This is a user not a professional review. Otherwise, I'd suggest go to dpreview.com or your preferred reference. I think they are capable of showing evidence of issues such as vignetting or chromatic abberration in a product that could get the attention of the manufacturer's engineering department. They helped or convinced me with the purchase. My intention is to give feedback on the couple of points they've raised and highlight what I've experienced as a user so far.
I agree that this camera performs excellent at 12,800 ISO or even higher. At f/4, this allowed me to shoot handheld and flipped the mirror in a fraction of second. The almost black sky showed the clouds in the captured image which was not visible to my eye (my vision is 20/20). At some situations, you can have a 4L lens function at 2.8L. I was going for the new 24-70mm 2.8L but I had to wait 2 months for the 5D body only so I went for the kit. I guess it's a good accident.
I am pleased with the new 61-point AF. Fast and gets my focus right most of the time so far. What I mean by fast is less than half a second or probably faster than that. I could catch a bird flying within my frame without exciting some nerves. I won't mention how the new AF system works. The pros could discuss this all day. What's important is that when you use AF you can capture a nice pic fast without going for MF or manually controlling the exposure. I was able to produce a silky background blur consistently (1 foot away from subject) with AF using the kit lens. Nevertheless, if you bought this camera you would find the MF as sweet or sweeter than the AF.
35mm camera these days can do still and motion pictures but not excellent at both worlds in my opinion. 5D3's video is handsomely good but if you spent $3500, I think you wouldn't mind going a little further and buy a possibly lighter, smaller and more than capable video cam and get the 1080p/60fps. Pros I've met use their SLRs mainly for shooting still pictures. However, its video performance can be used in some production in my opinion as it's way too good for the end user.
The manual states that this 5D does not comply with the Ultra High Speed memory cards but SDHC/SDXC can be used. I guess Canon is referring to writing at 95MB/s. I used the SDHC (600x) it worked just fine but I'm noticing some delay (around 1/4 second) when flipping images in the LCD. It might be normal. I will try the CF (600x too) and see the diffence. If you're considering to get the latest and greatest like 1000x you might want to wait a little while. Canon might release a newer firmware and make it fully compliant with UHS. Fast cards need fast writer too. Having both CF and SD is winner for me. Saving money on cards (unless CF and SD cost and perform the same) but achieving the same thing. Record to both or use one then switch. Don't have to worry losing the images or clips and backing up to the laptop regularly unless somebody steals the camera or I dropped it above the mariana trench.
22M pixels is more than enough I believe unless you print posters or billboards. It's too big for me already. Large prints consume 10MB in the card. I don't see much difference shooting lower (12) than 22M pixels. Noise seems to show faster and noticeable at higher pixels and ISO.
Physically, it's ergonomic and the buttons are placed almost perfectly. Kenrockwell articulated this well and I agree with him that 5D3 is the best well rounded SLR that Canon ever made. However, I disagree when he compared the D4 and 5D. It's like comparing BMW's SUV with Audi's sedan. Anyway, when I first lifted 5D3 the thumb, index, and middle finger put a groove in the grip. I'm 5 foot 8. Fits my right hand perfectly. The battery compartment has an internal lock - ensures pins remain in contact and it gets more secure as you put your hand around the grip. The camera is not heavy I would say but with the lens and the first all day shooting I felt the weight.
Not sure why Canon did not go for USB 3. 128GB CF/SD will be a norm soon. Imagine taking hours transferring files to your computer via USB 2 where it could take in minutes. This is my biggest disappoinment. The touch pad is like the egyptian table compared to iPhone and it's a bit redundant with the track ball (above the Q button). I saw some cosmetic imperfection around the mode dial. It looks like a dent. If you notice this, please let me know. The top LCD looks to have a protective film but not the 3.2 LCD. I can't find anyone selling screen protector so I ordered the ones for the iPhone. I will cut and fit when it arrives.
