Canon EOS 5D Mark III

    71
    Image cannot be found

    Highlights

    • 22.3 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
    • 100 - 25,600 Native ISO
    • 61 Focus Points (61 Cross-type)
    • 3.2" 1,040k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
    • 6.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
    • 30 min Video Recording Limit
    • Wheather Sealed Body
    Image cannot be found
    Image cannot be found

    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III was announced in 2012 and is a Full Frame (36 x 24 mm) DSLR camera with 22.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 25,600 and expands to 50 - 102,400 in boosted mode. The camera has a Fixed 3.2" screen with 1,040k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder.

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III can capture video up to 1920 x 1080 resolution.


    Here is the Canon EOS 5D series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Canon EOS 5D series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Canon 5D IV August
    2016
    30.4 MP
    Full Frame
    100 - 32,000 Fixed 3.2"
    1,620k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Canon 5DS R February
    2015
    50.6 MP
    Full Frame
    100 - 6,400 Fixed 3.2"
    1,040k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 5DS February
    2015
    50.6 MP
    Full Frame
    100 - 6,400 Fixed 3.2"
    1,040k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 5D III May
    2012
    22.3 MP
    Full Frame
    100 - 25,600 Fixed 3.2"
    1,040k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 5D II February
    2009
    21.1 MP
    Full Frame
    100 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 5D November
    2005
    13.3 MP
    Full Frame
    100 - 3,200 Fixed 2.5"
    230k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV vs EOS 5DS R vs EOS 5DS vs EOS 5D Mark III vs EOS 5D Mark II vs EOS 5D.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Canon EOS 5D Mark III.

    PROS

    •   Video Capture
    •   Large Sensor
    •   61 Focus Points
    •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   Large Screen - 3.2"
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   HDMI Output
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

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

    AVERAGE

    •   Price
    •   Sensor Resolution - 22.3 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
    •   DxO Overall Score - 81
    •   Weight - 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 950 shots

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Canon EOS 5D Mark III to its predecessor EOS 5D Mark II and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Canon EOS 5D Mark II
    Higher Sensor Resolution 22.3 Megapixel vs 21.1 Megapixel
    Higher Native ISO 25,600 vs 6,400
    Higher Boosted ISO 102,400 vs 25,600
    More Powerful Processor DIGIC 5+ vs DIGIC 4
    Max Image Resolution 5760 x 3840 vs 5616 x 3744
    More Focus Points 61 vs 9
    Larger Screen 3.2" vs 3.0"
    Higher Resolution Screen 1,040k dot vs 920k dot
    Higher Viewfinder Coverage 100% vs 98%
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 6.0 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Higher Max Metering +20 EV vs +18 EV
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 2293 vs 1815
    Higher DxO Color Depth 24.0 vs 23.7
    Higher DxO Overall Score 81 vs 79
    Headphone Output vs
    Longer Battery Life 950 shots vs 850 shots
    More Storage Slots 2 vs 1
    DOWNGRADES Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Canon EOS 5D Mark II
    Higher Min Metering +1 EV vs -0.5 EV
    Lower DxO Dynamic Range 11.7 vs 11.9
    Heavier 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz) vs 850 g (1.87 lb / 29.98 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs EOS 5D Mark II.

    Successor

    In 2016 Canon EOS 5D Mark III was replaced by Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Canon EOS 5D Mark III and its successor.

    UPGRADES Canon EOS 5D Mark IV vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III
    Higher Sensor Resolution 30.4 Megapixel vs 22.3 Megapixel
    Higher Native ISO 32,000 vs 25,600
    More Powerful Processor DIGIC 6+ vs DIGIC 5+
    Max Image Resolution 6720 x 4480 vs 5760 x 3840
    Timelapse Recording vs
    Lower Min AF Detection -3 EV vs -2 EV
    Touch-to-Focus vs
    Touch Screen vs
    Higher Resolution Screen 1,620k dot vs 1,040k dot
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 7.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Lower Min Metering 0 EV vs +1 EV
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 2995 vs 2293
    Higher DxO Color Depth 24.8 vs 24.0
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 13.6 vs 11.7
    Higher DxO Overall Score 91 vs 81
    Higher Video Resolution 4096 x 2160 vs 1920 x 1080
    Higher USB Speed USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec) vs USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
    Built-in GPS vs
    Built-In Wi-Fi vs via optional WFT-E7 transmitter
    Lighter 890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz) vs 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
    DOWNGRADES Canon EOS 5D Mark IV vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III
    Shorter Battery Life 900 shots vs 950 shots

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs EOS 5D Mark IV.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a 3.2" Fixed screen with 1,040k dot resolution.


    Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.71x magnification.

    Sensor

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III features a 22.3 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 864 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 25,600 and expands to 50 - 102,400 in boosted mode.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Canon EOS 5D Mark III's Full Frame 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-H27 x 18 mm486 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 is equipped with DIGIC 5+ processor and can take pictures up to 5760 x 3840 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 3840 x 2560, 2880 x 1920, 1920 x 1280, 720 x 480 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III has Canon EF lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.


    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 5D Mark III.

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input and HDMI Output

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is a Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.


    Battery

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III comes with LP-E6 battery pack with battery life of 950 shots.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC/SDXC and one for CompactFlash (Type I, UDMA 7).

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Canon EOS 5D 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 6.0 fps.


    Focusing

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III has Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 61 (41 cross-type) focusing points and from -2 to +18 EV detection range There is also face detection feature which automatically finds and focuses on faces.


    Exposure

    Camera's exposure metering ranges from +1 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment.


    Flash

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III has dimensions of 152 x 116 x 76 mm (5.98 x 4.57 x 2.99"). It weighs 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    152 mm (5.98")

    116 mm (4.57")

    Image cannot be displayed


    116 mm (4.57")

    Image cannot be displayed


    76 mm (2.99")

    Image cannot be displayed

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III dimensions

    Canon EOS 5D 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 5D Mark III is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    84

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III gets a score of 84 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    GOOD
    73

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III gets a score of 73 and is GOOD choice for Sports photography.

    •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   61 Focus Points
    •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
    •   Battery Life - 950 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    68

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III gets a score of 68 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   61 Focus Points
    •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Battery Life - 950 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    81

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III gets a score of 81 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   61 Focus Points
    •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Large Screen - 3.2"
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    78

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III gets a score of 78 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   61 Focus Points
    •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    75

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III gets a score of 75 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 950 shots

    Canon EOS 5D Mark III Evaluation

    We evaluate Canon EOS 5D Mark III and give score of 71 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
    71

    Sensor

    GOOD
    73

    We give Canon EOS 5D Mark III a score of 73 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   Sensor Resolution - 22.3 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   DxO Overall Score - 81

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    68

    We give Canon EOS 5D Mark III a score of 68 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec

    Video

    BAD
    16

    We give Canon EOS 5D Mark III a score of 16 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit

    Focusing

    GOOD
    83

    We give Canon EOS 5D Mark III a score of 83 for Focusing parameters.

    •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
    •   61 Focus Points
    •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    GOOD
    74

    We give Canon EOS 5D Mark III a score of 74 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Large Screen - 3.2"
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot

    Connectivity

    GOOD
    79

    We give Canon EOS 5D Mark III a score of 79 for Connectivity parameters.

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

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    GOOD
    74

    We give Canon EOS 5D Mark III a score of 74 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 950 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots


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

    Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
    ZKelectronics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc) and any other websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.