run a full lab test, but initial impressions are very positive.

The camera will start shipping in early September with a retail price of $3,499 for the body only. It will also come as a kit with the EF 24–70mm f/4L lens for $4,399 or with the EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM for $4,599, though the latter kit won’t be available until late October.

Ultimately, there aren’t many huge surprises here in terms of new features or functionality. Canon has added a lot of features that users have been asking for since 2012, but it will be very interesting to see what kind of real image quality improvements exist thanks to abundance of processing power and the additional megapixels. Check out a few sample images below and check back in the morning for our video hands-on.

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Vulture Equipment Works Military Grade Straps

Chimera OB2 Pro Foldable Beauty Dish

Lacie P’9223 Slim SSD harddrive

Cullmann Titan Tripods

Bowens Jet Stream 250

PhotoFlashDrive.com Print and Flash Drive Boxes

Mpix Pro Custom Sketch Books

BX2 Brenthaven Camera Backpack

Tether Tools Look Lock Hot Shoe iPhone Clamp

IceLight

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A group of visually impaired artists and photographers that create impressive images.

The world’s largest news agency does daily slideshows of photos taken in the past 24 hours. Occasionally they post other interesting stuff, too.

From time to time, they’re kind enough to post up some Twitter-only coupons on gear.

Interesting news and links from one of the premiere online photography video sites.

If you’ve ever been to the store, you shouldn’t be surprised that their Twitter feed is also prolific.

The frequently updated news is geared toward pros. Or people who want to be pros one day.

Microsoft’s Pro Photo community is run by very smart people who know what they’re talking about.

Get some inside info into one of the best photo labs in the country. It’s especially helpful when keeping track of the Jewish holidays, during which they’re closed.

Updates can be infrequent, but when they happen, they’re usually worth checking out. Plus, it won’t clutter up your feed.

Links to interesting articles, cool photos and stuff from the 1001noisycameras blog.

The editor of Adorama’s Learning Center drops all kinds of photo knowledge on your feed.

Get the inside line on the group that distributes high-end equipment like Profoto, Sekonic and Mamiya here in the states.

Lots of links, most of which are photography related. The ones that aren’t are usually still pretty entertaining.

Perspective from the other side of the lens from the team that brings you “Look Good in Pictures.” Sure, it’s a Nikon thing, but even Canon fanboys can get into it.

Kodak’s chief blogger can help you out with your Kodak questions and provide interesting stuff (not all of it Kodak specific) to look at.

Updated by the makers of a super-stylish camera bag, it might be the most fashion forward thing in your feed.

If nothing else, it will remind you when there’s another fantastic Big Picture presentation to look through.

A great resource for photographers with websites (We assume that’s many of you).

She’s the chief marketing officer for Tamron so her head is constantly in the game.

Hey, who put this here? Oh well, you already looked at it. You might as well follow us.

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What a year for cameras! Popular Photography’s 2008 finalists for our fifth annual Camera of the Year award not only “refine or redefine” photography — some even revolutionize it. Consider that the nominees include two DSLRs that shoot high-definition video, a high-speed camera that fires at a rate once reserved for expensive scientific cameras, and a pocket-sized wonder that debuts an entirely new camera system.

How will we choose the winner? First, the camera must have been through the full battery of Pop Photo Lab tests in calendar year 2008. Impressive specs and fancy features alone won’t cut it — the camera must be a proven performer, both in objective tests and real-world shooting. Second, our editors will carefully deliberate which model comes closest to the Camera of the Year ideal:

The camera that best refined or redefined photography in 2008.

See our favorite gear this year: Pop Awards 2008

LEADING THE WAY

Refining and redefining photography? Nobody’s done it better than our first four Cameras of the Year. And in retrospect, they seem even more like pathfinders.

When the NIKON D70 won in 2004, we hailed its 3 fps burst rate; now, one finalist shoots 6MP images at 60 fps. In 2005, the CANON EOS 5D brought full-frame shooting below $3,400 (body only); today, two finalists are full-framers at that price or less with a kit lens. The SONY ALPHA 100 took the 2006 prize for its big performance in a three-figure package; now we expect excellent image quality and stabilization (in the body or a kit lens) for a song. Then there’s last year’s champ, the NIKON D300: Standout photos at high ISOs, blazing bursts, 51-zone autofocus — we’re used to that, too. (Well, maybe not that AF system.)

So whoever takes the 2008 crown, chances are its rivals won’t let it rest easy.