In summary, excellent ISO, AF, ergonomic. Best form factor out there for full 35mm SLR for me - I shoot outside and under the roof. No flash which is a plus for me - makes camera smaller and you won't need it most of the time if you have good lens but if you do, you wouldn't want the built-in flash. I have a couple of minor issues but the thing still deserves 5 stars.
I will post some pics.
There is a newer model of this item:
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Digital SLR Camera with EF 24-105mm f/4L is II USM Lens Kit Black
$3,399.00
(941)
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$3,399.00
(941)
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
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This Item  Canon EOS 5D Mark III 22.3 MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera with EF 24-105mm f/4 L is USM Lens Black |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | — | $989.00 | $1,659.00 | $528.00 | $6,499.00 | -20% $1,999.00 List: $2,499.00 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Tomorrow, May 2 | — | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 7 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 7 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 7 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Picture quality | ||||||
| Auto focus | ||||||
| Sold By | — | Minty Gadgets (we track serial numbers) | BH 52 Innovations | BH 52 Innovations | Amazon.com | Murphy's Camera |
| display type | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD |
| display size | 3.2 inches | 3.2 inches | 4.6 inches | 3 inches | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
| lens type | Standard Zoom | — | Telephoto | Zoom | Zoom | Telephoto |
| shooting modes | HDR (High Dynamic Range) | High dynamic rang | Landscape | Automatic | Bulb Mode,Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority | Shutter Priority |
| connectivity tech | PAL, Mini HDMI, NTSC | USB | Wi-Fi, NFC | Wi-Fi, HDMI | 3.5mm audio, Ethernet, Mini HDMI, USB | USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| video resolution | FHD 1080p | FHD 1080p | 2160p | 2160p | 4K UHD 2160p | 4320p |
| optical zoom | 4.3 multiplier x | 2 multiplier x | 2 multiplier x | 0 multiplier x | 0 multiplier x | 0 multiplier x |
| magnification | 0.71x | Optical | — | — | 0.76x | 0.76x |
| wireless tech | ✓ | ✓ | Wi-Fi, NFC | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
From the manufacturer
Canon 5D Mark III Bundle
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Honest review of Mark III by wedding photographer
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Why you should buy the Canon 5D Mark III
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Reviews with images
I had been shooting with the Canon 7D which is a great camera. I will still shoot with the 7D ...
I purchased this camera 5 months ago to use in my Fashion business and also for my Photography business. I had been shooting with the Canon 7D which is a great camera. I will still shoot with the 7D for my Photography business but for my Fashion business this camera has resolved all of the lighting problems we had with interior shooting. I needed the speed of the AF and all those cross type AF points and the high fps for action shots occasionally and couldn't find anything that came close to the 7D in terms of performance before now.The Body is well built and handles well in every situation I have used this in.The Low Light capability is over the top. I have not noticed the weight at all on this camera being a problem, even with longer heavier lenses it handles well. 61-POINT AUTO FOCUS:The AF system here is identical to that in the 1Dx and is THE most sophisticated AF system EVER put in any Canon body. It is superior to that in the 1DV and all bodies before it.While most of us wanted only a 7D equivalent AF system, Canon delivered the flagship system found in the 1Dx. The AF has not missed focus for me yet.The AF accuracy, metering and noise is over the top in comparison to other cameras I have shot with and handled over the years. This camera is super fast and super sharp.I have tested the AF point in servo and one shot mode with my fastest lenses. Speed, accuracy, and consistency have been exceptional and better than anything I have used before. AF gets the job done. enter AF point and all peripheral AF points are all usable with fast primes.I am amazed with the results at 1600, after minor RAW adjustments to the noise, there is virtually no grain and the image is perfectly useable. I did test the 25600 and while I would never use this ISO in a shoot situation, I was impressed with the quality. Yes there was noise, but you're at an ISO of 25600ISO Range. This is one of the main reasons why I bought this camera. Whereas the the 5D3 is usable up to ISO 12800. (In comparison, the 7D is usable up to ISO 1600Every feature on 5D3 is an upgrade over the 5D2.BUILD QUALITY:It's hard to put my finger on exactly what changed, but the 5DIII just feels more substantial. It feels like a chopped down 1-series instead of a buffed up 10 series. The contour of the body has changed to fit your hand better. The rubber is also a new compound which is much grippier than before. The 5DIII feels much better to hold and use than the previous 5D bodies.JPEG:Out of the camera, the Canon JPEGs are phenomenal. With processing if needed they are quite remarkable.Exposure Bracketing / HDR / Stacking* The Mark III now supports 7 exposures -- A huge improvement in the software for anyone doing HDR.