CanonEOS  5D Mk II
Handling & ease of use:
As with the original EOS 5D, it's hard to believe this relatively compact body could house a full-frame sensor. While the body has seen some slight cosmetic changes when compared to the EOS 5D, it looks very similar, with a slightly more angular body shape, a few additional buttons, larger LCD monitor and a thicker mode dial on the top-plate.
The EOS 5D MkII is very well made and has a solid feel, with the large, contoured handgrip providing a firm hold. While there are a fair number of buttons on the body, they're neatly arranged so it should take little time to work out which functions each controls, especially if you're already a Canon user. The top-plate features an exposure mode dial on the left side, while on the right, a standard LCD panel provides exposure information, with a row of buttons in front that provide access to key functions such as AF mode, metering patterns, White Balance and ISO rating. As well as the small input dial close to the shutter button, the Canon also boasts a large thumbdial on the rear, which really speeds up operation, in particular when setting exposure compensation. As you'll discover, despite the extensive range of features on offer, the EOS 5D MkII proves to be an easy camera to use for anyone with some DSLR experience.
A real benefit of using a full-frame DSLR is the bigger-than-average viewfinder and this camera doesn't disappoint, boasting a large, bright and clear screen with 98% coverage and an excellent level of information displayed in green along its base. Black markings indicate the area covered by the spot meter and the position of the nine AF points, which light up red when activated. As with the original EOS 5D, the focusing screens are interchangeable, although those for each model are incompatible with the other. The 3in LCD monitor offers an excellent display with 920,000 pixels ensuring crisp detail and bright, clean colours. The on-screen menu system is comprehensive but easy to navigate, thanks to the various functions being neatly arranged under nine different tabs. Despite the high specification, the EOS 5D MkII's uncluttered control layout makes it easy to get to grips with and enjoyable to use.

Features:
With a full-frame CMOS sensor boasting 21.1-megapixels, the EOS 5D MkII offers the same resolution as the flagship EOS-1Ds MkIII but for less than half the price. At its highest setting, it can produce images of  5616x3744 pixels, with the option to shoot at lower resolutions of 11.1 or 5.2-megapixels. As well as the increase in resolution, the sensor also features Canon's EOS Integrated Cleaning System, to help remove dust particles (as well as the option of 'Dust Delete Data' via the supplied software). Images can be recorded as Raw, JPEG or both simultaneously and can be captured at a rate of 3.9 frames-per-second (up to 13 frames with Raw and 78 with JPEG). This is reasonably fast considering the enormous file sizes produced, and is possible thanks to Canon's DIGIC 4 image processor.
There is no shortage of modes and functions available for the creative photographer. While Canon has done away with the subject-biased programs, there is a full complement of semi-auto and manual modes and, as with the recently introduced EOS 50D, three custom modes that can be set up to the user's requirements. Metering options are excellent, with 35-zone Evaluative, Partial (central 8%), spot (3.5%) and centre-weighted average patterns on offer. Use a Canon Speedlite flashgun and the highly sophisticated E-TTL II flash metering system comes into play – Wireless multi-flash is also possible.
The AF system is based around a nine-point array (plus six 'invisible' assist AF points) set up in a diamond formation around the centre of the frame. Users can select individual points or leave all active and set the AF mode to lock and hold focus (AF-S), track moving subjects (AF-C) or automatically switch between the two (AF-A). Autofocus is also possible with Live View (see panel). The ISO range of 100-6400 is good and can be further extended to cover a range of 50-25,600 or set to Auto. An addition to the MkII is the inclusion of features that increase the range of tones that are captured in the image, including Highlight Tone priority and the Auto Lighting Optimiser. Users can also select Picture Styles when they want to take control of parameters such as colour reproduction, contrast or sharpness. As well as the usual selections (eg Landscape, portrait and monochrome), there are three settings that can be user-defined. As you may be aware, this is the first EOS to incorporate HD video as well as stills, which, while not possibly relevant to all photographers, is something that has captured the attention of wedding photographers in particular. This is one reason why the lithium-ion battery has been updated to offer better capacity. With the exception of an integral flashgun (which would compromise the camera's weatherproofing), the EOS 5D MkII has everything that the enthusiast could want; and its resolution, price and size, as well as the video capability, have also captured the attention of many professionals.

