New Firmware For Canon EOS 5D Mark III Announced

Uh, this is funny. I reported earlier about the new Magic Lantern firmware releases (for EOS 5D Mark III [cool deal here] and EOS 7D), which bring amenities like uncompressed HDMI output to your beloved EOS DSLR. And now Canon announces a firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark III (to be released in April 2013) that brings, among other things, uncompressed HDMI output. What a coincidence! ‘:-) I guess Canon got a little under pressure by the fine work of the Magic Lantern hackers. The other big new feature that will be made available with the firmware upgrade is Auto-Focus using the highly sensitive central cross-type points with a maximum aperture of f/8  (actually it works with max f/5.6). This was implemented in a recently published firmware update for the Canon EOS-1D X.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon press release:

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 23, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced a new firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR camera that significantly improves the camera’s performance and usability. In response to requests from professionals working in the fields of cinema and television production, the firmware update enables the use of uncompressed HDMI Output support, making possible more efficient video editing and monitoring procedures. Additionally, the upgrade supports the advanced needs of photographers through improved AF performance when capturing still images.

Uncompressed HDMI Output Support
When shooting video, HDMI Output makes possible the recording of high-definition uncompressed video data (YCbCr 4:2:2, 8 bit) from the EOS 5D Mark III to an external recorder via the camera’s HDMI terminal. This, in turn, facilitates the editing of video data with minimal image degradation for greater on-site workflow efficiency during motion picture and video productions. Additionally, video being captured can be displayed on an external monitor, enabling real-time, on-site monitoring of high-definition video during shooting.

Improved AF Functionality
Even when the EOS 5D Mark III is equipped with an extender and lens making possible a maximum aperture of f/8, the firmware update supports AF employing the camera’s central cross-type points (currently compatible with maximum apertures up to f/5.6). Accordingly, the update will allow users to take advantage of AF when shooting distant subjects, benefitting sports and nature photographers, particularly when using telephoto lenses.

The new firmware update will be available, at no charge, in April 2013 from the Canon U.S.A. website and can be downloaded by end users or through Canon Factory Service Centers.

[via The Digital Picture]

Deal and Deal: Canon EOS 5D Mark III For $3100 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II For $1673

EOS 5D Mark III and EOS 5D Mark II deals

Top rated eBay seller GetDigital has two cool EOS 5D Mark III and EOS 5D Mark II deals going on (limited quantity). Both DSLRs are offered at a price that’s around $100 less than the best price I found in other shops.

First, there is a . Great price for this full-frame DSLR.

Next, the , which is also a great bargain for a full-frame DSLR that is still a top performer.

EOS 5D Mark III and EOS 5D Mark II deals

Magic Lantern News And New Releases (Canon EOS 5D Mark III and EOS 7D)

Most of you probably know about Magic Lantern, a cool firmware hack that extends the feature set of your Canon EOS DSLR.

A new release of the firmware hack Magic Lantern for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III was released. It is still an “alpha-release”, i.e. a piece of software in its very early stage of development. Nevertheless, the release works fine on the EOS 5D Mark III. The video above shows the (new) features you get with this release of Magic Lantern. Among others you get: smooth exposure transitions (ISO, shutter or aperture), HDR Video, focus assistants, display enhancements like clean HDMI out and all sorts of display tweaks. To see all implemented features have a look on the EOS 5D Mark III Magic Lantern’s site, where you can download the firmware and will find the installation instructions.

But there is also a new release of Magic Lantern for the Canon EOS 7D that’s heavily in work (not yet released). Just recently an alpha release of ML for the EOS 7D was released. Now, in this new alpha-release, first attempts to implement clean HDMI are done. This feature is already available for other Canon DSLR Magic Lantern releases. It would be great if we could have it on the 7D. I am sure the skilled hackers working on Magic Lantern will not disappoint us. Check the video below to see what’s coming. Magic Lantern developer g3ggode, referring to the video, says [via nofilmschool]:

This is a test video where i filmed my Samsung LCD showing Canon EOS 7D HDMI output while recording. Test subject is the “Clear overlays” feature, that disables all paintings on HDMI output.

