I gave the camera a real workout on a 3-week Panama Canal cruise in which we visited 8 countries and had many excursions. Just the trail of GPS tags on my Lightroom map as we crossed the Panama Canal showing our progress throughout the long day in which I took >600 images makes it all worthwhile for me. The GPS mode does eat up battery life quickly, and I might need 2 batteries for a days' worth of shooting, whereas with it turned off, I could get by with just 1 battery. To me, that is a small price to pay; however when I'm not travelling, for instance for local portrait photography, I leave it turned off.

After using my 5D Mark III for over 5 years with stellar results whether it be for weddings, families, infants, or travel photography, I decided that I was ready for the next upgrade. Since I am retired, and take several extended trips each year, my primary motivation to upgrade was the inclusion of GPS tracking. I would get home from a trip with thousands of images, then as I started to edit and tag them I would wonder, "were we in Honfleur, or Lyons, or Paris that day?" Of course, I could figure it out from the exif date tags, but being able to see exactly where I was standing is fantastic!

Significant improvements include the high ISO performance. I frequently shoot in AV mode, and rarely give a thought to high the ISO is going on the Mark IV. Even at very high ISO's I know I'm going to get a usable image.

There are many other enhancements, both small and large; but what I like about this upgrade is that it is already a very familiar camera to me. Virtually all of the controls are in the same position, and the camera body is nearly identical. In fact, if I have the 2 cameras sitting on a shelf in front of me, I actually have to pick it up and turn it around to read the front label to be sure I have the right one.

I bought this camera knowing that this might be the last few DSLR cameras that Canon will ever make. DSLR's have some advantages over mirrorless. The sensor is protected by the mirror from dust and contact with whatever is outside when you remove or change lenses. With DSLR's, you can see through the lens without turning on the power. True, DSLR's are bulkier and heavier than the newest Canon mirrorless, but some pros prefer the beefier construction. I love the picture quality and the professional-level quality EF lenses that are available in every shop, warehouse, auction place, and even thriftstores.

One of the reasons why I chose Canon was because their flange distance was shorter than Nikon's, and Canon wasn't stringing us along like what Nikon was doing before full-frame sensors became commonplace. I did not like cropped sensors. Canon made available a camera with a full-sized 24x36 sensor and if I remember correctly it was my EOS 5D Mark II. But getting back to the 5D Mark IV, it's a professional-level camera.

The only thing I do not like is the LCD monitor. I wish they had used the fold-out and flippable monitor that the 6D mark II has. The monitor on the 5D Mark IV is exposed. It does not angle up or down. It stays put. I can live with that, but i wish i did not have to.

This camera is a joy to work with.

Ergonomics is perfect and I have small hands. Large handed people do not complain with this camera. You can shoot with just your right hand if the lens on it is light enough.

It might be the last few of its kind and then the Canon mirrorless cameras will take over. Buy it while you can.