Competitive camera body offering for professional photographers.

Recently switched from Nikon to Canon, after 12 years using Nikon Bodies and Lenses. To me, I can probably live with all the cons listed below, but they are certainly an annoyance.

Here are my quick findings in comparison to my last Nikon camera which was a Nikon D700.

Pros compared to D700:
More lens choices and selection. There isn't a wide angle Nikon Tilt/Shift available for architecture photography.
Great Auto White-Balance results most of the time.
Beautiful LCD Screen.
Quick Dial - 10 times easier to use than Nikon's navigation pad.
Intuitive video controls
Intelligent and fast autofocus
Great high iso noise performance.
Silent shutter mode, very quiet.
IR Remote can trigger Bulb mode with one click, and stop B-mode with another click, instead of having to hold the button for that.

Pros compared to 5D Mark II:
Better high iso noise performance
Bigger buttons
The quick dial is touch sensitive during video recording, you don't have to rotate the dial, all you need to do is just lightly tap up/down/left/right and settings change during video recording. This reduces camera generated noise.
Dedicated video recording/LV button
Wider range in auto-iso
Faster continuous shooting
Slightly better ergonomics
Better AF system/AF speed
Better (only slightly) exposure metering.

Cons of 5D Mark III (compared to Nikon D700):
"Spot" metering is only for center focusing point, you can not assign spot metering to any other focusing point. Which makes composing a photo in difficult lighting situations more time consuming.
Highlight gets easily blown out if highlight tone priority is turned off. If you turn highlight tone priority on, shadow detail gets very noisy.
Horrible metering system, it's extremely hard to get a perfect exposure during tricky lighting conditions. Where Nikon's sophisticated 3D matrix color metering would always get you exactly what you want. (For example, people in shadows, people/objects against very bright/dark background, in the snow) In this case, manual exposure is the only way to go, except it's much slower to adjust for settings.
There is no way to turn quick dial to go back to previous photos during image preview, immediately following taking a photo. One extra button needs to be pressed to view previously taken photos, where on Nikon I can just press left and right to immediately view previous photos taken.
Opening CF/SD card door turns camera off.
JPG performance is horrible
In camera HDR is pretty much useless and generates sub-par results, better do it in software than in-camera.
No interval-timer build in.

I honestly think that the 5D Mark II is a much better value, if you don't need the faster continuous shooting rate or video functions.

I hope my review can help you in deciding for the correct camera to own.

If you can't take good pix with this camera you shouldn't be taking pix!

Even though this product is just released and in limited supplies I was able to acquire one here on Ebay. The past few years I struggled with what camera can I afford that does what I need. I had one of those faulty Mark III's with its focusing issues. I tried and still have the IIn with its speed but not enought resolution. What I needed was a 1DX or a Mark IV. Some say the Mark IV has its focusing issues too. So what was I to do? In my mind, Nikon was looking good and I was read to jump ship. Lets face it, Canon was having its problems.

Since I couldn't afford the overpriced 1DX my options were limited, till the 5d Mark III. Lets say this first, the 61 point AF system installed in the 5d Mark III doesn't miss. From flying birds to cyclists to simple landscape shots, every shot focused on what it was pointed at. The image quality is awesome. You can see things in the photos that you can't even see with the naked eye. It is true, you can even shoot in the dark and bring out details in the shadows you can't see with your eye. One button video shooting makes switching to video quick. No more three or four steps to take video. Live view was a feature not available on older model cameras but if you ever used it, you know its importance. Colors, man, plenty of color saturation and detail in this full frame sensor image.

I printed some cropped 13x19 prints and they look great. I've blown the images up a 1000% and examined the pixels to see the details. I look at the images and just drool over the deep color saturation. It makes me want to take more pictures. This camera is restoring my faith in the dependability factor for Canon. Canon has finally come out with a good, dependable high quality camera that you sling on your shoulder. If this isn't their best, maybe I want a 1DX, when it comes out.

You can't go wrong with camera. I haven't even used the HDR feature to shoot high contrast scenes or the silent shutter feature. I haven't even used the earphone jack shooting video but I can already tell this camera is a winner. Its pricey but it will make a big improvement on your photos and especially the prints you lay before your customers.

