Canon EOS 5D III news
Canon EOS 5D III gains weight and features, but not many more pixels
The Canon EOS 5D III, which replaces the EOS 5D II, is set to introduce many of the features of the company?s recently announced flagship camera, the EOS 1D X, into a body aimed at enthusiast as well as professional photographers. Expected at the end of March 2012, priced £2,999.99, the Canon EOS 5D III will bring the 61-point AF system of the EOS 1D X as well as the camera?s high-powered Digic 5+ processing engine to the semi-professional market, but with a full-frame sensor housing 22.3 million pixels. With eight-channel read-out, the single Digic 5+ (the EOS 1D X has two) processor will be able to handle 6 full-resolution frames per second for up to 18 raw files and over 16,000 jpgs, according to Canon.
The camera?s ISO range has been improved from the ISO 100-6400 of the EOS 5D II by two stops, to 100-25,600. ISO extension modes allow a maximum setting roughly equivalent to ISO 102,400 ? still 1EV short of the EOS 1D X.
The new model will feature the same 3.2in Clear View II LCD screen as that on the EOS 1D X, which is constructed using a 1,040,000-pixel grid. The camera?s viewfinder has also been improved to offer a 100% view of the image to be captured (the EOS 5D II has a 98% viewfinder), while maintaining the same 0.71x magnification. The top shutter speed remains 1/8000sec and the maximum flash sync speed 1/200sec.
In-camera corrections
Canon has used the additional processing power of Digic 5+ to introduce new image-correction functions. The EOS 5D III has new built-in lens correction facilities that automatically reduce the effects of vignetting and chromatic aberration before the recorded image is passed to the memory card. The company also claims the extra powerful processor allows high ISO noise to be dealt with more effectively.
There is a new HDR mode that combines three different exposures into one in order to enhance the range of tones able to be recorded from a high-contrast scene. As well as the final combined image, the camera also saves the three bright/dark/normal files so that users can still produce a different version of their own in software later.
This HDR mode can be found under a new Creative Photo Button on the camera body. This gives users direct access to other features, such as picture styles and multiple-exposure modes.
Canon has also introduced a new silent mode to reduce the sound of the shutter and mirror.
Build and storage
Using the same magnesium alloy for the body shell as previous-generation EOS cameras, Canon has also introduced a level of weather sealing for the EOS 5D III. Gaskets below buttons and dials prevent ingress of moisture and dust, while a seal around the lens mount is intended to provide better protection for the mirror box. The shutter mechanism has also been improved, but Canon still only quotes the same 150,000 cycles as the EOS 5D II.
New to the 5D series is SD card compatibility, with the EOS 5D III accepting both CF and SD cards via dual memory slots. The camera takes the same LP-E6 battery as the previous model, but has gained a substantial 140g in the transition ? now weighing 950g instead of the 810g of the 5D II.
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Canon EOS 5D III Photo gallery
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Canon EOS 5D III specifications
Canon EOS 5D III specifications
Product Specification
IMAGE SENSOR
Type
36 x 24 mm CMOS
Effective Pixels
Approx. 22.3 megapixels
Total Pixels
Approx. 23.4 megapixels
Aspect Ratio
3:2
Low-Pass Filter
Built-in/Fixed with fluorine coating
Sensor Cleaning
EOS integrated cleaning system
Colour Filter Type
Primary Colour
IMAGE PROCESSOR
Type
DIGIC 5+
LENS
Lens Mount
EF (excludes EF-S lenses)
Focal Length
Equivalent to 1.0x the focal length of the lens
FOCUSING
Type
TTL-CT-SIR with a dedicated CMOS sensor
AF System/ Points
61 Point / 41 f/4 cross-type AF points inc 5 dual cross type at f/2.8
The number of cross-type AF points will differ depending on the lens.
AF Working Range
EV -2 – 18 (at 23°C & ISO100)
AF Modes
AI Focus
One Shot
AI Servo
AF Point Selection
Automatic selection: 61 point AF
Manual selection: Single point AF (61, 41 cross type only, 15 or 9 points selectable)
Manual selection: Spot AF
Manual selection: AF point Expansion 4 points (up, down, left, right)
Manual selection: AF point Expansion surrounding 8 points
Manual selection: Zone AF
AF points can be selected separately for vertical and horizontal shooting
Selected AF Point Display
Superimposed in viewfinder and indicated on top LCD panel and Quick Control screen
AF Lock
Locked when shutter button is pressed half way in One Shot AF mode or AF-ON button is pressed.
AF Assist Beam
Emitted by optional dedicated Speedlite
Manual Focus
Selected on lens, default in Live View Mode
AF Microadjustment
AF Menu
+/- 20 steps ( wide and tele setting for Zooms)
Adjust all lenses by same amount
Adjust up to 40 lenses individually
Adjustments remembered for lens by serial number
EXPOSURE CONTROL
Metering Modes
TTL full aperture metering with 63 zone Dual Layer SPC
(1) Evaluative metering (linked to All AF point)
(2) Partial metering (approx. 6.2% of viewfinder at centre)
(3) Spot metering (approx. 1.5% viewfinder at centre)
(4) Centre weighted average metering
Metering Range
EV 1 – 20 (at 23°C with 50mm f/1.4 lens ISO100)
AE Lock
Auto: In 1-shot AF mode with evaluative metering exposure is locked when focus is achieved.
