• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 22.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
  • Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon 5D Mark II
5D Mark II vs 5D Mark III
Successor:   Canon 5D Mark IV
5D Mark III vs 5D Mark IV
General
Model Number: DSLR-A550 5D Mark III
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1049.99 $3500.00
Street Price: $859.40 $2,139.48
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2012-03-20
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 32.2 oz (912 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
33.5 oz (950 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
6.0 x 4.6 x 3.0 in.
(152 x 116 x 76 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Canon
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 22.3
Sensor Format: APS-C 35mm
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 864mm2 (36.00mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.16 microns 6.25 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 66 81
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.9 24.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.8 11.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 807 2,293
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4592 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3344 x 2224 (7.4 MP, 3:2),
3344 x 1872 (6.3 MP, Other),
2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other)
5760 x 3840 (22.1 MP, 3:2),
3840 x 2560 (9.8 MP, 3:2),
2880 x 1920 (5.5 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2),
720 x 480 (0.3 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG (EXIF v2.3), RAW, M-RAW (10.5MP), S-RAW (5.5MP); 14-bit CR2
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.7 6.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
640x480 (30p/​25p)
Movie File Format:   .MOV (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264), ALL-I and IPB modes
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Canon EF
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm  
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm  
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a  
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes Phase Detect : 61-point (up to 41 cross-type points); One to five cross-type AF points at f/2.8, 10 to 20 cross-type AF points at f/4, and 15 to 21 cross-type AF points at f/5.6.
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter SLR type; fixed eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.71x magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter, fixed focusing screen, on demand grid
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x 0.71x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x 0.71x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 1,044,000 dots (348,000 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto, 100-25600 in 1/3 or 1 EV steps, expandable to 50 (L), 51200 (H1) and 102400 (H2)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temperature
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) 63-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Partial (center, 7.2%), Spot (center, 1.5%)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View n/a
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off n/a
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe Hot Shoe, PC Sync
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   No UHS support
Other Memory:   UDMA7 compliant
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW RAW, M-RAW (10.5MP), S-RAW (5.5MP); 14-bit CR2
Movie File Format:   .MOV (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264), ALL-I and IPB modes
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired Optional Wired or Wireless
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote Mini HDMI (Type C), Remote Jack, Stereo Mic Jack, Stereo Monitor Jack, PC-Sync Terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.41 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.41 <0.3
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 19 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.7 6.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 15 63
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   6.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   18
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   6.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   7
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.12 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):   0.78 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.060 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.178 seconds 0.095 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.061 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View shutter lag: 0.188s Optical Viewfinder: Full AF shutter lag, wide-area mode: 0.142s Live View: Full AF shutter lag, phase-detect: 0.823s Full AF shutter lag, contrast-detect: 0.780s Prefocused: 0.060
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds 0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.5 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   200 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 950 shots 950 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary LP-E6
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion Rechargeable or BG-E11 battery grip
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 1 x Proprietary LP-E6 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM Canon EOS Digital Solution Disc
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+)  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output, 7 fps (AF/AE Locked). New 22.3-megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor, DIGIC 5+ Processor, 61-point AF System, 63-zone iFCL Metering System, 6fps Bursts, Full HD video, 100% OVF, 3.2" 1.04M-dot LCD, Dual Card Slots (SD+CF), HDR Mode, Multiple Exposure Support, Scene Intelligent Auto, Comparative Playback, Dual-Axis Electronic Level, Auto Lighting Optimizer, In-Camera RAW Processing.