CameraDecision
  • CAMERAS
    • All Cameras
    • Cameras by Brand
      • Sony Cameras
      • Canon Cameras
      • Nikon Cameras
      • Pentax Cameras
      • Fujifilm Cameras
      • Olympus Cameras
      • OM-System Cameras
      • Panasonic Cameras
      • Leica Cameras
    • Cameras by Body Type
      • Mirrorless Cameras
      • DSLR Cameras
      • Compact Cameras
      • Bridge Cameras
      • Waterproof Cameras
    • Cameras by Lens Mount
      • Sony E Mount Cameras
      • Canon RF Mount Cameras
      • Nikon Z Mount Cameras
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Cameras
      • Fujifilm X Mount Cameras
      • Leica L Mount Cameras
      • Nikon F Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF M Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF S Mount Cameras
      • Pentax KAF Mount Cameras
      • Sony Alpha Mount Cameras
      • Fujifilm G Mount Cameras
      • Sigma SA Mount Cameras
      • Nikon 1 Mount Cameras
  • LENSES
    • All Lenses
    • Lenses by Mount
      • Sony E Mount Lenses
      • Canon RF Mount Lenses
      • Nikon Z Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF M Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF S Mount Lenses
      • Nikon F Mount Lenses
      • Fujifilm X Mount Lenses
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Lenses
      • Leica L Mount Lenses
      • Pentax KAF Mount Lenses
      • Fujifilm G Mount Lenses
      • Sigma SA Mount Lenses
      • Sony Alpha Mount Lenses
    • Teleconverters
    • Cinema Lenses
      • Sony E Mount Cine Lenses
      • Canon RF Mount Cine Lenses
      • Nikon Z Mount Cine Lenses
      • Canon EF Mount Cine Lenses
      • Nikon F Mount Cine Lenses
      • ARRI PL Mount Cine Lenses
      • Fujifilm X Mount Cine Lenses
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Cine Lenses
      • Leica L Mount Cine Lenses
  • TOOLS
    • Cameras
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
    • Lenses
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
  • BLOG

Canon 5DS vs Canon 5D MIV Comparison

x
Camera to replace
Change

Canon 5DS

51 MP | Full frame (36 x 24 mm) CMOS Sensor

Canon 5DS
CHECK PRICE
CHECK PRICE
Change

Canon 5D MIV

30 MP | Full frame (36 x 24 mm) CMOS Sensor

Canon 5D MIV
CHECK PRICE
CHECK PRICE
Canon 5DS vs Canon 5D MIV Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the 5DS and the 5D MIV, two Advanced DSLR cameras by Canon. Canon 5DS was introduced to the market in February 2015 and Canon 5D MIV was launched in August 2016. There is 19 months difference between 5DS and 5D MIV so we don't expect to see a huge technology difference between these two cameras but it would still give an advantage to younger 5D MIV, especially in sensor tech.

5DS and 5D MIV are members of Canon's 5D series of cameras. Below you can find the latest models from this series.

Canon 5D Series History
Model Release Date Sensor Dimensions Weight
Canon 5D MIV
August 2016 30.0MP - Full frame 151 x 116 x 76mm 890g
Canon 5DS
February 2015 51.0MP - Full frame 152 x 116 x 76mm 930g
Canon 5DS R
  
February 2015 51.0MP - Full frame 152 x 116 x 76mm 930g
Canon 5D MIII
  
May 2012 22.0MP - Full frame 152 x 116 x 76mm 950g
Canon 5D MII
  
February 2009 21.0MP - Full frame 152 x 114 x 75mm 850g

Here is a brief look at the main features of the Canon 5DS and Canon 5D MIV before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Canon 5DS Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2015-02-06
  • 51MP - Full frame CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 100 - 6400 ( expands to 12800)
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 3.20" Fixed Type Screen
  • Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder
  • 5.0fps continuous shooting
  • Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution
  • 930g. 152 x 116 x 76 mm
  • Weather-sealed Body

Canon 5D MIV Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2016-08-25
  • 30MP - Full frame CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 100 - 32000 ( expands to 50 - 102400)
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 3.20" Fixed Type Screen
  • Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder
  • 7.0fps continuous shooting
  • 4K (DCI) - 4096 x 2160 video resolution
  • Built-in Wireless
  • Built-in GPS
  • 890g. 151 x 116 x 76 mm
  • Weather-sealed Body
  • Replaced Canon EOS 5D Mark III Compare

Let's read on in the following sections in order to better understand in detail how the Canon 5DS and Canon 5D MIV compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.


