KEY FEATURES

• 22.3 Megapixel full-frame sensor

• 61-point autofocus

• up to 6fps continuous shooting

• native ISO 100-25,600 sensitivity

• Full HD video with manual control

• 14-bit DIGIC 5+ processor

• enhanced weather sealing

• 8.11cm (3.2-inch) 1,040,000-dot screen

• HDR mode with presets

Pricing and Availability:

The EOS 5D Mark III will be available from end of March 2012, priced at £2999.99 / €3569.99 RRP including VAT.

SPECIFICATION

Recording Media CF Cards (Type I); Compatible with UDMA CF cards; SD, SDHC, and SDXC Memory Cards
Image Format Approx. 36 mm x 24mm (35mm Full-frame)
Compatible Lenses Canon EF Lenses (excluding EF-S Lenses)
Lens Mount Canon EF mount

IMAGE SENSOR
Type High-sensitivity, high-resolution, large single-plate CMOS sensor
Effective pixels Approx. 22.3 megapixels
Total pixels 23.4 megapixels
Aspect Ratio 3:2 (Horizontal: Vertical)
Low Pass Filter Fixed position in front of the image sensor
Color Filter System RGB primary color filters
Dust Deletion Feature (1) Self Cleaning Sensor Unit
·Automatic Sensor Cleaning
·Removes dust adhering to the infrared- and ultraviolet-blocking glass.
·Self-cleaning executed automatically when power is turned on or off. Manual execution also possible.
·Low-pass filter has a fluorine coating.
(2) Dust Delete Data acquisition and appending
·The coordinates of the dust adhering to the infrared- and ultraviolet-blocking glass are detected by a test shot and appended to subsequent images.
·The dust coordinate data appended to the image is used by the provided software to automatically erase the dust spots.
(3) Manual cleaning

RECORDING SYSTEM
Recording Format Design Rule for Camera File System 2.0 and EXIF 2.3
Image Format Still Image: JPEG, RAW (14-bit Canon Original), M-RAW, S-RAW, RAW+JPEG, M-RAW+JPEG, S-RAW+JPEG
Video MOV (Image data: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Linear PCM)
File Size
(1) Large: Approx. 22.10 Megapixels (5760 x 3840)
(2) Medium: Approx. 9.80 Megapixels (3840 x 2560)
(3) S1 (Small 1): Approx. 5.50 Megapixels (2880 x 1920)
(4) S2 (Small 2): Approx. 2.50 Megapixels (1920 x 1280)
(5) S3 (Small 3): Approx. 350,000 Pixels (720 x 480)
(6) RAW: Approx. 22.10 Megapixels (5760 x 3840)
(7) M-RAW: Approx. 10.50 Megapixels (3960 x 2640)
(8) S-RAW: Approx. 5.50 Megapixels (2880 x 1920) Exact file sizes depend on the subject, ISO speed, Picture Style, etc.
Recording Functions Standard-Records to either the CF card or SD card, Auto switch card-when the current card becomes full, the camera switches to the other card automatically, Record separately-the CF card and SD card record the same image at a different image recording quality (L, M, S1, S2, S3, RAW, M-RAW, S-RAW), Record to multiple-both the CF card and SD card record the same image at the same image recording quality. (Also applies to RAW+JPEG, M+JPEG, and SRAW+JPEG)
Backup Recording Images recorded in a card can be copied to the other card
File Numbering Continuous numbering-the continuous numbering of captured images will continue even after you replace the camera's card. (The numbering continues even when the folder changes.), Auto reset-when you replace the camera's card, the numbering will be reset to start from 0001. If the new card already contains images, the numbering will continue from the last recorded image in the card, Manual reset-resets the file number to 0001, and creates a new folder automatically.
RAW + JPEG Simultaneous Recording The image-recording quality can be selected in any combination of the three RAW and eight JPEG recording quality settings.
Color Space selectable between sRGB and Adobe RGB
Picture Style Auto, Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Defined 1-3
Scene Intelligent Auto will set [Auto] automatically.
[Standard] is the default setting for [User Def. 1-3]

WHITE BALANCE
Settings Auto (AWB), Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten light, White fluorescent light, Flash, Custom (Custom WB), Color temperature
With an EX-series Speedlite having the color temperature information transmission feature, the color temperature setting changes to match the color temperature when the flash is fired. Set to approx. 6000K if the flash unit does not have the color temperature communication feature.
Auto White Balance auto white balance with the image sensor
Color Temperature Compensation blue/amber bias: ±9 levels, magenta/green bias: ±9 levels-Corrected in reference to the current WB mode's color temperature.
Colour Temperature Information Transmission provided

VIEWFINDER
Type eye-level pentaprism
Coverage approx. 100% vertically and horizontally (At approx. 21mm eyepoint)Magnification approx. 0.71x / Angle of view 34.1° (with 50mm lens at infinity, -1 m-1 (dpt))Eye Point approx. 21mm (At -1m-1 from the eyepiece lens center)
Dioptric Adjustment Correction -3.0 to +1.0m-1 (diopter)
Focusing Screen fixed
Mirror quick-return half mirror (transmission: reflectance ratio of 40:60)
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 Enabled with Depth-of-field preview button

