Canon's latest digital single lens reflex camera (D-SLR) creates a new D-SLR category combining a full frame CMOS sensor with a lightweight, compact magnesium alloy body. Let's briefly explain what a "full frame sensor" means for dental photography.

Tens of thousands of dentists are used to shooting clinical photographs with 35mm film. Certain magnifications became standards over the years, i.e., 1:1, 1:2 and 1:10. These magnifications allowed a dental office to maintain consistent image sizing through before and after photos and from patient to patient. These magnifications were also based on the size of the 35mm film: 36mm wide (roughly 1 7/16 inches).

When the first D-SLR cameras appeared, they used capture chips (sensors) that were smaller than a frame of 35mm film - typically 2/3 that size of a frame of 35mm film. Wide angle lenses (for recreational use) were "less wide" and, for dental use, the magnifications that everyone was used to were not the same. This caused everyone to re-learn lens settings to photograph a field that was equivalent to what they were used to.

The Canon EOS 5D uses a full frame sensor - the same size as a frame of 35mm film. A 1:2 shot with the 5D is the same as a 1:2 shot with a 35mm camera. These full frame sensors are not inexpensive and prior to the 5D, the only other full frame camera (from Canon) is twice the price of the 5D.

The new Canon 5D improves on the popular 20D in terms of resolution. The 5D increases the resolution to 12.8 megapixel vs. 8.2 with the 20D. Canon includes the great white balance custom setting from the 20D as well as the "white balance shift" control. This feature allows you to subtly influence the image color in four directions on an x-y axis: green to magenta and blue to amber.

Canon designed the 5D to be compatible with most of their EOS 35mm camera accessories, including the Canon MR-14EX macro ring flash, Canon MT-24EX dual point flash and the Sigma EM-140DG macro flash. This allows E-TTL (evaluative through-the-lens) flash metering for automatic exposure. Just as you would with a 35mm clinical camera, you simply set the magnification and f-stop and then move towards your subject until the image is in focus - the 5D takes care of the rest. Or switch the lens to AF (auto focus) and let the camera do the focusing. You have the choice.