• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 22.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark III advantages over Sony RX100 V

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.25 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,293 vs 586 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony RX100 V advantages over Canon 5D Mark III

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $998* vs $2299
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    7 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    299g vs 950g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    23.8 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    150 vs 63 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    24.1 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    72 vs 18 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

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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.

  • Pocket-friendly design; Unbelievably fast burst capture; Generous buffer depth, even for raw; Fast and confident autofocus; Very high resolution gives lots of detail in good light; High ISO noise levels much better than most pocket camera rivals; High-quality 4K video with uncompressed HDMI out; Super-fast High Frame Rate video

  • Very pricey for a compact camera; Still no touch screen; Slow buffer clearing; JPEGs can look over-processed at higher ISOs; Lens doesn't offer much telephoto reach; Battery life is very modest; 4K movies are limited to five minute clips

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
Sony RX100 V
Canon 6D
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Sony RX100 V
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A850

Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A850
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony RX100 V
Sony A850
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Sony RX100 V
Nikon D800E
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A99

Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A99
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Sony RX100 V
Sony A99
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
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