The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a high-end full-frame DSLR camera. It offers impressive image quality, a sturdy and comfortable-to-use construction, and good video recording quality in 4k, though video shot in that format does incur a rather severe crop. Its autofocus system is decently effective and reliable in photography but performs exceptionally well in tracking moving subjects while recording video. Unfortunately, this is a very bulky, heavy camera, and its fixed screen is an inconvenience when trying to record video of yourself or when you're shooting from unconventional angles.
The Canon 5D Mark IV is decent for travel photography if you don't mind a bulkier kit. Image quality is great, with a wide dynamic range, good color accuracy, and good noise handling in low light. Its autofocus system does a decent job of tracking moving subjects, though it performs more consistently when shooting in Live View mode instead of the optical viewfinder. It feels comfortable to hold and is also quite well-built, though its bulky construction can make it a hassle to carry handheld for long periods.
The Canon 5D Mark IV is good for landscape photography. It takes images with wide dynamic range, good color accuracy, and little loss of detail, even at high ISO levels, which is great for nighttime shoots. It has a sturdy-feeling construction that's rated as being weather-sealed.
The Canon 5D Mark IV is decent for sports and wildlife photography. Its maximum continuous shooting speed can't really compare to the fastest-firing mirrorless alternatives, but it can clear its buffer very quickly, so interruptions following continuous bursts aren't too disruptive. Its fast maximum shutter speed and decently-effective autofocus system are helpful features that help you capture clear stills of fast-moving subjects. Overall image quality is also great.
The Canon 5D Mark IV has great RAW image quality. Photos have plenty of fine detail, giving you some leeway to crop in, thanks to its high-resolution sensor. Its dynamic range is also great, so it captures a wide array of highlight and shadow detail. It also has good noise handling overall, though it doesn't perform as well when it comes to managing noise in low light as newer full-frame sensors.
The Canon 5D Mark IV isn't designed for vlogging. Since its screen is fixed, you can't see what's being displayed when the camera is pointed at you. It's also quite bulky, which can make it a challenge to carry around for long periods. Also, while it does a decent job of smoothing out camera shake in FHD, handheld footage can be quite shaky in 4k. Shooting in 4k also incurs a severe crop, though thankfully video quality is sharp and clear in this resolution. Unfortunately, the rolling shutter effect is quite apparent when shooting in FHD, which can distort subjects when panning side-to-side rapidly.
The Canon 5D Mark IV is relatively good for studio video, though this isn't its main intended use. Despite the severe crop that comes with recording 4k video, footage is sharply-rendered and low in noise, even when shooting in dimly lit environments. The autofocus system also does a great job of maintaining focus on moving subjects. There's also a wide selection of ports and inputs for various videography accessories, including headphone and microphone jacks. It has a clean HDMI output that lets you record footage using an external recorder without any overlays. Its menu system is also very easy to navigate and features a guide mode to help explain some core functions.
The Canon 5D Mark IV isn't designed for action video. It's too big and bulky to be mounted on a camera or chest rig and can only record 4k video with a severe crop. It's also incapable of recording at high frame rates for generating smooth slow-motion footage. The rolling shutter effect is quite noticeable when shooting in FHD, which can distort subjects when panning side to side. On the plus side, it feels well-built and has a weather-sealed construction, though we don't currently test for that.
The Canon 5D Mark IV is only available in one color variant: 'Black', and you can see its label here. We tested it in conjunction with the Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, though other EF-mount lenses can be bundled with the camera body. You can also purchase it without a lens at all. For an additional fee, you can also purchase it pre-installed with the C Log gamma setting, which lets you capture images with a wider dynamic range and allows for in-depth color grading when editing video. We haven't tested this variant or any other configuration of this camera.
If you come across another variant, let us know in the discussions so we can update our review.
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is better overall than the Canon EOS 6D Mark II. Both are excellent DSLRs with full-frame sensors, though the 5D Mark IV's sensor has a slightly higher resolution. The 5D is aimed more at professionals, with a bulkier, slightly sturdier build and dual memory card slots, a faster max burst rate, and 4k video capability. The 6D Mark II still offers great image quality and may offer more bang for your buck if you don't need features like 4k video or prefer a fully articulated screen.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is better overall than the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, but they're both fantastic cameras suitable for professional use. The R6 Mark II is a newer mirrorless camera with a more sophisticated autofocus system and faster burst rate, making it a better choice for sports and action photography. It also has better noise handling for low-light situations. That being said, the 5D Mark IV has a more established lineup of native lens options that you can use without an adapter, including more affordable options. It's also a bit more tank-like in build, so it can withstand more extensive use. Plus, it's a DSLR, so it has a longer battery life, and you don't have to worry about lag or eye strain with its optical viewfinder.
While these are both premium Canon DSLRs, they're differently classed. The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a professional-grade camera with a larger, sturdier build and a full-frame sensor, whereas the Canon EOS 90D is a mid-range camera with an APS-C sensor. The 5D Mark IV is overkill for most people, especially considering its size and weight. Because the 90D is a newer model, it offers a few advantages in areas like battery life, autofocus performance, and burst speed.
If you want to shoot like a pro, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR has long been a favorite among professional photographers. However, its formidable size, weight, and tank-like build—while great for putting up with pro-level use—won't be ideal for most people. For that reason, and because it's a newer mirrorless model with advantages in areas like autofocus and video recording, the Canon EOS R6 is the better option for most photographers and hybrid shooters.
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the Canon EOS R8 are different camera types. The mirrorless R8 is the better option for most people, with a newer sensor and processor that gives it an edge in areas like autofocus and video. It's also significantly more portable than the bulky 5D Mark IV DSLR. That said, the R8 also has a worse battery life and cheaper build quality.
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the Sony α7 III are different camera types. The Canon is a DSLR, so while it's built like a tank and has a longer battery life, it also lags behind the Sony in areas like autofocus, burst speed, and video. The Sony is also significantly more portable.
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the PENTAX K-3 Mark III are both DSLR workhorses with sturdy builds and great ergonomics. Having said that, each has its own advantage over the other. The Canon uses a higher-resolution full-frame sensor, giving you more leeway to crop in images and when shooting in low light. The PENTAX, despite its smaller APS-C sensor, is a newer camera with newer tech, giving it a leg up when it comes to max burst rate and max ISO, though the Canon still has a larger photo buffer and a more reliable autofocus system.