Camera Canon 5D Mark 3: review, specifications and reviews. Comparison with competitors

Among photographers, the new camera Canon 5D Mark 3 is called full-frame. For professionals, a full frame is a great joy. So, you can use any optics without taking into account the crop factor. In addition, it is a classical format of 35 millimeters, a higher level of photosensitivity due to large pixels. The average format is popular among professional photographers of a narrower specialization, but devices with full frame capabilities are something that many generalists dream of, as well as fans of light painting. Having given the market a good camera with a full format, the manufacturer automatically provided a lot of joyful fans. Canon 5D Mark 3 is a classic example. Full frame every day is becoming more popular, the first camera was released in 2005. And today a new model has been added to the lineup.

According to theory, along with the recently released D800 from the leading manufacturer "Nikon", the soap dish is positioned as a semi-professional full-frame SLR camera. A professional niche is filled with other devices. However, this is only a theory, but in fact this model is used not only by amateurs, but also by real professionals of photo art. Despite the huge popularity of the full frame, the 5D line was considered an object for criticism. Professionals wanted a little more than just the opportunity to get great shots. For them it was necessary that the device allows you to take pictures quickly and without errors. And here the "soap box" Canon 5D Mark 3 turned out exactly this, as many users have noted.

Main technical characteristics

The camera's matrix is CMOS technology. Its dimensions are 36x24 millimeters, or full frame. The resolution of this camera is about 22.6 megapixels. With this device you can get high-quality pictures with a resolution of up to 5760x3840 pixels. Bayonet - EF. The manufacturer did not equip the device with image stabilization function, but it is in optics. The device has a new, more technological processor for processing. The viewfinder in the camera is optical. It is a semi-transparent pentoprism. It's fast enough. There is a function of previewing the depth of field, the possibility of correcting images on diopters. The screen in Canon 5D Mark 3 is based on TFT technology, its diagonal is 3.2 inches. It is equipped with an anti-reflective coating and an excellent viewing angle of 170 degrees. The camera has a manual or automatic focusing with the ability to select points. The shutter is of the electron-focal type. Exposure is available in the range of 30-1 / 8000 s, and also there is an arbitrary, longer exposure.

The camera is capable of shooting at a speed of up to 6 frames per second at maximum quality. The possibilities are limited only by the size of the memory card. There are a lot of ways to take photos: it is a one-shot shooting, continuous, noiseless, or noiseless continuous. All images can be immediately processed on efficient algorithms. The manufacturer has provided a lot of opportunities for adjusting the white balance. Pleases the organization of shooting video. So, you can shoot high-quality video in HD-resolution with different settings. The device can recognize more than 21 scenes. The body of the device is reliably protected from dust and water. There is no built-in flash, and among the interfaces there are all the currently popular connectors.

For how many you can buy a camera Canon EOS 5D Mark 3? The price of new items in the Russian market is from 108 000 to 135 000 rubles. For the model equipped with a lens 24-70, you have to pay from 151 thousand, for the version 24-105 - from 140 thousand rubles.

Camera Design

The appearance in no way carries any load. But at the same time it is very functional. Of course, you can try to find in the outline of the body beauty or, conversely, some ugliness, but this search is nothing more than taste. The case is very large and at the same time maximally prepared for any needs of professionals. Color of the case - black. The chassis of the device is made of magnesium alloy and covered with plastic. In places of contact with the hands of the photographer, the manufacturer equipped the body with a special relief coating of rubber. Canon 5D Mark 3 practically does not differ from the previous model in the line in terms of design, but the functional features of the differences are quite noticeable.

Ergonomics

Those who know and remember the location of the main controls on the device of the second version, will be pleased with the acquisition of this novelty. After all, now the designers and experts in ergonomics have added what was lacking so much. So, the switch for turning off now is located closer to the selector of shooting modes. Toggle, as, indeed, and the selector, has become noticeably more convenient.

In order to be able to lock the steering wheel, instead of a two-position switch, the manufacturer in its place installed a special lever. Quite unusual trends of functionality have touched and a few more nuances. So, on the power button there is a button for calling the quick menu. Still added separately a multi-button, the button for evaluating the finished images, the button for recording video.