* The Mark III has in-camera HDR processing, which is nice (perhaps to get an idea how something looks, on the spot)* The Mark III supports in-camera image stacking, which can be used for a variety of creative and scientific effectsSD Card* Having a second slot, with the second one being SD is a very nice addition, however slows down your shooting tremendously and this is a feature I will not be using.Silent mode* It is perhaps quiet enough for you to even take a few shots in places where photography is generally frowned upon.Burst mode* 6FPS is a major improvement over the previous version. ISO:The high ISO performance of this camera is simply incredible. With the 7D I tried to limit my high ISO shooting to about 6400... I am extremely comfortable shooing up to ISO 25,600 with the 5D3. Images are still very detailed with very nice looking, fine grain. Images don't become flat looking and still have a really nice look to them. I will even shoot 51,200 without a problem, although there is a big increase of noise beyond the native ISO values. It really is impressive.he JPEG engine in this camera is staggeringly good and a solid 2 stops better at controlling noise at high ISO than the previous version.METERING: I find myself correcting with exposure compensation MUCH less now, Shooting with the two side the newfound metering accuracy of the mark III is very obvious.The new 5DIII is much improved here.WHITE BALANCE:I've noticed that while post processing I'm having to correct color less with the 5DIII files. This is very exciting, as it will save me a fair amount of time in post processing. Per usual, all of the cameras struggle under tungsten lighting. However, AWB is able to get color surprisingly close with anything that contains natural lighting.MENUS:I would strongly advise reading the manual because there are a lot of new settings and options which won't be familar to 5DII users. There are also a LOT of different ways to set up your AF system, so a little experimentation is needed. In general, the menu system is more complicated that before, but this also allows a much greater degree of customization of the camera. In that regard, the 5DIII is much closer to a 1-series than before. Take the time to learn it and set it up correctly.My next camera will definitely be the Canon EOS-1D X but for now this camera meets all of my needs and then some for my Fashion Business and my Photography business.LENS: EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USMI purchased the Canon EOS 5D Mark III 22.3 MP Full Frame CMOS with the included EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. I was familiar with this lens already having purchased two of them prior for two family members and using it for from time to time. I had wanted a walk around lens with IS so getting this included lens was going to be my answer for that.So far as an owner of this lens I really do not like it on my 5D camera. (personal choice) I will use it more on my 7D camera in my photography business.I am used to shooting with the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM and this will be my lens that I will use the most on this camera body.
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Najam Ahmed
My dream camera
Reviewed in Canada on February 21, 2017Style: 24-105mmSet: BaseVerified Purchase
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Canon
Reviewed in Mexico on December 19, 2016Style: 24-105mmSet: BaseVerified Purchase
Adolfo Alflo
Todo ok
Reviewed in Spain on November 25, 2016Style: Body OnlySet: BaseVerified Purchase
Kyralis
Qualité d'image epoutouflante !
Reviewed in France on October 8, 2016Style: Body OnlySet: BaseVerified Purchase
Adam
Expensive but worth it.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2015Style: Body OnlySet: BaseVerified Purchase
Adam
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2015
After seeing it focus well i was able to capture great detail with both my 100mm Macro and 24-105mm lenses. [Great full frame'ness] It's brilliant to be able to get more in your shot without having to back away from the subject, especially with macro shots.
Build quality is good, feels solid in the hands [like the 7d] good grippy texture.
Video mode is fun to play with too, with HD 1080p video playback.
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