Canon 5d Mark III: Still Worth It in 2024 

I listen to modern pros and I wonder how they would have made a living even ten years ago without all the bells and whistles modern mirrorless cameras have in-body to spoil them. The way they talk it's as if no decent images were ever produced before 2018. The 5d mark iii was a top quality pro camera that kept many pro users enjoying fine wine and cigars as a result of it's amazing quality images. You don't need a gazillion focus points to produce iconic images.

Sorry, disagree with the title. Canon 5DIII is Not a beginners camera. Professionals used it round the globe for paid work. Many of them are still using it. It requires quite a bit of understanding of photography for extracting the optimum performance of this great camera.

I'm not a professional, but: - The battery life is phenomenal - Low light is amazing in my experience - Canon colors matter because I hate editing, and resent the idea that I need an indefinite Lightroom subscription to enjoy my craft - Tough body, unparalleled ergonomics, intuitive dials, meaty grip - DSLRs are not trendy, so you get a lot for your money - Viewfinder won't lag, skip, or consume power since it's not electronic - Dual card slots (CF / SD) - Good enough AF for me / my price bracket - Full frame 5Ds are like standard issue military cameras, if that were a thing. They can do the job at the highest level while being versatile, durable, and easy to learn. Most cameras are amazing, but to me the 5D3 is a perfect machine. I got mine for $500+ btw, so don't feel like a chump if you can't find one cheaper. It's a highly capable, professional camera.

To me, this camera is a keeper. Aside from build quality, great Canon color science, quick focus, two card slots, numerous lens choices, low light capability, the 5D legendary reputation and many more attributes, it is still good in 2023.

Canon 5dm3 is better now than it was on release day - it takes the same awesome pictures, it costs a fraction of its release price. If you're not making videos and you're into photography - buy it and spend the rest on the lenses. Lenses are way more important than a camera body.

Nice video but disagree about the auto focus not being good for professional work. Many professionals still use this camera as their primary and the autofocus is more than adequate. Is the mirrorless autofocus more advanced? Absolutely. But 5DIII is no slouch.

With magic lantern installed this thing is a fantastic movie tool. There are rumours that the ML crew are going to make a full frame build of the ML crop mood for the Mk3. This cam will once again kick ass.

The feature film “ACT OF VALOR” was mostly shot with Canon 5d ‘s . They were modified to accept Panavision lenses.

I plan to buy a 5d Mark 3 as an upgrade from a Rebel T7, which I bought two years ago. I plan to use the camera as an event photographer for paying clients. I think the camera is "pro" enough, for me.

Lightroom AI denoise makes this camera a beast in low light now.

I do understand what you're talkin about the autofocus points but you are more critical on the amount of autofocus points but the autofocus mechanism itself works with lenses and it snaps on really fucking fast. Any professional would not mind using this kind of autofocus because it is very Snappy. As a photographer I feel like everybody should learn how to use simpler versions of features. I use just the center focal point point to where I want to be unfocused and then I reframe for my picture and I do that simultaneously really quick and I take all my shots I don't miss the shots. This camera builds good shooting habits. This is why they created the 2 levels of pressure on the trigger. One to lock the exposure and then fully press to complete the capture but that half press is there so you can put your af point on the thing you want in focus then hold it, reframe and then shoot. I have the 6d mark1 and looking to add this because its old but new enough for me to make up for everything in post. But yhats my style anyway i shoot for post editing since im a heacy graphic designer as well. I shoot flat as possible. I just needed something cheap with a great sensor that at at least had the basics.

I shoot basketball photography with this camera Canon 5D Mark iii with Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS III USM Lens. I am a beginner and would like to have your thoughts if this is a good setup? I did get some good pictures using this combo. I am also thinking of getting Canon 24-105mm f/4 IS II USM so I can use this on more close up basketball action. Appreciate your advise and thank you!

Hi, I would like to buy a 5d mark iii instead of my 6d classic. Do you think it's a good choice? I would like to gradually start taking pictures of paid work, and I would like a slot for two cards. Also, my 6d only has one usable af point that bothers me... (the center one)

I just picked one up for shooting stills in a studio setting and it’s an incredible piece of kit. It’s my first full frame camera and I love it

I shoot with a Canon 5d Mark ii. I like the "movie film" look to my shots. Also like you mentioned around 1:10, it's a tank and build to last.

Gooood❤ which camera to choose for the wedding party photo between canon 5d Mark III and Sony a 7ii? Thanks 😊

If you manage to find *Toshiba Flash Air SD card* (+app) , you can have wi-fi files transfer in any camera + some additional options (not remote shooting, though, it is reserved for native app only). I own couple of these cards and use them with 5D Classic and 5DIII.

