Canon 5D MII vs Panasonic FX90

Canon 5D Mark II vs Panasonic Lumix FX90: An In-Depth Camera Showdown for Every Photography Enthusiast

Choosing the right camera often means navigating a maze of specs, features, and usage scenarios. Today, let’s untangle that for two cameras that couldn’t be more different yet each wins affection in their own right: the full-frame stalwart Canon EOS 5D Mark II and the ultra-compact Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90. The 5D Mark II is a mid-sized DSLR powerhouse launched back in 2009, still revered in many professional circles. Meanwhile, the FX90, a petite 2011 compact, aims for versatility and convenience without breaking your pocket.

Think of it as comparing a heavyweight champ with a nimble featherweight - both deliver punches, but with wildly different styles. Having tested thousands of cameras myself over the years, I’ll peel back the layers of technology, real-world usability, and image quality across the entire photography spectrum: portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, and more. Plus, we’ll talk video, ergonomics, lenses, and value, sprinkling in plenty of hands-on insights that marketing brochures don’t usually mention.

Strap in; this 2500-word journey will arm you with everything you need to decide which camera suits your creative ambitions.

Putting the Cameras Side by Side: Size, Build, and Handling

Before zooming in on pixels and autofocus, let’s talk about the feel of these two devices - because ergonomics often set the tone for every shoot.

The Canon 5D Mark II is a classic DSLR: robust magnesium alloy body, weighing in at 850g with dimensions around 152x114x75mm. Decently chunky but not unwieldy. It feels solid, exuding that reassuring heft you want in a professional tool. This solid construction also means it has weather sealing - yes, dust and moisture resistance - a non-negotiable for outdoor pros like landscape or wildlife shooters who brave the elements.

The Panasonic FX90, in contrast, is tiny at just 149g and measly 102x56x22mm. It’s the definition of pocketability. This camera “disappears” in your bag or even your jacket pocket. But that size means plastic-heavy build and absolutely zero weather sealing. It’s made for carefree travel, street photography, and casual shooting.

Ergonomically, the 5D II has serious controls - a top LCD panel, dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed, exposure compensation, and a reassuring shutter button travel. The Panasonic FX90 is more minimalist, relying on touchscreen interaction (at least it has one!) and small buttons, forcing you to dive into menus if you want manual control - which honestly, it barely offers.

To sum up: If you prize tactile controls and ruggedness, the Canon 5D Mark II is miles ahead. For discretion and carry-anywhere ease, the Panasonic FX90 is your go-to.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Next, let’s dive under the hood to sensor technology and image quality - where the biggest digital difference truly lives.

The Canon 5D Mark II packs a full-frame 36x24mm CMOS sensor with 21MP resolution. This is the kind of sensor size many dreams are made of - it means superior dynamic range, shallower depth of field options, and excellent high ISO performance. Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor for 2009 generation cameras is old-school but still capable compared to many compacts.

By contrast, the Panasonic FX90 is limited by a tiny 1/2.3" CCD sensor (6.08x4.56mm) with 12MP. The field-of-play here is drastically different. Smaller sensors generally mean more noise at higher ISOs, less depth of field control, and lower overall image quality. However, the FX90 tries to compensate via a versatile lens (24-120mm equiv. zoom) and optical image stabilization.

When it comes to image quality numbers (using DxO tests where available), the 5D Mark II scores impressively - 23.7 bits color depth, 11.9 EV dynamic range, and low light ISO quality that’s respectable even by today’s standards. The FX90 lacks official DxO scores, but based on my experience with similar sensor sizes, color depth and dynamic range are much more limited, and noise creeps in under even moderate indoor lighting.

What does this mean practically? For portraits, landscapes, low light shooting, or any scenario where image fidelity counts, the Canon beats the Panasonic hands down.

Getting to Know the Screens and Viewfinders

The LCD and viewfinder are your windows to framing, reviewing, and adjusting the shot - let’s see how these two fare.

The Canon 5D Mark II features a 3-inch fixed TFT LCD with 920,000 dots of resolution. It offers a bright, crisp display ideal for image review and live view autofocusing. The optical viewfinder, while only covering 98% frame coverage, is large and bright with 0.71x magnification.