Manual: By AE lock button in creative zone modes.
Exposure Compensation
+/-5 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments (can be combined with AEB).
AEB
2, 3, 5 or 7 Shots +/-3 EV 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments
ISO Sensitivity*
Auto (100-12800), 100-25600 (in 1/3-stop or whole stop increments)
ISO can be expanded to L: 50, H1: 51200, H2 102400
SHUTTER
Type
Electronically-controlled focal-plane shutter
Speed
30-1/8000 sec (1/2 or 1/3 stop increments) + Bulb (Shutter speed range available varies according to shooting mode)
WHITE BALANCE
Type
Auto white balance with the imaging sensor
Settings
AWB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White
Fluorescent light, Flash, Custom, Colour Temperature Setting.
White balance compensation:
1. Blue/Amber +/-9
2. Magenta/ Green +/-9.
Custom White Balance
Yes, 1 setting can be registered
WB Bracketing
+/-3 levels in single level increments
3 bracketed images per shutter release.
Selectable Blue/Amber bias or Magenta/ Green bias.
VIEWFINDER
Type
Pentaprism
Coverage (Vertical/Horizontal)
Approx. 100%
Magnification
Approx. 0.71x¹
Eyepoint
Approx. 21mm (from eyepiece lens centre)
Dioptre Correction
-3 to +1 m-1 (dioptre)
Focusing Screen
Fixed (Transmissive LCD screen)
Mirror
Quick-return half mirror (Transmission: reflection ratio of 40:60, no mirror cut-off with EF600mm f/4 or shorter)
Viewfinder Information
AF information: AF point, focus confirmation, AF status indicator
Exposure information: Shutter speed, aperture, ISO speed (always displayed), AE lock,
exposure level, exposure warning
Flash information: Flash ready, flash exposure compensation, high-speed sync, FE lock,
red-eye reduction light
Image information: Highlight tone priority (D+), maximum burst (2-digit display), card
information, Battery check
Composition information
Grid, electronic level, Warning symbol
Displayed if any of the following is set: Monochrome, white balance
correction, One-touch recording quality switch, expanded ISO speed, or spot metering
Depth of Field Preview
Yes, with Depth of Field preview button.
Eyepiece Shutter
On strap
LCD MONITOR
Type
8.11cm (3.2″) Clear View II TFT, approx. 1040K dots
Coverage
Approx. 100%
Viewing Angle (Horizontally/Vertically)
Approx. 170°
Coating
Anti-reflection and Solid Structure
Brightness Adjustment
Adjustable to one of seven levels
Display Options
(1) Quick Control Screen
(2) Camera settings
(3) Dual Axis Electronic Level
FLASH
Modes
E-TTL II Auto Flash, Metered Manual
X-Sync
1/200sec (EX series Speedlites only)
Flash Exposure Compensation
+/- 3EV in 1/2 or 1/3 increments
Flash Exposure Bracketing
Yes, with compatible External Flash
Flash Exposure Lock
Yes
Second Curtain Synchronisation
Yes
HotShoe/ PC Terminal
Yes/ Yes
External Flash Compatibility
E-TTL II with EX series Speedlites, wireless multi-flash support
External Flash Control
Via camera menu screen
SHOOTING
Modes
Auto+, Program AE, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual (Stills and Movie), Custom (x3)
Picture Styles
Auto, Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Defined (x3)
Colour Space
sRGB and Adobe RGB
Image Processing
Highlight Tone Priority
Auto Lighting Optimizer (4 settings)
Long exposure noise reduction
High ISO speed noise reduction (4 settings)
Auto Correction of Lens Peripheral illumination
Chromatic aberration correction
Distortion correction
Resize to M1, M2 or S
RAW image processing – during image Playback only
Multiple exposure
HDR images 5 presets
Drive Modes
Single, Continuous L, Continuous H, Self-timer (2s+remote, 10s+remote),
Silent single shooting, Silent continuous shooting
Continuous Shooting
Max. Approx. 6fps. (speed maintained for up to 16270 images (JPEG)¹² or 18 images (RAW)) (with UDMA card)²
LIVE VIEW MODE
Type
Electronic viewfinder with image sensor
Coverage
Approx. 100% (horizontally and vertically)
Frame Rate
30 fps
Focusing
Manual Focus (Magnify the image 5x or 10x at any point on screen)
Autofocus: Quick mode, Live mode, Live Face detection mode
Metering
Real-time evaluative metering with image sensor
Active metering time can be changed
Display Options
Grid overlay (x3), Histogram, Aspect ratios, Dual Axis Electronic Level
FILE TYPE
Still Image Type
JPEG: Fine, Normal (Exif 2.3 [Exif Print] compliant) / Design rule for Camera File system (2.0),
RAW: RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2 (14bit, Canon original RAW 2nd edition),
Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1 compliant
RAW+JPEG Simultaneous Recording
Yes, any combination of RAW + JPEG possible, separate formats to separate cards possible
Image Size
JPEG: (L) 5760 x 3840, (M) 3840 x 2560, (S1) 2880 x 1920, (S2) 1920 x 1280, (S 3)720 x 480
