Canon 5D Mark III vs Canon 80D

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon 5D Mark III vs Canon 80D

35mm 864.0mm²
22.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 5D Mark III Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 5D Mark III.
Compare Canon 5D Mark III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 5D Mark III conclusion.

APS-C 337.5mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 80D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 80D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 80D.
Compare Canon 80D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 80D conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 5D Mark IV
Compare 5D Mark III vs 5D Mark IV

Succeeded by the Canon 90D
Compare 80D vs 90D

Compare CANON 5D MARK IV vs CANON 90D

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark III advantages over Canon 80D

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.25 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
5D Mark III test data on DxO Mark 80D test data on DxO Mark

2,293 vs 1,135 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More viewfinder magnification
0.71x vs 0.59x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
61 vs 45
More AF points improve autofocus
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 80D advantages over Canon 5D Mark III

Less expensive
$935 vs $2299
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
80D test data on DxO Mark 5D Mark III test data on DxO Mark

13.2 vs 11.7 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Newer
8 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Faster JPEG shooting
6.8 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.7 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 80D User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 5D Mark III

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Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm f/4 lens
Kit with 24-70mm Lens

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Buy the Canon 80D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Review Excerpt

Superb still and video image quality; Powerful, fast, and accurate AF system with loads of cross-type points, loads of configurability and great frame coverage; Rugged, weather-sealed body with great control layout and user-interface configurability.
Dynamic range is limited by noise in deep shadows; Somewhat heavy-handed noise suppression and sharpening at default settings. (Shooting RAW avoids both.); No AF illuminator.
Read our Canon 5D Mark III Review

Very good image quality; Better RAW high ISO performance than predecessor; Improved buffer depth; Very fast AF; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is excellent; f/8 AF support; 1080/60p video; Headphone jack; Very good battery life.
New kit lens isn't very sharp; No 4K video; No clean HDMI out; 29:59 minute video recording limit; Phase detect AF not as sensitive in low-light as expected (Dual Pixel AF is better in low-light).
Read our Canon 80D Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 6D

$2139
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Canon 6D

Canon 80D

Canon 6D

$935
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 80D vs Canon 6D

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 5D Mark IV

$2139
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2499
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 80D

Canon 5D Mark IV

$935
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 80D vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Sony A850

Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A850

$2139
35mm

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$2219
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Sony A850

Canon 80D

Sony A850

$935
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$2219
35mm

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 80D vs Sony A850

Compared to Nikon D800E

Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D800E

$2139
35mm

Bigger pixels
More cross-type AF points

$2212
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800E

Canon 80D

Nikon D800E

$935
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$2212
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Sony A99

Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A99

$2139
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Sony A99

Canon 80D

Sony A99

$935
APS-C

Lens selection
Touchscreen

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon 80D vs Sony A99

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