On the 25th anniversary of its EOS System, Canon
announced its latest model, the new EOS 5D Mark III
Digital SLR Camera.
Positioned between the EOS 5D Mark II and Canon's
top-of-the-line EOS-1D X model, the EOS 5D Mark III
promises to deliver superb image quality, thanks to a new
22.3-megapixel full-frame Canon CMOS sensor, a DIGIC 5+
Imaging Processor, a 61-point High Density Reticular
Autofocus (AF) System and six frames-per-second (fps)
continuous shooting speed. The EOS 5D Mark III also
incorporates enhanced video features for professionals in
the fields of cinematography, television production and
documentary filmmaking, including better noise reduction,
longer recording times and a built-in headphone jack for
audio monitoring.
The EOS 5D Mark III inherits many features from Canon's
recently announced flagship DSLR, the EOS-1D X, including
a DIGIC 5+ Imaging Processor and a 61-point High Density
Reticular AF array with up to 41 cross-type points and
five dual cross-type points available, depending on the
lens in use. The enhanced processing power enables
continuous shooting of up to six fps, exceeding the speed
of the EOS 5D Mark II model by more than 50 percent, and
with improved weather resistance the EOS 5D Mark III is a
serious option for sports and wildlife photographers.
This new model captures 1080p Full HD video at 24p
(23.976), 25p, and 30p (29.97) fps; 720p HD recording at
60 (59.94) and 50 fps; and SD recording at 30 (29.97) and
25 fps.
The EOS 5D Mark III includes new H.264 video compression
formats to simplify and speed up post-production work:
intraframe (ALL-I) compression for an editing-friendly
format and interframe (IPB) compression for greater data
storage efficiency. Like the EOS-1D X, the 5D Mark III
also includes two methods of SMPTE-compliant timecode
embedding, Rec Run and Free Run, allowing video footage
from multiple cameras and separate audio recordings to be
synced together in post production.
Accommodating documentary filmmakers, and event
videographers using EOS DSLR cameras, the 5D Mark III
includes the ability to record video continuously up to
29 minutes and 59 seconds across multiple 4GB files.
Long-form filmmakers will enjoy the camera's automatic
file splitting in combination with the extended memory
capacity offered by dual card slots.
The Canon EOS 5D Mark III also includes manual audio
level control with 64 levels, adjustable both before and
during movie recording. There is also an automatic audio
level setting, or sound recording can be turned off
entirely. A wind filter is also included. Sound can be
recorded either through the internal monaural microphone
or via an optional external microphone through the stereo
mic input. Notably, the EOS 5D Mark III is the first EOS
Digital SLR to feature a built-in headphone jack for
real-time audio monitoring during video capture.
Adjustable from ISO 100 to 25,600 within its standard
range, the new model also offers a low ISO 50 setting for
studio and landscape photography and two extended ISO
settings of 51,200 and 102,400, well suited for law
enforcement, government or forensic field applications.
The new 5D Mark III is also equipped with Canon's EOS
Integrated Cleaning System, featuring a Self Cleaning
Sensor Unit with a fluorine coating that repels dust and
dirt particles.
The EOS 5D Mark III?s new DIGIC 5+ Imaging Processor is
17 times faster than the DIGIC 4. New features include
six fps continuous shooting, HDR and Multiple Exposure
modes, in-camera RAW processing, a comparative playback
function, Scene Intelligent Auto mode, two forms of movie
compression, and support for high-speed UDMA 7 Compact
Flash memory cards.
Another feature enhanced by the DIGIC 5+ Imaging
Processor is the EOS 5D Mark III?s choice of reduced
resolution M-RAW (10.5 megapixel) and S-RAW (5.5
megapixel) recording modes.
All AF functions now have their own menu tab for quick
access (formerly AF custom functions in previous EOS
models). A new AF Configuration Tool allows for
customized setting of tracking sensitivity, the
acceleration and deceleration of tracking subjects, and
AF point auto switching, all of which are accessed and
adjusted via the new AF menu tab. A built-in Feature
Guide advises photographers on which settings to use
according to subject matter.
The EOS 5D Mark III uses the same high-performance AI
Servo III AF tracking algorithm as the flagship EOS-1D X
professional DSLR.
Similar to the AF point selection options offered in the
EOS 7D and EOS-1D X camera models, the EOS 5D Mark III
offers six AF point selection modes: Spot, Single Point,
Single Point with surrounding four points, Single Point
with surrounding eight points, Zone selection and
Automatic AF point selection.
Complementing the EOS 5D Mark III camera's 61-point AF
system is Canon's 63-zone iFCL dual layer metering
system. The 'FCL' stands for 'Focus, Color and
Luminance,' and references the fact that the metering
system not only measures color and luminance data, but
also analyzes the data provided by each point of the AF
system. Canon's iFCL metering keeps exposure levels
stable from shot to shot, even as the light source
changes.