On the front panel there is a bayonet, a button for releasing the lens, and indicators. And also the remote control sensor. Behind - already familiar buttons and the screen. By the way, the screen is now noticeably larger.

Interfaces

The location and number of interfaces have not changed much from the second model. On the left, there is a high-speed USB, HDMI, video outputs, a headphone jack, a microphone jack. On the right you can see a compartment for installing memory cards.

In addition to the selector and the power button, the upper part has a shoe, a shutter button, a dial for adjustments, a mini screen for controlling the main characteristics, and several multi-function buttons. A compartment for batteries, as well as a thread for a tripod - these elements are located traditionally from below.

Dimensions

In the new Canon 5D Mark 3 specifications and overall dimensions from the second version differ by only a few millimeters. Weight at the same time became higher - 910 grams for new items and 810 grams for the previous model. The lightweight camera is now even heavier. Although this can not affect the popularity and sales. This is not a smartphone, where for the sake of compactness manufacturers are going to understate the technical characteristics of the lens.

Despite the excessive weight, the convenience with which the device lies in his hand, not a bit hurt. A large enough rubberized ledge, made specifically for the hand, as well as buttons for the right hand, make it convenient to work with the device. However, it is worth to increase the strength of the hands and build up the neck muscles - some users joke.

Build at altitude. The case is perfectly protected and will not let its owner down even in the most difficult conditions.

Management, menu

About how the buttons are located, it is already written. These changes are made because of the higher number of functions implemented in the device. So, there was a need for faster navigation through the menu and a special emphasis on video functions. One can argue for a long time about which manufacturer of professional cameras provides more convenient control, but those who are used to the devices of this line will like everything. The developers did not spoil the matrix, and it was fixed a little.

There are changes to the menu interface, but there are not many of them. In Canon 5D Mark 3, the firmware divides the menu into several horizontal sections. They are colored. So, the red color is the basic settings of the photos, the blue one is responsible for the video playback. The basic settings are highlighted in yellow. And orange is the control of buttons, the step of exposure correction. Green is the user menu. It provides quick access to the main functions. Another new group was added - this is the autofocus setting. The manufacturer singled them purple. Canon engineers made it possible to configure this function very flexibly.

In the fast menus there were purely cosmetic changes. For such a device with a rather complicated organization, it is simply impossible to create the most simple and accessible main menu. Those who are going to study the system will at first be slightly lost. But the organization of the menu is almost perfect. All settings Canon 5D Mark 3 will do automatically. Many novice photographers highly appreciated this technical solution.

Improved mechanisms for working with photos and video. Now sorting is even easier. Now you can examine and compare frames on one screen, though, it is not enough for this.

Screen and viewfinder

As for the viewfinder, it is traditional here. It can be used with any optical systems of companies without any restrictions. Thanks to the use of a special semi-transparent screen, you can get information about the main characteristics right in the viewfinder. The ability to take pictures on the screen is also not gone anywhere. The screen itself was enlarged and modernized. Now the brightness and color rendition is even better and more natural.

As it seems at first glance, the camera was adapted to videotaping. Now it is much more convenient to do this than before, noted those who worked with older models.

Functionality

Canon 5D Mark 3 Body in terms of the concept is not much different from the previous model. However, the basic basic elements are completely new. This is a new sensor with 22 megapixels with an improved arrangement of pixels, as well as with another noise reduction system. The new processor has become more powerful seventeen times, which makes it possible to use the device much faster.

The main role in increasing the speed of work with the camera gave the focus screen. Not only speed of guidance, but also accuracy has grown very much. You can focus on points or across the entire area. Now the device is perfect even for professional reportage shooting.

There is no autofocus backlight. This is sad enough, because there are no flashes in the device. Work in the absence of lighting is almost manual, and novice users who do not know how to set Canon 5D Mark 3 correctly will receive blurry pictures. Those who just try themselves in photography, note this shortcoming.

The new shutter pleases with its noiselessness. A quiet operation helps a lot, especially for shooting various reports. But this will have to abandon the speed of response.

