Canon is celebrating a significant milestone this year: two decades since the debut of its EOS 5 series of interchangeable-lens digital cameras. It all started back in September 2005 with the launch of the EOS 5D DSLR, a model that quietly but fundamentally changed the landscape of digital photography. By bringing full-frame sensors to advanced amateur users, Canon made what had previously been a high-end professional feature accessible to a much wider group.
Since then, the EOS 5 line has gone through a total of eight iterations, each one pushing forward what these cameras could do. The latest in the series, the EOS R5 Mark II, arrived in August 2024. It continues the legacy with a focus on cutting-edge image processing and intelligent subject tracking, all wrapped up in Canon’s newer mirrorless system.
Key Takeaways
- The EOS 5 series marks 20 years since the original EOS 5D launched in September 2005.
- The EOS 5D was the first DSLR to offer full-frame sensors to non-professionals.
- The EOS 5D Mark II (2008) introduced full-HD video, influencing indie filmmaking.
- The series went mirrorless with the EOS R5 in 2020, featuring 8K video.
- Canon’s latest model, the EOS R5 Mark II, launched in August 2024 with advanced AI and image processing.
The EOS 5D was something of a trailblazer when it first came out. Prior to that, full-frame CMOS sensors were strictly a pro-level thing. By offering them in a more affordable and compact DSLR body, Canon effectively shifted the expectations of what a serious hobbyist or even a semi-pro could aim for.
Then came the EOS 5D Mark II in 2008, which introduced full-HD video recording to the lineup. That was a game-changer in its own right. Suddenly, DSLR cameras weren’t just for stills anymore, they became a viable option for filmmakers too. For independent creators working on tighter budgets, this camera opened new possibilities, offering cinematic depth of field and image quality at a fraction of the cost.
Canon didn’t slow down after that. The EOS 5D Mark III, launched in March 2012, made notable strides in autofocus precision and burst shooting speed. By 2015, the company took a leap in resolution with the EOS 5Ds and 5Ds R, which packed in an unprecedented 50.6 megapixels. The 5D Mark IV followed in 2016, delivering a thoughtful balance between resolution, performance speed, and low-light capabilities.
In 2020, the EOS 5 series embraced mirrorless with the arrival of the EOS R5. It was the first mirrorless camera in Canon’s R System to carry the “5” branding, and it came out swinging with 8K video recording, a bold move that positioned Canon once again at the cutting edge of hybrid shooting.
Now, the torch has been passed to the EOS R5 Mark II. This latest model, launched in August 2024, builds on the platform with something Canon calls an “Accelerated Capture” image processing system. Alongside that, deep learning-driven subject tracking hints at just how far camera tech has evolved since the original 5D’s debut.
Looking back, it’s clear the EOS 5 series has been more than just a set of camera bodies. It’s been a proving ground, a consistent platform for innovation that has served both professionals and passionate enthusiasts alike, all the while helping shape the direction of digital imaging over the past 20 years.
Related FAQs
Q1. What is the Canon EOS 5 series?
A1. The Canon EOS 5 series is a line of interchangeable-lens digital cameras aimed at both professional and advanced amateur users, which began in 2005. The series includes both DSLR and, more recently, mirrorless models.
Q2. How many cameras are in the EOS 5 series?
A2. As of June 2025, Canon has launched a total of eight models in the EOS 5 series.
Q3. Which was the first camera in the EOS 5 series?
A3. The first camera in the series was the EOS 5D, a DSLR released in September 2005. It was the first camera for advanced amateur users to feature a full-frame CMOS sensor.
Q4. Which Canon 5 series camera first introduced full-HD video?
A4. The EOS 5D Mark II, released in November 2008, was the first model in the series to be equipped with full-HD video shooting functions, which helped popularize video shooting on DSLR cameras.
Q5. What is the latest camera in the Canon EOS 5 series?
A5. The latest model is the EOS R5 Mark II, a mirrorless camera that was released in August 2024.
