Robert’s Photography Blog

Canon USA has just announced the new EOS-1D Mark III dSLR. At 10 frames per second, the 10.1MP EOS-1D Mark III dSLR can fire huge motor-driven bursts of 110 large JPEGs or 30 RAW files because it employs the new Dual DIGIC III image processor engine. The all-new 10.1MP APS-H size CMOS sensor (lens conversion factor: 1.3x) which is designed and manufactured by Canon, is the most light-sensitive and innovative sensor that Canon has developed to date. It features a new microlens array and a more efficient pixel structure for ultra-low noise, resulting in exceptional image quality and an ISO range of 100 to 3200 with extensions to ISO 50 and a highly usable ISO 6400.

According to Canon, “the EOS-1D Mark III dSLR is the product of a “reset to zero” design process; absolutely everything was re-evaluated. The result is a new and exceptionally easy to use set of controls. The 1D Mark III dSLR uses a Main Dial, a Quick Control Dial, a Multi-controller, a SET button and several other buttons to select and set various functions. In addition, the ISO speed button, AF Start (AF-ON) button, Picture Style button, and Memory selection/Image size/White balance function button have been newly added to make camera operation faster and easier than previous models. This system follows the logic of the EOS family of cameras. You use the Quick Control Dial to make the selection and press the SET button. When you press a button, it remains active for a while so you can let it go and then turn a dial to set something. You use the Quick Control Dial or the Main Dial to select any of the 19 cross-type AF points”.

One of the new features of the EOS-1D Mark III digital SLR is the ‘Live View’ shooting mode which gives the photographer several options in addition to conventional SLR through-the-lens viewing. If the camera is going to be close-bye, the new Live View shooting mode lets the photographer focus and compose on the extra-large 3.0-inch LCD screen and magnify the image 5x or 10x, to achieve the optimal focus. If the photographer is going to be several feet away from the camera, in a studio, for example, the camera can be connected to a computer with a USB 2.0 high-speed cable. New software included with the camera, EOS Utility 2.0, lets you view what the camera is seeing in real time and control its operation.

The camera now uses a new LC-E4 Lithium-ion battery pack instead of the previous NP-E3 Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) type. As a result, the weight of the 1D Mark III dSLR with the battery and memory cards installed is approximately 8 oz. lighter than the EOS-1D Mark II N dSLR when comparably equipped, and estimated shooting capacity has significantly improved from 1200 shots for the 1D Mark II N dSLR to approximately 2200 shots for the EOS-1D Mk III dSLR under normal shooting conditions. Additionally, new technology makes it possible for the EOS-1D Mark III dSLR to display battery charge levels in 1% increments.

And, it shoots like a machine gun! Check out this video:

The camera will be available in a few months at a price similar to what the Canon EOS-1D Mark II sells for now. Start saving your pennies!

You can order the Canon EOS-1D Mark III at Amazon.com. Hover over the link for the latest price.