edu LIBRARY

In March of 1987, Canon introduced the first EOS series SLR, the EOS 650. Now, on the 25th Anniversary, they’re launching the successor to the extremely popular and versatile EOS-5D Mark II. Three and a half years in the making… a brand new 22.3 megapixel CMOS sensor 17x more powerful than the Mark II… and boasting a number of premium features also found on the recently announced EOS-1D X… Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Canon EOS-5D Mark III.

A full-frame camera designed for filmmakers and photographers alike. From the 1D X, there’s the DIGIC 5+ Imaging Processor as well as a high-performance 61-point High Density Reticular AF (autofocus) array with up to 41 cross-type point and five dual cross-type points available. The Mark III’s new processor means the fastest 5D camera ever, with continuous shooting speeds up to 6 frames per second (a 50% uptick over the Mark II). The Mark II also boasts better low-light performance than its ancestor, with a 2-stop ISO improvement, as well as improved weather resistance for sports and wildlife photographers.

If you’re a filmmaker or television producer, the 5D Mark III is capable of shooting multiple resolutions in the H.264 compression format at various frame rates (all while embedding SMPTE-compliant time code: Full 1080p in 24p, 25p, and 30p; 720p in 60 and 50 fps; and 480p at 30 or 25 fps. With the DIGIC+ processor you’re going to get the best looking dSLR-recorded HD possible, and continuous recording time has been improved up to 29 minutes and 59 seconds. There’s also manual audio control and a first-ever-for-the-series headphone jack for audio monitoring.

This is one camera we can’t wait to get our hands on to test in person. Based on the announced specs and its EOS pedigree alone, the EOS-5D Mark III appears to be, as one of our colleagues said, a “dream rig.”

Canon EOS 5D Mark III features include:

• Newly developed 22.3-megapixel, Canon CMOS image sensor
• Same DIGIC 5+ processor found in the 1D X (single vs. dual though)
• New 63-zone, dual layer metering sensor, similar to the unit found in the EOS-7D
• Shutter rated at 150,000 cycles
• Improved water and dust sealing over 5D MK2
• Full 1080p HD video at 24, 25, and 30fps
• New Scene Intelligent Auto exposure mode – replaces the “Green” mode found on past EOS models
• Upgraded 3.2-inch LCD with 1.04k dots and Comparative Playback
• New HDR mode – 3 exposures, four blending choices – also supports RAW with DPP on PC
• Shoots up to 6fps at full res (5D MK2 was limited to 3.9fps)
• ISO settings from 100 – 25,600; expandable to Lo (ISO 50), Hi1 (ISO 51,200), Hi2 (ISO 102,400)
• Same new 61-point “HDR” AF sensor used on the 1D X
• Uses gap-less micro lenses on the image sensor, which offers greater efficiency in getting light to the photo diodes
• New photo diode construction with new resistors, allows for better image quality even with slightly smaller diodes compared to the 5D MK2
• Multiple Exposure Mode
• Dual card slots, one for CF and one SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (UDMA-7 and UHS-1 complaint)
• Built-in headphone jack – first ever on an EOS

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III dSLR will be available end of March (2012) at two price points: 1) body-only with an MSRP of $3,499.00, or 2) a $4,299.00 kit, which includes the 5D Mark III body and the EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM zoom lens.

Visit the MM Shop to find the best price on the Canon EOS 5D Mark III.