AUTOFOCUS
Type TTL secondary image - registration, phase detection
AF Points 61-point (up to 41 cross-type points) One to five cross-type AF points at f/2.8, 10 to 20 cross-type AF points at f/4, and 15 to 21 cross-type AF points at f/5.6. (The number of cross-type AF points will differ depending on the lens.)
AF Working Range EV -2 - 18 (at 73°F/23°C and ISO 100)
Focus modes-One-Shot AF, Predictive AI Servo AF-For automatic AF point selection, the AF point to start the AI Servo AF operation can be selected.-For automatic AF point selection, the active AF point can be displayed, AI Focus AF -(Switches between One-Shot AF and AI SERVO AF automatically)-Automatically set in A+ Auto Mode, Manual focus (MF)
AF Point Selection Single-point AF (Manual selection), Auto selection 61-Point AF, Single-point Spot AF (Manual selection), AF point expansion (Manual selection, 4 points: Up, down, left, and right), AF point expansion (Manual selection, surrounding 8 points), Zone AF (Manual zone selection)
Selected AF Point Display displayed in viewfinder with transparent LCD and on LCD panel
Active AF Point Indicator AF area used in horizontal/vertical (grip up or down) shooting and the manually-selected AF point position can be set separately
AF Assist Beam Enable-with an EOS-dedicated Speedlite, AF-assist beam is emitted automatically when necessary, Disable, IR AF assist beam only-No AF-assist beam with flash bursts.

EXPOSURE CONTROL
Metering Modes Max. aperture TTL metering with 63-zone SPC with the following selectable modes:(1) Evaluative metering (linked to all AF points)(2) Partial metering (center, approx. 7.2% of viewfinder)(3) Spot metering (center, approx. 1.5% of viewfinder)
·AF point-linked spot metering not provided.(4) Center-weighted average metering
a. The selectable metering modes can be limited with a Custom Function.
Metering Range EV 1-20 (at 73°F / 23°C with 50mm f/1.4 lens at ISO 100)
Exposure Control Systems (1) Scene Intelligent Auto(2) Program AE (shiftable)(3) Shutter-priority AE (Safety shift possible)(4) Aperture-priority AE (Safety shift possible)
(5) Manual exposure-the metering mode can be specified with a Custom Function.(6) Bulb(7) E-TTL II autoflash program AE-evaluative metering, Averaged metering
ISO Speed Range For Still ISO 100-25600 (in 1/3-stop or whole-stop increments) ISO speed expansion possible to ISO 50, 51200, and 102400.For [Highlight tone priority], the settable ISO speed range will be 200-25600.ISO speed safety shift possible with Custom Function.

∗If fill flash will result in overexposure, minimum ISO 100 is set.
∗For bounce flash, ISO 400-1600 is set automatically depending on the light level.
ISO Speed upper and lower limits Manual setting range-ISO speed expansion is set with this option, Auto ISO range-ISO speed expansion not settable.
Shutter speed and automatic ISO speed control in P and Av Modes In the P and Av shooting modes with Auto ISO set, the ISO speed is set automatically so that a shutter speed slower than the one set with [Minimum shutter speed] (1/250, 1/125, 1/60, 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, 1/4, 0"5, 1") is not set.
Exposure Compensation Manual: ±5 stops in 1/3 or 1/2-stop increments, AEB: ±3 stops in 1/3 or 1/2-stop increments-Indicated up to ±3 stops on the LCD panel and in the viewfinder.
AE Lock Auto AE lock·In the One-Shot AF mode with evaluative metering, AE lock takes effect when focus is achieved, Manual AE lock·With AE lock button. (AE lock is updated each time you press the button.) Enabled in all metering modes.

SHUTTER
Type Vertical-travel, mechanical, focal-plane shutter with all speeds electronically-controlled
Shutter Speeds 1/8000 to 1/60 sec., X-sync at 1/200 sec.1/8000 to 30 sec., bulb (Total shutter speed range. Available range varies by shooting mode.)Shutter speed's control range can be set with a Custom Function.
Shutter Release Soft-touch electromagnetic release
Self Timer 10-sec. or 2-sec. delay

EXTERNAL SPEEDLITE
EOS Dedicated Speedlite E-TTL II autoflash with all EX Series Speedlites
Zooming to Match Focal Length Provided
Flash Exposure Compensation ±3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
FE Lock Provided
External Flash Settings The camera can set the following with Speedlite 600EX-RT, 580EX II, 430EX II, 320EX, 270EX II, or 270EX:
(1) External flash control
Flash mode, sync setting, FEB (not possible with 270EX II/270EX), flash exposure compensation, E-TTL II, zoom, wireless master flash (not possible with 430EX II/ 270EX), and clear settings.
With the Speedlite 600EX-RT, radio wireless control is possible.
(2) Flash Custom Function setting
PC Terminal Provided (no polarity)

