Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Canon EOS 5D Mark II

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Main
Model
Price
Advantages

launch
Announced
Body type
Camera subcategory
Sensor
Effective pixels
Max resolution
Sensor size
Sensor type
Processor
Image ratio w:h
Other resolutions
Sensor photo detectors
Image
ISO
Boosted ISO (minimum)
Boosted ISO (maximum)
White balance presets
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Uncompressed format
JPEG quality levels
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed
Maximum shutter speed
Aperture priority
Shutter priority
Manual exposure mode
Subject / scene modes
Built-in flash
External flash
Continuous drive
Self-timer
Metering modes
Exposure compensation
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD
Screen size
Screen dots
Touch screen
Screen type
Live view
Viewfinder type
Viewfinder coverage
Viewfinder magnification
Videography features
Resolutions
File Format
Videography notes
Microphone
Speaker
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
Digital zoom
Manual focus
Number of focus points
Lens mount
Focal length multiplier
Physical
Weight (inc. batteries)
Dimensions
Environmentally sealed
Battery
Battery details
Battery Life (CIPA)
Storage
Storage types
Storage included
Connectivity
USB
HDMI
Wireless
Wireless notes
Remote control
Other features
Orientation sensor
Timelapse recording
GPS
GPS notes
Samples
Videos

8.33/10

Main
Model
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Price
Advantages
SENSOR Effective pixels: 22 megapixels
SENSOR Max resolution: 5760 x 3840
SENSOR Sensor photo detectors: 23 megapixels
IMAGE ISO: Auto, 100 - 25600 in 1/3 stops, plus 50, 51200, 102400 as option
IMAGE Boosted ISO (maximum): 102400
PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURES Continuous drive: 6.0 fps
SCREEN / VIEWFINDER Screen size: 3.2″
SCREEN / VIEWFINDER Screen dots: 1,040,000
OPTICS & FOCUS Number of focus points: 61
PHYSICAL Battery Life (CIPA): 950
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8.33/10

Main
Model
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Price
Advantages
PHYSICAL Weight (inc. batteries): 850 g (1.87 lb / 29.98 oz)
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launch
Announced
Mar 2, 2012
Body type
Camera subcategory
Mid-size SLR
Sensor
Effective pixels
22 megapixels
Max resolution
5760 x 3840
Sensor size
Full frame (36 x 24 mm)
Sensor type
CMOS
Processor
Digic 5+
Image ratio w:h
3:2
Other resolutions
3840 x 2560, 2880 x 1920, 1920 x 1280, 720 x 480
Sensor photo detectors
23 megapixels
Image
ISO
Auto, 100 - 25600 in 1/3 stops, plus 50, 51200, 102400 as option
Boosted ISO (minimum)
50
Boosted ISO (maximum)
102400
White balance presets
6
Custom white balance
Yes (1)
Image stabilization
No
Uncompressed format
RAW
JPEG quality levels
Fine, Normal
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed
30 sec
Maximum shutter speed
1/8000 sec
Aperture priority
Yes
Shutter priority
Yes
Manual exposure mode
Yes
Subject / scene modes
No
Built-in flash
No
External flash
Yes (Hot-shoe, Wireless plus Sync connector)
Continuous drive
6.0 fps
Self-timer
Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Metering modes
- Multi
- Center-weighted
- Spot
- Partial
Exposure compensation
±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
AE Bracketing
±3 (2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
WB Bracketing
Yes (3 frames in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis)
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD
Fixed
Screen size
3.2″
Screen dots
1,040,000
Touch screen
No
Screen type
Clear View II TFT LCD
Live view
Yes
Viewfinder type
Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage
100%
Viewfinder magnification
0.71×
Videography features
Resolutions
1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps fps), 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
File Format
H.264
Videography notes
1080 and 720 intra or inter frame, 480 inter frame
Microphone
Mono
Speaker
Mono
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
- Contrast Detect (sensor)
- Phase Detect
- Multi-area
- Selective single-point
- Single
- Continuous
- Face Detection
- Live View
Digital zoom
No
Manual focus
Yes
Number of focus points
61
Lens mount
Canon EF
Focal length multiplier
1×
Physical
Weight (inc. batteries)
950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)
Dimensions
152 x 116 x 76 mm (5.98 x 4.57 x 2.99″)
Environmentally sealed
Yes
Battery
Battery Pack
Battery details
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)
950
Storage
Storage types
Compact Flash Type I (UDMA compatible), SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage included
None
Connectivity
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI
Yes (HDMI mini)
Wireless
Optional
Wireless notes
Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7
Remote control
Yes (Remote control with N3 type contact, Wireless Controller LC-5, Remote Controller RC-6)
Other features
Orientation sensor
Yes
Timelapse recording
Yes (by cable and PC)
GPS
Optional
GPS notes
With optional GP-E2 unit
Watch sample photos
Watch video reviews