Long time Canon user, and now a Sony A7III shooter. Your review is spot on. The low light on the Canon can't touch the "older" Sony. I should sell all my Canon gear while it's worth something, but I still enjoy it.

When I went from the 5Diii to the EOS R I felt like the auto focus and general operation of the EOS R was insanely sluggish, like I have never cursed at any cameras as much as the EOS R. Many of the things which can be changed and adjusted using muscle memory on the 5Diii required menu dives in the EOS R and EOS RP (like white balance, for example, or toggling from one shot to servo on the 5Diii could be assigned to holding the DOF preview button but on the mirrorless cameras this functionality requires more time, your eyes, a left hand, and/or a little bit of brain power to toggle). I miss having a straight, even row of dual-function buttons on top of the camera, where I could make changes with the camera at my side just by feeling it-- to this day (after five years of owning R series cameras) I couldn't draw a picture of the button layout on the top off any R series camera, it's like they flicked paint blobs on a body and let those blobs dictate where the buttons would sit. Even the physical lock switch on the 5Diii was a smarter choice than the unresponsive sterile push-button on the EOS R, which requires looking at the camera to know if it's locked, or remembering whether you locked it, instead of reaching for a quick feel with your thumb to be sure. When canon went mirrorless they basically took their M50 and put a full frame sensor on it, and designed a menu and touch screen driven camera for Gen Z kids who don't want to put their eye on a viewfinder and don't know why there are "clicks" on the shutter wheel. I miss my 5Diii dearly. I only keep my R6 because it has a flippy screen, but the colors are hot garbage and it feels like a plastic Rebel in the hand.

Is that an RF body cap on your 5D iii, in the thumbnail? Does it actually fit on cameras with EF mounts?

As a girl, 5D Mark iii is sooooooo heavy that sometimes I just wanna get rid of it but I still love the quality of the pics took on it. I guess it’s just a love-hate relationship. 😂

I'm still doing a ton of video gigs with that and the Mk IV. IMO it's still a great camera for video, as long as you can handle the manual focus and your customers don't want 4k.

Totally agree, canon color science is addictive.

Does the camera shoot at 1280p and 60fps or not? And why is there an option for 1280 and 60 FPS? And you say only 1080 and only 29 frames Is there a lens that shoots 1280 and 60 fps? Thank you. I hope for a response

Hello, I'm looking to get my girlfriend a new lens for her birthday, which she has the Canon 5d mark iii. Are there any affordable non Canon lenses to avoid with this model or which works with the best for this model? Thanks

great camera. i bought it in 2012. Several major films and tv shows have been shot with this camera. It's great for both. I subscribed.

Not a professional but going back to my concert photography passion. Do you think as being a non professional the 6D mark II would be a better option for me than the 5D markiii ?

I'm a beginner. I have always loved taking photos preferably of nature as a hobby. I just purchased this with A 50mm lens to start. Great video for someone like me.

Thinking about getting this or the 5D4 used as an upgrade over my 6D. The upside of the Mark 3 is that Magic Lantern is fully available, while the Mark 4 is a much larger upgrade in terms of autofocus system over the 6D. I have the option of getting a 5D4 with

Thanks for your reporting ! Regards

Doesn't Magiclantern bump the use for video

💥💥💥💥💥💥 looks great!

Very helpful! Thanks!

I have Canon 750 D and i planing to buy 5dmark3. Is it worth switching from Canon 750D to 5D? I do street photography, portarts and concert photography.

Do you know about magic lanter? you can record up to 5.7k raw video 12b whith it!

Hello, liked your video. i sold my 5d mklll when the RP came out, next bought the R6, but missed the 5Dmkiii. My new to me 5d mklll is due tomorow. bought from Roberts used photo. Can't wait to use it, also can't belive Ifound one with only 6500 clicks on it. Mirrorless is nice but I'm more comfortable with a DSLR. BTW, I don't shoot video.

We had the mark ii, then the mark iii…and never bothered to go to the mark iv. Over the more than a decade we have used it, the only issue we have ever had is that the little insert on the mode dial got knocked out. It is an absolute workhorse, having paid for itself many times over. Lots of video use back in the day - hundreds of video clients - now we just take stills with it.

Anyway you said your opinion from your point of view. But still in 2023 more professionals are using this camera for portraits, events and sports. I agree with no wifi functionality and camera is outdated technology. But still it gives pleasure and results to those professional photographers, not youtubers. And moreover Canon 5D M3 is not for beginner level as per photographers view.

