10 Marks of Excellence for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR Camera

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Only two months of 2012 have elapsed and the new digital cameras continue to march into the marketplace. Every photographer will have to buy at least two new cameras this year to sell enough to justify their introduction!! It’s unlikely the Canon EOS 5D Mark III will have this problem. Long anticipated, the Canon 5D Mark III appeared destined for release during early March 2012…and here it is! Early previews suggest that it is more than the next iteration of the Mark II; in fact, many agree it’s actually a new model, combining the best of the 7D, features of the 1D X and many updated and totally new capabilities in a full-frame body.

Read real customer reviews of the Canon EOS 5d mark III here.

Many of th e rumor specs were accurate. The 22-megapixel CMOS sensor is paired with Canon’s most advanced DIGIC 5+ image processor. They have the power and technology to give the 5D Mark III a standard ISO range of 100–25,600, with the option of 50–102,800. A continuous shooting rate of 6fps is also made possible by the 8-channel sensor.

What has early reviewers excited, and will attract many pros to the EOS 5D Mark III, is its greatly improved auto-focus system. It is most of the same 61-point system in the Canon top-of-the-line 1D X. “Most” because it lacks the 100,000-pixel metering sensor and separate DIGIC 4 processor in the 1 DX just for AF. The Mark III costs significantly less than the 1D X, so Canon had to draw the line somewhere. The detail of the Mark III’s AF system that will be of most interest to many pros is that 41 of the 61 AF points are cross-type. Even better is that 5 points are diagonally sensitive, which is an exclusive feature of this camera.

The people at Canon were able to give the AF system more capabilities, but also reduce the complexity of the menu system to use AF, compared to older high-end Canons. The learning curve for AF configuration is now much shorter and easier.

The viewfinder is another significant upgrade on the 5D Mark III. Coverage is approximately 100%; and there is a wider viewing angle and a higher eye point. A clever detail is that you can customize the viewfinder to warn you whenever one of six shooting modes is activated: Monochrome shooting, WB Shift, One-touch Quality, ISO Expansion, Spot Metering and Auto Lighting Optimizer.

The new Canon EOS 5D Mark III is also built with the LCD monitor in the 1D X: 3.2”, 3:2 ratio and 1,040,000-dot screen.

Canon has also focused on improving the shutter and mirror package. When shooting in burst mode, focus will be more precise because the Mark III has an updated mirror return mechanism. It brings the sub-mirror to a steady position immediately after each frame capture.

For many, the video function of the Mark III will be the big draw. Its predecessor was the first DSLR with Full-HD video and has had much to do with convincing professionals that video on a high-end DSLR is a good idea. The Mark III continues that tradition with the same 1080p30 Full-HD video with stereo sound. The new sensor and bigger image processor gives video a significant boost with much less moiré. From the 1D X’s video system, the Mark III obtains the All-I and IPB interframe compression options.

On the EOS 5D Mark III’s list of firsts is in-camera High Dynamic Range shooting.

With a camera with the exceptional quality of the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, there are many more features and functions to discover when you have the opportunity to hold one in your hands.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR Camera can be pre-ordered from B&H Photo Video for $3,499.00 (body only) at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=canon+eos+5d+mark+iii&N=0&InitialSearch=yes.

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