Canon's previous update to the Eos 1D Mk II, the Mk IIn, resulted in arguably the maker's finest pro-level DSLR to date, so the arrival of the Eos 1D Mk III has been eagerly anticipated.
Featuring 10-megapixel resolution, producing 28.8MB files with an incredible 10fps continuous shooting option with a 110 frame buffer for high-quality Jpegs, the Mk III is the world's fastest DSLR. Dual Digic III processors are required for the blazing speed of operation but also allow 14-bit A/D conversion. Saved as 16-bit Tiffs, images retain the extended range of tones from the 14-bit colour data and even 8-bit Jpegs benefit from finer gradation.
Canon's 10-megapixel Cmos sensor may have the same pixel count as the hugely popular Eos 400D but it's a physically larger APS-H size sensor with bigger pixels and greater light-gathering efficiency.
Similarly, the new sensor is also more efficient than the Mk III's 8-megapixel predecessor, despite having a more pixel-dense design. Along with second-generation noise reduction, the Mk III boasts sensitivity up to ISO 3200 in its standard range, plus an option to an unprecedented equivalent of ISO 6400.
The Mk III is the second DSLR from the maker to adopt anti-dust features, but it's a different cleaning system to that found on the Eos 400D. Unlike the 400D, the process takes longer at around 3.5 seconds, occurring at power-on and off, and may be interrupted at any time by pressing the shutter button.
Adopting a similar dust-mapping solution to the 400D, the Mk III also appends subsequent images with a tiny file detailing the precise location of the stubborn particles. During the test period, the Mk III's automated sensor cleaning worked well to remove dust spots but DPP is required for the more persistent particles. Larger spots are easily removed manually in Photoshop using the stamp tool.
Looking virtually identical to every other Eos 1D model, there have in fact been many revisions to the Mk III. Lightweight and durable magnesium alloy is now used for the chassis as well as the weather-sealed outer shell. And the shutter can now endure 300k cycles, that's a 33% improvement over the Mk IIn and double that of rivals.
A new lightweight Li-ion battery replaces the older NiMH type. Battery life hasn't been compromised as a result, and the maker claims around 2200 shots from a full charge, nearly double that of the Mk IIn. Build quality remains unchanged, and the Mk III has that 'carved from stone' feel that's synonymous with all the Eos 1D models.
At the rear you there's a new larger 3-inch (230k pixel) monitor with a full colour Live View option. Boasting 100% coverage and manual focusing with an option of either x5 or x10 magnification, the Mk III's Live View option is the most convincing implementation of the feature we have seen to date.
Using the bundled Eos utility v2 and connected to a Mac via USB, or wirelessly using the optional transmitter, the camera sensor's image can now even be displayed and focused in real-time on the Mac's monitor. This brings tethered camera control to a new level and will be invaluable to the studio photographer.
In use, the Mk III handles similarly to the previous offering, it's blisteringly quick and responsive in operation. Picture quality is superb, colours are rich and images are silky smooth with low noise throughout the range. At the extended ISO 6400 equivalent, colour and luminance noise are quite pronounced though no worse than many compact cameras at ISO 400. Importantly, files retain detail and saturation, making the ISO 6400 setting a viable option when light levels tumble.
But it's not all good news. During our test period, the new AF unit averaged a higher rate of focus inaccuracies than we were prepared to accept, occurring mainly with high-performance large-aperture lenses. Also worrying was the blurry image displayed by the 3in monitor, though the clarity was improved by hiking the screen's brightness. While it may well be possible for the maker to resolve these issues with a firmware update, it's still poor at this level.
Ultimately, if it wasn't for the setback with auto-focus, the Mk III would easily have garnered five mice. As it is it just snags four, and that rating is based on the auto-focus issue being resolved. Until it is, we can't recommend the Eos 1D MkIII.
Needs Mac OS X 10.3 - EOS utility requires OS X 10.4.7 on an Intel Mac.Author: Kevin Carter
Canon EOS 1D Mk III