• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 22.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon EOS 5D Mark III
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A37
Links
Prices: Compare Prices  
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon 5D Mark II
5D Mark II vs 5D Mark III
 
Successor: Canon 5D Mark IV
5D Mark III vs 5D Mark IV
 
General
Model Number: 5D Mark III A37
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $3500.00 $599.99
Street Price: $2,079.48  
Date Available: 2012-03-20 2012-06-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 33.5 oz (950 g)
includes batteries
25.6 oz (726 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 6.0 x 4.6 x 3.0 in.
(152 x 116 x 76 mm)
4.9 x 3.6 x 3.3 in.
(124 x 92 x 85 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Canon Sony
Effective Megapixels: 22.3 16.1
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 864mm2 (36.00mm x 24.00mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 6.25 microns 4.82 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 81 75
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 24.0 23.3
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.7 12.9
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 2,293 799
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 5760 x 3840 (22.1 MP, 3:2),
3840 x 2560 (9.8 MP, 3:2),
2880 x 1920 (5.5 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2),
720 x 480 (0.3 MP, 3:2)
4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2),
4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9),
3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other),
3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9),
2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
5536 x 2160 (12.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
3872 x 2160 (8.4 MP, Other),
7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other),
4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF v2.3), RAW, M-RAW (10.5MP), S-RAW (5.5MP); 14-bit CR2 JPEG, MPO, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.0 5.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
640x480 (30p/​25p)
1920x1080 (60i(FH)/​24p(FX)/​24p(FH))
1440x1080 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: .MOV (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264), ALL-I and IPB modes AVCHD 1.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Canon EF Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: n/a Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual):   18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.06x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 55.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes
Digital Zoom Values:   Up to 2x Precision, Up to 2x Clear Image Zoom, 1.4x (8.4MP) or 2.0x (4MP) Smart Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Phase Detect : 61-point (up to 41 cross-type points); One to five cross-type AF points at f/2.8, 10 to 20 cross-type AF points at f/4, and 15 to 21 cross-type AF points at f/5.6. Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide (auto, 15 points), Zone, Spot, Local; Enhanced Object Tracking
Auto Focus Assist Light? No Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.71x magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter, fixed focusing screen, on demand grid EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1.15M-dot LCD (380K-dot time-multiplexed RGB), 100% coverage, 1.1x magnification, 19mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a  
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.71x 0.73x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.71x 1.10x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.2 2.6
Rear Display Resolution: 1,044,000 dots (348,000 px) 230,400 dots (76,800 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 11.8x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 25600 16000
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100-25600 in 1/3 or 1 EV steps, expandable to 50 (L), 51200 (H1) and 102400 (H2) Auto (100-3200), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temperature Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm, Cool, Day, Daylight), Flash, Custom, Color Temp/Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 63-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Partial (center, 7.2%), Spot (center, 1.5%) 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: n/a Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Portrait, SportsAction, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night view, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), Night Portrait, Picture Effect (Posterization (color/B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial color (R/G/B/Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera (Normal/Cool), Soft High-key, Soft Focus (Hi/Mid/Lo), HDR Painting (Hi/Mid/Lo), Miniature (7 Settings))
Self Timer: 2, 10 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: n/a Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 10.0 m / 32.8 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/200 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, PC Sync Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: No  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: No UHS support  
Other Memory: UDMA7 compliant  
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, M-RAW (10.5MP), S-RAW (5.5MP); 14-bit CR2 RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: .MOV (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264), ALL-I and IPB modes AVCHD 1.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: Yes No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wired or Wireless Optional Wired (RM-S1AM/RM-L1AM)
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI (Type C), Remote Jack, Stereo Mic Jack, Stereo Monitor Jack, PC-Sync Terminal Type-C Mini HDMI (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack, DC Input
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): <0.3 0.47
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): <0.3 0.45
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited 2
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): <0.3  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.0 5.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 63 10
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 6.0  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 18  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 6.0  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 7  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.12 seconds 0.11 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 0.78 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.060 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.095 seconds 0.080 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.32 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.061 seconds 0.057 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Optical Viewfinder: Full AF shutter lag, wide-area mode: 0.142s Live View: Full AF shutter lag, phase-detect: 0.823s Full AF shutter lag, contrast-detect: 0.780s Prefocused: 0.060 Full AF lag, Wide-area mode = 0.124s
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 0.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.2 seconds 0.9 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   2.5 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 200 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 950 shots 450 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary LP-E6 Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion Rechargeable or BG-E11 battery grip NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary LP-E6 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Canon EOS Digital Solution Disc Sony Software CD-ROM
OS Compatibility:   Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: New 22.3-megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor, DIGIC 5+ Processor, 61-point AF System, 63-zone iFCL Metering System, 6fps Bursts, Full HD video, 100% OVF, 3.2" 1.04M-dot LCD, Dual Card Slots (SD+CF), HDR Mode, Multiple Exposure Support, Scene Intelligent Auto, Comparative Playback, Dual-Axis Electronic Level, Auto Lighting Optimizer, In-Camera RAW Processing. SteadyShot INSIDE Sensor-shift Image Stabilization (up to 4 EV correction), Full HD 1080i60 Video, Up to 7 fps Burst Mode (Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE), Enhanced Object Tracking AF, 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom, Auto Portrait Framing.