Canon 5D Mark III Announced with Brand New 22MP Sensor and Digic 5+ Processor

Canon has announced the new 5D Mark III DSLR camera, the successor to the three-year old 5D Mark II. The 5D Mark III sports a brand new 22.3MP full-frame sensor, as well as the Digic 5+ processor. The camera shoots at higher native ISOs, from 100 to 25,600 (expandable to ISO102,400). It also shoots faster, the Mark II shot at a maximum of 3.9 frames per second, the Mark III shoots at six frames per second.

While the 5D Mark III might not seem as significant an upgrade as Nikon's D800, it is still a formidable camera. The 22.3MP 5D Mark III doesn't offer much more in terms of megapixels from the 21.1MP 5D Mark II, unlike the upgrade Nikon's 36MP D800 offers from the 12MP D700. But it is slightly faster than the D800, shooting at a maximum speed of six frames per second compared to the D800's four.

While Nikon has decided to offer high resolution with a 36MP D800, Canon has decided to focus on image quality, auto-focus accuracy and speed. In comparison, it seems the Nikon D4 and D800 are contrasting niche models, while the Canon 1D X and 5D Mark III are complementary versatile cameras.

The 5D Mark III is noticeably more expensive than the D800 though. Since the Mark III's local retail price has not been announced, we'll use the US pricing for comparison: the Mark III costs US$3,499 while the D800 costs US$2,999. It will be interesting going into 2012 to see how the two full-frame cameras fare, going head-to-head against each other - whether consumers will favor a higher resolution camera or a faster one.

Brand New 22MP Sensor & Digic 5+ Processor: Faster & Cleaner Images

The 5D Mark III's sensor is brand new, with a new gapless microlens array and improved photo diodes, which promises higher dynamic range and less image noise. The 5D Mark III's native ISO sensitivity gains two stops from the Mark II, now up to ISO25,600 and expandable to ISO50, ISO51,200 and ISO102,400.

The camera also comes with Canon's Digic 5+ image processor, which is 17 times faster than the Digic 4 processor found in the 5D Mark II. The Digic 5+ processor is also found in the high-end 1D X, which has two of them. Canon claims that thanks to newly-developed image processing algorithms, an image taken at ISO25,600 on the 5D Mark III will look equivalent to an ISO6400 image taken with the 5D Mark II.

The Digic 5+ processor also helps with in-built image correction, with peripheral illumination correct and distortion correct similar to the 1D X, and real-time chromatic aberration correction with info for 27 lenses registered by default.

New Auto-Focus & Auto-Exposure Systems

The 5D Mark III comes with the same 61-point High-Density Reticular AF System found in the flagship 1D X. It promises enhanced subject tracking and more accurate focusing. The new 63-zone dual layer iFCL metering system is supposed to achieve exposure without being affected by backlights or point light sources. AF information helps determine which area of the scene is most important when determining exposure.

Improved Handling (Sounds Better Too)

The 5D Mark III's LCD back monitor is slightly larger, 3.2" compared to the Mark II's 3" screen, and has a higher 1,040k dot resolution compared to the Mark II's 920k dot LCD. The screen also comes with an optical elastic polymer between the LCD and protective panel which reduces reflections and cuts down on glare in bright environments. The Mark III is dust and water resistant while the Mark II was not, and the camera gains an extra 100 shots while using the same battery pack (LP-E6) as the Mark II. The Mark III is only slightly larger than the Mark II and about 50g heavier.

The Canon engineers even spent time to make the camera produce "comfortable sound". The 5D Mark III's mirror box underwent more than ten design evolutions, and each time the body had to be reassembled by hand. The team then checked the sound, vibration and overall operations of the camera, to find the most pleasing shutter sound and vibration combination when using the camera.

Built for Video

When the 5D Mark II was released, it kick-started the HD DSLR video revolution. The 5D Mark III continues that video-making tradition with a few improvements. Canon says the Mark III reduces color and moire artifacts and now records without a 4GB file size limitation - sort of. When a video file reaches the 4GB limit, the 5D Mark III will automatically start a new video file. There's now a headphone jack, which gives videographers the ability to monitor audio levels as well as adjust them in-camera.

While the rear command wheel turns as normal, making a clicking sound as it does, it also functions as a touch-sensitive d-pad for silent use when shooting video. Various resolutions and frame-rates now come with the camera, unlike the 5D Mark II (which didn't expect itself to become a video flagship), Full-HD video can now be shot at 30p/25p/24p, but higher frame-rates are only available at 720/60p/50p.

