Canon EOS 5D Comparison (Original vs Mark II vs Mark III)
ephotozine published an interesting comparison between the three iterations of the Canon EOS 5D, i.e. the original one, the Mark II and the Mark III. Purpose of the comparison is to see “how far we’ve come since the first affordable full frame digital SLR was announced and released in 2005“. Well, yes, a lot happened since the first EOS 5D, things changed even more with the EOS 5D Mark II (price & specs), and then came the Canon EOS 5D Mark III (price & specs). The Mark III was seen by most people as a rather evolutionary update, not as the big step forward represented by the Mark II (though I do not agree, the Mark III for many aspects was also a totally new camera).
ephotozine’s conclusion:
Each successive Canon EOS 5D has been revolutionary in its own way, with exception, perhaps of the latest, the Mark III, which in appearance at least has been a much more evolutionary update. However, from the images produced and the additional advances made in speed, image processing and quality of the camera, it is by far the biggest upgrade to the 5D yet. While it hasn’t seen the megapixel number jump as much as from the Mark I to the Mark II, it has seen nearly every feature and function updated and improved. The Canon EOS 5D Mark III, looking at the additional specifications, features and upgrades, is a completely refreshed camera, and if the 5D Mark II was one of the best Digital SLRs available, then the Mark III is also one of the best Digital SLRs currently available.
The only problem being faced by the 5D Mark III being the obvious Canon choice, is the recent introduction of the Canon EOS 6D (price & specs) (have a look at our 6D vs 5D Mark III comparison), available for much less than the 5D Mark III, and offering some of the best low-light performance of any Digital SLR yet. We’ve come a long way since the Canon EOS 5D was first introduced, and whether you’re buying a new or second hand camera, the choices available are now more vast than ever before, making it even more affordable to enter into full frame photography, with great results possible.
There is more in ephotozine’s review, as performance charts, sample pics etc. There are two cool deals for refurbished 5D Mark II and Mark III in the Canon Direct Store (expires today), the Canon EOS 5D Mark III for $2799.21 (click here) and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II for $1407.36 (click here).
Canon EOS 5D Mark II price check: B&H Photo, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: B&H Photo, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA