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Canon has taken a bold step with its upcoming 5DS and 5DS R DSLRs, scheduled to launch in June 2015. Each camera is equipped with a groundbreaking 50.6‑megapixel full‑frame sensor, positioning them as the highest‑resolution DSLRs available at launch.
Compared to the 21‑MP 5D Mark III, the new models more than double resolution. They also surpass the Nikon D800 by over 14 MP, offering photographers an unprecedented level of detail.
The sensor is paired with Canon’s fastest Digic 6 image processors, ensuring rapid data handling. Two crop modes are available: a 1.3× crop delivering 30.5 MP images and a 1.6× crop yielding 19.6 MP shots. The viewfinder automatically displays the active crop.
The autofocus system comprises 61 points, 41 of which are cross‑type. While the camera targets studio and landscape work, the AF performance remains robust for a wide range of scenarios.
Additional features include customizable mirror lock‑up settings—beneficial for still‑life and landscape photography—and a built‑in time‑lapse mode that eliminates the need for external intervalometers.
Video capabilities are modest: 1080 p at 30 fps and 720 p at 60 fps, indicating that shooting film is not the primary focus.
Canon offers the 5DS and a higher‑end 5DS R. The R model removes the low‑pass filter to capture maximum detail, though it may introduce moiré that can be corrected in post‑processing.
Both models feature dual card slots—CF and SD—providing flexibility for professionals. While SD card performance can be slower, the lack of action‑centric use in these cameras mitigates that concern.
Priced at $3,699 for the 5DS and $3,899 for the 5DS R, these cameras target a distinct market segment compared to the 5D Mark III. As CMOS sensors reshape medium‑format photography and Nikon’s D800 encroaches on that territory, the 5DS lineup will test how much demand remains for expensive medium‑format systems.
We are eager to evaluate the new sensor’s capabilities, but we anticipate adding more RAM to our laptops before diving into the large file sizes in Photoshop.