DRIVE SYSTEM
Drive Modes Single, High-speed continuous, Low-speed continuous, Silent Single Shooting and Self-timer (10 sec. self-timer/remote control, or 2-sec. self-timer/remote control)
Continuous Shooting Speed High-speed: Maximum approx. 6 shots/sec.Low-speed: Maximum approx. 3 shots/sec.Silent continuous shooting: Maximum approx. 3 shots/sec.
Maximum Burst JPEG Large/Fine: Approx. 65 shots (approx. 16270 shots). RAW: Approx. 13 shots (approx. 18 shots). RAW+JPEG Large/Fine: Approx. 7 shots (approx. 7 shots)
Figures are based on Canon's testing standards (ISO 100 and Standard Picture Style) and a 8 GB card. Figures in parentheses apply to an UDMA mode 7, 128 GB card based on Canon's testing standards.

LIVE VIEW FUNCTIONS
Shooting Modes Still photo and video recording
Autofocus (One-Shot AF) Live mode. One-point, contrast AF. Switching to another AF point possible.Face detection Live mode. Face detection, contrast AF. Face selectable.
Quick mode. 61-point, phase-difference AF, same as normal shooting.
Manual focus Magnify the image by 5x or 10x and focus manually.
Metering Modes Real-time Evaluative metering with the image sensor
Metering Range Real-time evaluative metering with image sensor. Metering range: EV 0 - EV 20 (At 73°F/23°C, 50mm f/1.4 lens, ISO 100) AE lock possible. The active metering time can be changed.
Grid Display Three grid display provided
Exposure Simulation Provided
Silent Shooting Provided (Mode 1 and 2)

VIDEO SHOOTING
File Format MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 Variable (averaged) bit rate
File Size Recording Sizes 1920 x 1080 (Full HD), 1280 x 720 and 640 x 480
Frame Rates [1920 x 1080]: 30 fps / 25 fps / 24 fps [1280 x 720]: 60 fps / 50 fps[640 x 480]: 30 fps / 25 fps
Continuous Shooting Time
Based on 8GB Card [1920 x 1080] 30 fps ALL-I: 11 min. (685 MB/min.) / IPB: 32 min (235 MB/min.) 25 fps ALL-I: 11 min (685 MB/min.) / IPB: 32 min. (235 MB/min.) 24 fps ALL-I: 11 min. (685 MB/min.) / IPB: 32 min. (235 MB/min.) [1280 x 720] 60 fps ALL-I: 12 min. (610 MB/min.) / IPB: 37 min. (205 MB/min.) 50 fps ALL-I: 12 min. (610 MB/min.) / IPB: 37 min. (205 MB/min.) [640 x 480] 30 fps IPB: 97 min. (78 MB/min.) 25 fps IPB: 97 min. (78 MB/min.)
If the recording time reaches 29 min. 59 sec., the movie shooting stops automatically.
Movie shooting does not stop when the file size reaches 4GB
Focusing
Same as focusing with Live View shooting. During movie shooting or if movie cropping has been set, the image cannot be magnified for manual focusing.
Range
ISO Range. P, Av, and Bulb: Automatically set within ISO 100 - 12800, expandable to H (equivalent to ISO 25600). A+ and Tv: Automatically set within ISO 100 - 12800. M: Auto ISO (automatically set within ISO 100 - 12800), ISO 100 - 12800 set manually (in 1/3- or whole-stop increments), expandable to H (equivalent to ISO 16000/20000/25600)
If Highlight tone priority is set to enable, the settable ISO speed range will be ISO 200 - 12800.
Exposure Control
(1) Program AE for movie shooting. For shooting modes other than manual exposure and bulb.Shutter speed (1/30 - 1/4000 sec., signal accumulation time), aperture, and ISO speed automatically set. (2) Manual exposure. For manual exposure.Shutter speed (signal accumulation time), aperture, and ISO speed (auto/manual) manually set. The shutter speed (signal accumulation time) is limited to 1/4000 sec. at the maximum and to 1/30 sec. at the minimum for 24/25/30 fps or 1/60 sec. or higher for 50/60 fps.
Exposure Compensation Up to ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments
For movies, even if exposure compensation has been set beyond ±3 stops, exposure compensation up to only ±3 stops will be applied.
For still photos, exposure compensation up to ±5 stops can be applied.

