Canon 22.3MP EOS 5D Mark III DSLR Review by DCR With Rating 4.5/5

On March 2 2012, Canon announced the long-awaited replacement to their popular full-frame EOS 5D Mark II DLSR - the EOS 5D Mark III. Although the 5D Mark III does n't come close to the 36 Megapixels resolution of the recently announced Nikon D800, most photographers probably will find the 22.3 Megapixels on the 5D sufficient. Along with the new sensor, the 5D Mark III also features a DIGIC 5+ Imaging Processor, 61-point High Density Reticular Autofocus (AF) System, 6 fps continuous shooting speed (50% more than 5D Mark II), enhanced video features with better noise reduction, longer video recording times, a built-in headphone jack for audio monitoring and an improved weather resistance chassis. The 5D Mark III inherits many features from Canon's recently announced flagship DSLR EOS-1D X, including the DIGIC 5+, 61-point AF array with up to 41 cross-type points and five dual cross-type.

Professional Video is one of the main focus enhancement for the 5D Mark III catering the needs of the cinematographers, television production professionals and independent filmmakers. The 5D Mark III can capture 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. It also includes new H.264 video compression formats - intraframe (ALL-I) compression for an editing-friendly format and interframe (IPB) compression for 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. The 5D Mark III can record video continuously up to 29 minutes and 59 seconds across multiple 4GB files together with manual audio level control with 64 levels, automatic audio level setting, wind filter, and an optional stereo mic input.

Along with the 5D Mark III, Canon also announces several new optional accessories, including the Canon Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7A ($849.99) featuring wireless LAN support for 802.11 a/b/g/n, GPS Receiver GP-E2 ($390), Battery Grip BG-E11 ($490), flagship Speedlite 600EX-RT flashlight ($629.99), and the Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT ($470). The EOS 5D Mark III is expected to be available at the end of this month for $3,499.00 in a body-only configuration, or $4,299 with the kit lens EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM zoom lens. Here's the summary of review by DigitalCameraReview, giving the camera a rating of 4.5 out of 5:

"On paper, the Canon 5D Mark III may not seem like a huge step up from the 5D Mark II especially given all the rumors (and long-time anticipation) surrounding its release. In some ways, the Mark III on the surface doesn't dazzle with additional bells and whistles or even any huge leap forward in technology. And, given the fact that the Mark III currently costs about $1300 more than the 5D Mark II ($3,499 and $2,199, respectively), the 5D Mark III may be a hard sell to newcomers to the 5D family and questionable for some 5D Mark II owners. We don't have final test results for the Nikon D800, so we can't compare the two for those of you who may not have a vested interest (e.g., lenses) in one system or the other. But 5D Mark II users have an even more difficult task deciding whether or not to update to the Mark III. Perhaps the best reasons to upgrade are the highly capable AF system, the improved performance from the Digic 5 + processor and higher ISO capabilities. But if you're happy with the 5D Mark II and you don't think your photography will benefit from those three main improvements, then you might want to see what the next generation may bring.

However, as Aristotle once said: The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, (and, no, I can t believe I just quoted Aristotle in a camera review). Sure, the new 61-point AF system is excellent, faster performance is always a good thing as is high ISO capabilities. While this camera's updates and enhancements on their own may not be particularly motivating to everyone, when integrated into a single camera, it s easy to see why the 5D Mark III is currently backordered at most retailers."