| Customer Reviews Collected from usa.canon.com |
Canon - EOS 5D Mark III DSLR Camera (Body Only) - Black
Average Customer Rating:
4.6
Rating breakdown 167 reviews
5 Stars
129
4 Stars
22
3 Stars
8
2 Stars
4
1 Star
4
91%of customers recommend this product.
(
126 out of
139)
Customer Reviews for Canon - EOS 5D Mark III DSLR Camera (Body Only) - Black
Customer Rating
5
Great piece of equipment
on July 29, 2014
Posted by: simonphoto
from United States
I'm basing this review on 38 years of being a commercial photographer. Since retiring my 2 1/4, 4x5, and 8x10 in 2004 and switching to digital I've tried both Canon and "The other guys". I ended up staying with Canon. Here are a few reasons:
1. Canon focuses much faster, much more accurately, and much more consistently than you know who.
2. This Mark 3 is producing images that equal any medium format I've used concerning detail, noise, and overall quality. The image quality has blown me away more than once.
3. Even though I've seen a few reviews quacking about the settings being complicated, I disagree. I find this camera easy to use, quick to adjust, and very adaptable without a lot of hassle.
4. Noise, if you know what you're doing, is pretty much a thing of the past with this camera. I've shot at !SO 10,000 and gotten images that were incredibly "cleaner" than shooting with brand x at ISO 1600. And I was using one of their higher end cameras.
I've used this camera for fashion, product, and architecture. I've never had a problem and have always found it a pleasure to shoot. I should mention I shoot everything manually (except focus). So, I can't really give an opinion regarding any of the auto settings. But I'd imagine, knowing Canon like I do, they are no doubt just as great as the rest of this camera. I give it a big two thumbs up.
1. Canon focuses much faster, much more accurately, and much more consistently than you know who.
2. This Mark 3 is producing images that equal any medium format I've used concerning detail, noise, and overall quality. The image quality has blown me away more than once.
3. Even though I've seen a few reviews quacking about the settings being complicated, I disagree. I find this camera easy to use, quick to adjust, and very adaptable without a lot of hassle.
4. Noise, if you know what you're doing, is pretty much a thing of the past with this camera. I've shot at !SO 10,000 and gotten images that were incredibly "cleaner" than shooting with brand x at ISO 1600. And I was using one of their higher end cameras.
I've used this camera for fashion, product, and architecture. I've never had a problem and have always found it a pleasure to shoot. I should mention I shoot everything manually (except focus). So, I can't really give an opinion regarding any of the auto settings. But I'd imagine, knowing Canon like I do, they are no doubt just as great as the rest of this camera. I give it a big two thumbs up.
Pros: good battery life, quiet, Nice features/settings, Quick Start-up time, excellent image quality, Superior build quality, Bright LCD, Solid Operation, Lightweight/Portable, Simple controls/menu, easy to use
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Canon 5D Mark III
on January 8, 2015
Posted by: Rich
from Hartford, CT
I wish to thank Canon for producing a Camera (5D Mark III) that could take everything nature threw at it. I started off in a Rain Forest where it was raining. No problem. I continued into a salt desert with very hot temperatures. No problem. Then we continued to Galapos, and once again spectacular photos. Again no problem. We continued to the southern most city in South America and endured cold, humidity, fog, and rain. No problem. Then around Cape Horn in 50 mph wind with stinging sleet. Again no problem. Continuing to the Falkland Islands and crossing 15 miles of peat bog in a 4x4 with our heads hitting the roof many times to see the penguins. And it was raining very hard. No Problem. Finally to candle lite wine caves in Uruguay. Perfect photos without the use of flash.
Thank You Canon for producing a wonderful camera.
Rich K.
Rich K.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Excellent Upgrade
on September 15, 2014
Posted by: Fizxman
from Fayetteville, AR
Pros: Super image quality, great low-light response, terrific AF, best spectral response of any camera I've ever used - awesome for astrophotography!
Cons: Heavy to carry all day, needs top glass to get top performance, steep learning curve (but not THAT hard to learn!)
I purchased this when my 5D mk i was stolen earlier this year. I'd used the original 5D since 2006 and was very happy with it - but this camera is light years ahead on features, build quality, low-light performance and AF technology.
I shoot primarily landscape/nature and astrophotography, occasionally family, vacation and other shots. I'm not a pro, but I was a professor of astronomy & physics for many years and wanted a camera that I could enjoy for my astronomy (low light and good performance across the spectral band a necessity!) and my personal photography needs. The new 5D mk iii certainly fills the bill.