LCD MONITOR
Type TFT color, liquid-crystal monitor
Monitor Size 3.2-inches
Pixels Approx. 1.04 million dots
Coverage Approx. 100% Approx. 170° vertically and horizontally
Brightness Control Auto: Brightness adjusted automatically by the light sensor. Adjustable to one of three levels: Darker, Standard, Brighter. Manual: Adjustable to one of seven brightness levels
Interface Languages 25 (English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Greek, Russian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Ukraine, Turkish, Arabic, Thai, Simplified/Traditional Chinese, Korean, Japanese)

PLAYBACK
Display Format Single image, Single image + Image-recording quality/shooting information, histogram, 4- or 9-image index, magnified view (approx. 1.5x-10x), rotated image (auto/manual), image jump (by 10/100 images, index screen, by shooting date, by folder), two-image comparative display, slide show (all images/selected by date/folder), star rating
Highlight Alert With single-image display (Info.) and single-image display, overexposed highlight areas will blink

IMAGE PROTECTION AND ERASE
Protection erase protection can be applied or canceled for a single image, all images in a folder or all images in the card
Erase erase a single image, selected images, all images in a folder, all images in a card or erase only unprotected images

DIRECT PRINTING
Compatible Printers PictBridge-compatible printers
Printable Images RAW and JPEG images complying to Design rule for Camera File System. Movies cannot be printed
DPOF: Digital Print Order Format
Version 1.1 compatible

DIRECT IMAGE TRANSFER
Compatible Images JPEG and RAW images and movie
For RAW+JPEG, only the RAW or JPEG image or both images can be transferred

CUSTOMIZATION
Custom Functions 13 Custom Functions settable with the camera
Camera User Settings Current camera settings can be registered to C1, C2 and C3 on the Mode Dial (Automatic registration update is possible)
My Menu Registration Up to six top-tier menu options and Custom Function settings can be registered

POWER SOURCE
Battery One Battery Pack LP-E6. AC power can be supplied with the AC Adapter Kit ACK-E6
Battery Life Based on CIPA testing standards
1) Camera body only:

2) With Battery Grip BG-E11:

Battery Check Automatic battery check when the power switch is turned on. Displayed in 6 levels. Battery level displayed on LCD panel and in viewfinder. Battery information can be checked with the [Battery info.] menu. If Battery Grip BG-E11 is used with size AA/LR6 batteries; the battery level is displayed in four levels instead.
Power Saving Power turns off after the set time (1, 2, 4, 8, 15 or 30 minutes) of non-operation elapses.
Date/Time Battery CR1616 lithium battery
Start-up Time approx. 0.1 sec

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
Dimensions (W x H x D) approx. 6.0 x 4.6 x 3.0 in. (152.0 x 116.4 x 76.4 mm )
Weight approx. 33.5 oz. / 950g (Based on CIPA standards) approx. 30.3 oz./ 860g (Body only)

OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
Working Temperature Range 32-104°F/0-40°C
Working Humidity Range 85% or less

TECHNOLOGIES EXPLAINED

22.3MP Canon full-frame CMOS sensor

Designed and manufactured in-house, the newly-developed 22.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor provides increased resolution, enabling the capture of a wide range of scenes to produce A2-size images, with increased fine detail and control over depth of field.

The sensor features a new CMOS architecture building on the performance offered by the EOS 5D Mark II, to achieve high dynamic range and low noise at high ISO settings, with lower power consumption than its predecessor. New photodiodes with improved transistors inside each pixel offer heightened sensitivity, while gapless microlenses offer greater light-gathering ability for enhanced image quality in low light.

Canons CMOS technology integrates advanced noise reduction circuitry at each pixel site, delivering virtually noise-free images and a wide native ISO speed range of 10025600 (expandable from 50 to 102400). A high-speed 8-channel read-out combines with Canons DIGIC 5+ image processor to support high speed shooting of up to 6 frames per second (fps) at full resolution, in bursts of either 18 RAW or 16,270 JPEG files without the need for extra batteries or accessories.

DIGIC 5+

Image information is processed by Canons DIGIC 5+ processor, which has been designed to complement the cameras CMOS sensor. The inclusion of a DIGIC 5+ processor enables the EOS 5D Mark III to achieve fast shooting speeds of up to 6fps at full resolution capturing maximum detail, accurate colours and low noise, in all conditions.

Working in tandem with the CMOS sensor, the DIGIC 5+ processor allows photographers to shoot at ISO speeds up to two stops faster than previously possible while achieving the same high image quality. Multiple exposure shots are also supported as well as in-camera HDR shooting. Additionally, in-camera correction of lens lateral and axial chromatic aberration has also been implemented for every image captured, even when shooting at maximum speed.

The DIGIC 5+ processor works with a high speed DDR-SDRAM image buffer reading, processing, compressing and writing image data at speeds fast enough to keep the buffer clear during long continuous shooting bursts.

To provide increased flexibility when reviewing images in playback, DIGIC 5+ also supports a comparative playback function, allowing convenient comparisons between exposures by enabling users to select, view and magnify two images on-screen at the same time.

61-point AF system

The EOS 5D Mark III features the same advanced 61-point wide-area AF system as Canons EOS-1D X. Used in combination with an AF Correction Light Source Detection Sensor, a powerful AF microcomputer and AF algorithm ensures the accuracy and reliability of the autofocus system even when tracking moving subjects.