Like the 1D X, the 5D Mark III supports both ALL-I and IPB compression methods for recording video. ALL-I produces larger file sizes, but editing is made easier as each frame is individually compressed and saved, when IPB compresses frames in groups, which gives you smaller file sizes but increases processing time when editing. Unlike the 1D X, there is no option to output non-compressed footage to an external recording device via HDMI.

Sample footage shot with the 5D Mark III can be seen at Canon's website.

HDR, Multiple Exposures & Improved Previews

The 5D Mark III is Canon's first DSLR with a in-built High Dynamic Range (HDR) shooting mode (Sony and Nikon DSLR cameras have already had this feature, as do some of Canon's compact cameras). HDR mode combines three images shot at different exposures, images can be saved individually or as a single HDR image, the camera can combine and align images in-camera. The camera can also shoot two to nine multiple exposures to create a multiple-exposure image right in-camera.

The 5D Mark III will also allow you to compare two images on screen to preview and compare. Enlarging photos to view and deleting them is also made easier, and 'delete' can be custom set to be the default command when the delete button is pressed, instead of 'cancel'.

Price & Availability

The 5D Mark III will be available in Singapore in end March. The local suggested retail price has not been finalized, but the US pricing is $3,499 (which is currently a conversion of S$4,367).

The press release follows on the second page.

Canon redefines photography and filmmaking with the EOS 5D Mark III

New powerful full-frame DSLR empowers users with outstanding features for its class, such as 61-point (High-Density Reticular) Auto-Focus System, incredible ISO speeds of 25,600 and up to 6fps shooting speed

Singapore, 2 March, 2012 – Canon Singapore today launched the EOS 5D Mark III, the highly anticipated successor to the popular EOS 5D Mark II, which redefined DSLR usage in photography and filmmaking. Targeted at both professional and advanced amateur photographers as well as independent filmmakers, the EOS 5D Mark III features Canon’s latest and most powerful image processor, the DIGIC 5+ processor which is 17 times faster than DIGIC 4. With a full-frame 22.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, high native ISO sensitivity of up to 25,600 (expandable up to ISO 102,400), and a continuous drive of up to 6 frames per second, the EOS 5D Mark III promises to be a camera of choice for both photographers and filmmakers.

“Upon its release, the EOS 5D Mark II redefined full-frame photography and filmmaking. In pushing the boundaries for a high-quality, full-frame DSLR camera with full-HD movie capability, Canon has once again set expectations higher with the development of the EOS 5D Mark III,” said Andrew Koh, Senior Director and General Manager of the Consumer Imaging and Information Division, Canon Singapore. “With key improvements such as a faster AF system, higher shooting speeds, and increased ISO sensitivity, the EOS 5D Mark III is able to comfortably handle low light environments.”

Superior image quality with greater ISO sensitivity

Featuring an improved 36 x 24mm full-frame CMOS sensor with approximately 22.3 effective megapixels, the EOS 5D Mark III continues the 5D Mark II’s legacy of delivering not just crystal clear images, but also high quality Full HD Movies. By using a new gapless microlens array and improved photo diodes, the camera has an improved standard ISO sensitivity of 100 – 25,600 (expandable up to L:50, H1:51,200, H2:102,400). This balance of ISO sensitivity and high signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio, as well as a new customizable “Auto ISO” function, grants photographers freedom of expression in low-light conditions.

The EOS 5D Mark III also comes with Canon’s latest and most powerful image processor, the DIGIC 5+. The DIGIC 5+ processor is 17 times faster than the DIGIC 4 processor used in the 5D Mark II. In addition, the new processor uses a newly-developed advanced algorithm to achieve the highest possible image quality with lowest possible noise. As a point of comparison, an image taken at ISO 25,600 on the 5D Mark III is equivalent to an image taken at ISO 6,400 on the 5D Mark II, a two-stop improvement.

These new innovations enable the EOS 5D Mark III to make quantum improvements in its shooting performance, increasing its continuous shooting speeds up to approximately 6fps at full 22.3 megapixel resolution. Other significant features found in the EOS 5D Mark III include real-time chromatic aberration correction, in-camera RAW processing and lens distortion correction^[i].

