• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 22.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark III advantages over Canon 1DX Mark II

  • Less expensive
    $2299 vs $6299
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Lighter weight
    950g vs 1544g
    Lighter weight

Canon 1DX Mark II advantages over Canon 5D Mark III

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,207 vs 2,293 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.5 vs 11.7 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1210 vs 950 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    8 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 1044k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 63 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    14.1 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 18 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 vs 102400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5D Mark III

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.

  • Excellent image quality, especially from RAWs; Fantastic high ISO performance; Fast autofocus with great tracking performance; 14fps burst rate; Amazing buffer capacity; 4K 60p video; Robust build quality.

  • Very heavy, bulky and expensive; Dual memory card slots use different formats; 29:59 continuous video recording limit; Touchscreen feels underutilized.

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
Canon 1DX Mark II
Canon 6D
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

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
Canon 1DX Mark II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony A850

Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A850
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon 1DX Mark II
Sony A850
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup

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
Canon 1DX Mark II
Nikon D800E
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Internal flash

Compared to Sony A99

Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A99
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon 1DX Mark II
Sony A99
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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