Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon’s EOS 5D Mark II is a powerful DSLR that represents a significant upgrade over the original 5D, and a tough rival in the growing ‘affordable’ full-frame market. The 5D Mark II may share essentially the same body and AF system as its predecessor, but almost everything else has changed. The sensor’s been boosted to 21.1 Megapixels, the sensitivity increased by three stops, continuous shooting accelerated to 3.9fps, and the screen greatly improved in size and detail to a 3in VGA model. There’s now also Live View, AF micro-adjustment, support for quick UDMA cards, an HDMI port, and High Definition movie recording in the 1080p format. It’s one of the best DSLRs for the money, although compare closely with the Sony A900 and Nikon D700.

Pros: High resolution and low noise; HD movies; VGA screen.
Cons: No popup flash; only 3.9fps; v/f not 100% coverage.
Overall: Highly recommended for stills or movies.