For outdoor and nature shots, this camera's IQ just crushes any other camera I have used. I have a colleague who got a new crop-sensor camera (very nice kit - not a cheapie) and we went hiking together so I could help him learn to shoot with his new camera. Shots from morning to mid-day, landscape, telephoto, and macro work, over 100 shots for both of us. The showdown was putting the photos up side-by-side on large dual monitors -- the difference in image quality, sharpness, spectral range was really amazing. I was able to get some terrific photos by shooting a large scene and cropping out the amazing bit that I wanted with no loss of IQ. The depth of detail that is in the images as you begin to zoom in and look around is absolutely fantastic.
This is also an amazing camera for astrophotography work. I'm a refractor man, myself (lunar and planetary work is a specialty). I have two refractors - in camera terms they are 900mm f/5.5 and 1700mm f/12 systems (the latter is a 7-ft long lens that takes a 150 kg computerized tripod to handle it!) Still shots on these have been amazing - detail on the lunar disk like I've never seen before. Can't wait to try video on Jupiter and Saturn - as video processing and stacking images is the latest technique for planetary images. Haven't tried deep sky stuff yet - but fully expect the images to be spectacular.
The camera DOES have something of a learning curve - especially if you are new to DSLR's. It is also a solid, heavy piece of kit to carry around your neck all day - but that being said, definitely a quality investment that you will enjoy for years to come. Highly recommended!
I shoot primarily landscape/nature and astrophotography, occasionally family, vacation and other shots. I'm not a pro, but I was a professor of astronomy & physics for many years and wanted a camera that I could enjoy for my astronomy (low light and good performance across the spectral band a necessity!) and my personal photography needs. The new 5D mk iii certainly fills the bill.
For outdoor and nature shots, this camera's IQ just crushes any other camera I have used. I have a colleague who got a new crop-sensor camera (very nice kit - not a cheapie) and we went hiking together so I could help him learn to shoot with his new camera. Shots from morning to mid-day, landscape, telephoto, and macro work, over 100 shots for both of us. The showdown was putting the photos up side-by-side on large dual monitors -- the difference in image quality, sharpness, spectral range was really amazing. I was able to get some terrific photos by shooting a large scene and cropping out the amazing bit that I wanted with no loss of IQ. The depth of detail that is in the images as you begin to zoom in and look around is absolutely fantastic.
This is also an amazing camera for astrophotography work. I'm a refractor man, myself (lunar and planetary work is a specialty). I have two refractors - in camera terms they are 900mm f/5.5 and 1700mm f/12 systems (the latter is a 7-ft long lens that takes a 150 kg computerized tripod to handle it!) Still shots on these have been amazing - detail on the lunar disk like I've never seen before. Can't wait to try video on Jupiter and Saturn - as video processing and stacking images is the latest technique for planetary images. Haven't tried deep sky stuff yet - but fully expect the images to be spectacular.
The camera DOES have something of a learning curve - especially if you are new to DSLR's. It is also a solid, heavy piece of kit to carry around your neck all day - but that being said, definitely a quality investment that you will enjoy for years to come. Highly recommended!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
3rd Time is the Charm
on March 26, 2012
Posted by: pablitomanifito
from Portland, OR
I own (2) Canon 5Ds, owned and sold the Canon 5D MkII (never really liked the camera), and now own the 5D MkIII. I immediately connected with it over the following features: wide ISO range, quick, fast, accurate focusing, and the silent shutter mode - those 3 features make this camera a great purchase for those shooting weddings and events. Turned off ALL the lights in a room and lit just a Bic lighter - I was able to shoot at ISO 25,600 at 1/80th @ f1.6. The file looks great (comparable to the 5D MkII at ISO 6400 or so). If I had the funds, I would be purchasing a 2nd MkIII - very happy with the menu system, overall performance, and ease of use.