Related Blog Posts

Nikon Z 135mm F1.8 S Plena vs Canon RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM vs Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM Lenses Size And Feature Comparison
Canon Updates Firmwares for EOS R5, R6 II, R8, R3 and 1-D X Mark III Cameras
Panasonic G9 II vs OM System OM-1 vs Fujifilm X-T5 vs Canon R7 vs Sony A6700 Size Comparison
Canon EOS R5 is $800 off!
Canon EOS R7 and EOS R8 are only $1299 ($200 off!) at Amazon and B&H Photo
Canon Firmware Updates for EOS C70, EOS C300 III and EOS C500 II Cinema Cameras Released
Save up to 700 USD on Canon RF Mount Cameras and Lenses with Special Promo Code
Canon Released the EOS R8 Content Creator Kit with Savings


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Canon 5DS Canon 5DS
See at AMAZON
Canon 5D MIV Canon 5D MIV
See at AMAZON
Canon 5DS
See at AMAZON
Canon 5D MIV
See at AMAZON
Reasons to choose Canon EOS 5DS over Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Processor Quantity
Dual vs Single More Processing power
Sensor Resolution
51 MP vs 30 MP 70% more pixels
CHECK 5DS PRICE


Reasons to choose Canon EOS 5D Mark IV over Canon EOS 5DS
Wireless Connection
Built-In vs None Better connectivity
Touch Screen
Yes vs No Easy control of camera functions
Image Processor
Digic 6+ vs Dual DIGIC 6 More Capable Processor
Max ISO
32.000 vs 6.400 400% higher Max ISO
LCD Resolution
1.620k dots vs 1.040k dots 55% higher resolution screen
Continuous Shooting
7.0fps vs 5.0fps 2 fps faster
Battery Life
900 shots vs 700 shots 200 more frames with a single charge
Weight
890 g vs 930 g 40 g lighter
Headphone Port
Yes vs No better video control
Color Depth
24.8 vs 24.7 higher color depth
Dynamic Range
13.6 vs 12.4 higher dynamic range
Low Light ISO
2995 vs 2381 better High ISO performance
Sensor Pixel Area
28.69µm2 vs 17.17µm2 67% larger pixel area
Max Video Resolution
4096 x 2160 vs 1920 x 1080 Higher Resolution Video
NFC Connection
Yes vs No Easy wireless connectivity with compatible devices
4K Photo Mode
Yes vs No Extract 8MP photos from 4K Video
Smartphone Remote
Yes vs No Remote control your camera with a smartphone
Autofocus at f/8 aperture
61 point vs 1 point Autofocus with teleconverters
CHECK 5D MIV PRICE