The Panasonic FX90 has a similarly sized 3-inch screen but with a much lower resolution of 460,000 dots. It’s a touchscreen, adding easy-to-navigate menus and quick focus point selection - a neat feature missing on the Canon. However, the FX90 has no viewfinder at all, meaning relying on the screen in bright daylight can be a challenge.

For those who like composing via eyepiece (pro photographers, I see you), the Canon is superior. For casual shooters who prefer pecking through menus with finger taps, Panasonic’s FX90 is more approachable.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus setups are key in fast-moving scenarios such as sports, wildlife, and event photography. Let’s examine how these cameras perform in that department.

The Canon 5D Mark II sports a phase detection autofocus system with 9 focus points spread around the frame and face detection in live view. While not impressive by today’s standards, this AF system was a major step up at release and remains responsive. Continuous autofocus (AI Servo) works well enough for general tracking, though pro sports photographers would crave something with more focus points.

The FX90, conversely, relies on contrast detection AF with 23 focus points. It supports face detection but misses out on phase detection’s speed and reliability. Contrast AF systems tend to be slower and less predictable, especially under low light or moving subjects, though the FX90 offers continuous AF for video shooting.

From my real-world experience testing similar cameras, the 5D Mark II has a clear edge in both autofocus speed and accuracy. Wildlife and sports shooters in particular will find the Canon more trustworthy for locking onto fast subjects.

Burst Rates and Buffer Capacity

Burst shooting is crucial for capturing decisive moments in action photography - here the 5D Mark II slightly outperforms the FX90.

The Canon manages about 4 frames per second (fps) burst shooting, enough for moderate sports or wildlife shooting. Its buffer can handle around a dozen RAW frames before slowing, which is decent but not marathon-worthy.

The Panasonic FX90 also claims 4 fps but with smaller JPEG files due to its sensor, so it feels more fluid for casual bursts. However, its burst buffer is more limited, meaning long sustained bursts aren’t feasible.

For professional sports or wildlife, the 5D Mark II’s larger buffer and stable continuous shooting are preferable, although neither camera is designed for extreme sports use.

Photo Quality in Different Genres

Now for the juicy part - how do these two cameras actually perform in the field across common photography genres?

Canon 5D MII screen back Panasonic FX90 front Panasonic FX90 screen back

Portrait Photography

The Canon’s large sensor allows natural skin tones with pleasing gradations and bokeh that’s buttery thanks to the shallow depth of field. Eye-detection AF works in live view, helping ensure tack-sharp portraits. Meanwhile, the dedicated EF lens lineup means you can pick ultra-fast primes for dreamy backgrounds.

The FX90 struggles with portraiture. Its tiny sensor flattens background separation and skin tones tend to look somewhat digital and less nuanced, especially under indoor lighting. Face detection autofocus helps, but it’s no substitute for the Canon’s sheer optical quality.

Landscape Photography

Canon delivers here too - excellent dynamic range preserves highlight and shadow details, and the full-frame sensor delivers ample resolution for 20+ megapixel large prints or cropping. Weather sealing adds confidence for outdoor adventures.

Panasonic’s FX90, despite its wide zoom, has limited dynamic range and more noise in shadows. It lacks weather sealing, making it a less robust pick for dedicated landscape work. Still, it’s fine for casual travel snaps.

Wildlife Photography

High-speed continuous and reliable AF are crucial. The Canon’s phase detection and decent fps make it usable for larger animals, though 9 AF points restricts precise tracking of erratic movement.

FX90’s contrast AF and slower burst rate limit it here; plus the 5.9x zoom at 24-120mm equiv. is on the short side for serious wildlife telephoto requirements.

Sports Photography

4 fps is low by modern pro standards, but the Canon 5D Mark II’s autofocus reliability gives a fighting chance at capturing action bursts reasonably well. The FX90’s AF and burst limitations make it frustrating for sports.

Street Photography

Here the FX90 shines. Its compact size, quiet operation, and fast zoom make it a discreet companion perfect for candid shots. The 5D Mark II is a bit bulky and conspicuous for street work, although its viewfinder and manual control may appeal to some who prefer the DSLR experience.

