As the replacement for the EOS 5D Mark II, which went on sale in November 2008, the EOS 5D Mark III (Photo 1) delivers dramatically improved image quality in both still images and movies. And with the totally redesigned autofocus system and viewfinder, the Mark III offers vastly better shooting performance and more sophisticated creative expressions for creating photographic works.

●Finer detail, higher image quality, and wider ISO range

• 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor with approximately 22.3 megapixels
• DIGIC 5+ imaging processor
• Full-time ISO range of 100 to 25600 (L: 50, H1: 51200, H2: 102400)

●Advanced camera performance

• New 61-point AF system
• Intelligent viewfinder with approximately 100% coverage
• AI Servo AF continuous shooting of approximately 6 fps

●Advanced imaging functions

• Multiple exposure shooting
• High dynamic range (HDR) shooting
• In-camera RAW image processing

●Operational feel befitting a prosumer model

• Comfortable operation and luxurious control feel
• Flexible customization

The sections below give a complete picture of the EOS 5D Mark III, focusing on its improvements over the 5D Mark II.

(1) Intelligent viewfinder with approximately 100 percent coverage

By incorporating a transparent LCD into the viewfinder, the viewfinder can display the 61 AF points, a grid, an electronic level, and other superimposed graphics while providing approximately 100% coverage. An AF status indicator has been added to the viewfinder’s information display and the exposure level has been expanded to indicate ±3 stops (Figure 2). The focusing screen is fixed, but it provides the same characteristics as the Mark II’s standard focusing screen.

(2) Electronic level

Both the LCD monitor (Figure 3) and the viewfinder can display an electronic level that indicates the amount of tilt in one-degree increments.

The 63-zone metering system (Figure 4) has been designed specifically for the 61-point high-density reticular AF so that evaluative metering covers all AF points. Partial metering covers approximately 6.2 percent of the viewfinder area, and spot metering covers approximately 1.5 percent. Exposure compensation can be adjusted over a range of ±5 stops.

(1) High-speed continuous shooting

Compared with the EOS 5D Mark II’s continuous shooting speed of approximately 3.9 fps, the Mark III can shoot at approximately 6 fps in AI Servo AF mode.

(2) Silent shooting

With silent shooting, the camera moves the mirror and cocks the shutter more slowly and quietly. There are two silent drive modes: Silent single shooting and Silent continuous shooting.

(3) Shorter shutter release time lag

The shutter release time lag when the shutter is pressed halfway (shooting preparation is complete) to fully pressed has been reduced to approximately 0.059 seconds from approximately 0.075 seconds on the EOS 5D Mark II.

(1) Multiple exposures

The user, with a single setting, can compose a multiple-exposure image from two to nine exposures. And in RAW + JPEG mode, the camera will create both a RAW and JPEG multiple-exposure image. There are four modes to choose from that govern how the multiple exposures are combined: Additive, Average, (Comparative) Bright, and (Comparative) Dark.

(2) High dynamic range (HDR) mode

The high dynamic range mode in Natural setting is a function that shoots three rapid exposures — one underexposed, one at normal exposure, and one overexposed — and combines them automatically to produce a single image with a broad dynamic range. This mode can also be used with additional image processing to generate Art standard, Art vivid, Art bold, and Art embossed images (Photo 4).

(3) In-camera RAW image processing

The EOS 5D Mark III can internally process its own RAW images. The camera applies the following processes to the RAW image and saves the result as a JPEG image (Figure 5): brightness adjustment → white balance → Picture Style → Auto Lighting Optimizer → noise reduction at high ISO speeds → JPEG image recording quality → color space → lens peripheral illumination correction → distortion correction → chromatic aberration correction.

(4) Chromatic aberration correction

Previously, the only correction for lens optics that could be applied while shooting was peripheral illumination correction. The EOS 5D Mark III, however, adds a new chromatic aberration correction function.

(5) Picture Style Auto

Taking advantage of the EOS Scene Detection System, Picture Style Auto is now able to achieve more impressive color tones for nature and outdoor scenes as well as evening scenes.

(1) Improved movie recording functionality

The movie recording size menu gives the user the choice between the ALL-I compression format, which is ideal for movie editing, and the IPB compression format, which creates smaller file sizes (Figure 6). The EOS 5D Mark III also provides various time code settings, which are essential to professional video editing.

(2) Elimination of the 4 GB file size limit

On previous models, movie recording ended once the file size for one continuous shot reached 4 GB. This restriction has been removed on the 5D Mark III, allowing continuous recordings as long as 29 minutes and 59 seconds regardless of the file size.

(3) Reduced moiré and color artifacts

Improvements to the CMOS sensor and the image processing algorithm for movies have dramatically reduced the occurrence of moiré and color artifacts.

(4) Exposure control and ISO speeds

Movies can be recorded with Program AE for movies, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, and manual exposure. The highest ISO speed setting for movie recording is now equivalent to ISO 25600.

(1) Clear View LCD II monitor

The EOS 5D Mark III features a 3.2-type high-resolution LCD monitor with approximately 1.04 million dots. The monitor’s solid construction eliminates the gap (air layer) between the surface layer (reinforced glass) and the liquid crystals to stop reflections. The monitor’s glass surface is also finished with an anti-reflective coating.

(2) Enhanced image playback functionality

(1) Design concept

By employing an ultra-fluid form of continuously flowing curves for the overall shape of the camera, we gave the 5D Mark III a solid, reliable form that looks beautiful and fits comfortably in the hand. A highly durable satin finish has been applied to the external skin of the camera.

(2) Comfortable operation and luxurious control feel

The EOS 5D Mark III passed 150,000 cycles in shutter durability tests. Dust and drip proofing protection around control buttons and along outer cover seams has been improved from the 5D Mark II.

The optional GP-E2 GPS receiver (Photo 5) can append the location, orientation, and time of the shot to the image file as well as log the path taken with the camera. Other optional system accessories include the BG-E11 battery grip and the WFT-E7 wireless file transmitter.