Though it's been several years, not much has changed in the update from the 5D to the 5D Mark II.
Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Like all Canon dSLRs, the 5D Mark II uses mostly electronic direct-access controls. Though I tend to prefer systems with more dedicated controls--most notably, the metering switches used by Nikon and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A900--Canon's operational metaphor still makes for relatively fluid shooting.
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Mode dial
Canon's new Creative Auto mode--a semimanual mode with capabilities you can consider an advanced Auto mode or dumbed-down Program mode, depending upon your viewpoint--seems out of place on a camera in the 5D Mark II's class. But at least Canon didn't jettison a custom setting slot to make room for it as on the 50D.
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Rear controls
The best part of Canon's dSLR designs are the the tried-and-true navigational controls, primarily the large thumbwheel and 8-way joystick. The new dedicated display toggle button (top left) is essential for switching into Live View and Movie capture mode.
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Connectors
To go with its movie-capture capabilities, the 5D Mark II adds a mic input and HDMI output to the standard set of connectors on its predecessor.