Very nice video, just want to mention, as bad as this camera was for video originally, once modded with Magic Lantern, it is actually the flagship of cheap quality video camera...For those who are interested just search 5dmkiii magic lantern, you will be blow away

surprised there was no mention of the RAW video hack from Magic Lantern. Improves this camera's IQ by so much, plus adding a ton of video monitoring features, and even some great photo features like an intervalometer

Im keeping mine becuase it was such a symbol of the ideal camera to have. Everyone was shooting with the 5D when I was growing up. Im not sure if it is viable but Magic Lantern Modifications can boost the video capabilities of the camera but its not reliable for professional use.

What do you recommend for sports?

Not a professional photographer, but please let me know if I'm wrong. People still make amazing photos on cameras from '70, so if you're looking to make great digital photography for not a lot of $ I don't see why this shouldn't be an amazing option in 2023, and also in 2033 and beyond. Video is a different thing ofc due to the recent AF improvements and res requirements.

I ahoot with 2 5d3s and make money with it then as a side gig, even got chosen as the third best portrait photographer in my country shooting in a small home studio ordinarie people without mua and stylist like the rest had .. this winter I was on a 1.5 hour photowalk in -44.5f and even tough the menus and everything was lagging I still got the shots . It’s built like a tank

Yes it’s still a good camera for 2024. I still use mine regularly. Not a pro but a enthusiast. I lug this around along with a film EOS 1

I love my 5D mk iii My only complain is indeed about the low amount of series pictures, but rarely use this feature anyways. Noise in low light yes, but Lightroom is very powerful in removing noise which makes it no issue anymore

I’ve concerts with this camera and my photos were awesome! I guess it depends on the stage lighting.

Hello Mirth, a beginners camera? I would say the opposite. All new camera's the camera does it for you. Now a day's people ''does not need to know'' anything about photography. In those day's when the 5DMark3 came out you had to do the job. Someone who does not understand photography could not handle this camera. I used it as a professional for 5 years and another 5 years with the Canon 5DMark2 and I was extremely pleased with it these day's. To take a shot, learn how to focus instead of that the camera does it for you. About filming, with Magic lantern this camera shoots 14 bit Raw 4K footage. Its is not my intention to offend you, but please be objective. Cheers Richard

I'm here to say that it's more than good enough in 2024. I've produced some really outstanding work with it

This camera is amazing. I have to disagree with it being bad for video, if you have magiclantern you can shoot 14bit 1080p RAW which looks better than most cameras today, you can easily upscale the footage to 4k and most people wouldn't even notice

I purchased the Canon 5D Mark iii in 2015 and I paid a lot more than $300 bucks. I paid something around $3k (Canadian) with the 24-105 lens. I'm not a pro but I did manage to get some of my photos in a magazine. I do agree it's not good for video. If you shoot raw like I do and I always process my photos on digital photo professional that came with the camera, having wi-fi isn't a big deal for me. It's a keeper for me and I don't plan on upgrading. Personally the focus is great on it and it's fast enough for me.

For Wildlife is the 5D MKiii a superb camera, like the 7D Mkii. Consider the EOS 6D for low light, perform much better.

In line with this interesting video; Sony A1 is also a great beginner's camera for people with deep pockets!🤣😁😂

This is a wonderful video thank you 😊 🙏,hey can you please do a video about the 70-200mm f2.8 non (is) in 2023

The 5D Mark III is a great camera...but my biggest gripe is when choosing an auto-focus point, the 'point' is black in color...not red or some other color that is visible in low light situations.

This camera is still experience in my country

When I started going semi-pro in motorsport I upgraded from a 20d to 1d mark 2. Even the 20d didn't give me too many bad shots and I was shooting BSB, WSB and Motogp. The 1d was pretty awesome for autofocus back then and I can't imagine this being any worse give it came out years later. Oddly enough I've using Sony now and I took some pics of my mate on his road bike, all in focus all bang on. Gave the camera to him to shoot me, pics are all garbage and some nowhere near focus. You can't let the equipment do everything. You need some skill.

I don't know how professional photographers coped 10 years ago with all the draw backs you've listed. Seriously, any good photographer or videographer can easily get outstanding results with the 5d mark III if they know what they are doing.

This is the only camera that is for only smart people until last one is in operable 🙂

This video make me temped to look at this camera and so I check it in my country and my god it cost 1200 dollars converted and even for mark ii it cost 700 dollars. Good video nonetheless so good job.

Thank you Frank I’m thinking of selling off my 5d mark ii for the mark iii or mark iv

interesting video

Relax people this man is a blogger not a "Jason Lanier" just let him do what he does..

Buying this for a back camera, is it worth it?

I remember the big hype about this camera 10 yrs ago was the film look videos . Now its not recommended for video period.. dam

The main thing I love about the EOS 5D is how fake the photos can look, especially the very vibrant landscape grass field photos that had been taken on that camera.