Common Strengths of Canon EOS 5DS and Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
External Flash Shoe
Yes vs Yes Better for flash photography
Viewfinder
Yes (Optical) vs Yes (Optical) Better framing and control
RAW Support
Yes vs Yes Better image quality
Face Detection Focus
Yes vs Yes very handy for portraits
Max Resolution
51 MP vs 30 MP Bigger prints and more details
LCD Screen Size
3.20" vs 3.20" Large display
LCD Screen Resolution
1.040k dots vs 1.620k dots High resolution screens
Microphone Port
Yes vs Yes High quality audio recording option
Environmental Sealing
Yes vs Yes shoot at tough conditions
Timelapse Recording
Yes vs Yes creative shooting
Top LCD Display
Yes vs Yes Help viewing and changing settings easily
AE Bracketing
Yes vs Yes Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR
Flash Sync Port
Yes vs Yes Connect off-camera flash
AF Micro Adjustment (Fine Tune)
Yes vs Yes Adjust each lens for accurate focusing
Dual-axis Electronic Level
Yes vs Yes Level the camera easily in two axis
Storage Slot
2 vs 2 Extra Storage Slot
UHS Card Support
UHS-I vs UHS-I Read/Write in High Speeds
Webcam Function
Yes vs Yes Use your camera as a Webcam
Anti flicker
Yes vs Yes Reduced uneven color and exposure under flickering light
Common Weaknesses of Canon EOS 5DS and Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
In-body Image Stabilization
No vs No No Built-in stabilization
Fixed Screen
Fixed Type vs No Screen tilts or Flips out independently, perfect for both stills and video
Built-in Flash
No vs No Require external flash
Canon 5DS vs Canon 5D MIV: Physical Specs and Body Features Comparison

Size and weight are big decision factors when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, we are going to illustrate the Canon 5DS and Canon 5D MIV side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Canon 5DS has external dimensions of 152 x 116 x 76 mm (5.98 x 4.57 x 2.99″) and weighs 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz) (including batteries). Canon 5D MIV has external dimensions of 151 x 116 x 76 mm (5.94 x 4.57 x 2.99″) and weighs 890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front-view size comparison of the Canon 5DS and the Canon 5D MIV.

Canon 5DS vs Canon 5D MIV Camera Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of the Canon 5DS and the Canon 5D MIV Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of the Canon 5DS and Canon 5D MIV.

Canon 5DS vs Canon 5D MIV Camera Size Comparison - Back View
Comparison image of the Canon 5DS and the Canon 5D MIV Size and Weight - Back View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Canon 5DS and Canon 5D MIV.
Canon 5DS vs Canon 5D MIV Camera Size Comparison - Top View
Top View Comparison image of the Canon 5DS and the Canon 5D MIV Size

Weight is another important factor, especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Canon 5D MIV is 40g lighter than the Canon 5DS but we don't think this will make a significant difference.

Also keep in mind that body weight is not the only deciding factor when comparing two interchangeable camera bodies, you also have to take into account the lenses that you will be using with these bodies. Since both Canon 5DS and Canon 5D MIV have the same Canon EF lens mount and Full frame sized sensors, lenses will not be a differentiator on total size of the system.

Weight Comparison

DSLR Cameras

5DS
5D MIV
Min
Average
Max
Thickness Comparison

DSLR Cameras

5DS
5D MIV
Min
Average
Max

Weather Sealing

Both the 5DS and the 5D MIV have weather sealings in their bodies, making them resistant to water and dust.

LCD Screen Size and Features

Canon 5DS and Canon 5D MIV's LCD screens have the same diagonal size of 3.20 inches.

Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.


Canon 5DS vs Canon 5D MIV: Sensor Comparison

Canon 5DS has a 51.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Dual DIGIC 6 processor. On the other hand, Canon 5D MIV has a 30.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Digic 6+ processor.

Canon 5DS's sensor provides 21MP more than Canon 5D MIV's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely. On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.

Below you can see the 5DS and 5D MIV sensor size comparison.

Canon 5DS vs Canon 5D MIV Sensor Size Comparison
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon 5DS and Canon 5D MIV Cameras


Canon 5DS and Canon 5D MIV have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. On the other hand, since Canon 5D MIV has 67% larger pixel area (28.69µm2 vs 17.17µm2) compared to Canon 5DS, it has larger pixel area to collect light hence potential to have less noise in low light / High ISO images.

DxOMark Sensor Scores

DxOMark is a benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of camera sensors. It scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Canon 5DS and Canon 5D MIV sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that 5D MIV has a better overall score of 91, 4 points higher compared to 5DS's score of 87.

Model Overall Color Depth Dynamic Range Low-light ISO
Canon 5DS 87 24.7 bits 12.4 Evs 2381 ISO
Canon 5D MIV 91 24.8 bits 13.6 Evs 2995 ISO
Canon 5DS vs Canon 5D MIV Comparison of Available Lenses
Which camera has more lenses?

