Canon Inc and Canon Marketing Japan Inc announced Monday that the Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR camera, equipped with a 21.1-megapixel 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor and capable of recording full HD video, has been named "Camera of the Year" in the Camera Grand Prix 2009.
The Camera Grand Prix, the most prestigious award in Japan's photo industry, is sponsored by the Camera Journal Press Club Japan (CJPC), comprising 13 photography and camera publications (as of May 2009). The Camera Grand Prix selection committee is made up of chief editors of CJPC member publications, academic experts, technical writers, professional photographers, and representatives from photo-related organizations. The coveted Camera of the Year 2009 was awarded to the most impressive camera released in Japan between April 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009.
The Camera Grand Prix, founded in 1984, marks its 26th anniversary this year. The 2009 Camera of the Year award marks the eighth time that a Canon camera has earned top honors at the Camera Grand Prix, and the first since the top prize went to the EOS-1Ds, the industry's first professional-model digital SLR camera to feature a 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor.
This year's title-winning EOS 5D Mark II was recognized for its range of high-performance features, including a newly developed full-size 21.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, the next-generation DIGIC 4 image processor and a sophisticated Live View function, along with its advanced image quality and ease of use. Additionally, the model earned high marks as the world's first SLR camera to enable the recording of full HD video as well as for its outstanding cost performance.
The Canon EOS 5D Mark II was also recently named "Best Digital SLR Expert in 2009" in Europe by the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA), representing 29 photography and imaging magazines across 13 European countries.
© JCN
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pawatan
It costs over 200,000 yen!
Ever notice how Canon & Nikon are always winning these sorts of 'awards'?
hokkaidoguy
For what it is, and for what it does, 20man is a bargain. Priced a Hasselblad lately? That's the next step up - and you can expect to pay in the 2,000,000 yen range for those.
PEKOiSM
20man is nothing. If I shot Canon, I'd have bought one. I'm just hoping this spurs something better than the D700 from Nikon. That or a significant price drop.
jeancolmar
The price of this Canon is remarkably cheap for what it does. Check out the prices of the Nikon D3s and the Leica M8 and film M7 new.
tokyochris
Good cost performance doesn't mean it's cheap...
timorborder
Just bought my first SLR, decided on an entry-level Canon model. Using such a camera can be very addictive. Might consider something like this model the next time I am looking to purchase.
pawatan
I think my comment came across a bit wrongly :)
Actually, I have been pricing cameras - I can understand the 350,000 for Leica M8 (or more for M8.2) but I don't understand spending that much on a digital SLR body that will surely be outmoded in a year or two (as Canon/Nikon/etc like to do). At least a really high quality medium-format film format camera like a Hassy or a Mamiya will still be state of the art years down the road. Something like the Leica digitals is designed for a much longer life cycle as well.
I'd really like an M8 but can't stomach the investment in the glass...
getsy
its more than 200,000 yen and that without a lens... together with good lens about 400,000 yen
chinpira
Nice! I bought this last month (Lens kit) for around 316,000YEN (when counting points from bic). Now I just need more time to get out there and use it!
getsy
must not off been a great len... good one but not pro...
chinpira
EF24-105L IS U - The standard kit comes with this lens, L series quality.
wanderlust
A new "Best.....", and it is not even a person!
getsy
show me the link where you got that deal 316,000YEN
pawatan
It's on kakaku for 325k, so not inconceivable to find it for 316k.
http://kakaku.com/item/00490111152/
chinpira
pawatan - Thats exactly right. Actually I used my knowledge of kakaku prices and mentioned that I saw the top 10 lowest prices floating between 315000 - 320000 which was true last month. The bic sales guy said he would try and match it... he went away did the math and came back with a price lower (only slightly) than the lowest kakaku price range I mentioned. I don't usually bargain either I just casually mentioned the lower kakaku price and the sales guy went into overdrive. I was luck too, went to many stores and they were sold out... I managed to get the last one in stock ;) at that store.
chinpira
getsy - http://kakaku.com/item/00490111152/pricehistory/
Lowest price this month: 2009年 5月 7日 14:17 0日 02:21 ¥310,990
getsy
how about tax?
chinpira
Including tax.
tigris
To a point. from 35-90 the quality is astonishing. For this particular lens the Canon marketing department pushed it too far: at 24 the vignetting and fall-off in the corners is so bad - even at f16 - that it is almost unusable except of course at night. A camera of this caliber resolves in such detail that it will expose brutally any deficiencies in the glass. Only L lenses are recommended. The longer the Zoom the more optical problems especially at the wide end. Expect to spend more money for the glass than the camera.
jeancolmar
It is a pity to hear that about the EF24-90L. It was not really meant for a full-frame DSLR. The greater the zoom ratio is the more problems you can expect, particularly when it goes from super wide angle like 24 to telephoto, even short telephoto. Telephoto zooms have the least problems while wide angles, particularly those going to telephone, have the most. This one reason I tend to favor prime lenses.