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Canon 1D Mark III Comparison Review

The Canon EOS-1D Mark III is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera that was announced in February 2007 and is equipped with an APS-H sensor. It offers a resolution of 10.1 megapixel.

camera

Is the Canon 1D Mark III a good camera? The 1D Mark III has a Camera Elo of 1461. This rating puts the 1D Mark III below average of all digital single lens reflex cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (APS cameras), the 1D Mark III also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Canon 1D Mark III is more than 17 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2007.

Headline Specifications
Canon 1D Mark III
Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses
10.1 MP, APS-H Sensor
no Video
ISO 100 - 3 200 (50 - 6 400)
Optical viewfinder
3.0 LCD, 230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
10 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body
2200 shots per battery charge
156 x 157 x 80 mm, 1 155 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Canon 1D Mark III vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Canon 1D Mark III vs credit card front
1D Mark III versus credit card top view
1D Mark III and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Canon 1D Mark III alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 1D Mark III 156 mm 157 mm 80 mm 1155 g 2200 Y Feb 2007 4,499ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 5DS R 152 mm 116 mm 76 mm 930 g 700 Y Feb 2015 3,699ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 5D Mark III 152 mm 116 mm 76 mm 950 g 950 Y Mar 2012 3,499ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 1D Mark IV 156 mm 157 mm 80 mm 1230 g 1500 Y Oct 2009 4,999ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 5D Mark II 152 mm 114 mm 75 mm 850 g 850 Y Sep 2008 3,499ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 1Ds Mark III 150 mm 160 mm 80 mm 1385 g 1800 Y Aug 2007 7,999ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 1D Mark II N 156 mm 158 mm 80 mm 1565 g 1200 Y Aug 2005 3,999ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 1D Mark II 156 mm 158 mm 80 mm 1535 g 1200 Y Jan 2004 4,499ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 1Ds 156 mm 158 mm 80 mm 1265 g 600 Y Sep 2002 8,999ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D3 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1300 g 4300 Y Aug 2007 4,999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D2Xs 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Canon 1D Mark III was launched in the US market at a price of $4,499. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

The Canon 1D Mark III features an APS-H sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.3. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Canon 1D Mark III among the large-sensor cameras that aim for top notch image quality.

Canon 1D Mark III sensor measures

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of alternative cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon 1D Mark III APS-H 10.1 3888 2592none22.711.7107871
2.
 
Canon 5DS R Full Frame 50.3 8688 57921080/30p24.612.4230886
3.
 
Canon 5D Mark III Full Frame 22.1 5760 38401080/30p24.011.7229381
4.
 
Canon 1D Mark IV APS-H 16.0 4896 32641080/30p22.812.0132074
5.
 
Canon 5D Mark II Full Frame 21.0 5616 37441080/30p23.711.9181579
6.
 
Canon 1Ds Mark III Full Frame 21.0 5616 3744none24.012.0166380
7.
 
Canon 1D Mark II N APS-H 8.2 3504 2336none22.311.297566
8.
 
Canon 1D Mark II APS-H 8.2 3504 2336none22.311.1100366
9.
 
Canon 1Ds Full Frame 11.0 4064 2704none21.811.095463
10.
 
Nikon D3 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2229081
11.
 
Nikon D2Xs APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.210.948959
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It should be noted that unlike many modern cameras, the 1D Mark III does not provide the possibility to capture videos.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the 1D Mark III has an optical viewfinder that provides a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.58x. The tables below summarize some of the other core capabilities of the Canon 1D Mark III in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIIoptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
2.
 
Canon 5DS Roptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
3.
 
Canon 5D Mark IIIoptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s n n
4.
 
Canon 1D Mark IVoptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
5.
 
Canon 5D Mark IIoptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 3.9/s n n
6.
 
Canon 1Ds Mark IIIoptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
7.
 
Canon 1D Mark II Noptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 8.5/s n n
8.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIoptical Y2.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s n n
9.
 
Canon 1Dsoptical Y2.0 / 120 fixed n 1/8000s 3.0/s n n
10.
 
Nikon D3optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
11.
 
Nikon D2Xsoptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One useful feature of the 1D Mark III is a presence of a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS-1D Mark III and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIIY- / ----2.0---
2.
 
Canon 5DS RYmono / monoY-mini3.0---
3.
 
Canon 5D Mark IIIYmono / monoYYmini2.0---
4.
 
Canon 1D Mark IVYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
5.
 
Canon 5D Mark IIYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
6.
 
Canon 1Ds Mark IIIYmono / ----2.0---
7.
 
Canon 1D Mark II NY- / ----1.1---
8.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIY- / ----1.1---
9.
 
Canon 1DsY- / ----FW---
10.
 
Nikon D3Y- / ---mini2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D2XsY- / ----2.0---
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Further information on the features and operation of the 1D Mark III can be found in the free online Canon 1D Mark III Manual or on the Canon support site.

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Expert reviews

While the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the 1D Mark III. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 1D Mark III............ Feb 2007 4,499ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 5DS R5/5+..83/1005/54.5/5 Feb 2015 3,699ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 5D Mark III..+ +..82/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2012 3,499ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 1D Mark IV5/5....89/100.... Oct 2009 4,999ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 5D Mark II4/591/100..79/1004/5.. Sep 2008 3,499ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 1Ds Mark III......+ +4.5/5.. Aug 2007 7,999ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 1D Mark II N............ Aug 2005 3,999ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 1D Mark II......+ +.... Jan 2004 4,499ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 1Ds......+ +.... Sep 2002 8,999ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D3......+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 4,999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D2Xs............ Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Canon 1D Mark III FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the 1D Mark III.

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Canon 1D Mark III based on?

The camera is build around a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Canon 1D Mark III to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Canon equipped the 1D Mark III with the DIGIC III image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Canon 1D Mark III?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200, which can be extended to ISO 50-6400.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Canon EOS-1D Mark III?

Canon mentions a shutter rating of 300 000 actuations for the 1D Mark III. This number represents a Mean Time before Failure, that is an average value. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust the expected shutter life of the 1D Mark III over, say, three years, one would have to take about 300 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Canon 1D Mark III?

Canon embeds the number of shutter actuations in image metadata. You can check the number of shots that your 1D Mark III has taken up to now by uploading a recent image to the free online shutter count finder app.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Canon 1D Mark III for flash photography?

The 1D Mark III's flash sync speed is 1/300 sec.

Which battery does the Canon 1D Mark III use?

The camera gets its power from the LP-E4 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Canon 1D Mark III
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2007
    Launch Price USD 4 499
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-H Sensor
    Sensor Size 28.1 x 18.7 mm
    Sensor Area 525 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 33.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.3x
    Sensor Resolution 10.1 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 3 888 x 2 592 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 7.21 μm
    Pixel Density 1.92 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 3 200 ISO
    ISO Boost 50 - 6 400 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC III
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 71
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.7
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.7
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1078
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.58x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 10 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy300 000 actuations
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium CF or SDHC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots
    UHS card support no
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi
    Body Specs
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed body
    Battery Type LP-E4 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)2200 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 156 x 157 x 80 mm
    (6.1 x 6.2 x 3.1 in)
    Camera Weight 1 155 g (40.7 oz)

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