RAW : (RAW) 5760 x 3840 (M-RAW) 3960 x 2640, (S-RAW) 2880 x 1920
Movie Type
MOV (Video: H.264 Intra frame / inter frame, Sound: Linear PCM)
Movie Size
1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps) intra or inter frame
1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps) intra or inter frame
640 x 480 (59.94, 50 fps) inter frame
Movie Length
Max duration 29min 59sec, Max single file size 4GB
Folders
New folders can be manually created and selected
File Numbering
(1) Consecutive numbering
(2) Auto reset
(3) Manual reset
OTHER FEATURES
Custom Functions
13 Custom Functions with 47 settings
Metadata Tag
User copyright information (can be set in camera)
Image rating (0-5 stars)
LCD Panel / Illumination
Yes / Yes
Water/ Dust Resistance
Yes (equal to EOS-1N)¹
Sound Memo
No
Intelligent Orientation Sensor
Yes
Playback Zoom
1.5x – 10x
Display Formats
(1) Single image with information (2 levels)
(2) Single image
(3) 4 image index
(4) 9 image index
(5) Magnified view
(6) 2 image compare display
(7) Movie edit
Slide Show
Image selection: All images, by Date, by Folder, Movies, Stills, Rating
Playback time: 1/2/3/5/10 or 20 seconds
Repeat: On/Off
Histogram
Brightness: Yes
RGB: Yes
Highlight Alert
Yes
Image Erase/Protection
Erase: Single image, All images in folder, Checkmarked images, unprotected images
Protection: Erase protection of one image at a time
Menu Categories
(1) Shooting menu (x4)
(2) AF Menu (x5)
(3) Playback menu (x3)
(4) Setup menu (x4)
(5) Custom Functions menu (x4)
(6) My Menu
Menu Languages
25 Languages
English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Greek, Russian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Ukrainian, Turkish, Arabic, Thai, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese
Firmware Update
Update possible by the user.
INTERFACE
Computer
Hi-Speed USB
Other
HDMI mini output, Video output (PAL/ NTSC), Headphone mini jack, External microphone (Stereo mini jack)
DIRECT PRINT
Canon Printers
Canon Compact Photo Printers and PIXMA Printers supporting PictBridge
PictBridge
Yes
STORAGE
Type
CompactFlash Type I (UDMA compatible), SD card, SDHC card or SDXC card
SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEM
PC & Macintosh
Windows XP (SP2/SP3) / Vista inc SP1 (excl. Starter Edition) / 7 (excl. Starter Edition)
OS X v10.6-10.7
SOFTWARE
Browsing & Printing
ImageBrowser EX
Image Processing
Digital Photo Professional
Other
PhotoStitch, EOS Utility (inc. Remote Capture, WFT utility*), Picture Style Editor
* Requires optional accessory
POWER SOURCE
Batteries
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery LP-E6 (supplied), 1xCR1616 for date & settings
Battery Life
Approx. 950 (at 23°C, AE 50%, FE 50%)¹
Approx. 850 (at 0°C, AE 50%, FE 50%)
Battery Indicator
6 levels + percentage
Power Saving
Power turns off after 1, 2, 4, 8, 15 or 30mins.
Power Supply & Battery Chargers
AC Adapter Kit ACK-E6, Battery charger LC-E6, Car Battery charger CBC-E6
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Body Materials
Magnesium Alloy body covers
Operating Environment
0 ? 40 °C, 85% or less humidity
Dimensions (WxHxD)
152 x 116.4 x 76.4mm
Weight (Body Only)
Approx. 950
ACCESSORIES
Viewfinder
Eyecup Eg, Eg-series Dioptric Adjustment Lens with Rubber Frame Eg, Anti Fog Eyepiece Eg, Angle Finder C
Wireless File Transmitter
Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7
Lenses
All EF lenses (excludes EF-S lenses)
Flash
Canon Speedlites (220EX, 270EX, 270EX II, 320EX, 420EX, 430EX, 430EX II, 550EX, 580EX, 580EX II, 600EX, 600EX-RT, Macro-Ring-Lite, MR-14EX, Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX, Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2, Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT)
Remote Controller/ Switch
Remote control with N3 type contact, Wireless Controller LC-5, Remote Controller RC-6
Other
Hand Strap E2, GP-E2
Magnification
¹ with 50mm lens at infinity, -1m-1 dpt
Continuous Shooting
¹ Based on Canon’s testing conditions, JPEG, ISO 100, Standard Picture Style. Varies depending on the subject, memory card brand and capacity, image recording quality, ISO speed, drive mode, Picture Style, Custom functions etc. ² Maximum fps and buffer capacity may be reduced depending on the cameras settings and light level
Water/ Dust Resistance
¹ Environmental protection
Battery Life
¹ Based on the CIPA Standard and using the batteries and memory card format supplied with the camera, except where indicated
*Recommended Exposure Index
All data is based on Canon standard testing methods except where indicated.
Subject to change without notice.
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