The Canon 5D Mark III has arrived!
By Katie Dix, March 2012
After three years of rumour and speculation Canon have officially announced the 5D Mark III. Building on the Mark II the new 5D closes the gap between the 5 and 1D series cameras but will it live up to our expectations? Let’s have a look at the specs.
Specifications
- 22.3 megapixel CMOS sensor (36 x 24 mm)
- A standard ISO range of 100-25,600 (expandable 50-102,400)
- Next-generation DIGIC 5 image processing engine
- Full HD 1080p movie capability
- 3.2″ 1,040,000-dot LCD screen
- Dual card slots: one for CF cards and one for SD cards
- Up to 6 frames per second
- 61-point AF system (41-cross type sensors)
- £2999**
The Canon 5D Mark III holds onto the impressive level of specification as the respectable and legendary Canon 5D Mark II but with a boost of technological enhancements in all the right directions.
22.3 Megapixels
With only but a little nudge in megapixels, Canon has chosen not to enter the 5D Mark III into the race of “who has the most megapixels” and focus more on what is essential to users looking to upgrade.
The revolutionary DIGIC 5+ Processor
Wildlife and Sports photographers who require a fast burst rate will be pleased to see Canon have increased the frame rate from 3.9fps (found in the Canon 5D Mark II) to 6fps. Working together with the CMOS sensor, the Digic 5+ processor ensures fast continuous shooting and provides exceptional image quality, even in low light. The Digic 5+ processor is equivalent to the one found in the 1D X, not only is it 17x faster than the Digic 4 (again found in the 5D Mk II) but it is also designed to create 75% less noise.
61-point Autofocus System
While the Canon 5D Mark II was everything and more, the obvious and headline improvement would be that of the AF system – Canon has hit the nail on the head with this one! The Canon 5D Mark III now features an impressive 61-point AF system including 41-cross type sensors, the same found in the Canon 1D X. Like the 1D X, the 5D Mark III can also detect a subject that is completely out of focus by utilising the entire sensor, rather than just a single AF point, thus ensuring rapid and effective AF control at all times.
Night capability, ISO 50-102,400
The standard ISO ranges from 100-25,600 is impressive in itself but the ISO performance doesn’t stop there, the Canon 5D Mark III’s ISO can reach down to as low as 50 and expand to a remarkable 102,400.
Get the full view
The new viewfinder as been upgraded to offer 100% coverage (98% on the Canon 5D Mark II), on par with the 1D X.
Movie mode
With a quick press of the dedicated Movie/Live View shooting button, the Canon 5D Mark III can record Full HD 1080p movies, offering manual control over depth of field, exposure, shutter speeds and in a selection of frame rates – 30, 25 and 24, with 60 and 50 available at resolutions of 720p. Using the Quick Control movie tab you can adjust the sound levels during recording plus the standard 3.5mm microphone and headphone socket permits audio monitoring to assist in capturing the soundtrack your movie deserves. The Canon 5D MK III gives you the best out of both digital worlds too, whilst recording you can simultaneously capture still images.
Design and Weather Sealing
In terms of its size, the Mark III isn’t much bigger to its brother the 5D Mk II, but what it does gain is a completely new button layout based on its older cousin, the Canon 7D – a great incentive for anyone looking to upgrade. The weather-proof construction as a whole is a lot stronger, with extra sealing throughout the body – around the buttons, LCD, battery and more importantly the memory compartment.
Dual card slot
With the addition of dual SD and CF card slots you now have the option to duplicate all files to both cards, or record JPEGS to one and RAW files on the other, giving you a more efficient work flow.
Comparison table
| 5D MK II | 5D MK III | 1D X | ||
| Megapixels | 21.1 | 22.3 | 18.1 | |
| ISO range | 100-6400 | 100-25,600 | 100-51,200 | |
| Max extendable ISO | 100-25,600 | 50-102,400 | 50-204,800 | |
| Image Processor | DIGIC 4 | DIGIC 5 | DIGIC 5 | |
| HD Video | 1080p (30fps) | 1080p (24, 25, 30fps) | 1080p (24, 25, 30fps) | |
| Autofocus | 9-point | 61-point | 61-point | |
| FPS | 3.9 | 6 | 12 | |
| Card Slot | CF | Dual SDXC & CF | Dual CF | |
| Screen (dot resolution) | 3.0″ LCD (920k) | 3.2 LCD (1,040,000k) | 3.2″ (1,040k) | |
| Weight* | 810g | 950g | TBC | |
| Price** | £1688 | £2999 | £5299 |
*approximate body only weight (without battery or memory cards)
Along with the launch of the Canon 5D Mark III Digital SLR there a number of accessories to go with it.