CANON EOS 5D MARK II

That loud noise you heard in September was that of jaws dropping at Canon’s EOS 5D Mark II full-frame DSLR. Its 21.1MP CMOS sensor, ISOs to 25,600, and HD video capture at full 1920×1080 resolution are just starters. Upgrades to autofocus, LCD, shutter durability, burst rate, and controls add up to a true supercamera. ($2,700 street, body only; $3,500 with 24-105mm f/4L Canon EF IS lens)

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

CASIO EXILIM PRO EX-F1

How does a camera with an electronic viewfinder and with no interchangeable lenses get to be a Camera of the Year finalist? By doing something no other consumer model does: Shooting full-res 6MP stills at 60 fps, and high-speed video at an astounding 1200 fps. And as an “ordinary” camera, it’s no slouch — it put up Excellent image quality results in our tests. Plus, it captures 1920×1080 HD video at 60 fps with stereo sound. ($950, street)

Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1

NIKON D90

Not content to update its D80 with 12.3MP capture, faster burst rates, improved AF, and a high-res LCD, Nikon broke new ground by giving the camera video capability — a first for a DSLR. To be precise, 1280×720 HD video at 24 fps with mono sound. And the price is the same as the D80’s on introduction — that’s a deal. ($1,000, street, body only; $1,300 with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S Nikkor DX lens)

Nikon D90: Camera Test

OLYMPUS E-420

You may wonder why we nominated the E-420 over the E-520, which sports sensor-based image stabilization. Answer: size. The E-420, the smallest DSLR you can buy, truly redefines a category that tends toward big clunks. With a cute (and sharp) 25mm pancake lens mounted, the camera routinely gets mistaken for a compact. This little mite, though, provides rock-solid imaging performance. ($440, street, body only; $525 with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital AF lens)

Hands On: Olympus E-420

PANASONIC LUMIX G1

The petite DMC-G1 isn’t just an all-new camera, it’s an all-new system, called Micro Four Thirds. Basically, it’s an electronic viewfinder camera with interchangeable lenses. But unlike current EVFs, the G1 uses a fine-grain finder that provides nearly as lifelike an image as that of an optical finder, and it has a DSLR-sized 12.1MP sensor. The lenses? Tiny, to fit the body. ($800, estimated street, with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 G Vario lens)

Panasonic Lumix G1: Less is More

PENTAX K20D

The K20D ably carries on the Pentax tradition of near-pro-level tanks at modest prices. The thoroughly gasketed, stainless-steel chassis K20D has heavy-duty imaging, too, by way of its 14.6MP CMOS sensor. It put up Excellent image quality results up to ISO 1600 in our tests. Built-in anti-shake? Of course. And you can correct color and convert RAW files in the camera. ($1,000, street, body only; $1,115 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Pentax DA lens)

Camera Test: Pentax K20D

SONY ALPHA 900

They said it couldn’t be done, so Sony went ahead and did it — built a DSLR with a monster 24.6MP full-frame sensor and sensor-shift image stabilization. The current megapixel champ among DSLRs, the A900 put up stratospheric resolution numbers in our lab tests. Dual processors let you crank out those big pictures at 5 fps; a big, bright prism finder lets you compose them with 100-percent accuracy. ($3,000, street, body only)

Sony Alpha 900: Camera Test

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When the history of DSLRs is written, 2008 will go down as a year of big breakthroughs.

• Nikon introduced the first DSLR to shoot high-def video — the D90.
• Sony brought sensor-based stabilization to a 24.6MP full-frame camera — the A900.
• Canon blended the full-frame format with high-def video and stereo sound — the EOS 5D Mark II.
But as far as we’re concerned, the most intriguing camera is a little unit that isn’t a DSLR and packs neither infinite megapixels (just 12MP), no image-stabilization (only in its lenses), nor video capture. And, it’s kind of expensive ($800 with a kit lens).

Yet the Editors of Popular Photography named the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 the 2008 Camera of the Year.

The reason? In a contest where the criterion is “the camera that best refined or redefined photography,” the debut of the G1 represents a re-defining moment.

In simplest terms, it’s an electronic viewfinder (EVF) camera with interchangeable lenses. Yet in historical terms, this small camera could be the forerunner of The Next Big Thing.

It is, after all, a new format — Micro Four-Thirds. It couples a DSLR-sized sensor from a Four Thirds System camera (such as an Olympus or Panasonic) with a new breed of lenses that are about half the size of a conventional DSLR’s. At the same time, instead of a prism viewfinder and mirror-box mechanism, there is an EVF. Grainy, shaky, slow to respond? That was yesterday’s EVF. The viewfinder and camera-back LCD on the G1 are amazingly crisp and accurate. And the EVF even lets you do things you can’t with an optical viewfinder. For instance, you can set it to zoom in on your subject while you focus manually.

As the Certified Test Results from the Pop Photo Lab show, the G1 delivers DSLR-caliber resolution and picture-taking potential without being a DSLR. Small size, interchangeable glass, and (not in the G1, but in the next iteration for sure) HD-video capture will make the Micro Four Thirds cameras a truly new class that should appeal to those moving up from compact or standard EVF digicams.

No, none of us will be trading in our DSLRs for a G1. After all, the lens selection can, at this point, be counted on two fingers; the camera’s high-ISO performance isn’t especially good; the lenses are small, but the camera’s body isn’t appreciably smaller than the tiniest DSLRs (such as the Olympus E-420 and Pentax K2000); and, as good as it is, the EVF isn’t yet as sharp as a DSLR’s prism viewfinder.