Performance:
The EOS 5D MkII is a camera that has its main appeal with the more advanced photographer, so you'd expect it to have a performance that will keep pros, as well as amateurs, happy. Certainly in the relatively short time that we've had the camera (just under two weeks) we've found that it delivers brilliantly well in most areas. The power of the DIGIC 4 processor means that it's very fast in operation, from near-instant start-up times to fast transfer of data, especially when using top-end 'UDMA' CompactFlash cards. While the autofocus lacks the number of AF points of some of its rivals, most users of this DSLR will find the nine (plus five 'assist') points are more than enough for their needs. The AF is fast and positive at locking on subjects, especially with Canon USM lenses, which offer near-silent and very smooth performance. It's no surprise to find that the Evaluative metering system proves to be extremely consistent and proving almost faultless with all scenarios except those which always fool all multi-zone systems, namely strongly backlit and very light or dark scenes. In terms of colour reproduction, the Auto White Balance system is very good at delivering realistic tones in a most ambient lighting conditions, including a mix of daylight and artificial lighting, but scenes in tungsten still deliver a warm orange cast. Image quality is excellent, with colours having slightly less saturation than from the Sony, with the result being that they're slightly more realistic. Noise is very well controlled and not far off being as good as the Nikon at the higher speeds. As is expected, once sharpened a little, images have excellent detail and resolution.

Handling & Ease of use: 23/25
Features: 24/25
Performance: 24/25
Value for money: 22/25
OVERALL 93/100

Sony Alpha 900
Handling & ease of use:
The Alpha 900 has a very distinctive shape, with strong angular lines and a large, angled pentaprism. It's a big, chunky camera that feels tough and ready for serious use, no doubt in part to its magnesium-alloy chassis and exterior. In terms of looks, it's less attractive than the Canon (and the Nikon D700), mainly because the large handgrip creates a deep top panel on the right-side, in comparison to that of its rivals. However, this depth does provide it with two handling advantages. The first is that the extra space on the top-plate means that it can house a small LCD panel with basic exposure information, while also allowing the key function buttons to be nicely spaced out and larger than normal, making them easier to use. The other bonus of the bigger handgrip is that its size and contoured shape allow you to take  a very secure hold of the camera. The control layout is a little more intimidating than that of the Canon EOS 5D MkII or the Nikon D700, but once you start using it, you'll find that it's pretty straightforward to adjust settings. Changing functions is speeded up by the use of the Fn button and the toggle dial, which allows you to quickly select from the various icons on the LCD monitor.
The Alpha 900 scores full marks for its viewfinder, which is quite simply the best you'll find on any DSLR. It's crystal-clear and very bright, offering a 100% coverage for very accurate framing, which is pretty amazing considering this camera's price point. Black markings on the screen show the spot meter area at its centre and the position of the AF points, which light up red when in use. It also has crop marks for when using DT-lenses designed for APS-C sensors (see panel). Exposure information is shown along the bottom and a sensor just below the window switches the LCD monitor off when you look through the viewfinder. As with the Canon, the Sony boasts an excellent 3in LCD monitor that provides a sharp, bright display. The menu system is similar to that found on the Alpha 700, with four tabs along the top providing sub-menus to different areas of functionality.
 While the Alpha 900's looks may lack the refinement of its main rivals, it nonetheless handles extremely well, and is quick and relatively easy to use.

