Canon EOS-1D Mark III

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    Highlights

    • 10.1 MP APS-H CMOS Sensor
    • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
    • 45 Focus Points (45 Cross-type)
    • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
    • 10.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • Wheather Sealed Body
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Canon EOS-1D Mark III was announced in 2007 and is an APS-H (28.7 x 18.7 mm) DSLR camera with 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 3,200 and expands to 50 - 6,400 in boosted mode. The camera has a Fixed 3.0" screen with 230k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Predecessor
    4. Successor
    5. Screen and Viewfinder
    6. Sensor
    7. Photography Features
    8. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    9. Other Features
    10. Physical Parameters
    11. For Different Types of Photography
    12. Evaluation
    13. Specifications  

    Here is the Canon EOS-1D series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Canon EOS-1D series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Canon 1D X III
    Compare
    		January
    2020    		 20.1 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 102,400 Fixed 3.2"
    2,100k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Canon 1D X II
    Compare
    		February
    2016    		 20.2 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 51,200 Fixed 3.2"
    1,620k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Canon 1D C
    Compare
    		April
    2012    		 18.1 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 51,200 Fixed 3.2"
    1,040k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 1D X
    Compare
    		October
    2011    		 18.1 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 51,200 Fixed 3.2"
    1,040k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 1D IV
    Compare
    		February
    2010    		 16.1 MP
    APS-H    		 100 - 12,800 Fixed 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 1Ds III
    Compare
    		August
    2008    		 21.1 MP
    Full Frame    		 50 - 3,200 Fixed 3.0"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 1D III February
    2007    		 10.1 MP
    APS-H    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 3.0"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 1Ds II
    Compare
    		October
    2005    		 17.2 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 2.0"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 1D II N
    Compare
    		August
    2005    		 8.2 MP
    APS-H    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 2.0"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 1D II
    Compare
    		June
    2004    		 8.2 MP
    APS-H    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 2.0"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 1Ds
    Compare
    		December
    2002    		 11 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 1,250 Fixed 2.0"
    120k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 1D
    Compare
    		December
    2001    		 4 MP
    APS-H    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 2.0"
    120k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Canon EOS-1D X Mark III vs EOS-1D X Mark II vs EOS-1D C vs EOS-1D X vs EOS-1D Mark IV vs EOS-1Ds Mark III.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Canon EOS-1D Mark III.

    PROS

    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/300 sec
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Long Battery Life - 2200 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.1 Megapixel
    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   Heavy - 1335 g (2.94 lb / 47.09 oz)

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   45 Focus Points
    •   19 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 10.0 fps
    •   DxO Overall Score - 71

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Canon EOS-1D Mark III to its predecessor EOS-1D Mark II N and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Canon EOS-1D Mark III vs Canon EOS-1D Mark II N
    Higher Sensor Resolution 10.1 Megapixel vs 8.2 Megapixel
    Max Image Resolution 3888 x 2592 vs 3504 x 2336
    Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.0"
    Live View vs
    Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.58x vs 0.55x
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 10.0 fps vs 8.5 fps
    Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/300 sec vs 1/250 sec
    Lower Min Metering 0 EV vs +1 EV
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 1078 vs 975
    Higher DxO Color Depth 22.7 vs 22.3
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.7 vs 11.2
    Higher DxO Overall Score 71 vs 66
    Higher USB Speed USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) vs USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
    Lighter 1335 g (2.94 lb / 47.09 oz) vs 1565 g (3.45 lb / 55.20 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Canon EOS-1D Mark III vs EOS-1D Mark II N.

    Successor

    In 2010 Canon EOS-1D Mark III was replaced by Canon EOS-1D Mark IV. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Canon EOS-1D Mark III and its successor.

    UPGRADES Canon EOS-1D Mark IV vs Canon EOS-1D Mark III
    Video Capture vs
    Higher Sensor Resolution 16.1 Megapixel vs 10.1 Megapixel
    Higher Native ISO 12,800 vs 3,200
    Higher Boosted ISO 102,400 vs 6,400
    Max Image Resolution 4896 x 3264 vs 3888 x 2592
    Face Detection vs
    Live View Autofocus vs
    Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
    Higher Resolution Screen 920k dot vs 230k dot
    Multi-Segment Metering vs
    Center Weighted Metering vs
    Spot Metering vs
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 1320 vs 1078
    Higher DxO Color Depth 22.8 vs 22.7
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 12.0 vs 11.7
    Higher DxO Overall Score 74 vs 71
    HDMI Output vs
    Built-in Microphone Stereo vs
    Microphone Input vs
    Lighter 1230 g (2.71 lb / 43.39 oz) vs 1335 g (2.94 lb / 47.09 oz)
    DOWNGRADES Canon EOS-1D Mark IV vs Canon EOS-1D Mark III
    Higher Min Metering +1 EV vs 0 EV
    Lower Max Metering +18 EV vs +20 EV
    Shorter Battery Life 1500 shots vs 2200 shots

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Canon EOS-1D Mark III vs EOS-1D Mark IV.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Canon EOS-1D Mark III has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 230k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.


    Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.76x (0.58x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

    Sensor

    Canon EOS-1D Mark III features a 10.1 megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor with dimensions of 28.7 x 18.7 mm and a total area of 536.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200 and expands to 50 - 6,400 in boosted mode.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Canon EOS-1D Mark III's APS-H sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H28.7 x 18.7 mm536.7 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera can take pictures up to 3888 x 2592 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 3456 x 2304, 2816 x 1880, 1936 x 1288 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Canon EOS-1D Mark III has Canon EF lens mount. Due to APS-H sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1.3x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.3.


    No In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) so it needs lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS-1D Mark III.

    Canon 1D IV
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    APS-H

    16.1 MP

    Canon 1D II N
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    APS-H

    8.2 MP

    Canon 1D X III
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    20.1 MP

    Canon 1D
    Image cannot be found

    APS-H

    4 MP

    Canon 1Ds
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    11 MP

    Canon 1D C
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    18.1 MP

    Canon 1Ds II
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    17.2 MP

    Canon 1Ds III
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    21.1 MP

    Canon 1D X
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    18.1 MP

    Canon 1D X II
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    20.2 MP

    Canon 1D II
    Image cannot be found

    APS-H

    8.2 MP

    Sony a7 IV
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    33.0 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input

    Canon EOS-1D Mark III has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has two card slots - one for SD and one for CompactFlash (Type I/II).

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Canon EOS-1D Mark III has Electronically Controlled Vertical-travel Mechanical Focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 10.0 fps.


    Focusing

    Canon EOS-1D Mark III has Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 45 (19 cross-type) focusing points.


    Exposure

    Camera's exposure metering ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±3 EV range. You can also do exposure lock and manual exposure adjustment.


    Flash

    Canon EOS-1D Mark III has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/300 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Canon EOS-1D Mark III has dimensions of 156 x 157 x 80 mm (6.14 x 6.18 x 3.15"). It weighs 1335 g (2.94 lb / 47.09 oz), so it is a heavy camera.

    156 mm (6.14")

    157 mm (6.18")

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    157 mm (6.18")

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    80 mm (3.15")

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    Canon EOS-1D Mark III dimensions

    Canon EOS-1D Mark III for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Canon EOS-1D Mark III is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    80

    Canon EOS-1D Mark III gets a score of 80 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    64

    Canon EOS-1D Mark III gets a score of 64 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   45 Focus Points
    •   19 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 10.0 fps
    •   Long Battery Life - 2200 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    66

    Canon EOS-1D Mark III gets a score of 66 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   45 Focus Points
    •   19 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 10.0 fps
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Long Battery Life - 2200 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    72

    Canon EOS-1D Mark III gets a score of 72 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   45 Focus Points
    •   19 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/300 sec
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    70

    Canon EOS-1D Mark III gets a score of 70 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   45 Focus Points
    •   19 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Heavy - 1335 g (2.94 lb / 47.09 oz)

    Travel Photography

    AVERAGE
    65

    Canon EOS-1D Mark III gets a score of 65 and is AVERAGE choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Heavy - 1335 g (2.94 lb / 47.09 oz)
    •   Long Battery Life - 2200 shots

    Canon EOS-1D Mark III Evaluation

    We evaluate Canon EOS-1D Mark III and give score of 59 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    59

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    69

    We give Canon EOS-1D Mark III a score of 69 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.1 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   DxO Overall Score - 71

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    66

    We give Canon EOS-1D Mark III a score of 66 for Photo parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 10.0 fps
    •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/300 sec

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Canon EOS-1D Mark III a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    AVERAGE
    67

    We give Canon EOS-1D Mark III a score of 67 for Focusing parameters.

    •   45 Focus Points
    •   19 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection

    Screen and Viewfinder

    GOOD
    70

    We give Canon EOS-1D Mark III a score of 70 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

    Connectivity

    POOR
    40

    We give Canon EOS-1D Mark III a score of 40 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    GOOD
    79

    We give Canon EOS-1D Mark III a score of 79 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Heavy - 1335 g (2.94 lb / 47.09 oz)
    •   Long Battery Life - 2200 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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