Check Magic Lantern’s EOS 7D page for more information

Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon EOS 7D price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Deal: Canon EOS 5D Mark III with EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM For $3749

B&H has the Canon EOS 5D Mark III with EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens for $3749 (click here). Rather good deal, the kit usually goes for around $4100. Canon’s full frame, pro oriented EOS 5D Mark III has the following specs:

  • 22.3MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
  • Includes Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L Lens
  • 3.2″ Clear View High Resolution LCD
  • DIGIC 5+ Image Processor
  • 61-Point High Density AF
  • Full HD 1080/30p and 720/60p Formats
  • Built-In HDR and Multiple Exposure Modes
  • Extended ISO Range (50-102400)
  • Dual CF and SD Memory Card Slots
  • Durable Magnesium-Alloy Construction

 

Canon EOS 6D DSLR Reviews And Comparisons Round-Up (and videos)

Canon EOS 6D DSLR

The upcoming Canon EOS 6D DSLR (click here for specs) is the company’s first DSLR to have built-in WiFi and GPS. It is also the lightest (680g) full-frame DSLR in its category. It has a 20 MP sensor, an 11-point AF system, offers High Dynamic Range processing in the camera, the silent shutter mode of the [shoplink 7373 ebay]EOS 5D Mark III (on sale for $3,093.33, click here)[/shoplink], DIGIC 5+ image processor, ISO up to 102400, and more. And it is an “entry-level” full-frame DSLR. With a price tag of $2100 it’s the cheapest full-frame DSLR you can buy new in 2012. Update: It turned out the the Nikon D600 is $3 cheaper (at least here) than the EOS 6D (thanks to reader EL for the information).

Canon EOS 6D DSLR specs:

  • 20.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
  • 3.0″ Clear View High Resolution LCD
  • DIGIC 5+ Image Processor
  • Built-In Wi-Fi and GPS Connectivity
  • Full HD 1080p with Manual Controls
  • 11-Point AF with Center Cross-Type Point
  • 63-Zone Dual Layer Metering Sensor
  • Extended ISO Range of 50-102400
  • Up to 4.5 Full Resolution FPS
  • Built-In HDR and Multiple Exposure Modes

The Canon EOS 6D DSLR can be preordered at the following shops:

Canon clearly had a precise category in mind when designing the Canon EOS 6D DSLR: photographers who need a professional tool with high image quality and want (or have) to share their pictures in a fast and easy way (e.g. bloggers, social sharing, photojournalists who need to upload pics). The WiFi and GPS (adds geographic and UTC time information to EXIF data) options of the Canon EOS 6D DSLR come handy for users who need connectivity to transfer pictures, either on the Internet or on another device, and are a welcome feature in a DSLR made by a company known for its conservative approach. The direct competitor, Nikon’s D600 (click here for specs), doesn’t have built-in WiFi and GPS. The Wi-Fi feature of the Canon EOS 6D DSLR can be used in combination with a smartphone (or tablet) that operates as a wireless remote control. Canon’s EOS free remote app can take control of live view and exposure , and is available both for the iOS and Android platform. Another thing is worth to be mentioned: the Canon 5D Mark II saw a concrete price drop since the announcement of the Canon EOS 6D DSLR.

So, the question raises: how does the Canon EOS 6D DSLR compare to other full-frame DSLRs? While we are waiting for a production model of the Canon EOS 6D DSLR, comparisons can only be made on the basis of specifications and analysis. The most comprehensive comparison (thanks to the reader who posted the link in a comment) between the Canon EOS 6D DSLR and the Nikon D600 DSLR I saw so far comes from digitalreviewcanada. Their exhaustive comparison goes into every detail (and I mean every). About the Canon EOS 6D DSLR they say:

It is interesting to see that Canon has chosen to take a different approach and rather than delivering higher end features, speed and performance, has designed the full frame Canon EOS 6D to excel as a low light / high ISO performer, and to cater to bloggers and the active social networking type by incorporating practical features like built-in Wi-Fi transfer and GPS tagging functionality.

photographytalk previews the Canon EOS 6D DSLR, discusses its features, and compares the camera with other Canon DSLRs and Nikon’s D600. About the EOS 6D they write:

Engineering a smaller and lighter full-frame DSLR to appeal to a wider market does limit the configuration of the points in the AF system. The 6D has 11 points and only the central point is cross-type. On the EOS 6D, they must be placed within a smaller area at the center of the frame. Nonetheless, the 6D will shoot in low-light conditions better than the 5D Mark III, -3EV compared to -2EV, respectively. This greater low-light capability compensates quite a bit for the AF points limitations. Another nice AF functionality is precise adjustment of the AF, as found in the 5D Mark III.

More about the Canon EOS 6D DSLR and the Nikon D600 in the following video (13min).

A lot of people is questioning which Canon full-frame DSLR to get. The next video tries to give an answer.

Jeff Lynch made a quick specifications-based comparison with the EOS 5D Mark III and EOS 5D Mark II. Useful if you want to have an overview on how these DSLRs compare.