• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 22.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Medium format 2,169.5mm2
  • 101.1 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 12,800

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark III advantages over Phase One XF 100MP

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.25 vs 4.63 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 10.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    76 mm vs 160 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/200 vs 1/125 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    950g vs 2196g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.33 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.0 fps vs 0.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Phase One XF 100MP advantages over Canon 5D Mark III

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Newer
    9 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    101.1 vs 22.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    3600 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 18 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Canon 5D Mark III

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Review Excerpt

  • Superb still and video image quality; Powerful, fast, and accurate AF system with loads of cross-type points, loads of configurability and great frame coverage; Rugged, weather-sealed body with great control layout and user-interface configurability.

  • Dynamic range is limited by noise in deep shadows; Somewhat heavy-handed noise suppression and sharpening at default settings. (Shooting RAW avoids both.); No AF illuminator.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 6D
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Phase One XF 100MP
Canon 6D
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Phase One XF 100MP
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Sony A850

Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A850
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Phase One XF 100MP
Sony A850
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D800E

Canon 5D Mark III
Nikon D800E
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Phase One XF 100MP
Nikon D800E
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony A99

Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A99
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Phase One XF 100MP
Sony A99
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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