
The Canon 5DS is a professional-grade, ultra high-resolution DSLR. Key features include:
50.6MP full-frame sensor
61-point high-density reticular AF
Full HD 1080p capture at 30FPS in ALL-I and IPB
Built-in intervalometer and bulb timer
What’s the Big Deal? The Canon 5DS offers lots of resolution. It outputs a print size just short of 20″ × 30″ @ 300dpi, making it a commercial and landscape photographer’s dream. At this resolution, it’s a direct competitor to digital medium format.
50.6MP Full-Frame Sensor. At the heart of the 5DS is a 50.6MP full-frame sensor that enables shallow depth of field. Its pixel pitch is essentially the same as the 7D Mark II’s, so optimistically high ISO performance should be “similar.” Please note that the normal ISO range has been limited to 100-6400 with the ability to “expand” to 12,800. The 5DS’s dual DIGIC 6 image processors move all that data around, and yet they still provide speedy performance with up to 5FPS in continuous shooting.
61-Point High-Density Reticular AF. The autofocus system is basically the 5D Mark III’s, with 61 total autofocus points, 41 of which are cross-type. It also features the EOS iTR (Intelligent Tracking and Resolution), which uses the metering sensor for tracking, but the big difference is the addition of the 150,000-pixel RGB metering sensor from the 7D. This enhances tracking and continuous focus performance, breathing new life into the “old” 5D III’s system.
HD Video. While the 5DS shoots video, that’s not its focus. It offers full HD 1080p capture at 30FPS in either ALL-I and IPB compressions, just as the 5D III did; however, the camera loses uncompressed HDMI output and the headphone jack for monitoring.
Built-In Intervalometer and Bulb Timer. The built-in intervalometer and bulb timer enable in-camera time-lapse and bulb settings without the need for an advanced remote shutter release. You can also set it to output an HD video file of the captured time-lapse.
Digital, AF/AE single-lens reflex, camera
Recording Media
Image Format
Approx. 36 mm x 24mm (35mm Full-frame)
Compatible Lenses
Canon EF Lenses (excluding EF-S Lenses)
Lens Mount
Canon EF mount
Type
High-sensitivity, high-resolution, large single-plate CMOS sensor
Pixels
Effective pixels: Approx. 50.60 megapixels
Total pixels: 53.00 megapixels
Pixel Unit
4.14µm square
Total Pixels
Total Pixels: 53.00 megapixels
Aspect Ratio
3:2 (Horizontal: Vertical)
Color Filter System
RGB primary color filters
Low Pass Filter
Fixed position in front of the image sensor
Dust Deletion Feature
Recording Format
Design Rule for Camera File System 2.0 and EXIF 2.3
Image Format
Still Image: JPEG, RAW (14-bit Canon Original), RAW, M-RAW, S-RAW, RAW+JPEG, M-RAW+JPEG, S-RAW+JPEG
Video: MOV (Image data: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Linear PCM)
File Size
Full Size
Crop - 1.3x
Crop - 1.6x
Aspect Ratio - 1:1
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Exact file sizes depend on the subject, ISO speed, Picture Style, etc.
Recording Functions
Backup Recording
Images recorded in a card can be copied to the other card
File Numbering
The following three types of file numbers can be set:
(1) Continuous numbering
* The continuous numbering of captured images will continue even after you replace the camera's card. (The numbering continues even when the folder changes.)
(2) Auto reset
* When you replace the camera's card, the numbering will be reset to start from 0001. If the new card already contains images, the numbering will continue from the last recorded image in the card.
(3) Manual reset
* Resets the file number to 0001, and creates a new folder automatically.
RAW + JPEG Simultaneous Recording
The image-recording quality can be selected in any combination of the three RAW and eight JPEG recording quality settings.
Color Space
Selectable between sRGB and Adobe RGB
Picture Style
Auto, Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Defined 1-3
* Scene Intelligent Auto will set [Auto] automatically.
* [Standard] is the default setting for [User Def. 1-3]
Settings
* With an EX-series Speedlite having the color temperature information transmission feature, the color temperature setting changes to match the color temperature when the flash is fired. Set to approx. 6000K if the flash unit does not have the color temperature communication feature.