A new sense of speed

The EOS 5D Mark III comes with the same 61-point High-Density Reticular AF System found in Canon’s flagship EOS-1D X. This makes it easier for photographers to very quickly compose portraits and track fast moving subjects, while maintaining focus on their images. The new AF system is also advanced enough to allow photographers utilizing f/4.0 lenses to achieve rapid AF speeds usually associated with f/2.8 lenses on the EOS 1D Mark IV. The number of cross-type points for both f/2.8 and f/4.0 lens have been increased to 41, with f/2.8 dual cross points as the central five points. For f/5.6 lens, it comes with 21 cross-type points, hence making full use of each lens' optical characteristics to optimize performance.

With a faster AF system, the EOS 5D Mark III CMOS sensor has also been upgraded to make use of eight data channels (twice as many as the EOS-5D Mark II), forming a perfect combination with the enhanced data processing speeds of the new DIGIC 5+. To ensure that there’s no significant shutter-release time lag to compromise the fast AF system, the EOS 5D Mark III also comes with a better mechanism to power the reflex mirror. This new mechanism suppresses mirror bounce, and hence is able to achieve a time-lag response of only 59 milliseconds, providing ample time for AF and AE computations.

Professional filmmaking functionality

The 5D Mark II was the first EOS camera equipped with EOS Movie, which quickly revolutionised the filmmaking industry when it was used in the production of commercials, TV dramas and movies. In designing the EOS 5D Mark III, Canon’s developers worked with professional cinematographers to come up with enhanced EOS Movie functions for improved video quality and easier editing.

The EOS 5D Mark III significantly reduces color artifacts and moiré in areas containing striped patterns. This is a result of its new CMOS sensor and the increased S/N ratio of the new DIGIC 5+ processor, enabling videos shot in dimly-lit environments to have lower noise, even at higher ISO speeds.

The EOS 5D Mark III also promises greater editing flexibility as it supports a wide range of frame rates, from Standard Definition to Full HD, in 30P/25P/24P. It also supports both ALL-I and IPB compression methods to suit different post-production needs. ALL-I results in larger file sizes, but editing is made easier as the frames are individually compressed. IPB compresses frames in groups, which reduces file sizes but increases decoding times.

For filmmakers who require smooth, uninterrupted filming, the EOS 5D Mark III supports continuous shooting up to a maximum of 30 minutes recording time. During shooting, the camera will automatically create a new video file once the current file reaches 4GB (the maximum file size for FAT file systems).This ensures that there are no lapses between files, so editors can effortlessly splice files together without any glaring jump cuts.

In-camera creativity

The 5D Mark III pushes creative limits by implementing a new High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode: a first for its series. The HDR mode combines three images shot at different exposures to form one single detailed image. By taking one shot at the recommended exposure, one that is over exposed such that it provides visual data for the subtle gradations in dark areas and lastly a underexposed shot that provides visual data for areas that would be blown out under normal exposure, the combination of the three images will result in a single image that contains clear details and tones in all areas.

Other creative functions include the ability to take multiple exposures to superimpose different images on top of one another. This allows for artistic juxtaposition of different scenes, or can be used in conjunction with the 5D Mark III’s speedy 6 fps continuous shooting mode to recreate the appearance of flow of motion in a shot with moving subjects.

User-friendly design improvements

A new 3.2” tempered glass 1.04 million dot Clear View LCD II monitor with a wide 3:2 aspect ratio makes the EOS 5D Mark III a more user-friendly camera when framing shots, reviewing images and navigating menus. To reduce glare in bright sunny conditions, the DSLR also comes equipped with an optical elastic polymer between the LCD and protective panel that reduces reflections. With an anti-reflective coating on the surface, the screen increases additional glare reduction.

For filmmakers, the 5D Mark III is also equipped with a Quick Control Dial which has an inner ring that can be triggered by an electrostatic touch sensor. With this silent control dial, cinematographers are able to change settings while shooting movies without recording any clicking sounds emitted from the control dial.

Ergonomic form factor

The EOS 5D Mark III comes separately with a new battery grip, BG-E11, which is designed to facilitate vertical shoots and longer battery life. Made with the same magnesium alloy as the EOS 5D Mark III, it carries the same dust and water resistant qualities, and comes with a multi-controller and a customisable multi-function button. The battery access of the grip has also been relocated to the side, for a curved form that provides a comfortable grip for horizontal and vertical shooting.

Price & Availability

The EOS 5D Mark III will be available in end March at authorized Canon dealers.

The BG-E11 battery grip will be available in end April at authorized Canon dealers.

All prices will be announced at a later date.

^[1] Using in-camera RAW processing.

Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.