Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR Review

Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR Review

Most Balanced Canon Full-Frame to Date

DSLR Reviews Canon 5D Mark III. If you’re looking for one of the most professional, versatile, fast and powerful full frame DSLRs on the market this review is for you.

BUILD QUALITY: When you first hold a 5D Mark III, you will immediately feel how this camera is built. It feels solid like you’d expect of a tank. The body is made out of a strong lightweight material called magnesium alloy. As you can see from the picture it really is a solid design, with a rigid body. Compared to other DSLR’s on the market, this body feels much more professional, refined, and advanced. It is much more damage resistance and weather resistant as well. Which is great for shooting in all conditions.

FULL FRAME SENSOR One of the best functions of this camera that surpasses most DSLR’s on the market is that this camera is built with a full frame, or near 35mm equivalent sensor. The majority of DSLRs in the marketplace are sold with APS-C or other cropped sensors, cropped sensors provide more focal length while sacrificing image quality. This is due to the reduction of light allowed to reach the sensor. This is especially apparent in low light situations and environments. The image quality of a full frame sensor among APS – C, APS – H, Micro 4/3rds produce night and day results for professional quality images. The quality of images produced with the Canon 5D Mark III when compared to even the older models is noticeably different. The quality of color rendering of each image is highly improved. There are even differences in color rendering between the Canon 5D Mark III and the Canon 6D, two individual full frame cameras. The 5D Mark III color has richer and deeper colors, comparatively the Canon 6D images tend to be slightly washed out or lacking full vibrancy and richness.

FRAMES PER SECOND The next amazing function about the 5D Mark III is that it can shoot an amazing and fast 6 frames per second. Considering that most APS-C bodies on the market shoot anywhere from three or four and a half frames per second on average. Excluding the Canon 1DX for a moment, Canon’ full frame lineup is limited to only the 6D, 5DS and 5DSR. The 6D only produces 4.5 frames per second and both the 5DS and 5DSR only produce 5 frames per second. The amazingly fast Canon 7D Mark II, which was recently released early last year comes equipped with 10 frames per second. But without having to spend big money and have the added weight and size of a battery pack of a pro camera like the 1DX, The Canon 5D Mark III is an obvious winner regarding frames per second due to it having the best balance to capture most subjects fast and sharp.

SILENT CONTINUOUS MODE One of the functions that most people underestimate with DSLR’s today is the silent continuous mode. There are some situations where using high continuous mode makes the shutter sound very annoying to others nearby. Other nonprofessional cameras don’t normally have this silent continuous mode where you can shoot a maximum of 3 frames per second, but about 75% quieter than normal. You can still shoot great pictures and maintain the element of surprise toward your subjects.

AUTO-FOCUS SYSTEM The 5D Mark III DSLR has one of the best autofocusing systems currently on the market. While 61 autofocus (AF) points may not be the most compared to other competitor bodies, what really matters is the accuracy, speed and how this AF system reacts to multiple subjects. This camera body has six different autofocus “cases” that you can choose from and adjust for the appropriate shooting situation. Most cameras don’t have “cases”. You can shoot from a single point to a 61-point AF all cross-type. It is very responsive and I would say that it’s about 97 to 98% accurate depending on what you’re shooting.

ISO RANGE Compared to most Canon bodies, the Canon 5D Mark III still has one of the best ISO range systems for light sensitivity. The 1DX, 5D Mark III, and the 6D can produce the best quality image results with both higher ISO ranges combined with their full frame sensors. Compared to major DSLR competitors, Canon’s full-frame lineup does need to catch up in the ISO department.

The 5D Mark III still commands a lot of respect and it will continue to be a go to camera. Hopefully for years to come, or when its successor arrives with even better features.