In other words, much like Apple’s first iPhone, the G1 is expensive and imperfect. But like the iPhone, it is brave, and forward-thinking.

It doesn’t take a visionary to see where the concept of a mirror-box-free camera with a sophisticated electronic viewfinder can go. In fact, shortly after Panasonic announced the G1, Olympus showed its own Micro Four-Thirds “concept camera” (basically, a block of highly decorated wood with a lens stuck on). What was so interesting is that instead of resembling a shrunken DSLR, the Olympus had the lines of a tiny classic rangefinder. Will such a unit ever see production? Who knows? But with the Micro Four-Thirds approach, it’s definitely possible. And the possibilities represented by the G1 certainly could redefine photography.

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Photokina 2008 is underway and when it’s Photokina, it means lots of new cameras, gadgets, lenses, software and accessories! Showstoppers include the Canon EOS 5D Mark II announced last week, to the exciting new Lensbaby line, which launched right as the gates opened for the show. Let’s not forget about a whole new Creative Suite from Adobe! All in all, Photokina 2008 will have photographers scambling to add things to their holiday wish lists!

We’ve put together this list of briefs to showcase some of the recent announcements that people will be talking about at the show, and on the message boards. Stay tuned to PopPhoto.com for updates throughout the show.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II unveiled

Canon’s long-awaited upgrade of the full-frame 5D packs 21.1 megapixels, full HD video, ISOs up to 25,600 and a high-resolution 920K dot 3-inch LCD

Panasonic Lumix G1: Less is More
The revolutionary little camera that takes the SLR out of DSLR

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Pentax K2000: First Look
It’s sweet, hot and comes with a flash.

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Nikon introduces new prime lens to commemorate 75th anniversary of NIKKOR lenses
The AF-S NIKKOR 50mm offers a maximum aperture of f/1.4.

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Lensbaby Composer: A Brand New kind of ‘Baby.
A new ball-socket based Lensbaby launched as Lensbaby reinvents itself.

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Adobe Photoshop CS4: Hands On
Photoshop just got simpler.

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Photokina Podcast
Editor-in-Chief John Owens and Technical Editor Phil Ryan discuss Photokina 2008.

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Olympus announces development of first Micro Four Thirds DSLR
Concept mock-up of new Micro Four Thirds DSLR is shown at Photokina.

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Olympus announces new Four Thirds DSLR
Prototype of new advanced amateur DSLR is shown at Photokina.

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Lexar introduces faster CompactFlash cards
Lexar Professional CF cards now speed-rated at 233x.

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Leica announces the S2 digital camera

The Leica S2 features a larger-than-full-frame 37.5 megapixel sensor in a 35mm-sized SLR body.

JOBO AG introduces photoGPS at Photokina
Geotag your photos with this small, lightweight GPS receiver

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Seagate Updates its FreeAgent External Hard Drive Line

Latest generation drives from Seagate feature desktop and mobile solutions for Mac and Windows.

Western Digital Introduces High Capacity Portable Hard Drives

My Passport Elite and My Passport Essential portable hard drives are now available in 500GB capacities.

Kodak intros new film!
Kodak’s new Ektar 100 print film boasts high color, minimal grain.

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Eye-Fi offers enhancements to its wireless memory cards
Faster wireless speeds and optional services will be available in October.

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Smartparts launches two new Wi-Fi digital picture frames at Photokina

Send images directly from Windows Live Photo Gallery to these Wi-Fi-enabled 8-inch and 32-inch digital picture frames.

HP launches new wide format printer at Photokina
The 12-ink Z3200 features a new red ink and is available in 24-inch and 44-inch models.

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Nik Software offers Complete Collection of photo filters and an update to Dfine

This money-saving bundle includes all of Nik’s filters for both Adobe Photoshop and Apple Aperture.

Camera Armor launches the Seattle Sling

The first bag in the company’s new Seattle Series Bags affords waterproof protection for camera gear; and it floats, too.

Delkin introduces external Blu-ray drive at Photokina

The drive writes and reads Blu-Ray and is backwards compatible with recordable CD and DVD media.

Sigma launches new lenses and teleconverters at Photokina

New optics include two fisheyes, one standard zoom, a Four Thirds System prime lens and two teleconverters for Sony lenses.

Sigma announces macro flash
The new Electronic Flash Macro EM-140 DG is compatible with Sony and Pentax cameras.

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Fuji Announces FinePix Real 3D System
Camera, digital photo frame and 3D prints to produce images “exactly as your eye sees it.”

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Each month the NPD Group ranks America’s top-selling digital cameras based on unit sales. Here are the top-selling digital compacts for January 2008. Also, see our digital SLR rankings for January.

Check out the PopPhoto.com Buying Guide for reviews, specs, and pricing on these models and hundreds more.

Sony-Cybershot-DSC-W55_2

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Each month the NPD Group ranks America’s top-selling digital cameras based on unit sales. Here are the top-selling digital SLRs for January 2008. Also, see our digital compact rankings for January. Also, see our digital compact rankings for January.

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