Canon EOS 5D MARK III

510 reviews

May, 2013

Positive
Performance (59)
Low-light (56)
Image quality (38)
Video (24)
Focus (24)

Negative
Value for money (64)

General overview
Price comparison
Product Specifications

alaTest has collected and analyzed 510 reviews from magazines and websites. Reviewers really like the video and focus. The image quality and low light performance are also appreciated. Many are less positive about the value for money, while there are mixed reviews on the flash and portability.

performance, low-light, image quality, focus, video

value for money

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital SLR Cameras the Canon EOS 5D MARK III is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 96/100 = Excellent quality.

See all Canon Digital SLR Cameras

Review analysis

(Based on 510 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(60% of reviews)
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Features

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Showing 291 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Showing 1 - 10 of 291 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (260)

Expert review by: Dan Havlik (wired.com)

Canon Upgrades Its Revolutionary EOS 5D Shooter

The 22.3-megapixel Canon EOS 5D Mark III captured some of the cleanest images I've seen from a DSLR when shooting in low light at high ISOs.

In-camera HDR (High Dynamic Range) feature combines three shots into one image with better exposure. “Silent” shooting mode helps capture stealthy candid portraits. Rank photos in-camera with one to five stars, then carry those ratings over to Adobe...

Only slightly more resolution than four-year-old previous model. Starting price nearly $1,000 higher than predecessor. Built-in mic only offers mono sound

Jun, 2012

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dpreview.com - GOLD AWARD

Expert review by: Lars Rehm with additional material by Andy Westlak (dpreview.com)

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

In 1987 Canon unveiled the EOS 650 to the world. It was the Japanese manufacturer's first 35mm autofocus SLR and the start of the EOS system. With its fully-electronic lens mount, in-lens aperture and focus motors, and reliance on electronic button and...

Good resolution and detail in raw files ; Good color and tonality across the ISO range ; Reliable metering even in difficult contrast situations ; Very responsive and snappy operation, thanks to new Digic 5+ processor ; 6 frames per second continuous...

Destructive noise reduction results in mushy JPEGs, even at base ISO ; Visible sharpening artifacts at default settings ; Heavy-handed noise reduction leads to lack of low-contrast detail at higher ISOs ; Distortion correction not available 'on the fly...

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III is not only a very capable photographic tool in almost all areas, it's also fun and exciting to shoot with. The only downside are the slightly soft and overprocessed out-of-camera JPEGs. This is only visible at pixel-level but...

May, 2012

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Expert review by: Lori Grunin (cnet.com)

Canon EOS 5D Mark III (Body Only)

On the 25th anniversary of its EOS system, Canon finally announced the long-awaited update to its full-frame 5D Mark II dSLR. The 5D Mark III is packed with capabilities for both still and video shooters, but at a much steeper price. As you'd expect,...

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III offers a more streamlined shooting design, significantly updated feature set with more configurability, plus better performance over its predecessor. It maintains its excellent photo and video quality as well.

JPEG photos at low ISO sensitivities don't match the generally excellent level of quality that you can otherwise get out of this camera.

While it's not a no-brainer upgrade over the Mark II, the Canon EOS 5D Mark III is worth the price premium if better performance and configurability matter to you.

May, 2012

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Expert review by: Jim Fisher (pcmag.com)

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III looks a lot like its predecessor on the outside, but offers plenty of improvements under the hood. It's a solid option for advanced shooters with an investment in Canon glass, but doesn't match the rapid-fire shooting...

Compact for a full-frame SLR. 22-megapixel resolution. Large optical viewfinder. Bright, high-res rear LCD. Fast autofocus. 6fps continuous shooting. Excellent high ISO performance. 1080p video recording

Expensive. Slow focus in Live View and Video modes. No built-in flash. Not compatible with EF-S lenses

The long-awaited successor to Canon's extremely popular EOS 5D Mark II camera is finally here. As its name implies, the company's 22-megapixel EOS 5D Mark III ($3,499 list, body only) is an evolutionary upgrade rather than a revolutionary one. The...

Apr, 2012

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Expert review by: TJ Donegan (digitalcamerainfo.com)

Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIDigital Camera Review

The recently announced Canon EOS 5D Mark III steps up as the long-awaited successor to the Canon 5D Mark II. Like the Mark II before it, the Mark III is a full-frame professional camera targeting photographers and videographers. In a year already...

The Canon 5D Mark III follows up on the incredible success of the Canon 5D Mark II, a staple in the kit of almost every DSLR videographer (and many photographers) for the past three years. It’s not hyperbole to suggest that the Canon 5D Mark III is the...

Mar, 2012

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Expert review by: TJ Donegan (digitalcamerainfo.com)

Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIFirst Impressions Review

Canon's 5D Mark III follows up on the smash success of the Canon 5D Mark II, a full-frame professional camera designed to suit the needs of photographers and videographers across the industry. The 5D Mark II, while quite popular, was getting a little...

The Canon 5D Mark II is arguably one of the most successful cameras of the decade, incorporating videography into a DSLR as seamlessly as any camera before it. The result was a smash success and the adoption of the Mark II in professional video...

Mar, 2012

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Expert review by: (engadget.com)

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

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Expert review by: daniel m. east (layersmagazine.com)

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Like the American Idol effect on singers to the untrained ear, the clarity and performance that photographers expect from the soon-to-be-legendary Canon EOS 5D Mark III has to live up to the hype.

Speed; features; accuracy; video

The real fun of Canon’s EOS 5D Mark III comes after using it for a few weeks: As you realize how much more you can do with less waste, you may want to go back and reshoot some completed projects. The only obstacle might be tired arms from holding up...

Jan, 2013

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Expert review by: Philip Ryan (popphoto.com)

Camera Test: Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR

The 5D we've been waiting for, since, well, the EOS 5D Mark II came out

Jul, 2012

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Expert review by: Theano Nikitas (digitalcamerareview.com)

Canon EOS 5D Mark III Review: Going Pro

The Canon 5D Mark III was announced on March 2, on the 25th anniversary of the EOS system and the first EOS SLR camera. Photography and the EOS system has come a long way since then as evidenced by Canon's line of DSLRs and while Canon wasn't the first...

Excellent photo/video quality ; Excellent build quality ; Advanced 61 point AF system

Best image quality from Raw (vs. JPEG) ; Overly aggressive noise reduction ; Monaural on-board microphone

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...

Jun, 2012