Canon USA Unveils EOS 5D Mark III Prosumer Digital SLR

Canon USA Unveils EOS 5D Mark III Prosumer Digital SLR

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Lake Success, NY—On the 25th anniversary of its EOS camera system, Canon USA announced the EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR, which is positioned between the EOS 5D Mark II and Canon’s top-of-the-line professional EOS-1D X.

The DSLR is engineered for improved image quality with a new 22.3 megapixel full-frame Canon CMOS sensor, a Digic 5+ imaging processor, a 61-point high-density reticular autofocus (AF) system and 6-frames-per-second (fps) continuous shooting. It also incorporates enhanced video features for professionals in the fields of cinematography, television production and documentary filmmaking, including better noise reduction, longer recording times and a built-in headphone jack for audio monitoring.

“We are extremely excited to announce the highly anticipated follow-up to our EOS 5D Mark II, a camera which has been called a ‘game-changer’ in most professional photography and videography circles. The EOS 5D Mark III will carry on that tradition, delivering better and more advanced features, helping our customers achieve excellent image quality for stills and video,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications, Canon USA.

The 5D Mark III inherits features from Canon’s flagship DSLR, the EOS-1D X, including a Digic 5+ processor and a 61-point AF array with 41 cross-type points and five dual cross-type points available, depending on the lens. The enhanced processing power enables fast continuous shooting, exceeding that of the 5D Mark II by more than 50%, and with improved weather resistance.

For video recording, the new model captures 1080p Full HD video at 24p (23.976), 25p and 30p (29.97) fps; 720p HD recording at 60 (59.94) and 50 fps; and SD recording at 30 (29.97) and 25 fps. And it includes new H.264 video compression formats to speed up postproduction work: intraframe (ALL-I) for an editing-friendly format and interframe (IPB) compression for superior data storage efficiency. Canon adds that due to its sensor and processor, video footage produced by this model exhibits less moiré and color artifacts than previous models. A further benefit is its ability to record video continuously up to 29 minutes and 59 seconds across multiple 4GB files for long-form filmmakers. Also included are manual audio level controls with 64 levels, adjustable before and during movie recording; the ability to turn sound recording off, a wind filter; and sound recorded through the internal monaural microphone or via an optional external microphone through the stereo mic input.

For low-light conditions, this DSLR offers an ISO range adjustable from 100 to 25,600 within its standard range, a low ISO 50 setting for studio and landscape photography and two extended settings of 51,200 and 102,400.

Other new features include: HDR mode that merges three images at various exposures into a single image in-camera, with five settings (natural, art standard, art vivid, art bold, art embossed) for visual effects; multiple exposure mode that combines up to nine images into one composite; silent shooting modes; in-camera RAW processing; a comparative playback function that lets photographers display two images side by side on a high-res 3.2-inch LCD; a scene intelligent auto mode; support for high-speed UDMA 7 CompactFlash cards as well as SD cards; an upgraded 100% optical viewfinder; and a new AF configuration tool for customized setting of tracking sensitivity, the acceleration and deceleration of tracking subjects and AF point auto switching. A built-in feature guide advises photographers on which settings to use according to subject matter.

The dust- and moisture-resistant DSLR, built with magnesium alloy body covers and a stainless steel lens mount, also boasts a shutter unit rated for 150,000 exposures and a shutter release lag time reduced to 59 milliseconds.

Canon’s EOS 5D Mark III will be available the end of March and will be sold in a body-only configuration for $3,499 as well as in a kit with the EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens for $4,299. usa.canon.com

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