I'm a professional photographer and I can't state how much I love this camera! The high ISO capabilities are amazing. I also love that the camera is a full frame camera.

With each passing month, both Nikon and Canon introduce new innovations to their traditional DSLR line. Improved auto focus, better sensors – but sometimes, it's best to keep things simple even if they‘re not quite the most up to date hardware.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III SLR is finally a complete and very powerful. Difficult to find a weak point. After a short period of adaptation becomes an extension of the arm of the photographer.

Image quality; Completeness and customizability of commands; Silent shutter mode

Lack of a flasher incorporated; Tendency to underexposure

Canon's Mark II users have been waiting three years for the third 5D in the series, and it's been well worth the wait - the camera has been vastly improved in nearly every aspect. Read on to discover how and why it's our Editor's Choice winner.

Excellent image quality; Improved handling; More responsive 61-point AF system; Fast six-frames per second shooting speed

Video not much improved out of camera; No non-compressed video thru HDMI; Video rolling shutter effect still visible

With a camera of such pedigree, there are naturally high expectations. Find out how good it is in the What Digital Camera Canon EOS 5D Mark III review

Excellent set of features; build-quality is much better than MkII; AF system and overall performance

Expensive compared to some rivals

When Canon introduced the highly anticipated 5D Mark III to the market, the photography community and many Canon fans felt underwhelmed by its specifications, especially after the big shock wave left by the Nikon D800.

Fast forward to the 2nd March 2012 and Canon announce the 5D Mk III. With 7 years of history behind this single unit the announcement came on the back of a 25th anniversary for Canon's first camera in the EOS series, the film-based EOS 650.

I use this camera for a variety of types of professional photography - weddings, newborns, children, and even births. The ISO handling is good for low light situations. Not amazing, but it works. The focusing system is amazing.

Focus System; HD Video; Live View Mode

Little detail in shadows at high ISO

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III is an excellent camera, capable of taking stunning photos in a wide variety of situations and has a wealth of lenses available to go with it. The 5D Mark III may not be as ground-breaking as the 5D Mark II , but this is simply because the Mark II was so good, and where the...

6fps continuous shooting; Full HD video at 25/24 fps; Built in HDR creation; Great 3.2inch screen; Weather sealed magnesium body; Excellent noise performance; Excellent image quality; Full printed manual; Built in help; Built in electronic level; Ability to rate images in playback

RRP compared to Mark II

Canon has a long tradition of producing innovative and groundbreaking DSLRs. In 2003, for example, the 6.3MP Canon 300D became the first consumer-grade DSLR to sell for under ￡1,000.

Vastly improved AF module; Addition of 'headphones in' socket; Enhanced ISO range/performance; Faster DIGIC 5+ processor; Built like a tank; Exceptional image quality; Fantastic video performance