The 61-point AF sensor features 41 cross-type points and five dual cross-type points for enhanced accuracy at a maximum wide aperture setting of f/2.8. Like the EOS-1D X, the EOS 5D Mark III can also detect a subject that is completely out of focus by employing the entire sensor, rather than just a single AF point, ensuring rapid and effective AF control at all times.

A range of AF presets provide exceptional reliability when shooting traditionally difficult scenes and subjects. Six different Cases are designed for a range of differing shooting challenges, and can be customised according to subjects and shooting conditions using a built-in AF Configuration Tool.

The six different Cases include:

Case 1 A versatile multi-purpose setting: The all-round setting ideal for numerous scenes and subjects.

Case 2 Allows continuous tracking of subjects, ignoring possible obstacles: Designed to continue to focus-track a subject, even when the subject momentarily moves away from the AF points. Ideal for shooting action with subjects that move about the frame, like freestyle skiing, tennis and swimmers performing the butterfly stroke.

Case 3 Instantly focus on subjects suddenly entering AF points: This setting enables focusing to adjust immediately when a new subject is detected. It is most effective when you want to shoot different subjects one-after-the-other, such as alpine downhill skiing, or the start of a bicycle road race.

Case 4 For subjects that accelerate or decelerate quickly: Designed for continuous focus-tracking of moving subjects that may change in speed or direction, such as during cornering in motor sports or a football player avoiding a tackle.

Case 5 For erratic subjects moving in any direction: For use only with 61 point automatic selection AF, Zone AF, and AF point expansion modes, this setting is ideal for continuously focus-tracking subjects that may move rapidly up/down or left/right during shooting. The camera continues to track the subject by switching automatically to the nearest AF points. Common shooting situations would include figure skating and air races.

Case 6 For subjects that change speed and move erratically: For use only with 61 point automatic selection AF, Zone AF, and AF point expansion modes. This setting is similar to Case 4 but is employed when using multiple AF points. This setting enables tracking of subject movements by automatically switching the AF points. Ideal for basketball or rhythmic gymnastics.

AI Servo III

AI Servo AF uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to determine the speed and direction of moving subjects and then focuses the camera lens to a predicted position (Focus Prediction Function) to increase the probability of obtaining a sharp photograph.

AI Servo III AF is even more effective in tracking moving subjects in challenging conditions. In addition, the UI has been improved to make it easier to customise the AI Servo AF to cope with the changing demands of professional photo shoots.

AI Servo III offers a number of improvements over AI Servo II, for greater precision and more stable control. Following feedback from professional photographers, the predictive AF performance has been improved, enabling parameters such as tracking sensitivity, acceleration/deceleration tracking and AF point auto switching of the AI Servo AF, to be easily adjusted to suit different shooting conditions.

Intelligent Viewfinder

The viewfinder of the EOS 5D Mark III features a larger pentaprism and a four-element eyepiece optical system providing approximately 100% coverage with 0.71x magnification, a wider viewing angle and a higher, 21mm, eye point. Using a translucent LCD to display AF information and a shooting grid, the EOS 5D Mark III viewfinder makes it easier for photographers to frame and capture their subject accurately.

Metering system

The EOS 5D Mark III employs Canons acclaimed iFCL metering system to deliver consistently accurate skin tones and excellent results in a wide range of shooting situations. Incorporating a 63-zone, dual-layer metering sensor linked to each of the 61AF points, the EOS 5D Mark III provides four metering modes: evaluative, partial, spot (centre only) and centre-weighted average. The metering sensor measures light from the Red-Green and Blue-Green wavelengths to counter the common under-exposure of subjects sitting within the red wavelengths.

The EOS 5D Mark III metering system uses two algorithms to achieve the most accurate results. The evaluative-metering algorithm covers the 61-point AF as well as Zone AF. For auto AF point selection, the camera switches to an algorithm that uses focus information from all 61 AF points. To make the automatic flash settings more accurate, the E-TTL II autoflash algorithm now includes lens distance information for improved exposure adjustment ensuring the appropriate level of flash is used to capture a well-exposed subject.

EOS Movie

The EOS Movie function allows EOS 5D Mark III users to record 1080p HD movies with full manual control and selectable frame rates.

Thanks to the large full-frame CMOS sensor, photographers have exceptional control over depth of field in Movie mode. The exposure of the movie can be controlled in Manual mode, allowing full control of shutter speeds and apertures. Videographers can select frame rates from: 30 (29.97), 25, and 24 (23.976), with 60 (59.94) and 50 available at resolutions of 720p. The combination of sensor and DIGIC 5+ processing also greatly reduces colour fringing and moir for professional quality footage.

EOS Movie can be activated quickly and easily by a new Live View shooting/Movie shooting button. A dedicated Quick Control movie tab also allows settings to be changed quickly and easily mid-shoot. Sound recording levels can also be checked and changed during recording on the Quick Control screen and still images can be captured at any moment during recording, simply by pressing the shutter button.

