Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

The EOS 5D Mark IV is a full-frame DSLR released in 2016, built around Canon's EF mount. It measures 151 x 116 x 76mm and weighs 890g, so it is a substantial body that rewards a proper bag and a firm grip.

The optical pentaprism viewfinder gives a direct view for stills, while weather sealing helps when work moves outdoors. Dual card slots add storage flexibility, and 4K video plus a built-in timelapse function extend the same body into motion.

A fixed 3.2-inch touchscreen handles rear-screen framing. The camera includes Wi-Fi and GPS, but no Bluetooth or built-in flash. External flash is supported.

The 30.4MP full-frame CMOS sensor sits at the heart of this camera. That resolution gives files plenty of latitude for cropping and large prints.

Our Optics score of 76 is good, and the camera places in the top 13% of cameras in our database for Optics. The Digic 6+ processor manages the files, and sensitivity runs from ISO 100 to 32000, covering bright daylight and dim interiors alike.

For moving subjects, 7 fps captures action around decisive moments, though that figure is a top speed rather than a sustained rate. Sixty-one autofocus points give you many placement options, and the 1/8000s maximum shutter speed helps keep wide apertures usable in strong light.

There is no in-body stabilisation, so handheld sharpness in low light rests on steady technique, faster shutter speeds or an optically stabilised EF lens. The optical pentaprism viewfinder gives a clear, immediate view of the scene as you compose.

Video scores a very good 91 in our assessment, and the headline capability is 4K recording. That resolution leaves useful room to crop and reframe footage during editing.

Frame rates reach 120 fps, enough for slow-motion work when a scene calls for it. The maximum resolution and the maximum frame rate are separate figures, so treat each as its own ceiling rather than a single combined recording mode.

A built-in timelapse function handles interval shooting without external accessories, and footage records as MOV or MP4, giving two file options.

For photographers who mostly shoot stills, these tools mean the 5D Mark IV can cover motion briefs without carrying a second body.

The 3.2-inch TFT touchscreen carries 1.62 million dots, so checking focus and composition in live view is clear, and you can tap to adjust settings quickly.

The screen is fixed rather than articulated, so waist-level or overhead angles mean working by feel or moving yourself instead.

Wi-Fi is built in for wireless connectivity, though there is no Bluetooth. The built-in GPS records shooting locations, which can pay off for travel and documentary work.

Weather sealing adds resistance to dust and moisture in the field, and the camera supports an external flash for additional lighting because there is no built-in unit.

Two card slots, one taking SD up to SDXC with UHS-I support and the other Compact Flash, let you carry extra capacity without swapping cards mid-shoot or keep two media types ready in one body.

The LP-E6N battery is rated at 900 shots per charge. Treat that figure as a guide rather than a promise, since real-world results vary with shooting style, and carry a spare battery for long events.

Storage and battery scores a good 71. The battery life rating and the absence of USB charging both cost points here, so USB top-ups are not an option when travelling.