Macro Photography

Neither camera excels here. The FX90 offers a close focusing distance of 3cm, but the tiny sensor limits detail. The 5D Mark II depends on external macro lenses. If serious macro is your goal, the Canon with a suitable dedicated lens is the way to go.

Night and Astro Photography

Low light is a Canon stronghold. Its ISO performance and dynamic range enable cleaner images in dark conditions, while long shutter speeds can be dialed in easily. The FX90 struggles with noise and lacks a bulb mode or intervals.

Video Capabilities: Is Moving Picture Magic Present?

The Canon shoots Full HD 1080p at 30fps with a built-in microphone port but no headphone jack - limiting audio monitoring. The FX90 offers Full HD at 60fps, plus 720p and VGA modes, all in MPEG-4 or AVCHD formats. It relies entirely on built-in mics, which are average.

Stabilization-wise, the FX90 has optical image stabilization, handy for handheld video. The Canon has no sensor stabilization, requiring stabilized lenses or rigs.

For casual video, FX90 wins ease and smoothness. For hybrid shooters wanting quality full-frame video with external audio options, the 5D Mark II still can deliver with good lenses and rigs, though it lacks 4K.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Canon’s EF mount is legendary - over 250 native lenses ranging from budget kit zooms to professional super telephotos and ultra-fast primes. Full-frame coverage means you can invest in optics that last decades.

The FX90’s lens is fixed, with 24-120mm equiv. zoom and modest aperture from f/2.5 to f/5.9. You’re stuck with it, but for a point-and-shoot experience, that’s par for the course.

Ergonomics, Controls, and Interface

The Canon’s extensive dials, buttons, and customizable controls give expert shooters tactile speed and certainty. The back screen resolution is superior, with a bright optical viewfinder for framing. It lacks touchscreen but benefits from proven menus.

The FX90’s touchscreen is a helpful addition. However, the limited control options and absence of manual exposure modes mean you depend heavily on auto settings.

Battery Life and Storage

The Canon 5D Mark II boasts an impressive 850-shot battery life rated by CIPA, letting you shoot a whole event without recharging. Storage uses Compact Flash cards - a format still popular for pro cameras.

The tiny FX90 disappoints with about 200 shots per charge and uses more common SD cards, which are cheaper and widely available.

Connectivity and Extras

The FX90 includes built-in wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi) for quick sharing, a feature absent from the 5D Mark II - not surprising given the age difference. Neither has Bluetooth or NFC.

The Canon includes a USB 2.0 and HDMI output but no microphone headphone jack. The FX90 sports HDMI but lacks audio ports altogether.

How Do They Score Overall?

Let’s sum with the overall scorecard from my extensive testing and analysis.

As expected, the Canon 5D Mark II dominates in image quality, handling, and professional features. The FX90 scores well on portability and ease of use but trails badly in core photographic capabilities.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera is Right for You?

Both the Canon 5D Mark II and Panasonic FX90 serve distinct audiences.

• Choose the Canon 5D Mark II if:

  • You need full-frame image quality with superb dynamic range and color
  • You shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or professional events
  • You want a rugged, weather-sealed body and an extensive lens ecosystem
  • You frequently shoot in tricky light and want manual control
  • Battery life and build quality matter to you

• Choose the Panasonic FX90 if:

  • You prioritize portability and pocket-friendly convenience
  • You want a super simple, grab-and-go camera for travel or street snaps
  • Video shooting at 1080p60 with stabilization is important
  • You don’t need RAW support or professional-grade image quality
  • Budget is tight but you want basic full HD video and a versatile zoom

Closing Anecdote: Sometimes It’s About the Journey, Not Just the Gear

I remember taking a 5D Mark II out on a cold dawn shoot in the mountains - the weather sealing and low noise performance meant I was confident pushing limits to capture breath-taking mist and sunrise glows. On the flip side, I once brought a pocket-sized camera similar to the FX90 to a bustling market, where the stealth and rapid autofocus allowed me to catch fleeting moments a DSLR would have missed due to size and hesitation.

The moral? Cameras are tools, but it’s your intent and situation that define the real winner.

I hope this deep-dive equips you with a clear understanding of these two very different photographic beasts. Whether full-frame luxury or portable convenience, both have their unique strengths worth appreciating.

Happy shooting!