Wireless transmitter WT-5 - £789**
Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT Flashgun - £679**
Canon Speedlite 600EX Flashgun - £639**
Canon BG-E11 Battery Grip for EOS 5D Mark III - £329**
Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver – £299**
Canon ST-E3-RT Speedlite Transmitter - £309**
Canon WFT-E7B Wireless Transmitter - £789**
**Prices as of today (2nd March) and are subject to change
We caught up with Canon at Focus to find out a little bit more on the new Canon 5D Mark III
Final thoughts
The wait is over, so what do we think? Let’s rewind, so when the Canon 5D Mark II first hit the market, it was priced at £2299.99, so that’s £699.01 more to save up in your piggy bank. Whilst not exactly cheap, the Canon 5D Mark III is still within reach of many photographers and with this set of impressive features there will be many clamouring to buy one. Watch this space for more specifications and important updates on this impressive full frame DSLR.
Sample Images
We’ve sourced a few sample images from Canon (original source here) for a first look at what the Canon 5D Mark III can produce. More sample images will be added here as they become available.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III – Canon 50mm, 1/3200, f/8.0, ISO 400
Canon EOS 5D Mark III – Canon 24mm, 8s, f/3.5, ISO 800
Canon EOS 5D Mark III – Canon 17mm, 1/6, f/11, ISO 400
Canon EOS 5D Mark III – Canon 17mm, 1/160, f/11, ISO 200
Canon EOS 5D Mark III – Canon 24mm, 1/125. f11, ISO 100
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I’ve always had the 1D/1Ds series from the start, so now I cant decide on 1dx + 5d3 or 5d3 x2. Decisions!?!
Paul UnderhillI eagerly waited on this release, but, I am astounded that Canon is wanting 3 grand for a camera with less spec than the Nikon D800.
Mark LoganI’m thinking of changing allegance?
Great camera with lots of improved features, But I think the price of the new 600 EX RT Flashgun is a bit steep. With all these new high spec cameras coming on stream it would be great if someone made a digital projector to do justice to the stunning definition they will produce.
Ken CservenkaWould absolutely love this camera.
Mrs DudleyI wish you would bring back 10 month interest free credit terms. That was a huge help for me buying bigger items. Three grand is too much to find all at once.
Great to finally see the mk 3 , but as I have only jut bought the mk2 can only hope that within a year it’ll be within my budget , but by then another model will appear ! Which is the better camera , the mk 3 or the
Any EvansD 800 ?
Cant wait for mine just hope Canon can stick to the delivery schedule and it’s here before the end of March. The spec on this camera is the perfect wedding camera, hope it lives up to it.
Steve HaleDISAPPOINTMENT is the name of the game. Price, specs, the whole thing is just very disappointing. Having to card slots for two different card format? £2999 body only? ‘Only’ 22 MP? I love Canon cameras and I love its lenses even more, but this time they got it very, VERY wrong.
Reinaldo LombardiWe are living in very difficult times, times of great economic constrains and this companies, instead of helping us out, making our lives a little bit easier, they just make it much more complicated.
It is as easy for Canon to put a dual CF card slot(like in the 1DX) as it is to put a SD/CF slot. Why add to the expense the cost of two different media formats?
As for the price tag of body only, it is just outrageous. There is no way they can justify this price. And the saddest thing is that many people will rush to buy the camera.
Now, the 22MP ‘issue’. Nikon has been playing the game of less is more and has been very conservative when increasing the MP count in favour of better image quality and noise reduction.
Canon bought into this and boy it has back fired! Nikon now has a 36MP camera for £700 less that smashes any argument anyone could make in favour of the Canon.
To sum up, it is a very sad day for me and many Canon users/ lovers.
I, like many more, was very eager to get this camera and now I’m left empty handed and out of options. The 1DX is just too expensive and TRUST ME, there will be another 1 Series with a massive MP count aimed at studio/landscape/wedding photographers. They are just waiting for everyone to buy this two cameras(1DX & 5DMkIII) and soon enough they will release that one camera that they should have released now. The price tag for that dream machine will certainly be unjustifiable high.
Mere mortals like us, have no option but to wait and see and hope for the best…
…and I, like many others, am getting tired of waiting.
I have to agree with Reinaldo i love canon but they are simply getting too expensive , with total regret im starting to sniff around nikon as they are at least trying to keep prices down i mean almost twice the price of the mk 2 there having a laugh at our expense , as for this loyal customer who has always upgraded my gear NOT THIS TIME TOO EXPENSIVE TAKE NOTE CANON THERE WILL BE HUNDREDS LIKE ME !
ianA super camera for people with money to burn. This is not a tool that will earn you any extra, nor take better pictures. No way Canon!
paul