The EOS 5D Mark III also supports a H.264/MPEG-4 AVC intra-frame codec for increased quality and lower compression ideal for editing in post-production by professional film-makers. In another move to make post-production editing as seamless as possible, the EOS 5D Mark III also features the ability to set and record the time code (SMPTE format) in order to synchronise the video and audio tracks in the edit suite. For quick editing in the field, during movie playback, videographers can edit out the first and last scenes of a movie clip in one-second increments and save the movie either as a separate file, or over the original to save space on the memory card.

Clear View II LCD

The EOS 5D Mark III features the same large, 8.11cm (3.2) Clear View LCD II screen used in the EOS-1D X with an approximate resolution of 1.04 million dots and a wide viewing angle allowing photographers to frame or review the fine detail of any image mid-shoot. Clear View II has been designed to combat glare by removing the air gap between the screens protective cover and the liquid crystal display (LCD). The air gap is filled with a photo-elastic material, which suppresses the reflections from the surface of the liquid crystal, caused by the sharp change in refractive index as light travels through the air gap.

Picture Styles

Picture Style presets simplify in-camera control over image quality and can be likened to different film types, each one offering a different colour response. Within each selectable preset, photographers have control over sharpness, contrast, colour tone and saturation. The cameras factory default configuration is set to deliver immediately-usable JPEG images without need for additional menu settings. Picture Style presets applied to a RAW image can also be revised with Canons Digital Photo Professional software.

The six presets are:

1. Standard for crisp, vivid images that dont require post-processing

2. Portrait optimises colour tone and saturation and weakens sharpening to achieve attractive skin tones

3. Landscape for punchier greens and blues with stronger sharpening to give a crisp edge to mountain, tree and building outlines

4. Neutral ideal for post-processing

5. Faithful adjusts colour to match the subject colour when shot under a colour temperature of 5200K

6. Monochrome for black and white shooting with a range of filter effects (yellow, orange, red and green) and toning effects (sepia, blue, purple and green)

Picture Style Auto

In addition to the Picture Style presets, the EOS 5D Mark III includes Picture Style Auto, offering automatic adjustment of colours within each scene based on information drawn from the EOS Scene Detection System. Picture Style Auto works with normal scenes but is especially suited for nature scenes such as sunsets.

Auto Lighting Optimizer

Assisted by face detection technology, the improved Auto Lighting Optimizer (ALO) automatically corrects the brightness and contrast of images suffering from underexposure, low contrast, or backlit situations. With DIGIC 5+'s low-noise image processing and corrective algorithm, the correction is performed without affecting the natural gradation.

The EOS 5D Mark III now incorporates the EOS Scene Detection System to achieve the best balance of brightness and contrast for images taken under different conditions, including sunset and high-saturation scenes. When used with evaluative metering, the Auto Lighting Optimizer ensures the correct exposure of both the subject and background.

EOS Integrated Cleaning System

The EOS Integrated Cleaning System combats sensor dust in three important ways: Reduce, Repel and Remove.

1. Reduce Internal camera mechanisms are designed to minimise dust generation. The material used in the body cap prevents dust generation through wear on the cap itself.

2. Repel Anti-static technologies, including a special fluorine coating, are applied to the low-pass filter covering the front of the sensor so as not to attract dust. An anti-dust fluorine coating on the front surface of the sensors protective glass layer also makes it easier to repel stickier or damp dust particles.

3. Remove The sealed Self Cleaning Sensor Unit EOS 5D Mark III uses ultrasonic oscillation to shake dust particles from the outer layer of the sensor. Once at the bottom of the unit, the dust particles are then stuck to a sticky layer at the bottom of the camera, preventing the dust from returning to the sensor.

Canon Dust Delete Data system can also map the position of visible dust on the sensor. This can then be deleted automatically after the shoot with the latest Digital Photo Professional software.

Dual CF and SD card slot

Providing professional photographers with added flexibility, the EOS 5D Mark III features dual CF and SD card slots with support for UDMA 7 compatible cards which offer a maximum transfer speed of 167MB/second, offering dual slot recording, auto card switching and in-camera image copying functions. Eye-Fi cards are also supported in the SD slot for wireless transfer of images.

Software

Digital Photo Professional Software (v3.11)

The EOS 5D Mark III features the most advanced version of Digital Photo Professional (DPP) yet. Digital Photo Professional software provides high speed, high quality processing of lossless RAW images. Processing with DPP allows real-time display and immediate application of image adjustments, giving control over RAW image variables such as white balance, dynamic range, exposure compensation, noise reduction and colour tone plus the ability to view Auto Focus points on an image. The Lens Aberration correction tool allows precise correction of different types of distortion and chromatic aberration. The new Digital Lens Optimizer optical enhancement function improves image quality by maximizing optical performance.

Digital Photo Professional supports sRGB, Adobe RGB, ColorMatch RGB, Apple RGB and Wide Gamut RGB colour spaces. ICC (International Colour Consortium) profiles can be attached to TIFF or JPEG images when converted from RAW. This allows faithful reproduction of colours in software applications that support ICC profiles, such as Adobe Photoshop. For improved efficiency, a set of image adjustments can be saved as a recipe and applied.