launch
Announced
Sep 17, 2008
Body type
Camera subcategory
Mid-size SLR
Sensor
Effective pixels
21 megapixels
Max resolution
5616 x 3744
Sensor size
Full frame (36 x 24 mm)
Sensor type
CMOS
Processor
Digic 4
Image ratio w:h
3:2
Other resolutions
4080 x 2720, 2784 x 1856, 5616 x 3744, 3861 x 2574, 2784 x 1856
Sensor photo detectors
22 megapixels
Image
ISO
Auto, 100 - 6400 in 1/3 stops, plus 50, 12800, 25600 as option
Boosted ISO (minimum)
50
Boosted ISO (maximum)
25600
White balance presets
6
Custom white balance
Yes (1)
Image stabilization
No
Uncompressed format
RAW
JPEG quality levels
Fine, Normal
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed
30 sec
Maximum shutter speed
1/8000 sec
Aperture priority
Yes
Shutter priority
Yes
Manual exposure mode
Yes
Subject / scene modes
No
Built-in flash
No
External flash
Yes (Hot-shoe, Wireless plus Sync connector)
Continuous drive
3.9 fps
Self-timer
Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Metering modes
- Multi
- Center-weighted
- Spot
Exposure compensation
±2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
AE Bracketing
±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
WB Bracketing
Yes (3 frames in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis)
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD
Fixed
Screen size
3″
Screen dots
920,000
Touch screen
No
Screen type
TFT liquid-crystal color LCD
Live view
Yes
Viewfinder type
Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage
98%
Viewfinder magnification
0.71×
Videography features
Resolutions
1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
File Format
H.264
Videography notes
—
Microphone
Mono
Speaker
Mono
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
- Contrast Detect (sensor)
- Phase Detect
- Multi-area
- Selective single-point
- Single
- Continuous
- Face Detection
- Live View
Digital zoom
No
Manual focus
Yes
Number of focus points
9
Lens mount
Canon EF
Focal length multiplier
1×
Physical
Weight (inc. batteries)
850 g (1.87 lb / 29.98 oz)
Dimensions
152 x 114 x 75 mm (5.98 x 4.49 x 2.95″)
Environmentally sealed
Yes
Battery
Battery Pack
Battery details
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)
850
Storage
Storage types
Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive
Storage included
None
Connectivity
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI
Yes (HDMI mini)
Wireless
—
Wireless notes
(Optional)
Remote control
Yes (N3 connector)
Other features
Orientation sensor
Yes
Timelapse recording
Yes (by cable and PC)
GPS
None
GPS notes
—
Watch sample photos
Watch video reviews

Summary

The EOS 5D Mark III highest resolution of 5760 x 3840 pixels (22 megapixels) is better in comparison with the EOS 5D Mark II highest resolution of 5616 x 3744 pixels (21 megapixels). The EOS 5D Mark III has a wider ISO range of 100-25600 than 100-6400 ISO range of the EOS 5D Mark II. Such ISO numbers let you to make good quality photos in dim light conditions. The EOS 5D Mark III offers more number of focus points than the EOS 5D Mark II: 61 vs 9. More number of focus points means more convenience while attempting to focus on subjects that are not centred.

The EOS 5D Mark III display is better as it has more number of screen dots 1,040,000 in compare to 920,000 dots of the EOS 5D Mark II screen. The higher dot count display is better for reviewing photos on your camera.

The EOS 5D Mark III battery life is better in compare to the EOS 5D Mark II battery life. In accordance with CIPA standards you will be able to take 950 shots with the EOS 5D Mark III and only 850 with the EOS 5D Mark II. The Canon EOS 5D Mark II weighs 850g which is 100g less in comparison with the weight of the Canon EOS 5D Mark III.

Considering the above differences the EOS 5D Mark III will be the best buy. Get the list of the best offers on Amazon.