The EOS 5D Mark III camera features a built-in HDR mode,
merging three images at various exposure levels into a
single image, in-camera, for photographs of landscapes
and architecture with enhanced tonal gradation beyond the
range of the naked eye. The exposure levels in the
camera's HDR mode can be set to cover a range of up to ±3
stops, in a choice of five settings: Natural, Art
Standard, Art Vivid, Art Bold and Art Embossed providing
unique visual effects. The EOS 5D Mark III's standard
Auto Exposure Bracketing function has been upgraded to
allow for up to seven exposures per sequence, and
exposure compensation can now be set for up to +/- 5EV.
The EOS 5D Mark III is the second EOS Digital SLR after
the EOS-1D X to feature Multiple Exposure capabilities
with the ability to combine up to nine individual images
into a single composite image, with no need for
post-processing in a computer. Four different compositing
methods are provided for maximum creative control,
including Additive, Average, Bright and Dark. Compositing
results can be viewed in real time on the camera?s LCD
monitor, and there is a one-step Undo command that allows
photographers to delete an image and try again if
desired. The EOS 5D Mark III camera's Multiple Exposure
mode even allows photographers to specify a previously
captured RAW image as the starting point for a new
Multiple Exposure composite image, or shoot continuously
when photographing moving subjects.
A new feature seen for the first time in the EOS System
on the 5D Mark III is Comparative Playback allowing
photographers to display two images side by side on the
camera's 3.2-inch LCD screen. The images can be displayed
with a histogram to check exposure levels, or magnified
to check for focus or facial expressions.
The EOS 5D Mark III features a rugged camera body with
magnesium alloy body covers and a stainless steel lens
mount. The camera's newly developed shutter unit has a
durability rating of 150,000 exposures, and shutter
release lag time has been reduced to 59 milliseconds.
The EOS 5D Mark III uses the same LP-E6 lithium-ion
battery pack as other popular EOS cameras like the 5D
Mark II, 7D and 60D. Battery life is estimated at 950
exposures at normal temperatures, an improvement of 100
exposures more than the EOS 5D Mark II. The EOS 5D Mark
III body weighs approximately 33.5 oz. with a battery
installed, and the dimensions are approximately 6.0 x 4.6
x 3.0 inches.
The EOS 5D Mark III incorporates Silent shooting modes,
available for low-speed continuous shooting as well as
single exposures. For better file management especially
when working with multiple cameras, the new model also
supports custom file names. There is also a new image
rating feature that lets photographers rank their photos
from 1 to 5 stars for quick editing.
The EOS 5D Mark III features a 3.2-inch Clear View II LCD
screen with 1,040,000 dot resolution. This is the same
screen that's used in the top-of-the-line EOS-1D X. The
camera's optical viewfinder has been upgraded to
approximately 100 percent coverage, and it features an
Intelligent Viewfinder display with an optional grid on
demand. The EOS 5D Mark III also has a built-in Dual Axis
Electronic Level that can be displayed on both the LCD
screen and the optical viewfinder.
The EOS 5D Mark III accepts both Compact Flash Type 1 and
SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards in a dual card slot
configuration. Three recording methods are supported:
Record the same data to both cards, record different file
sizes or types to each card, or automatically switch to
the second card when the first card is full.
The EOS 5D Mark III DSLR also has a number of new
optional accessories, including the new Canon Wireless
File Transmitter WFT-E7A featuring wireless LAN support
for 802.11 a/b/g/n signal protocols for various network
environments. The WFT-E7A connects to the camera through
its USB port and includes a built-in gigabit Ethernet
connection, time syncing for multiple cameras on the same
network, FTP mode, EOS Utility mode, WFT Server mode and
Media Server mode.
The EOS 5D Mark III also has an optional Canon GPS
Receiver GP-E2, which can be connected to the camera via
the accessory shoe or a USB cable. With a GPS logging
function built-in, the GP-E2 will log latitude,
longitude, elevation, and the Universal Time Code ? and
allow viewing of camera movement on a PC after shooting.
With its built-in compass, the GP-E2 receiver will also
record camera direction when shooting, even when shooting
vertically. The Canon GPS Receiver GP-E2 is compatible
with the EOS-1D X and EOS 7D1 as well as the EOS 5D Mark
III.
Battery Grip BG-E11 is an optional accessory for the EOS
5D Mark III that accepts one or two LP-E6 lithium-ion
battery packs or a set of six AA-size batteries.
The Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR camera is expected
to be available at the end of March 2012 and will be sold
in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price
of $3,499.00. The EOS 5D Mark III will also be available
with the EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM zoom lens in a kit for an
estimated retail price of $4,299.00. The Wireless File
Transmitter WFT-E7A is scheduled to be available by the
end of April 2012 at an estimated retail price of
$849.99. Availability for GPS Receiver GP-E2 is expected
by the end of April 2012, with an estimated retail price
of $390.00.Battery Grip BG-E11 is scheduled to be
available at the end of April 2012 for an estimated
retail price of $490.00.