The SPEED meets QUALITY and the legend is re-incarnated and get christened as “Canon 5D Mark III”
Yes, just when the world was drooling at one end and at the other end ranting over the 36MP Nikon’s D800 launch just few days back (with my own version too), and all the speculations about delay in shipping of Nikon D4 and Canon 1DX – Canon has re-incarnated the legendary 5D series with host of new features and showed it the light after weeks of speculation of wild sightings of a camera which people thought would be merger of 5D and 7D line. Though Canon “for now/in this launch” has not went ahead with showcasing a higher megapixel sensor to compete with the Nikon D800, but this for sure has all that and more to raise the eye brows and show where Canon really sits in this market segment and how keen they are for the end quality and performance.
A very brief overview of the main features which are def worth a mention are ..
Unsurpassed Image Quality
22.3 Megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor
DiG!C 5+ Image Processor
ISO 100-25600 (expandable to L:50 H1:51200, H2: 102400
Full HD Movie (ISO 100-12800 (H:25600)
High Performance Operation
61-point high-density reticular AF (up to 41 crosstype points)
6.0 fps for high continuous shooting
Intelligent viewfinder with approx. 100% coverage
3.2-type, approx.1.04m dot (3:2 wide) Clear View LCD II
iFCL metering with 63-zone dual-layer sensor
Shutter durability of 150,000 cycles
High end features
Silent & low vibration modes
Dual card slots (CF & SD)
High Dynamic Range (HDR) Mode
Multiple Exposures
Comparative Playback function
Improved durability & water and dust resistance
General Specifications
Available Colours – Black
Megapixels – 22MP
Sensor Size – 36 x 24mm
ISO/Sensitivity – 100 – 25600
Autofocus Points – 61 points
Lens Mount – Canon
LCD Size – 3.2?
Liveview – Yes
Viewfinder – Optical TTL
Min Shutter Speed – 30 sec
Max Shutter Speed – 1/8000 sec
Continuous Shooting Speed – 6 fps
Self Timer – 10 sec, 2 sec
Metering – Centre-weighted, Spot, Evaluative, Partial
Video Resolution – Full HD 1080
Memory Type – Compact Flash
Connectivity – USB 2, HDMI, Mic Input, Wireless (optional)
Battery – LP-E6
Battery Type – Lithium-ion
Charger – Includes Li-Ion Charger
File Formats – AVI, RAW, H.264, MOV, MPEG-4
Dimensions – 152 x 116 x 76mm
Whats worthwhile here to note is the retaining of the 22MP sensor capacity and not to bombard the sensor with more megapixels. But the autofocus and the fps improvements are what makes this a huge leap from the handicapped version we had in past. The camera also features the new Digi 5+ processor which is the brain behind all the activities that this small beast is capable of doing. Dual card slot is a thing which is most welcome but why not the same card format instead of one SD and one CF is my question ! Finally Canon brings in Multiple Exposure and in camera HDR through this camera. The 2 stops improvements in the ISO def comes as ahuge plus to the people who fancy shooting in low light and people doing astro timelapse and night photography. Along with the Canon 5D Mark3, Canon also clubbed along the release of the new BG-E11 battery grip and also the upgrade high end flash in form of Canon 600EX.
At a stated launch price of $3500 this is not a easy candy to grab, but sure the street price of the camera will drop once its fully inside the market and people have spoken enough of good and bad about it. Though at 1/3rd the cost, this is no where a lower end Canon C300, but for sure it has capacity and if landed in the right hands with right techniques can surpass the IQ of what higher end cameras in the market can produce.
So its just matter of time when we will start seeing all the photogs and cinematographers churn out gigabytes of images and footages using Canon 5D Mark III and Nikon D800 – and those will stand a testimony for what we have in store for the next few years for sure.
If all that above tempts you B&H seems to have opened the pre-order already > Canon 5D Mark III @ B&H
Until next time – Happy clicking 🙂 & dont forget – “the best cam is still the one with you”.
*What the world says*
Vincent Laforet on the Canon 5D Mark III
Hands on with the Canon 5D Mark III by Planet 5D – specs outside the press release
Comparison of 5D Mark II, 5D Mark III and Nikon D800 by Planet 5D
This is how it sounds, the Canon 5D Mark III shutter at 6fps
Engadget’s coverage if Canon 5D Mark III
PDN Pulse have their hands at the Canon 5D Mark III too
Canon 5D Mark III Sample videos and images at Canon Professional Network
On other hand – Looks like Nikon PR guys are getting into some trouble with the usage of Terje Sorgjerd‘ 5D Mark II video clips to promote their Nikon D00
-SK