The Canon EOS 5D Mark III is the continuation of the 5D line which introduced the first full-frame DSLR without an integrated grip, bringing quality images to a smaller form-factor than previously possible.

Very low image noise; Excellent image sharpness; Very accurate colors; Good automatic white-balance; Spectacular subject tracking autofocus; Lightning fast autofocus; Full choice of exposure modes for movies; Class-leading continuous buffer; Large viewfinder with 100% coverage; Highly customizable...

Underexposes often; Expanded ISO of limited use; Low rear control dial; Rear dial prone to accidental changes; Complex interaction between AF and lenses; Slow instant review; Slow to power-off due to sensor cleaning

It may not look like it from the base specifications alone, but the EOS 5D Mark III is a great improvement over its predecessor in every way that counts - autofocus, exposure and ISO have all had the benefit of the technological improvements Canon has gained since the 5D Mark II was released.

Greatly improved autofocus; excellent high ISO performance

Redesigned controls may take some getting used to

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

Not everyone will be able to afford a 5D Mark III, but if you're serious about movie making on a budget then this is a serious piece of kit via which to do it Not a camcorder, but included because Digital SLRs have really taken off the past couple of years as primary tools for ‘videographers'.

Setting a new benchmark for amateur and independent film makers; affordable alternative to pro broadcast cameras; rock solid workhorse-like build

Pricey if you don't require broadcast quality video; slight delay whilst mirror mechanism flips out of the way before video recording can commence; clip duration limited to just under 30 minutes as it's a camera not a camcorder

After Nikon's D90, it felt like the crown of video would go to that firm. But, surprisingly, it was Canon that swooped in, and hoovered up the newly established video-from-SLR market.

Stills are beautiful; capable of producing superb video; lightning-fast auto-focus; rapid shooting; solidly built

No "clean" HDMI output; buttons to control camera settings take some getting used to; we'd love to see some more high frame-rate modes

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

Announced just over 3 years since its popular predecessor, the long-awaited and much-rumoured Canon EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR camera has finally arrived. The EOS 5D Mk II was something of a break-through camera for Canon, bringing 35mm full-frame, 1080p HD video recording to a wider audience.

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

5D owners may well have felt that the MkII didn't really do enough to grab their attention because it didn't address enough of its older sibling's deficiencies. The increased resolution was attractive, but again not enough on its own.

A photographic tour-de-force – if you can justify the cost it'll be hard to resist