Today, attended Canon’s launch of the much anticipated Canon EOS 5D Mark III (successor for 5D Mark II). The 5D Mark III is full frame and has a 22.3-megapixel CMOS sensor. It is powered by DIGIC 5+, an 17 times speed upgrade from DIGIC 4. The EOS 5D Mark III will be available in end March at authorized Canon dealers. The BG-E11 battery grip will be available in end April at authorized Canon dealers. Press Release after the break.
Canon redefines photography and filmmaking with the EOS 5D Mark III
New powerful full-frame DSLR empowers users with outstanding features for its class, such as 61-point (High-Density Reticular) Auto-Focus System, incredible ISO speeds of 25,600 and up to 6fps shooting speed
Singapore, 2 March, 2012 – Canon Singapore today launched the EOS 5D Mark III, the highly anticipated successor to the popular EOS 5D Mark II, which redefined DSLR usage in photography and filmmaking. Targeted at both professional and advanced amateur photographers as well as independent filmmakers, the EOS 5D Mark III features Canon’s latest and most powerful image processor, the DIGIC 5+ processor which is 17 times faster than DIGIC 4. With a full-frame 22.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, high native ISO sensitivity of up to 25,600 (expandable up to ISO 102,400), and a continuous drive of up to 6 frames per second, the EOS 5D Mark III promises to be a camera of choice for both photographers and filmmakers.
“Upon its release, the EOS 5D Mark II redefined full-frame photography and filmmaking. In pushing the boundaries for a high-quality, full-frame DSLR camera with full-HD movie capability, Canon has once again set expectations higher with the development of the EOS 5D Mark III,” said Andrew Koh, Senior Director and General Manager of the Consumer Imaging and Information Division, Canon Singapore. “With key improvements such as a faster AF system, higher shooting speeds, and increased ISO sensitivity, the EOS 5D Mark III is able to comfortably handle low light environments.”
Superior image quality with greater ISO sensitivity
Featuring an improved 36 x 24mm full-frame CMOS sensor with approximately 22.3 effective megapixels, the EOS 5D Mark III continues the 5D Mark II’s legacy of delivering not just crystal clear images, but also high quality Full HD Movies. By using a new gapless microlens array and improved photo diodes, the camera has an improved standard ISO sensitivity of 100 – 25,600 (expandable up to L:50, H1:51,200, H2:102,400). This balance of ISO sensitivity and high signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio, as well as a new customizable “Auto ISO” function, grants photographers freedom of expression in low-light conditions.
The EOS 5D Mark III also comes with Canon’s latest and most powerful image processor, the DIGIC 5+. The DIGIC 5+ processor is 17 times faster than the DIGIC 4 processor used in the 5D Mark II. In addition, the new processor uses a newly-developed advanced algorithm to achieve the highest possible image quality with lowest possible noise. As a point of comparison, an image taken at ISO 25,600 on the 5D Mark III is equivalent to an image taken at ISO 6,400 on the 5D Mark II, a two-stop improvement.
These new innovations enable the EOS 5D Mark III to make quantum improvements in its shooting performance, increasing its continuous shooting speeds up to approximately 6fps at full 22.3 megapixel resolution. Other significant features found in the EOS 5D Mark III include real-time chromatic aberration correction, in-camera RAW processing and lens distortion correction[i].
A new sense of speed
The EOS 5D Mark III comes with the same 61-point High-Density Reticular AF System found in Canon’s flagship EOS-1D X. This makes it easier for photographers to very quickly compose portraits and track fast moving subjects, while maintaining focus on their images. The new AF system is also advanced enough to allow photographers utilizing f/4.0 lenses to achieve rapid AF speeds usually associated with f/2.8 lenses on the EOS 1D Mark IV. The number of cross-type points for both f/2.8 and f/4.0 lens have been increased to 41, with f/2.8 dual cross points as the central five points. For f/5.6 lens, it comes with 21 cross-type points, hence making full use of each lens’ optical characteristics to optimize performance.
With a faster AF system, the EOS 5D Mark III CMOS sensor has also been upgraded to make use of eight data channels (twice as many as the EOS-5D Mark II), forming a perfect combination with the enhanced data processing speeds of the new DIGIC 5+. To ensure that there’s no significant shutter-release time lag to compromise the fast AF system, the EOS 5D Mark III also comes with a better mechanism to power the reflex mirror. This new mechanism suppresses mirror bounce, and hence is able to achieve a time-lag response of only 59 milliseconds, providing ample time for AF and AE computations.
