![Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD [IF] Lens for Canon](/files/PC/product/small/lts_43260.jpg)
The Canon 5D line of cameras is iconic, one of those "once in a generation" phenomenons. First of all, they're wonderfully versatile still-photography cameras. But when the 5D Mark II arrived on the scene in 2008, the impact it had on the world of video production was palpable. Suddenly, cinematic, professional high-definition images were available at a price point budget-minded independents could afford, and the rest was history. The DSLR cinema revolution had begun.
Refreshed and ready
Now there's the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, and this reboot of a signature nameplate is no minor buff and polish. Almost every system has been refreshed, and the body is actually more similar to that of its cousin, the Canon EOS 7D. It's been outfitted with a completely redesigned 61-point High Density Reticular autofocus system, borrowed from the flagship Canon 1D X. It has 5 central dual cross-type points that keep track of diagonal movement in addition to 21 central horizontal/vertical cross-type points and 20 outer cross-type points. This technology will provide exquisite tracking of fast-moving, unpredictable subjects, and it performs well even when your subject isn't particularly well-lit.
Master of light and darkness
And speaking of light: here's a camera that knows how to make the most of what it's been given. The basic ISO (sensitivity) range is impressive, spanning from ISO 100 - 25,600, and it's expandable — on the low end to ISO 50, and at the high end it will go to 102,400. What does this string of numbers mean to you in practical terms? How about (at the high end) no fear of shooting an evening wedding, or a candlelit close-up, or (at the low end) getting great, high-contrast shots on a sunlit ski-slope.
Much thought has been put into the Canon 5D Mark III's control interface
Still shot wizard...
Continuous shooting mode performance has been beefed up as well. Thanks to the on-board DIGIC 5+ processor, the '5D Mark III now shoots full-resolution, high-density stills at up to 6 frames per second. In-camera HDR (High Dynamic Range) shooting comes standard, along with a multiple exposure mode and expanded autobracketing options, so you won't miss a shot due to bad exposure settings.
...and still a video star
But video is a real strength for this nameplate, so just how has that improved? Let's explore. The DIGIC 5+ processing has markedly decreased moiré and rolling shutter artifacts, as has the redesigned sensor. A new intra-frame compression option has been added, which preserves all captured frames as discrete entities, thereby making your capture files more suitable for popular video editing software suites. There's a 3.5mm minijack headphone output for monitoring audio as you go, and your audio input levels are adjustable from the left/right buttons on the rear control dial.
They listened to you
In the convenience department, Canon did some serious listening to user feedback on previous models, and incorporated both CompactFlash and SD slots in the '5D Mark III. Users who have invested in both flavors of memory card will be gratified to know that they play well together in this configuration, managing and moving media together in happy, cooperative concert. In another welcome tweak, the high-resolution LCD screen has been bumped to 3.2 inches in size and 1,040,000 dots.
Of course, this camera is compatible with your favorite Canon Speedlite external flashes and EF-Series lenses.
Product Highlights:
- 22.3-megapixel effective recording
- full-frame CMOS image sensor (36 x 24mm)
- compatible with Canon EF lenses (does not support EF-S lenses)
- high-definition movie modes:
- 1920 x 1080: 30/25/24 frames per second
- 1280 x 720: 60/50 frames per second
- other movie modes:
- 640 x 480: 30/25 frames per second
- selectable intra-frame (all I-frame) compression generates edit-friendly files
- linear PCM audio recording with built-in monaural microphone (minijack input for optional external stereo microphone)
- levels can be manually adjusted in 64 steps
- high-res 3.2" color LCD screen (1,040,000 dots) with automatic brightness adjustment (manual 7-step settings available)
- Live View modes (with Face Detection, Quick, and Live autofocus, plus manual focus with 5X or 10X magnification) for composing shots with the LCD screen
- eye-level pentaprism viewfinder with diopter adjustment
- top-mounted LCD panel with backlighting displays camera and exposure settings
- self cleaning sensor unit (for cleaning image sensor)
- DIGIC 5+ image processor for fast shooting performance and accurate color reproduction
- 14-bit A/D conversion for outstanding color tones and gradations
- Auto Lighting Optimizer automatically adjusts image brightness and contrast to prevent underexposure
- Peripheral Illumination Correction works with compatible Canon EF lenses to maintain even corner to corner lighting levels in JPEG images
- hot shoe for Canon EX-series Speedlite flash accessories (no flash included)
- compatible with Canon EE-TTL II flash exposure control systems
- redesigned 61-point autofocus system improves low-light AF performance and tracking accuracy
- maximum JPEG/RAW image size (pixels): 5760 x 3840
- image file formats: JPEG, RAW, RAW+JPEG, M-RAW (medium RAW), S-RAW (small RAW), and Quicktime MOV for video (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC)
- sensitivity or ISO (film speed equivalent) range: 100-25,600 (in 1/3- or 1-stop increments)
- expanded high and low sensitivity settings available down to 50 ISO or up to 102,400 ISO
- shutter speed range: 1/8000 to 30 seconds, bulb, flash synch at 1/200 second
- continuous high-speed shooting at 6 frames per second for up to 65 frames in JPEG Large/Fine (up to 16,270 frames using UDMA CF cards) or 13 frames in RAW
- accepts CompactFlash® memory cards (Type I and/or UDMA compliant) and SD, SDHC, and SDXC UHS-I compliant memory cards no memory included
- mini HDMI output (type C connector, cable not included)
- high-speed USB interface
- NTSC/PAL video output
- 6"W x 4-11/16"H x 3"D (camera body)
- weight (with battery): 33.5 oz.