Canon's benchmark full-frame DSLR and the professional workhorse for a generation.
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is the fourth generation of Canon's 5D full-frame DSLR series, released in 2016. It uses a 30.4-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor with the DIGIC 6+ processor and accepts the complete Canon EF lens range. The 61-point AF system inherited from the EOS-1D X Mark II, Dual Pixel CMOS AF for live view and video, and dual card slots (CompactFlash and SD) made it the reference camera for wedding, portrait, and general commercial photography through the late 2010s. Weather sealing covers the body, grip, and all external controls. The shutter mechanism is rated for 150,000 actuations. Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS are standard. The body weighs approximately 890g with battery and card.
The 61-point AF system provides a maximum of 41 cross-type AF points, including 5 dual cross-type points operational at f/2.8 and faster. Burst shooting runs at 7fps. 4K DCI video (4096x2160) records at up to 30fps using the central portion of the full-frame sensor, with a 1.74x crop — Canon's published specification for the original firmware; Canon released a firmware update in 2025 that reduced the crop substantially to approximately 1.27-1.29x on updated bodies. 1080p video uses the full sensor width with Dual Pixel AF. High-speed 720p records at 120fps. Native ISO range is 100-32000, expandable to ISO 50-102400.
EF mount. Dual card slots accept CompactFlash Type I and SD/SDHC/SDXC simultaneously — enabling JPEG/RAW separation, overflow, or redundant backup workflows. Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and GPS. No in-body stabilisation; lens IS is the stabilisation method. USB 3.0 and HDMI for tethering and video output. The LP-E6N battery is shared with the EOS 5D Mark III, 6D Mark II, and R5. The 5D Mark IV accepts all EF lenses and via the EF-EOS R adapter operates on Canon R-series mirrorless bodies with full AF, IS, and EXIF function.
The EOS 5D Mark IV has become one of the most widely traded professional DSLRs on the used market as the Canon ecosystem shifted toward EOS R. It remains a capable stills camera with a comprehensive EF lens ecosystem available at reduced prices. For video-first work, the original 1.74x 4K crop (reduced on firmware-updated bodies) and absence of 10-bit output are meaningful limitations relative to current alternatives. Before purchase, check the shutter count against the 150,000-actuation rating, inspect the CF card slot contacts for any bent or damaged pins, test all AF points across the frame, and confirm weather sealing is intact at body seams and external controls.