Is in almost every aspect a better camera than its predecessor

Pros

Good resolution and detail in raw files
Good color and tonality across all ISO
Reliable metering even in difficult contrast situations
Very responsive and snappy operation
6 frames per second continuous shooting with good buffering
Excellent build-quality with magnesium shell and weather-sealing
Intuitive user interface and good ergonomics with large number of external controls
Very comprehensive user interface customization options
Excellent viewfinder with 100% coverage
Good high resolution LCD monitor
Reliable and quick AF system with comprehensive customization options
Efficient vignetting, distortion and CA correction
In-camera HDR mode with many options
Multi-exposure mode
Comprehensive Auto ISO customization options
Efficient silent-shutter option, single shot or continuous drive mode
Dual SD and CF card slots
Side-by-side playback mode and rating allow for initial image selection on the go
Good battery life
Good bundled raw converter with comprehensive feature set (Digital Photo Pro)

Cons

Destructive noise reduction results in mushy JPEGs, even at base ISO
Visible sharpening artifacts at default settings
Heavy-handed noise reduction leads to lack of low-contrast detail at higher ISOs
Distortion correction not available 'on the fly'
Built-in microphone only monaural
Soft video output with less dynamic range than stills
No built-in AF illuminator

Worth the Upgrade

Have been using a 5D Mk II since issued, bought this new version specifically for the improved high ISO performance. My work theatrical requires relatively fast shutter speeds with whatever light happens to be wandering around at the moment, and depth of field required is usually deeper than wide open apertures will supply, which can really put the squeeze on ISO choices. I have not been disappointed...my job has become a whole lot easier and results are much more reliable and require a lot less time in post.

Unexpected bonuses (boni? bonusi?) include two card slots like the 1D series, a VASTLY improved AF system with greatly improved tracking and great ability to adjust tracking priorities and sensitivities, and a whole bunch of little tweaks that you didn't know you needed until you have them, like a lock on the mode dial to keep it from changing accidentally as you handle the camera, put it in or take it out of a bag, etc. Nothing is quite as much fun as thinking you're in aperture priority and discovering too late that the dial shifted to manual by accident. You can also, with a separate button, lock all other controls to prevent movement in situations where you are rotating the camera a lot or working quickly while distracted.

I've found the menu navigation system to be more clear, quicker to use, and more user friendly than the earlier model, but that would be a matter of personal taste.

Folks still using the Mark II will be pleased to know that this unit uses the same battery packs. Makes life a lot easier for those of us who work with 2 bodies.

Controls differ slightly from the Mk II, but if you're at home with the Mk II it won't take more than a few moments to be working as comfortably with this one.

Sports and wildlife guys will find the option for a higher frame rate in continuous shooting very helpful. You have the choice of about the same rate as the Mk II or a higher speed, about double the slower one. Can't remember what they are offhand, but I'd guess about 4 and 8 fps respectively. It's the sort of thing most of us don't need too often, but when you need it, you REALLY need it. (Think the EXACT moment the bat touches the ball, or JUST as the cheetah trips the gazelle.)

All told, even though it does represent a considerable investment, I'm quite pleased with the purchase, feel I got good value for money, and would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone.

The Camera I am dreaming about... Excellent

I have waited a long period of time to upgrade my Rebel T1i camera which I bought to learn photography. In fact I was planning to buy this when it gets released. But, I just postponed as the price was too high and not under my budget. Now It is in my hand and enjoying taking pictures. I love the 61 AF point metering system and HDR inbuilt features. Also, I did see lot of menu options which aren't available in Rebel T1i. I am fully impressed and I started buying all necessary accessories including Grip and screen protector. I have decided that I wouldn't think about the upgrade of camera body anymore. True, It is fulfilling all my expectations. I feel the power of full frame and speed while taking sports pictures with sufficient FPS. Also, Camera handles the low light situation very well. I am sure 5D is the best among all canon bodies. Since I have 24-105 f/4L which gives a perfect pair with the body that produces awesome pictures. You'll definitely feel this when you hold the camera in your hand.