Professional filmmaking functionality
The 5D Mark II was the first EOS camera equipped with EOS Movie, which quickly revolutionised the filmmaking industry when it was used in the production of commercials, TV dramas and movies. In designing the EOS 5D Mark III, Canon’s developers worked with professional cinematographers to come up with enhanced EOS Movie functions for improved video quality and easier editing.
The EOS 5D Mark III significantly reduces color artifacts and moiré in areas containing striped patterns. This is a result of its new CMOS sensor and the increased S/N ratio of the new DIGIC 5+ processor, enabling videos shot in dimly-lit environments to have lower noise, even at higher ISO speeds.
The EOS 5D Mark III also promises greater editing flexibility as it supports a wide range of frame rates, from Standard Definition to Full HD, in 30P/25P/24P. It also supports both ALL-I and IPB compression methods to suit different post-production needs. ALL-I results in larger file sizes, but editing is made easier as the frames are individually compressed. IPB compresses frames in groups, which reduces file sizes but increases decoding times.
For filmmakers who require smooth, uninterrupted filming, the EOS 5D Mark III supports continuous shooting up to a maximum of 30 minutes recording time. During shooting, the camera will automatically create a new video file once the current file reaches 4GB (the maximum file size for FAT file systems).This ensures that there are no lapses between files, so editors can effortlessly splice files together without any glaring jump cuts.
In-camera creativity
The 5D Mark III pushes creative limits by implementing a new High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode: a first for its series. The HDR mode combines three images shot at different exposures to form one single detailed image. By taking one shot at the recommended exposure, one that is over exposed such that it provides visual data for the subtle gradations in dark areas and lastly a underexposed shot that provides visual data for areas that would be blown out under normal exposure, the combination of the three images will result in a single image that contains clear details and tones in all areas.
Other creative functions include the ability to take multiple exposures to superimpose different images on top of one another. This allows for artistic juxtaposition of different scenes, or can be used in conjunction with the 5D Mark III’s speedy 6 fps continuous shooting mode to recreate the appearance of flow of motion in a shot with moving subjects.
User-friendly design improvements
A new 3.2” tempered glass 1.04 million dot Clear View LCD II monitor with a wide 3:2 aspect ratio makes the EOS 5D Mark III a more user-friendly camera when framing shots, reviewing images and navigating menus. To reduce glare in bright sunny conditions, the DSLR also comes equipped with an optical elastic polymer between the LCD and protective panel that reduces reflections. With an anti-reflective coating on the surface, the screen increases additional glare reduction.
For filmmakers, the 5D Mark III is also equipped with a Quick Control Dial which has an inner ring that can be triggered by an electrostatic touch sensor. With this silent control dial, cinematographers are able to change settings while shooting movies without recording any clicking sounds emitted from the control dial.
Ergonomic form factor
The EOS 5D Mark III comes separately with a new battery grip, BG-E11, which is designed to facilitate vertical shoots and longer battery life. Made with the same magnesium alloy as the EOS 5D Mark III, it carries the same dust and water resistant qualities, and comes with a multi-controller and a customisable multi-function button. The battery access of the grip has also been relocated to the side, for a curved form that provides a comfortable grip for horizontal and vertical shooting.
Price & Availability
The EOS 5D Mark III will be available in end March at authorized Canon dealers.
The BG-E11 battery grip will be available in end April at authorized Canon dealers.
All prices will be announced at a later date.
EOS 5D Mark III Specifications Summary:
- Dimensions: 152 x 116.4 x 76.4mm
- Weight: 860g (body only)
- Image sensor: 22.3 effective mega-pixel 36 x 24mm CMOS sensor
- Imaging processor: DIGIC 5+
- ISO speeds: 100-25600 (expandable to L:50, H:51200, H2: 102400)
- AF system: 61-point high-density reticular AF system
- Max 41 cross-type sensors
- Central 5 points: Diagonal cross-type sensors
- Continuous shooting speed: up to 6 fps
- Release time lag: approx. 59 ms
- Viewfinder: Approx 100% coverage, 0.71x magnification, 21mm eyepoint
- LCD: 3.2”, 1.04 million dots Clear View LCD II
- Shutter durability: 150,000 cycles
- Recording media: CF + SD
- Battery: LP-E6
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