Cons: accessories aren't even available yet, can't open raw files in lr yet
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Canon 5D Mark III Best Camera Ever
on April 16, 2013
Posted by: Spiro G
from IL
I have Been using canon cameras for a long time. The AF system is Spot on, the issue people have been having is with the programs in RAW codecs, once you download Canons latest DPP software there are no issues. The main thing everyone doesn't realize its just not the camera but the glass also. if you buy the best glass you get awesome sharp pictures!!! Hands down, you get what you pay for. The functions and settings on this camera are a little confusing if you do not take the time to read the manual and do some homework first. After reading the Camera Manual and learning more on what settings are for Nighttime, Daytime, Flash etc. your Pictures will look amazing, compared to what you shot prior. There are combination of glass and Camera comparisons in the Manual for AF points selections etc, you should read prior to buying any Lens. Do your homework and you will not be sorry. The 5D Mark III has well improved over the MK II and is really a wonderful camera, I see tons of reviews on Movie recording, but if you want to shoot professional movies you cant expect to buy 3500 gear and produce top notch movies. Purchase a movie camera instead. Not that this camera doesn't have an awesome movie mode, but each one person has there own special needs. Bottom line if your even thinking about upgrading, don't even think twice make the jump you will be SOOOO HAPPY with your purchase. Low light is awesome, speed is awesome, quite mode is awesome, movie mode is awesome, GLASS is Most important to verify this Camera is Awesome. Good luck and Happy Photos
Pros: good battery life, quiet, Nice features/settings, Quick Start-up time, excellent image quality, Superior build quality, Bright LCD, Solid Operation, Lightweight/Portable, Simple controls/menu, easy to use
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Ver happy with this excellent photo tool
on April 28, 2012
Posted by: dafrank
from West Bloomfield, MI
I just received my 5D3 less than a week ago, but I already can say that I am extemely pleased with it.
My 5D3 is performing pretty much as I expected; it is producing excellent files with great color and sharpness at low ISO and remarkably good ones with improved noise control at high ISO. The focusing system seems vastly improved, the overall functionality is extremely high, the ergonomics are much better than the 5D2, and the 6fps capture rate is much appreciated for those times when it is needed. I have not yet tested the camera's video capabilities, but I am quite confident that it will perform even better than the 5D2 in this regard, and that is about all I need at this point.
The autofocus system is perhaps a little too complicated and time consuming for most buyers to learn, but it will probably be well worth the effort for professionals such as myself. The now famous 5D3 low ISO DR has not improved very much, but the high ISO has, so it appears Canon needs to work on that one aspect for the next DSLR iteration. This does effect me slightly as an outdoor product shooter (cars), but, in studio with controlled lighting, not so much. Never-the-less, it would be better if Canon had upped their game on this sensor characteristic for the 5D3. Also, as a product guy sometimes competing with medium format shooters, a little higher MP count would have been appreciated this time around. About the price, because I make my living with these things, the extra $500.00 doesn't mean that much, but to the typical amateur enthusiast, the 5D3 is a little overpriced at its introduction.
To put this in a final perspective, this is a fine camera capable of making real-world images as good as or better than any other DSLR currently available, and it has some significant advantages over both the 5D2 and even the 1Ds3. I am really appreciating its quality feel and performance, and believe that it will give me the opportunity, given my own efforts and vision, to make photo images just a little bit better and easier than I could have before. That's about the most a professional can expect.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great features upgrade; minimal IQ change
on June 28, 2012
Posted by: Jase1125
from Dallas, TX
Outstanding successor to the 5D Mark II. Significantly (badly needed) improved autofocus system that is better than even my 1D Mark IV. I wish it shot 8 frames per second instead of 6. High ISO is improved - mostly by eliminating some banding and better noise "quality" that is easier to clean during post processing. In camera JPG is nice if you disable noise reduction. Otherwise, noise reduction is too aggressive that results in the loss of fine details.
Pros: quiet, Nice features/settings, Quick Start-up time, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Solid Operation, Simple controls/menu, easy to use
Cons: Short battery life, Heavy/Bulky
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
New creative capabilities abound
on August 15, 2013
Posted by: MaineMike
from Maine
I had heard that the low light ability of this camera was good but I never knew how good it was until I shot some stars over a lighthouse - I was wowed and feel like I have opened the door to a whole new creative zone that had not been as accessible to me before. I can't wait to shoot the Aurora that is coming in a few months.
I was happy to see Canon stayed with the same battery as the former model which instantly gave me extra batteries to use as well as a spare charger. I am very happy with this purchase and would recommend this to all of my friends.
I was happy to see Canon stayed with the same battery as the former model which instantly gave me extra batteries to use as well as a spare charger. I am very happy with this purchase and would recommend this to all of my friends.
Pros: Nice features/settings, Quick Start-up time, excellent image quality, Superior build quality, Bright LCD, Solid Operation, low light abilities are the best i have ever seen, very intuitive to learn & use unlike other cameras
Cons: battery grip is too much $$$
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com