Digital Lens Optimizer new in Digital Photo Professional v3.11

New in DPP v3.11 is Digital Lens Optimizer a new tool designed to drastically improve image resolution by taking the final image closer to how it was seen by the photographer.

Digital Lens Optimizer (DLO) precisely imitates lens operation, with a series of complex mathematical functions replicating each stage of the journey of light through the optical path. Using this information, DLO can correct a range of typical optical aberrations, and loss of the resolution caused by a low pass filter, by applying an inverse function to each shot that takes the image closer to how the scene looks to the naked eye. This creates exceptionally detailed, high-quality images with highly manageable file sizes, providing photographers with maximum image quality and greater flexibility in post-production.

EOS Utility

The latest version of EOS Utility provides essential support for Live View remote shooting, camera configuration and image transfers. Whether shooting in challenging conditions, or in a studio, photographers can view the scene framed by the cameras sensor on their PC screen, precisely controlling settings such as aperture, shutter speed or ISO before triggering the shutter. Tightly integrated with Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility can also be configured to monitor hot folders, automatically renaming and moving incoming images to a structured file system. Users can also tag their images with EXIF data, including copyright information.

Picture Style Editor

Picture Style Editor allows photographers to create individual Picture Styles that meet their personal requirements, such as recreating their favorite film type or one dedicated for film making. Each Picture Style contains detailed information on how specific colours should be represented within an image. Once new Picture Styles have been created, they can be uploaded directly into the camera and applied to JPEG or RAW images. When working with RAW files in DPP, both personal Picture Styles and predetermined Picture Styles can be adjusted.

PRESS RELEASE

2 March 2012

Creativity, redefined – Canon unleashes
the EOS 5D Mark III

Canon has announced the latest addition to its world-famous EOS range with the launch of the new EOS 5D Mark III. The EOS 5D Mark III builds on the performance of the legendar EOS 5D Mark II, offering improved speed, greater resolution, enhanced processing power and extended creative options for both stills and Full HD movies – providing unparalleled artistic freedom for the most demanding photographers.

Incorporating feedback from photographers worldwide, the EOS 5D Mark III offers improved performance in virtually every area. A new 22.3 Megapixel (MP) full-frame sensor offers the ideal balance of resolution for stills and HD movies and up to 6 frames per second (fps) shooting, whilst a 61-point AF system and 63-zone metering provide greater speed, flexibility and accuracy. Powered by the latest DIGIC 5+ processing technology, the EOS 5D Mark III also features enhanced video functions, offering improved image quality alongside greater audio control – redefining creative possibilities for photographers and amateur videographers alike.

“The EOS 5D Mark III represents a big step forward for the EOS 5D series” said Kieran Magee, Marketing Director, Professional Imaging, Canon Europe. “The EOS 5D Mark II is an exceptional camera and we’ve listened carefully to feedback from its passionate community of users to improve performance in every area.  This camera has been designed to meet virtually any creative challenge – it’s faster, more responsive and features the tools to adapt to everything from studio photography to creative videography, while producing results of the highest quality.”

Enhanced performance

With its comprehensively upgraded specification, the EOS 5D Mark III is the ideal tool for the growing number of photographers shooting both stills and movies. It incorporates a number of the features launched with Canon’s revolutionary EOS-1D X, providing vastly improved performance, flexibility, handling and durability.

The camera’s newly-developed 22.3MP full-frame sensor provides increased resolution and finer detail, enabling the capture of a wide range of scenes, from sweeping landscapes to beautiful portraits. Higher speed continuous shooting also offers expanded creative possibilities. With an increased 8-channel read out, the camera comfortably handles a maximum full resolution speed of up to 6fps in bursts of 18 RAW images or over 16,000 JPEGs (When used with UDMA 7 certified cards ), without the need for additional accessories. Additionally, the sensor’s advanced architecture offers a huge native ISO range of 100-25,600, expandable to 102,400, making it possible to capture clean, high quality pictures, even in extreme low-light conditions.

The EOS 5D Mark III utilises the same 61-point wide-area AF system as the flagship EOS-1D X, providing exceptional sensitivity, precision and speed. One of the most advanced AF systems currently available, it features an impressive 41 cross-type points and five dual cross-type points, providing unsurpassed accuracy across the frame. The customisable AF pre-sets introduced in the EOS-1D X are also available, helping the capture of traditionally challenging subjects, and providing additional reliability in situations where subject movement can be unpredictable.

Highly accurate exposures are provided by Canon’s acclaimed iFCL metering system, which incorporates a 63-zone Dual-Layer sensor linked to each point of the AF system. Focus information gathered from the AF system is analysed alongside colour and luminance signals measured by the metering sensor itself, enabling the EOS 5D Mark III to deliver consistently accurate skin tones and excellent results in a wide range of shooting situations.

