Canon EOS 5D Mark III Team Beverly Boy Review
The Canon EOS 5D Mark III is a DSLR that aims at being as functional as it is reliable. It has a host of functionality that is sure to please even the most stingy consumer. It’s easily accessible and transportable body makes for quick access in the case of emergency shooting. Whether you’re out and about or at a professional shoot, this camera will make sure you’re primed and ready to take the best pictures possible.
Features
Standard on the Mark III is the addition of two seperate card slots. Upgrades in personalization like this can be found throughout the design of the camera. Examples being the existence of an all purpose lock near the bottom, where the old live view switch used to be located. The live view switch has been relocated in relation to older models. It is now near the top of the camera to allow for easier transition between photo and video modes. The display is a 3.2 inch 1.04m pixel, and optical viewfinder is 100% coverage. The viewfinder does offer gridlines for support but cannot broadcast a horizontal stabilizer directly onto the viewfinder. For the stabilizer you need to access it through the 3.2 inch display. There is a function button on the top that adjusts the focus area selection points, however this functionality of the button isn’t locked. You are able to customize it to do different things if needed. The large dial near the display and smaller dial on top still come standard with this line of cameras as well as the micro analog stick for adjustment and menu selection. The addition of a headphone jack is also notable.
The camera is also an autofocus machine. The options for customization and microadjustment on the Canon Mark III are super extensive. The menu offers numerous presets, included some dedicated to improving quality when there are moving subjects, or subjects entering the FOV.
Specs
The camera comes with a 22.3mp FF CMOS sensor with DIGIC 5+. It can record 1080p at 30 and 24fps, and 720p at 60fps. You can also record in All-I or IPB compression. The files are going to be recorded as H.264 MPEG 4 in AVC codec. Canon also lists on their website that the camera comes with “EOS HD Video” with manual exposure control. Base lens is the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. The website also states that Canon’s GPS Receiver GP-E2§ connects via USB or Hot Shoe, is dust and water resistant, records latitude, longitude and altitude, has a logging function and an electronic compass to record movement and even has a GPS† time sync function, especially helpful when a project is shot among different time zones.
Performance
The heightened ISO performance is great, and it is reliable at 12,800 in most cases, but can be bumped up to over 25,000 when the time calls for it. Going up any higher, say to the 50,000 above options, the images can become quite noisy and unreliable. The produced quality of the JPEG images were nowhere near the beauty of the raw images. This is an outcome that connoisseurs will have grown accustomed to though. Still photos are no match for this camera, and the advanced AF options really do come in handy, given you want to take the time to sit down with the device and pre program it for the best AF quality possible for individual shoots and environments.
Conclusion
The Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR camera may lack some of the features of its competitors, but it makes up for it with an array of personalizations options that are lacking in those same competitors. When it comes down to the image quality it really only comes down to what kind of time you are willing to take with the device. If you don’t care too much for the AF options then the camera may not be a good fit for you. If you are like me, and love to tinker with settings, then this will be a perfect DSLR for your work.
