The Canon EOS 5D Mark III is a 22.3-megapixel full-frame digital SLR with full HD video and a state-of-the-art auto focus system. As the follow-up to the hugely popular Canon EOS 5D Mark II, expectations for the Mark III were huge. The Mark II set the standard for HD DSLR video and arguably revolutionized the video business, delivering cinema quality video in a compact, relatively affordable camera. On the other hand, the 5D Mark II was missing some very basic video features like audio levels control, a headphone jack and continuous auto focus. For still photography, the 5D Mark II became standard issue for Canon commercial, wedding, portrait and landscape photographers. Even sports photographers used it because the image quality was so good it was a lot less expensive than an EOS-1D body. However, the 5D Mark II’s burst rate was really too slow for shooting action and the most common complaint about the camera was the poor auto focus performance.
If you look at the Canon Web site you’ll see that the 5D Mark III is not replacing the Mark II. The 5D Mark II is still in the Canon lineup with the Mark III occupying a new slot between the Mark II and the forthcoming EOS-1D X. Compared to the Mark II, the 5D Mark III offers improved image quality, new video features and better action performance. For a lot of photographers the 5D Mark II will still be the right camera. But for pro videographers, habitual low light shooters and sports photographers, the EOS 5D Mark III offers just the right amount of extra performance compared to the Mark II, and for about half the cost of the EOS-1D X.
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Canon EOS 5D Mark III & Nikon D800 Intro Video:
Price: $3499 body-only
- Canon EOS 5D Mark III Pros
- Excellent image quality – useable to ISO 12,800
- Fast, 6 FPS high-speed burst
- State-of-the-art auto focus performance
- Headphone jack and audio levels control for video
- M-RAW (10.5 MP) and S-RAW (5.5 MP) low resolution RAW options
- Electronic level
- 100% viewfinder
- New, improved, color-sensitive metering system
- Expensive
- No tilt-swivel LCD display
- No continuous auto focus in movie mode
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Cons
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No doubt this is a big step forward for Canon. But, this is the camera they should have released for the Mark II, which uses a decade old metering and autofocus system. And worse, they’ve over priced the camera. It’s a $3,500 camera, not a $3,500 one. Although I’ve shot Canon for the past 21 years, my next camera will be the Nikon D800E, which is offers so much more than the Mark III for less money. This is typical Canon – one step forward and two steps back. I think it’s time I got off their crazy go round.
Meant to say it’s a $2,500 camera and mistyped. My apologies.
what do u see in a nikon 800e and not the canon 5d mark iii????