• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 22.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 26.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 40,000

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark III advantages over Canon 6D Mark II

  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    61 vs 45
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon 6D Mark II advantages over Canon 5D Mark III

  • Less expensive
    $1799 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,862 vs 2,293 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • 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 1200 vs 950 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    7 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    26.2 vs 22.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    98 vs 63 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5D Mark III

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 6D Mark II

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.

  • Great vari-angle touchscreen; Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Good image quality in most situations; Impressive performance for its class.

  • Disappointing dynamic range; No 4K video; Optical viewfinder comes up short; Narrow AF point coverage through viewfinder.

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 6D Mark II
Canon 6D
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

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 6D Mark II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • More dynamic range

Compared to Sony A850

Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A850
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon 6D Mark II
Sony A850
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Dual card slots

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 6D Mark II
Nikon D800E
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More dynamic range

Compared to Sony A99

Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A99
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon 6D Mark II
Sony A99
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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