Does the Canon 5D mark II have dual memory card slots? No, Canon 5D mark II does not have dual card slots. It has a single memory card slot that can only accept CF cards.
Nevertheless, having one single memory card slot is not a big problem as you can still use the camera to its fullest extent. The Canon 5D mark II is one of the best full-frame cameras of its time.
It is a professional-grade camera that can produce high-quality photos.
I still use this camera from time to time and I’ve been able to produce awesome photos with it. Pair it with an 85mm or a nifty fifty, and you’re going to have a great setup for shooting portraits.
I’m glad that I bought this camera because it has served me well over the years and will continue to do so in the future.
Canon 5D Mark II Alternative
If you’re in the market for a full-frame DSLR with dual card slots, the closest alternative to the Canon 5D Mark II would be the Canon 5D Mark III. This camera has many of the same features as the Canon 5D Mark II, but it has a lot of improvements that make it a better camera.
More importantly, it has dual card slots like the Canon 5D Mark IV, that accept one CF and one SD card. Moreover, the 5D Mark III’s high ISO performance is much better than the Canon 5D Mark II.
With the 5D Mark II, I can only shoot up to ISO 1600 during the wedding reception without getting a lot of noise in my photos.
With the 5D Mark III, I can shoot at ISO 3200 without any noticeable noise in my images. This is a huge bonus if you’re like me, who always shoots in poorly lit environments.
The Canon 5D Mark III also has a better focusing system than the Canon 5D Mark II. The autofocus is faster and more accurate, which is important when shooting fast-moving objects like children or wedding parties.
The 5D Mark III has a 61-point AF system while the 5D Mark II only has a measly 9 AF points.
Now, we all know that DSLRs are now a dying breed. And Canon already confirmed that they have ended the production of their DSLRs.
In my opinion, a wise investment today would be the newer Canon EOS R6 or R5 Mirrorless Cameras. These cameras are smaller and more responsive than those former Canon flagship cameras. These cameras have dual card slots that hold a CFexpress and an SD card.
They are also a lot better because they have more features and the quality of the photos is stunning. Another great thing about them is that you can still use your EF lenses with them.
You can do this by simply using the included EF-EOS R adapter.
Well, of course, not everyone would like to use an adapter because it adds size and bulk to the camera. The good thing is that the new RF lenses are much better than their EF counterparts.
The new RF lenses provide better image quality overall and an all-new design.
To conclude, if you’re still a fan of DSLRs, get a Canon 5D Mark III. If you want to join the mirrorless evolution, you should consider the Canon EOS R mirrorless system
What is the best memory card for Canon 5D Mark II?
What type of memory card does a Canon 5D Mark II use? This camera use CF cards and not SD cards. The SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO CompactFlash Memory Card is a great choice for the 5D Mark II. It’s fast, reliable, and well-priced. I’m still using mine for about 8 years now and I haven’t had any problems with it.
Are dual memory card slots that important?
In my case, I once experienced a situation where my memory card failed and I lost several hours of work. As a paid wedding photographer, it was a disaster for me!
But the good thing is, it only happened once with my Canon 5D Mark II and a Lexar CF card.
So, in a way, having dual memory card slots is important. The 2nd card can be a backup and act as another layer of protection against data loss. However, if you’re using a 5D Mark II for personal or hobbyist use, then dual memory card slots may not be as important to you.
What is the point of dual card slots?
Having dual memory card slots can be beneficial in a couple of ways. For one, it gives you more flexibility when it comes to storage and backup.
If one memory card fails or becomes corrupted, you can simply swap that out with another and continue shooting without any issues. The second benefit is you can use one card for storing RAW files while the other card is for JPEGs.
Final thoughts
All in all, the Canon 5D Mark II is a great full-frame camera that can take amazing pictures. But it doesn’t have dual card slots and can only accept 1 CF card at a time.
There are some great alternative options out there, but if you’re looking for a full-frame DSLR camera that is also affordable and has dual card slots, the Canon 5D Mark III is one of the best options around.
Emma Lucy is the Founder & CEO of Emma Lucy Photography. She has over a decade of experience shooting weddings and other intimate events. She also tests the latest digital camera bodies, lenses, analog cameras, and other gear from Canon, Nikon, Sony, and other camera brands. She is From London and currently lives in the United States of America, where she spends most of her time as a self-employed professional photographer and writer.