The number of available lenses is a big deciding factor when choosing your interchangeable lens camera. In this case, both Canon 5DS and Canon 5D MIV have the same Canon EF lens mount so have 257 native lenses available. All of these lenses cover Full frame sensor.

Another important factor is the availability of image stabilization. None of these bodies have sensor based image stabilization so you have to buy lenses with Optical stabilization feature. Currently there are 77 lenses with Image stabilization for Canon EF mount.

Lens Type # of Canon 5DS Lenses # of Canon 5D MIV Lenses
Standard Zoom 22 (22 Full Frame) 22 (22 Full Frame)
Standard Prime 19 (19 Full Frame) 19 (19 Full Frame)
Wideangle Zoom 20 (20 Full Frame) 20 (20 Full Frame)
Wideangle Prime 48 (48 Full Frame) 48 (48 Full Frame)
Telephoto Zoom 51 (51 Full Frame) 51 (51 Full Frame)
Telephoto Prime 44 (44 Full Frame) 44 (44 Full Frame)
SuperZoom 9 (9 Full Frame) 9 (9 Full Frame)
Wideangle Fisheye Prime 3 (3 Full Frame) 3 (3 Full Frame)
Macro Prime 24 (24 Full Frame) 24 (24 Full Frame)
Perspective Control Prime 16 (16 Full Frame) 16 (16 Full Frame)
Telephoto Mirror Prime n/a n/a
TOTAL 257 (256 Full Frame) 257 (256 Full Frame)

Here are some of the most popular Canon EF Mount Lenses on Camera Decision:

Popular Canon EF Mount Lenses for the 5DS and the 5D MIV
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM Lens Canon EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM
35mm FF 670gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM Lens Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM
35mm FF 630gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III Lens Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III
35mm FF 480gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 35-350mm f3.5-5.6L USM Lens Canon EF 35-350mm f3.5-5.6L USM
35mm FF 1385gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS II USM Lens Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS II USM
35mm FF 1490gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM Lens Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM
35mm FF 159gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 80-200mm f4.5-5.6 II Lens Canon EF 80-200mm f4.5-5.6 II
35mm FF 250gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 35-80mm f4.0-5.6 III Lens Canon EF 35-80mm f4.0-5.6 III
35mm FF 175gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
What types of Photography are Canon 5DS and Canon 5D MIV Good for?
In this section, we rank and compare Canon 5DS and Canon 5D MIV for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Canon 5DS for Portrait Photography

GOOD

Canon 5D MIV for Portrait Photography

GOOD
Large Full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 51.0MP
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
No Image Stabilization
Read the details

Check the Best Canon EF Mount Lenses for Portrait Photography
Large Full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 30.0MP
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
No Image Stabilization
Read the details

Canon 5DS for Street Photography

GOOD

Canon 5D MIV for Street Photography

GOOD
Large Full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
No Image Stabilization
Large Body
Read the details

Check the Best Canon EF Mount Lenses for Street Photography
Large Full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
No Image Stabilization
Large Body
Read the details

Canon 5DS for Sports Photography

EXCELLENT

Canon 5D MIV for Sports Photography

EXCELLENT
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Anti Flicker feature
Environmental Sealings
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/8000s
41 Cross Type Focus sensors
61 Focus Points
Good Battery Life: 700 shots
Good Low Light ISO
Average Continuous Shooting: 5.0fps
No Image Stabilization
Read the details

Check the Best Canon EF Mount Lenses for Sports Photography
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Fast Continuous Shooting: 7.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/8000s
41 Cross Type Focus sensors
61 Focus Points
Good Battery Life: 900 shots
Good Low Light ISO
Wireless Connection
Anti Flicker feature
No Image Stabilization
Read the details

