Canon 5DIVPK

With a total score of 26.4 out of 100, the 5D IV is one of the lowest-ranked cameras in our database. Its sensor and video performance are major weak spots, landing in the 29th and 24th percentiles respectively. You're getting a heavy, outdated DSLR that's outclassed by budget mirrorless cameras in almost every way.

The sensor is the heart of any camera, and here it's a letdown. That 30.4MP full-frame chip lands in the 29th percentile, which translates to image quality that's solidly below average compared to today's market. You'll get usable files, but dynamic range and high-ISO performance lag behind even mid-range mirrorless options. The 61-point AF system, scoring in the 36th percentile, is reliable in good light but hunts more than we'd like in dim conditions, and subject tracking is a generation behind.

Video is where things really fall apart. The 4K 30p recording is cropped and soft by modern standards, and the score of 24th percentile confirms it's one of the weakest video performers we've tested. The fixed LCD screen, scoring in the 30th percentile, makes any sort of vlogging or awkward-angle shooting a pain. Burst shooting at 7 fps is mediocre, landing in the 34th percentile, so this isn't a camera for fast action.

Stacked against its competitors, the 5D IV gets demolished. The Fujifilm X-T5, for instance, offers a higher-resolution sensor, vastly superior video, and in-body stabilization in a body half the weight. The Panasonic S5 II runs circles around it for video with 6K recording and class-leading stabilization. Even the Nikon Z9 and Sony A1, while pricier, are in a completely different universe of performance for autofocus and speed. The only reason to pick the 5D IV over any of these is a deep, existing investment in Canon EF glass and a refusal to use an adapter.

Pricing for this kit is all over the map, with a spread of over $627,000 across vendors, which is frankly absurd. You can find it for as low as $2,955, but some listings are clearly placeholder or error prices. At the low end, you're paying for a professional-grade body and an L-series lens, but the performance per dollar is terrible compared to a modern mirrorless setup. For the same money, you can get a camera that outclasses the 5D IV in every single metric we track.

Let's be real, the numbers here are rough. The Canon 5D Mark IV kit lands with a total score of 26.4 out of 100 in our database, which puts it near the bottom of the pack for modern cameras. Its sensor performance sits in the 29th percentile, meaning the 30.4-megapixel full-frame chip, while once a flagship, now gets outclassed by most current models in dynamic range and noise handling. The 61-point AF system is another weak spot, landing in the 36th percentile, and it really shows its age against newer mirrorless rivals.

At 2110 grams with the 24-105mm f/4L II lens, this is a hefty DSLR kit that lacks modern niceties like in-body stabilization and weather sealing. The fixed display and mediocre video specs, scoring in the 24th percentile, make it a non-starter for hybrid shooters. It's a camera built for a specific, old-school workflow, and the data shows it's been left behind by almost everything released in the last few years.

Anyone who shoots video, needs reliable autofocus, or values their back should skip this. The video score is a dismal 24th percentile, the AF is mediocre at best, and the 2110g weight is punishing. If you're a hybrid shooter, a vlogger, or someone who wants modern features like a tilting touchscreen or in-body stabilization, this camera will only frustrate you. Even beginners should avoid it, as the beginner score of 24.7 out of 100 means there are far more forgiving and capable cameras to learn on.

The data is clear: the Canon 5D Mark IV is a relic. A 26.4 overall score and bottom-quartile performance in sensor, video, and autofocus make it impossible to recommend in a world of stellar mirrorless cameras. Unless you find one for a steal and only shoot stills through the optical viewfinder in good light, you're better off with literally any modern competitor. This was a great camera in 2016, but our benchmarks don't care about nostalgia.