Canon EOS5D Mark IV 2016

A legendary workhorse that still takes beautiful photos, but the world has moved on. Buy it for the sensor, not the future.

The 4K video is the surprise here, landing in the 95th percentile of our database. That's best-in-class territory for a camera this old, and the DCI 4K at 30fps with 8.8MP still grabs is genuinely useful for hybrid shooters. The 61-point AF system is solid but sits at 70th percentile, which means it's fine for portraits and landscapes but will frustrate you if you're chasing fast action. Burst shooting at 7fps is about average, and the lack of stabilization means you'll want a tripod or steady hands for anything slow-shutter.

Against the Sony a7R V, the 5D Mark IV gets absolutely smoked in resolution, autofocus, and stabilization, but it costs a fraction of the price. The Fujifilm X-H2S is a better hybrid shooter with faster burst rates and modern video features, though you're moving to APS-C. The Panasonic LUMIX S5 II is probably the closest modern alternative, offering full-frame image quality with in-body stabilization and better video tools for similar money. The Nikon Z9 and OM System OM-1 are in completely different leagues for speed and features, so they're not really fair comparisons.

At USD 2,099 for a refurbished body, this is a tough sell unless you're already invested in Canon EF glass. The image quality is still there, but you're paying a premium for a DSLR platform that Canon itself has largely abandoned. If you're starting fresh, put that money toward a mirrorless system instead.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is the DSLR that refuses to die, and honestly, we get it. This thing was the workhorse of wedding photographers and studio shooters for years, and the 30.4MP full-frame sensor still delivers images that hold up against cameras released much later. The one thing to know? It's a stills monster with a video mode that punches way above its age, but it's also a chunky 800g brick with no in-body stabilization and a fixed touchscreen that feels ancient next to modern mirrorless bodies.

If you're looking for a travel camera, this isn't it. The 800g body, no stabilization, and mediocre battery life make it a chore to carry around. Go get a Fujifilm X-T5 or Sony a7C II instead. And if you need serious video autofocus or high frame rates, the Panasonic S5 II or Sony a7 IV will serve you far better.

The 5D Mark IV is still a capable stills camera with surprisingly strong video, but it's a hard recommendation in 2024 unless you find one used at a steep discount and already own a bag of EF lenses. For new buyers, the lack of stabilization, aging AF, and dead-end DSLR mount make it a nostalgia purchase more than a smart investment.