Many photo enthusiasts will enjoy the creative modes realized here. They are made standard, but in detail. In the multi-exposure mode, you can use the captured photos, and pictures can be processed in four modes.

The HDR mode works surprisingly well, but it will not be able to win in a competition with frames glued by hand. There are also color profiles in the camera for a variety of subjects. You can also change the light settings.

Canon 5D Mark 3 - video capabilities overview

The camera, unfortunately, does not know how to shoot modern videos in the format of 60 frames per second. But excellent videos are obtained with the standard frequency. The developers proposed a progressive scan. Now you can choose the methods of compression.

When you take a picture, any settings are available to the photographer. Working with sound is at the highest level, but there is no possibility of streaming. There is no autofocus function. To shoot great videos on this device, you have to learn a little.

Image Quality

How does the Canon 5D Mark 3 shoot? With a standard and perfectly well-known standard lens, the photographs are not perfect. However, it is quite universal and well suited for most situations. Naturally, this camera should be used with a large set of optics.

To say something special about the available optics for the model is impossible - everyone already knows the number of available models, the quality is objective. With the camera, you can use a replacement bayonet from other manufacturers.

The automatic mode for beginners in photography, who prefer not to learn this art, but to invest a certain amount in professional equipment, in Canon 5D Mark 3 is implemented quite adequately. The system automatically and fairly correctly selects parameters, autofocus works perfectly, there is even the possibility of automatic shooting immediately in RAW.

White balance in the automatic mode also greatly improved. Naturally, he still can not determine the type of lighting without errors, but errors happen much less than in the previous model of the ruler. Now you do not need to use the white sheet so often and adjust everything manually.

The matrix allows for a high level of detail. To the camera on this matter no complaints. The photos are very clear with a deep level of elaboration. But this is true for RAW.

A comparative review of Canon EOS 5D Mark III and comparison of this camera can be done with only one major competitor. This is the D800 from Nikon. The matrix is 36 megapixels, but this is not an advantage. These characteristics are perfect for large-format photography.

A full-frame mirror camera is so highly valued among people of understanding for being able to produce quiet photos at high ISO levels. Here, the product from Canon wins from Nicon, as experienced photographers say.

However, the Canon 5D Mark III 1.3.3 is quite aggressive squelch. The latter may reduce the detail. Fortunately it is disconnected. The photographer himself can choose what is important in this or that situation. The camera is very user friendly.

Battery

The device already has a traditional lithium-ion battery. It is the same as in the previous model. The capacity is enough for nine hundred shots without any difference in the format. This is an excellent result for the amateur. And professional photographers will necessarily purchase an additional battery pack for themselves. And as for the rest of the accessories, here it's all excellent. There is everything for every occasion, including an additional flash, which is not in the basic configuration.

Opinions and final review of Canon eos 5D Mark III

The test showed that although the changes are insignificant, the work has improved significantly. 61 point for autofocus, metering to 63 zones, a powerful processor, the ability to serial shooting at a rate of 6 frames. A new shutter, a new matrix. Improved opportunities for fans to shoot video. The camera has changed a lot, and it makes sense to switch to it, people believe, taking a great interest in photography.

This is quite an evolutionary product, which develops a model of universality. So, it is abundant enough for shooting of reports, for subject photos, for fans and professionals, for studios and video shooting. With this device for the photographer opens a huge freedom for creativity.

Naturally, the Japanese device has some drawbacks. For example, at the moment only one firmware is available (Canon 5D Mark III 1.2.3). Also, the reviews note that the camera is quite heavy (weighs almost one kilogram) and does not shoot video at 60 frames per second. Plus the big disadvantage is the high price.

However, all these shortcomings are not very significant. Experts predict a good future for this camera. After all, this is a universal and perfectly balanced model, favorably different from all currently existing full-frame cameras. With the main competitors, she will cope perfectly well.

Conclusion

So, we found out what features the Japanese camera "Kenon Mark 3" has. As you can see, this is a very good acquisition for those who are engaged in photography at a professional level.