Auto White Balance
Auto white balance with the image sensor
Color Temperature Compensation
*Corrected in reference to the current WB mode's color temperature.
Color Temperature Information Transmission
Provided
Type
Eye-level pentaprism
Coverage
Approx. 100% vertically and horizontally (At approx. 21mm eyepoint)
Magnification
Approx. 0.71x / Angle of view 34.1° (with 50mm lens at infinity, -1 m-1 (dpt))
Eye Point
Approx. 21mm (At -1m-1 from the eyepiece lens center)
Dioptric Adjustment Correction
-3.0 to +1.0m-1 (diopter)
Focusing Screen
Fixed
Mirror
Quick-return half mirror (transmission: reflectance ratio of 40:60)
Viewfinder Information
Depth Of Field Preview
Enabled with Depth-of-field preview button
Type
TTL secondary image - registration, phase detection
AF Points
61-point High-Density Reticle AF
Cross-type AF Points | AF Points |
Dual cross-type AF points at f/2.8 and f/5.6 | 5 |
Cross-type AF points at f/4.0 + f/5.6 | 20 |
Cross-type AF points at f/5.6 | 21 |
Horizontal-line focusing AF points at f/5.6 | 20 |
Cross-type AF points at f/8 | 1 |
AF Working Range
EV -2 - 18 (at 73°F/23°C and ISO 100)
Focusing Modes
(1) Autofocus
(2) Manual focus (MF)
AF Point Selection
*The checkmark cannot be removed from this option.
Selected AF Point Display
Displayed in viewfinder with transparent LCD and on LCD panel
Active AF Point Indicator
AF area used in horizontal/vertical (grip up or down) shooting and the manually-selected AF point position can be set separately
AF Assist Beam
Metering Modes
Approx. 150,000-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor
EOS iSA System with 252-zone (18 x 14) metering
Metering Range
EV 0-20 (at 73°F / 23°C at ISO 100)
Exposure Control Systems
(1) Scene Intelligent Auto
(2) Program AE (shiftable)
(3) Shutter-priority AE (Safety shift possible)
(4) Aperture-priority AE (Safety shift possible)
(5) Manual exposure
* The metering mode can be specified with a Custom Function.
(6) Bulb
(7) Custom shooting mode, C1, C2, C3
* Evaluative metering, Averaged metering
ISO Speed Range
Manual Settings: | |
Normal ISO Speeds | ISO 100–6400 (in 1/3-stop or whole-stop increments) |
Expanded ISO Speeds | L: equivalent to ISO 50, H: equivalent to ISO 12800 |
* For (Highlight tone priority), the settable ISO speed range will be ISO 200–6400.
* ISO speed safety shift possible with Custom Function.
* For movie shooting, the maximum expanded ISO speed is also ISO 12800.
ISO 100-6400 (in 1/3-stop or whole-stop increments)
Auto Settings: | ||
Shooting Mode | ISO Settings | |
Without Flash | With Flash | |
A+ | 100–3200 | ISO 100–1600 |
P/Tv/Av/M | 100–6400*1 | ISO 400 fixed*1,*2,*3 |
B | ISO 400 fixed*1 |
*1: It depends on (Minimum) and (Maximum) of (Auto ISO range).
*2: If overexposure would occur with fill flash, the minimum ISO speed is set to ISO 100 (except for M and B).
*3: Auto set for ISO 400–1600 in the P mode with external Speedlite set for bounce flash.
ISO Speed upper and lower limits:
(1) Manual setting range
* ISO speed expansion is set with this option.
(2) Auto ISO ranger
* ISO speed expansion not settable.
Exposure Compensation
Manual: ±5 stops in 1/3 or 1/2-stop increments
AEB: ±3 stops in 1/3 or 1/2-stop increments
* Indicated up to ±3 stops on the LCD panel and in the viewfinder.
AE Lock
(1) Auto AE lock
·In the One-Shot AF mode with evaluative metering, AE lock takes effect when focus is achieved.
