Upgrade Guide

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV→Canon EOS 5DS

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

You own

Canon

EOS 5D Mark IV

£278 used

2016

→

Upgrade to

Canon

EOS 5DS

£337 used (+£59)

2015

⚖️

Situational

One clear hardware improvement over the EOS 5D Mark IV. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.

What's new in the EOS 5DS

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.

Full spec comparison

Spec	EOS 5D Mark IV	EOS 5DS
Price	£278 used	£337 used
Released	2016	2015	↓
Sensor	30.4MP full-frame CMOS	50.6MP full-frame CMOS
Resolution	30MP	51MP	↑
Video	4K (4096×2160) /30p Motion JPEG (1.64× crop), 1080p/60, 720p/120	Full HD 1080p/30, 720p/60
Autofocus	61-point phase-detect (41 cross-type) via viewfinder; Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face tracking in live view	61-point phase-detect (41 cross-type) via viewfinder with EOS iTR face / colour tracking; contrast AF with face tracking in live view
Stabilisation	No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only)	No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only)
Burst Rate	7fps	5fps	↓
Battery Life	~900 shots (CIPA)	~700 shots (CIPA)	↓
Weight	890g (with battery)	930g (with battery)	↓
Weather Sealed	Yes	Not weather sealed	↓
Viewfinder	Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.71x	Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.71x
Screen	3.2" fixed touchscreen, 1.62M dots	3.2" fixed LCD, 1.04M dots
Mount	Canon EF	Canon EF
Memory Cards	Dual slots: CompactFlash + SD	Dual slots: CompactFlash + SD

Compare side-by-side

See EOS 5D Mark IV and EOS 5DS next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

Get a personalised upgrade score

Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the EOS 5DS against your specific genres — not just specs.

Other upgrades from the EOS 5D Mark IV

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