Creative performance without compromise

The EOS 5D Mark III features Canon’s latest DIGIC 5+ image processor, which powers a range of new functions without affecting the camera’s performance. 14-bit A/D conversion provides smoother tonal gradation and transitions between colours, while in-camera HDR shooting combines three different exposures and allows one of five preset tone maps to be applied, enabling photographers to capture all the detail in high contrast scenes. With in-camera RAW processing and editing capability, photographers also have the option to immediately begin post-processing their images while still on a shoot.

The increased power of DIGIC 5+ also enables a range of tools which contribute to higher image quality. Lens peripheral illumination correction, Lens chromatic aberration correction (lateral and axial) and high ISO noise reduction are all performed in-camera without affecting performance, allowing photographers to continue shooting without any camera lag. Additionally, in-camera image rating via a dedicated button makes it easy for photographers to organise images ahead of post-production.

The EOS 5D Mark III features a new Creative Photo button, which enables users to quickly select Picture Styles and capture multiple exposures, as well as offering direct access to the HDR shooting mode. In playback, pressing the Creative Photo button displays a new comparative playback function, displaying two images side-by-side to allow photographers to view, magnify and compare the quality of different exposures mid-shoot.

For situations where photographers want to avoid being noticed, such as weddings, the EOS 5D Mark III also features a new silent shooting mode that dramatically reduces the sound of the shutter and mirror, ensuring they can work quietly in the background. A continuous silent mode is also available, enabling photographers to capture faster-moving subjects without attracting attention.

Next generation EOS Movies

The EOS 5D Mark III builds on the reputation of the EOS 5D Mark II, with a range of new features introduced following feedback received from photographers to provide even better Full HD video performance. As well as offering the depth-of-field control loved by video professionals, the new full-frame sensor combines with the vast processing power of DIGIC 5+ to improve image quality by virtually eradicating the presence of moiré, false colour and other artefacts. The addition of a movie mode switch and a recording button also offers greater usability, enabling videographers to begin shooting immediately when movie mode is engaged.

Additional movie functions include manual exposure control and an enhanced range of high bit-rate video compression options, with intraframe (ALL-I) and interframe (IPB) methods both supported. Variable frame rates range from 24fps to 60fps, and the addition of SMPTE timecode support provides greater editing flexibility and easier integration into multi-camera shoots. Users can also check and adjust audio during recording via the camera’s Quick Control screen and a headphone socket enables sound level monitoring both during and after shooting. Enhanced processing power provided by DIGIC 5+ also makes it possible to conveniently trim the length of recorded movies in-camera.

Professional build, easy operation

The EOS 5D Mark III has been built to offer photographers easy-handling and robust build quality. Its lightweight, high-grade magnesium body offers advanced weather proofing for protection against the elements, while the construction of the shutter has also been reinforced, with 150,000-cycle durability making it ideal for repeated, everyday use. An enhanced version of the Intelligent Viewfinder featured in the EOS 7D offers approximately 100% coverage, as well as an on-demand grid display via the built-in transparent LCD.

The same reinforced 8.11cm (3.2”) Clear View II LCD screen as used by the EOS-1D X provides high quality framing and playback in all conditions. 1,040k-pixels provide the resolution to accurately check image sharpness and focus, while the gapless structure design introduced with the EOS-1D Mark IV prevents reflections and protects against dust or scratches. A headphone socket and locking mode dial have been included, while the inclusion of a UDMA 7-compatible CF card slot plus an SD card  Compatible with SD, SDHC, SDXC cards and Eye-Fi connected functions )  slot enables shooting to both cards simultaneously, auto switching when the one in use becomes full and the option to copy images from one card to the other in-camera.

Digital Lens Optimizer – new in Digital Photo Professional v3.11

The EOS 5D Mark III comes complete with the most advanced version of Digital Photo Professional (DPP) yet – Canon’s free, in-box software enabling high-speed, high quality processing of RAW images. New in DPP v3.11 is Digital Lens Optimizer – a revolutionary new tool designed to drastically improve image resolution.

Digital Lens Optimizer (DLO) precisely imitates lens performance, with a series of complex mathematical functions replicating each stage of the journey of light through the optical path. Using this information DLO can correct a range of typical optical aberrations and loss of resolution caused by a camera’s low pass filter, by applying an inverse function to each shot to take the image nearer to how the scene appears to the naked eye. This creates exceptionally detailed, high-quality images with highly manageable file sizes, providing photographers with maximum image quality and greater flexibility.

EOS System compatibility

As part of the EOS System, the EOS 5D Mark III is immediately compatible with over 60 EF Lenses, including the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM – the new, essential wide-angle zoom lens from Canon’s famous L-series. The camera is also compatible with a newly-announced range of accessories designed to offer extended creativity, including the Speedlite 600EX-RT – a high performance TTL flash with wireless radio connectivity. Additionally, the new Battery Grip BG-E11 offers greater handling flexibility alongside the ability to double the camera’s battery life.