(2) Manual AE lock
·With AE lock button. (AE lock is updated each time you press the button.) Enabled in all metering modes.
Type
Vertical-travel, mechanical, focal-plane shutter with all speeds electronically-controlled
Shutter Speeds
X-sync at 1/200 sec.
1/8000 to 30 sec., bulb (Total shutter speed range. Available range varies by shooting mode.)
* Shutter speed's control range can be set with a Custom Function.
Shutter Release
Soft-touch electromagnetic release
Self Timer
10-sec. or 2-sec. delay
Shutter Lag Time
EOS Dedicated Speedlite
E-TTL II autoflash with all EX Series Speedlites
Zooming to Match Focal Length
Provided
Flash Exposure Compensation
±3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
FE Lock
Provided
External Flash Settings
The camera can set the following with Speedlite 600EX-RT, 580EX II, 430EX II, 320EX, 270EX II, or 270EX:
(1) External flash control
* Flash mode, sync setting, FEB (not possible with 270EX II/270EX), flash exposure compensation, E-TTL II, zoom, wireless master flash (not possible with 430EX II/ 270EX), and clear settings.
* With the Speedlite 600EX-RT, radio wireless control is possible.
(2) Flash Custom Function setting
PC Terminal
Provided (no polarity)
Drive Modes
Single, High-speed continuous, Low-speed continuous, Silent Single Shooting, Silent continuous shooting, and Self-timer (10 sec. self-timer/remote control, or 2-sec. self-timer/remote control)
Continuous Shooting Speed
High-speed: Maximum approx. 5.0 shots/sec.
Low-speed: Maximum approx. 3.0shots/sec.
Silent continuous shooting: Maximum approx. 3.0 shots/sec.
Maximum Burst
Image Recording Quality | Crop/Aspect Ratio | Image File Size (Approx. MB) | Possible Shots (Approx.) | Maximum Burst (Approx.) | |||
CF Card: 8 GB | SD Card: 8 GB | ||||||
Standard | High-speed (UDMA 7) | Standard | High-speed (UHS-I) | ||||
Large/Fine | Full-frame | 14.1 | 510 | 31 | 510 (Full) | 31 | 510 (Full) |
1.3x crop | 8.5 | 840 | 110 | 840 (Full) | 120 | 840 (Full) | |
1.6x crop |
5.5 | 1,310 | 1,310 (Full) | 1,310 (Full) | 1,310 (Full) | 1,310 (Full) | |
1:1 (aspect ratio) | 9.4 | 760 | 76 | 760 (Full) | 85 | 760 (Full) | |
4:3 (aspect ratio) | 12.5 | 570 | No value data for Live View shooting. | ||||
16:9 (aspect ratio) | 11.9 | 600 | |||||
Large/Normal | Full-frame | 7.0 | 1,030 | 1,030 (Full) | 1,030 (Full) | 1,030 (Full) | 1,030 (Full) |
M1/Fine | Full-frame | 10.9 | 660 | 45 | 660 (Full) | 49 | 660 (Full) |
M1/Normal | Full-frame | 5.5 | 1,310 | 1,310 (Full) | 1,310 (Full) | 1,310 (Full) | 1,310 (Full) |
M2/Fine | Full-frame | 7.1 | 1,010 | 1,010 (Full) | 1,010 (Full) | 1,010 (Full) | 1,010 (Full) |
M2/Normal | Full-frame | 3.5 | 2,030 | 2,030 (Full) | 2,030 (Full) | 2,030 (Full) | 2,030 (Full) |
S1/Fine | Full-frame | 4.5 | 1,590 | 1,590 (Full) | 1,590 (Full) | 1,590 (Full) | 1,590 (Full) |
S1/Normal | Full-frame | 2.3 | 3,120 | 3,120 (Full) | 3,120 (Full) | 3,120 (Full) | 3,120 (Full) |
S2 | Full-frame | 1.2 | 5,600 | 5,600 (Full) | 5,600 (Full) | 5,600 (Full) | 5,600 (Full) |
S3 | Full-frame | 0.3 | 20,380 | 20,380 (Full) | 20,380 (Full) | 20,380 (Full) |