I left Canon after I sold my 6D. With panasonic now cannot go back once I tried IBIS

This is a horrible review. This guy obviously knows nothing about this camera. It's no where close to a beginner camera. There's a reason most real professional photographers/videographers still keep these in their fleet being how amazing of cameras they are. And it "takes horrible video " those are definitely lies. You obviously haven't heard about magic lantern either. There's pros filming 5k raw with these things and it looks almost better alot of the 4k cameras currently out right now. Go look at Jannis kalinski and quite a few others vids filmed with these cameras. Do a lil more research and actually learn how to properly use a specific camera before dogging it dude..

It’s got a Bluetooth adapter for downloading photos

hi i find that the canon 5d mk 2 does what the mk 3 dont do does movies! at 20.1 mp great camera for me but just do landscape fof fun parks etc tom

MagicLantern is compatible on this camera, which is a huge win.

This is a stupid statement. There are many pro who still and will use 5D

Six frames per second is good enough for sport, nature or action. People were taking great photos with 5f/s Eos 5 35mm SLR. You don't really need more.

It’s good for video when you use magic lantern!!!!!!

Get a decent skill level with this, and I think it's a professional camera. It is Heavy.... I loved my 5DII, thought Fujifilm was the way to go, but I want to rugged camera that is hard to break, for watersports photography.

My aunt got me this camera and I’m 11

Whoa there buddy 5dmark iii is great for video. 4k is still not the standard yet. And we know the legacy history for video on the mark 3

I have aquatica a5d under water housing for that camera for sale with dome glass cover $1500

😂😂the comments section on this one is hilarious.

You don't recommend the 5D Mark iii for video ? I know a crap ton of film makers who used this camera for some of the most beautifully shot short films I've ever seen. I'm sorry but saying this camera is not great for video is insane to me. I was part of 2 films directly using the mark iii and it provided amazing results.

Why don’t you get an SD-WiFi card?

It sounds like I should stick with my OLD,OLD 5D Mk-ll as I can use 3200 ASA (ISO) for shooting Rodeos at night with Canon when using Canon strobe light and no it is not the very best that the Mk-lll is supposed to be and yet has longevity problems according to other photographers??? I bought my 5D Mk-ll in 2009 and that baby keeps on shooting and ten times better that the NIKON LENS CREEP that NIKON USA refused to fix, finally I found a thin tough clear tape and laid three rows of it and it worked when it was brand new? I got rid of NIKON everything and went to Canon, MUCH BETTER and far superior in zoom lenses FUNCTION...

I'm looking to buy 1 I'm homeless living in tents working so it will keep me occupied

I bought a 5D MK III in 2017 and literally never used it; not once. In fact it stayed in its original factory seal in my storage facility. When the C-19 epidemic struck I left it sealed in storage because my studio was closed. I, again literally, used the camera for the first time since buying it in 2017 and the image quality was absolutely amazing. Even with the included kit lens. It's definitely a professional piece of equipment and it's still just as relevant in 2023 as a more expensive mirrorless camera.

Yikes, these are nearly $600 used with close to 200K on the shutter 😢

I would have to disagree that the 5D Mark III is a good beginners camera. A much better idea would be to buy something a little cheaper and save some money to buy glass. The 5D Mark III is still used by professionals and it is still relatively expensive for most beginners. If a beginner wants a 5D a better option would be a 5D Mark II or a 5D original.

Oh I can shoot professional photos bout 5 years ago with this camera. Now in 2023 I can't. Dude stop the Cap! Beginners camera? Lol. Only thing I see that it's behind is the 22 mega pixel. I know some old heads who still shoot professionally with this camera. Smh

Maybe if you exposed images properly from the get go you wouldn't have to take deepest of shadows up 100%.... Noise was there when you took the shot not because of your ISO choice: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-sOdlDyolhr0.htmlfeature=shared

There is nothing wrong with 1080 p . Most can't tell the difference. Don't be a 4k snob. Not everyone has money or computer space for 4 k. Never had a band complain about my 1080 p. Btw Martin Scorsese still preferred gh2 apocalypse now firmware footage in a blind test.

Dude !!! Look at some of history photography and photos !!!!! And photographer's !! Vietnam Nikon F no auto focus points new generation photos nerds can be clueless 30 frames a second is not a still camera ! I have been a photographer for years !!!! Shoot with Canon mark 3 and 7D mark 2 both both amazing camera if you need video buy a real video camera! These are meant to shoot stills!

buy a 1D dude...this is heavy ;)

So I get it. It is not for you. That’s fine. We all know that Accord is not for woods and trails. You are better with a jeep or Subaru dude. I will not take your advice for anything you say. All the best.