Canon 5DS for Daily Photography

GOOD

Canon 5D MIV for Daily Photography

GOOD
Large Full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor
Anti Flicker feature
Environmental Sealings
Large Body
930g
Body Thickness 76mm
Read the details
Large Full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor
Environmental Sealings
Anti Flicker feature
Large Body
890g
Body Thickness 76mm
Read the details

Canon 5DS for Landscape Photography

GOOD

Canon 5D MIV for Landscape Photography

AVERAGE
Large Full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 51.0MP
Environmental Sealings
Live-view
Read the details

Check the Best Canon EF Mount Lenses for Landscape Photography
Large Full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 30.0MP
Environmental Sealings
Live-view
Built-in GPS
Read the details

Canon 5DS vs Canon 5D MIV: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far, but in case you wonder how we rated Canon 5DS and Canon 5D MIV, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 69 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Canon 5DS and Canon 5D MIV scores compare:

Canon 5DS
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #27 out of 96 in Mid-size SLR cameras
Ranked #142 out of 1275 in all Cameras
Canon 5D MIV
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #8 out of 96 in Mid-size SLR cameras
Ranked #66 out of 1275 in all Cameras

Canon 5D MIV has a higher Overall Score than the Canon 5DS. It also has more features, more compact body and offers higher value for the money. But there is one area that 5D MIV trails behind the 5DS: Imaging
If image quality is the most important aspect in a camera, choose the Canon 5DS. If not, we recommend the Canon 5D MIV.

Canon 5DS
Canon 5DS
CHECK PRICE
CHECK PRICE
Canon 5D MIV
Canon 5D MIV
CHECK PRICE
CHECK PRICE
Canon 5D MIV vs Canon 5DS Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Canon EOS 5DS Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Brand Canon Canon
Announced 2015-02-06 2016-08-25
Body Type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor
Type CMOS CMOS
Size Full frame Full frame
Dimensions 36 x 24 mm 36 x 24 mm
Area 864.00mm2 864.00mm2
Megapixels 51 megapixels 30 megapixels
Max Resolution 8688 x 5792 6720 x 4480
Max Native Light sensitivity 6,400 ISO 32,000 ISO
Max Boosted Light Sensitivity 12800 ISO 102400 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity 100 ISO 100 ISO
Min Boosted Light Sensitivity - 50 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points 61 61
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount Canon EF Canon EF
Number of Available Lenses 257 257
Screen
Type Fixed type Fixed type
Size 3.20" 3.20"
Resolution 1,040k dots 1,620k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71x 0.71x
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter 1/8000s 1/8000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Built-in Image Stabilization No No
Built-in Flash
Max Flash Sync 1/200s 1/200s
External Flash
Continuous Shooting 5.0 fps 7.0 fps
Multi-Segment Metering
Average Metering
Spot Metering
Partial Metering
AF-Area Metering
Center Weighted Metering
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 4096 x 2160
Video Formats H.264 MPEG-4, Motion JPEG
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity None Built-In
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight 930g 890g
Dimensions 152 x 116 x 76mm 151 x 116 x 76mm
Battery Life 700 shots 900 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS None Built-in
DxO Sensor Scores
DxO Overall Score 87 91
DxO Color Depth 24.7 24.8
DxO Dynamic Range 12.4 13.6
DxO Low Light ISO 2381 2995
Report a correction Report a correction


FOLLOW US

Latest Cameras
Nikon Zf
Nikon Zf
25 MP | Full frame Sensor
OM System TG-7
OM System TG-7
12 MP | 25-100 mm
Panasonic G9 II
Panasonic G9 II
25 MP | Four Thirds Sensor
Fujifilm GFX 100 II
Fujifilm GFX 100 II
102 MP | Medium format Sensor
Sony A7CR
Sony A7CR
60 MP | Full frame Sensor
Sony A7C Mark II
Sony A7C Mark II
33 MP | Full frame Sensor
Sony A6700
Sony A6700
26 MP | APS-C Sensor
Leica Q3
Leica Q3
60 MP | 28 mm
Copyright © 2023 by CameraDecision
Privacy About Contact Us SpeakerDecision LaptopDecision

Report a Correction