canon eos 5d mk iii
The refinement of a classic, the Mk III wasn’t quite as revolutionary as the earlier generations of the 5D
The first 5D was a real trendsetter, shoehorning full-frame digital photography into a standardsized camera. The Mk II boosted the megapixel count from 12.8Mp to 21.1Mp, while also being the first Canon DSLR to feature video capture. On the face of it, the Mk III is less innovative and has been criticized in some quarters for its modest megapixel rise to 22.3Mp. Dig deeper, however, and there are treasures to be found.
There’s an updated 61-point autofocus system in which 41 points are cross-type and five are dual cross-type. The system also adds customizable AF options for subject tracking, and a camera firmware update has enabled the central AF point to be used with f/8 lens/teleconverter combinations.
Other attractions are an updated image processor, a huge increase in ISO range, a new metering system, significantly faster continuous shooting, a viewfinder with 100 per cent coverage, and more besides. It’s a much bigger revamp than it might first appear.
Build and handling
Unlike the 5D Mk II, the Mk III has a much more professional level of build quality, with improved weather-seals. Its full magnesiumalloy shell is tougher than the alloy/polycarbonate blend of the 6D, and its larger 3.2-inch, 3:2 aspect ratio LCD screen is easier on the eye.
Pro-level controls include a separate Quick Control dial and joystick-like Multi-controller, rather than the concentric controllers of the 6D. It can actually feel a bit less intuitive to the uninitiated than Canon’s more ‘consumer’ grade
layout, but once you’re used to it, it’s better in the long run.
Handling feels very similar to using a top-level 1D-series camera, but without the integral upright/ portrait orientation grip and duplicated shooting controls. The pay-off is a much more compact, lightweight and manageable build, although the camera will actually become bigger than a 1D X Mk II – and almost as heavy – if you add a separate battery grip with portrait orientation controls.
Dual card slots not only give you the choice of both SDHC/XC and Compactflash cards, but also the flexibility to use the second slot for backup or overflow as you shoot, or for storing Raw and JPEG files on separate cards.
Performance
The 5D Mk III is streets ahead of the 6D in terms of its autofocus system, which ensures much greater accuracy when using AF points away from the centre of the frame, as well as being vastly superior for tracking moving subjects. The faster 1/8000 sec shutter speed and maximum continuous drive rate of 6fps are also bonuses for action shooting. In terms of metering, white balance, colour rendition and image quality, differences between the 5D Mk III and the 6D are marginal at best.