Canon EOS 5D Comparison (Original vs Mark II vs Mark III)

EOS 5D Comparison
Image courtesy: ephotozine.com

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 [shoplink 254](price & specs)[/shoplink], and then came the Canon EOS 5D Mark III [shoplink 2431](price & specs)[/shoplink]. 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 [shoplink 7139]Canon EOS 6D (price & specs)[/shoplink] (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: [shopcountry 254] Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: [shopcountry 2431]

Deal: Canon EOS 6D For $1800 And EOS 5D Mark III For $3080

[shoplink 10833 ebay]Canon EOS 6D[/shoplink]

eBay seller bigvalueinc (98.1% positive ratings) has the Canon EOS 6D on sale for [shoplink 10833 ebay]$1799.99 (click here)[/shoplink]. Free shipping and USA warranty. Limited stock.

EOS 6D core 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

Canon EOS 6D price check: [shopcountry 7139]

Next deal: Top rated plus eBay seller getitdigital (39235 ratings, 99.6% positive) has brand new Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIs for [shoplink 10852 ebay]$3079.99 (click here)[/shoplink]. Free shipping and USA warranty.

[shoplink 10852 ebay][/shoplink]

 

Canon Product Advisory For Speedlite AF Assist Beam Issue on EOS 5D Mark III and EOS -1D X

[shoplink 4119]Speedlite AF assist beam[/shoplink]

Ok, Canon reacted to the problem of the auto-focus beam issue observed using Speedlite AF assist beam with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III [shoplink 2431](price & specs)[/shoplink] or Canon EOS-1D X [shoplink 4119](price & specs)[/shoplink]. Everything started when a user posted about the problem in the Canon USA EOS forum, getting the following answer from a forum moderator (I reported about this here):

Canon has confirmed that, depending upon the shooting conditions, it may take slightly longer for the EOS 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X digital SLR cameras to acquire focus when using the Speedlite’s AF Assist Beam, compared with that of the EOS 5D Mark II and EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR cameras using the Speedlite’s AF Assist Beam. We are developing a firmware update to enhance the focusing feature for the EOS 5D Mark III and the EOS-1D X. The schedule for release of this firmware update will be announced shortly.

Yesterday Canon USA released the following product advisory:

Thank you for using Canon products.

Affected Products

EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera

EOS-1D X Digital SLR Camera

Details

Depending upon the shooting conditions, it may take slightly longer for the EOS 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X digital SLR cameras to acquire focus when using the Speedlite’s AF Assist Beam, compared with that of the EOS 5D Mark II and EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR cameras using the Speedlite’s AF Assist Beam.

We are developing a solution to enhance the focusing feature for the EOS 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X and plan to release a firmware update based on following estimated schedule:

EOS 5D Mark III: (estimated) Late April, 2013

EOS-1D X: (estimated) Late May, 2013

Support

This information is for residents of the United States and Puerto Rico only. If you do not reside in the USA or Puerto Rico, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.

If you have not already done so, please register your Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera or your Canon EOS-1D X. Digital SLR Camera. By registering, we will be able to notify you via email about future service upgrades.

Thank you,

Customer Support Operations

Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Contact Information for Inquiries

Canon Customer Support Center

Phone: 1-855-CINE-EOS (toll free)

1-855-246-3367

TDD: 1-866-251-3752

Email: [email protected]

For additional support options: pro.usa.canon.com/support

Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: [shopcountry 2431] Canon EOS-1D X price check: [shopcountry 4119]

Canon EOS 6D vs EOS 5D Mark III Comparison (ephotozine)

[shoplink 2431]EOS 6D vs EOS 5D Mark III Comparison[/shoplink] Interesting Canon EOS 6D vs EOS 5D Mark III comparison. Both full frame DSLRs, the 6D is noticeably cheaper than the 5D Mark III and obviously misses some of the features of its bigger sibling. Never the less, the EOS 6D is a full frame DSLR that is becoming highly popular.

