Hey there photo nerds. We’re all in this together and today Canon just added more fuel to the HdDSLR fire – the much-anticipated Canon 5D MK III is here. They made some interesting choices on pixel count, recording modes, etc. So let’s review the skinny of it all.
Here’s some highlighted specs:
_22.3MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
_3.2″ Clear View High Resolution LCD
_DIGIC 5+ Image Processor
_61-Point High Density AF
_Full HD 1080/30p and 720/60p Formats
_Built-In HDR and Multiple Exposure Modes
_Extended ISO Range (50-102400)
_Up to 6.0 FPS Continuous Still Mode Shooting
_Dual CF and SD Memory Card Slots
_Magnesium-Alloy Construction
The curve balls for the people I’m talking to? The no 1080 at 60p. Please note I HAVE NOT touched one of these cameras – unlike Nikon, Canon doesn’t trust me with a 10-foot pole and I get no advance copies of these cameras.
The look? She’s small and sleek. Click thru a range of images of the camera via the above tabs.
Now, not unlike what I’ve done with the recent launch of the Nikon D800 and Nikon D4…rather than me spouting off about having played with the system or telling you what your feelings about this system should be, I’m turning the tables back to you. What’s your take? Love, hate, indifferent? Insights? I know that Canon folks, including, ahem, Chuck Westfall read this blog, so your comments on this post – glowing or otherwise – might help inform Canon and the rest of the camera manufacturers about what your thinking…
Link to all the Canon 5D MK III details and/or purchase here via B&H.
I feel like the 5D MKIII, is designed to be a little brother to the C300. It is definitely geared towards videographers, as a still shooter I’m not sure how I feel about this, I haven’t seen enough upgrades to connivence me to spend the $3500 to upgrade. Now if a firmware update comes out and we can control the Iso of individual pixels across the sensor to have complete control over our dynamic range that would be amazing.
£3000 in the UK… don’t think so.
If it had WiFi internally, dual CF slots (not one CF + one SD), a significantly better screen rather than a tweak, and maybe if it proves to genuinely offer a higher dynamic range than the mark2… then maybe it’s worth £800-£1,000 more than the mark2.
Biggest problem is that so many mark2 users won’t upgrade, meaning that the used prices for mark2’s will stay high!
It’s a potentially very interesting camera. 22mp is enough I think and if high ISO performance really is as good as the specs indicate it would be a good do-all camera. The question in my head though is whether this is going to take sales from the 1DX. Whilst Nikon went for two vastly different approaches with their ff cameras, Canon’s aren’t a million miles away from each other spec wise. I suspect neither approach will blow the other out of the water.
Of course I haven’t had my hands on one either. This I do not understand since I am incredibly talented and a loyal Canon shooter. My only explanation is that unlike some people (Chase Jarvis) I have not been blessed with boyish good looks and model hair. Chase seems like the kind of guy that can take a joke, I hope so. Back to the subject.
Likes:
Improvement to the AF system. this was really needed from the mark II. In the II it is quite frustrating.
Improved processor, always a good thing.
Dual card slots.
Uses the same battery as the mark II, hope it uses the same grip.
I don’t really have any dislikes but most of the other things just don’t excite me. The resolution isn’t that much different and I the extra 2.1 fps doesn’t matter to me. I also can’t see using built in HDR. Some of the other improvements, screen res, better tonal range and the higher ISO I will have to see for myself. Personally I would like a lower ISO. I am just starting to get into motion so can’t speak much to that but I am sure that those folks would love to have 1080 at 60p.
Overall, I think they made some steps in the right direction but I won’t be on the pre order list. I can see one in my bag one day but I am going to bet that that there will be rebates or a price drop when the response is pretty indifferent.
Grip won’t be the same, saw it listed as almost $500 somewhere. Maybe Canon finally changed the design of thier grips to get rid of that stupid column. Yes, it makes changing batteries easy (having both in the grip), but for packing, it’s nice to easily take the grips off of your bodies and stack them n a bag for efficiency.
It’s a battery grip and Canon holds us hostage by forcing users into purchasing them. They, slightly, change the design and then jack up the price. Shame on you Canon!
Also the price increase on the 5D mk3 is ludicrous. Once again, Shame on you Canon!
I finally switched from Canon grips to Vello grips. They work great at less than 1/2 the price. Check them out.
I have to say I am not over the moon with the price increase. That said I am liking what I see and maybe I can stop hearing people bitch about how bad the AF is on the 5D. It is funny to see the locking mode dial listed as a new feature as all my EOS film cameras had this. I am looking forward to getting one up to my eye and checking out the new viewfinder with the LCD overlay that could be useful. I was hoping for some expansion in the ISO but on the low end I would love native ISO 50 or even 25 but alas everyone seems to be chasing shooing in the dark. Funny enough the thing I am most excited about is the addition of a second multi controller on the vertical grip.