Features:
The headline feature of the Alpha 900 is without doubt its resolution of 24.6 million pixels – higher than any other DSLR (outside of medium-format digital backs). This allows it to deliver a maximum image size of 6048x4032 pixels in Raw or JPEG, which should prove more than enough for the vast majority of photographers. To handle the huge amount of data that this sensor produces, especially when shooting in continuous mode at a very impressive five frames-per-second, the Alpha 900 boasts not one but two BIONZ processors. As with the Canon, there are no subject-biased scene modes on the Sony, although there is a 'Green' Full Auto mode. Instead, you have the core four (Program, aperture, shutter-priority and manual) as well as three user-customisable modes. It's backed up by three metering patterns: Honeycomb (40-segments), spot, and centre-weighted average, selected via a dial on the upper right of the camera's rear.
The AF system uses a nine-point pattern with ten further 'assist' points; giving the user the option to leave all points active (Wide AF), use the central AF point (which uses a double cross-type sensor for extra sensitivity) or select any individual point. In low light, an AF-assist beam is used to help the Sony lock on to the subject. Like the Canon, autofocus can be set to single-shot AF, continuous-AF or Auto-AF, as well as manual focus. Surprisingly, the Alpha 900 lacks a Live View facility, but instead offers what Sony calls Intelligent Preview. Press the depth-of-field button and a 'preview' image is captured using the current camera settings. You can then adjust variables such as White Balance or exposure until you get a result you like, then take the shot with these settings in place.
The ISO range covered by the Sony is not as vast as that of the Canon, with a nominal range of ISO 200-3200 (as well as Auto) that can be extended down to ISO 100 or up to ISO 6400. As with all DSLRs, users have the option to tailor some of the image characteristics to their liking. Sony's set of Colour Modes offers a selection of colour variants like Landscape, Portrait etc, but also has interesting options like Autumn Leaves and Sunset too. Whether many users will use the range of Color Modes remains to be seen, but its an indication that Sony is aiming the Alpha as much at the advanced amateur as the pro.

Performance:
With a range of features not out of place on a pro model, yet at a price point that places it firmly in reach of many enthusiasts, the Sony is sure to have wide appeal, especially in view of its class-leading resolution. In terms of its general performance, the Sony does extremely well. Like the Canon, it's very fast in operation, with the dual-Bionz processors ensuring it responds instantly to your commands. The frame rate is very impressive considering the size of the images being recorded, with a noticeable difference in performance with higher speed cards, such as the Lexar 300x Pro cards. Autofocus is fast and responsive and apart from being noisier than the Canon's, turns in an equally good performance. The Honeycomb metering system is excellent, providing consistent results. However, as well as backlit conditions, it often underexposed when much of the frame included sky, even in overcast conditions. Colour reproduction is very good, with images displaying a higher level of saturation than the Canon, which results in punchier colours. The AWB works well in ambient light but is somewhat inaccurate in artificial lighting, so WB presets are advised in these conditions. In terms of noise, it's very good up to ISO 800 and image quality remains acceptable at ISO 1600, although we wouldn't recommend using it at anything faster unless absolutely necessary. The built-in stabiliser works well and while Sony claims a four-stop benefit, we'd say two stops is more realistic. The high resolution means lots of detail is recorded, but means that cheaper lenses should be avoided as the sensor will reveal inferior optics.

Handling & Ease of use: 22/25
Features: 23/25
Performance: 23/25
Value for money: 23/25
OVERALL 91/100

TEST VERDICT
Any enthusiast wanting to buy a full-frame DSLR a year ago had only one option, the Canon EOS 5D. This model has now been superseded by three fantastic DSLRs, each with a superb range of features and its own distinctive appeal. The Nikon D700 is a class act and has the advantage of price on its side, but has half the resolution of the other two. The Sony has an abundance of features and a class-leading resolution, but noise is more of a problem at high speeds, and the lens system has a lot of catching up to do to match Canon's and Nikon's. The Canon EOS 5D MkII offers very high resolution and excellent noise control, but is the most expensive of the three. Whichever you buy, all are capable of superb results, but you really do need to choose one that fits your needs. If you think 12-million pixels is enough (in truth, for most of us, it should be), then you'll love the Nikon D700; if you don't see yourself using high ISOs and only plan to kit yourself out with a modest set of lenses, then the Sony is a great choice. If you need the high resolution and plan to build up a big system, then the Canon EOS 5D MkII is a worthwhile investment. All are highly recommended.