Over at ephotozine they wanted to know how the [shoplink 7139]Canon EOS 6D (price & specs)[/shoplink] holds up against the [shoplink 2431]Canon EOS 5D Mark III (price & specs)[/shoplink]. While the latter tops on speed (not just fps, check the table with the speed comparison), the former is known to have a very good high ISO performance. The EOS 6D definitely beats the 5D Mark III at ISO 25600 and ISO51200. Check the image below:

EOS 6D vs EOS 5D Mark III Comparison
Image courtesy: ephotozine.com

ephotozine’s comparison goes through all the functionality and feature set of both cameras, there are lots of lab test shots to compare. Many information for those who are uncertain which one of Canon’s full frame DSLRs is the right one to buy. In the verdict they conclude:

The Canon EOS 6D may deliver lower resolution images (20mp vs 22mp), however this gives the 6D the benefit of lower noise at higher ISOs. The Canon EOS 6D also benefits from a smaller body, as well as built in GPS and Wi-Fi, although these last two features do have a negative effect on battery life when used. The Canon EOS 6D has noticeably less focus points, just 11 compared to 61 on the 6D, which could be another concern for some.

The optical viewfinder in the Canon EOS 6D isn’t a full size (97% vs 100%) viewfinder like the 5D Mark III, however it does have the benefit of allowing it to be swapped out for an alternative viewfinder if required. The 6D also features a slightly smaller 3inch screen, instead of the 3.2inch screen on the 5D Mark III, as well as slower continuous shooting. Another potentially off-putting negative of the 6D is the lack of a headphone socket on the 6D which could be of concern for video recording (although this could be resolved by an external audio recorder).

Just recently, Mosaic Engineering released an anti-aliasing filter for the EOS 6D. The filter eliminates one of the shortcomings ofthe EOS 6D, and is useful especially for videographers.

The price of the EOS 6D has gone down to $1899  (Amazon | B&H | Adorama) for the body only, and to $2499 (Amazon | B&H | Adorama) for the 6D with the EF 24-105 f/4L IS lens.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: [shopcountry 2431] Canon EOS 6D price check: [shopcountry 7139] [shoplink 7139]EOS 6D vs EOS 5D Mark III Comparison[/shoplink] [via ephotozine]

Firmware Fix Announced For Speedlite AF Assist Beam Issue On EOS 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X

[shoplink 4119]Speedlite AF Assist Beam Issue[/shoplink]

Concerning the Speedlite AF assist beam issue occurring with Speedlites used with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III or Canon EOS-1D X, there will soon be a firmware fix. In the EOS forum at Canon USA, a forum moderator wrote:

Canon has confirmed that, depending upon the shooting conditions, it may take slightly longer for the EOS 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X digital SLR cameras to acquire focus when using the Speedlite’s AF Assist Beam, compared with that of the EOS 5D Mark II and EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR cameras using the Speedlite’s AF Assist Beam. We are developing a firmware update to enhance the focusing feature for the EOS 5D Mark III and the EOS-1D X. The schedule for release of this firmware update will be announced shortly.

“Announced shortly” could mean in April, when Canon is set to release a firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark III. Don’t think they will release another one before.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III price check: [shopcountry 2431] Canon EOS-1D X price check: [shopcountry 4119]

It Takes 40 Minutes To Make A Canon EOS 6D

40 minutes to make a Canon EOS 6D
Image courtesy: Exposure Magazine

Exposure Magazine made a visit at the Canon factory in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. They had a chance to observe the highly automatized production process of the [shoplink 7139]Canon EOS 6D (price & specs)[/shoplink]. The process deploys along 15 production stages, and it takes 40 minutes to make a Canon EOS 6D, packaged and ready to ship.

The sensor is mounted at the first stage, stages 2-6 is where all the other components are installed. Screws are automatically inserted and tightened at stage 7. The following stages are dedicated to various quality controls. The camera is tested for the electronics, the mechanical parts, and for the overall photographic performance. Finally, at stage 15 the camera is packaged and ready for shipment.

The same production process is used also for the [shoplink 2431]Canon EOS 5D Mark III (price & specs)[/shoplink], [shoplink 337]EOS 7D (price & specs)[/shoplink], [shoplink 6091]Canon EOS M (price & specs)[/shoplink], and the Legria camcorder.

B&H still has a cool EOS 6D deal going on: the 6D body with a Lowepro – Adventura 170 Shoulder Bag and a Lexar – 16GB SDHC Memory Card Professional Class 10 UHS-I memory card for $1899 (click here). Or take the EOS 6D plus the EF 24-105mm f/4.0L and the memory card for $2499 (click here). This deals are part of the rebate programs that expire today, Saturday, 2/2/2013.

[shoplink 7139]Canon EOS 6D Field Test[/shoplink]

Canon EOS 6D price check: [shopcountry 7139]

[via Exposure Magazine]