When the Canon EOS 5D Mark II was announced in September 2008, just ahead of that year's Photokina trade show, it immediately attracted a flurry of attention for its 21.1-megapixel sensor and Full HD video capability.

We honestly haven't been this in love with a camera since we reviewed the Sony NEX-7 . And while there's little to compare from a price and design perspective, we're seriously questioning that affair, and completely ready to sacrifice the compact design in favor of this incredibly capable...

Incredible image quality through ISO 25,600; Excellent focusing system; Comprehensive HD video options; Brilliant 3.2-inch LCD with wide viewing angle

Expensive; No autofocus during video capture

It's been nearly four years since Canon released the EOS 5D Mark II, the camera that turned digital still cameras into affordable workhorses for videographers and indie filmmakers. And this next evolution was definitely created with those filmmakers in mind.

It's been nearly four years since Canon released the EOS 5D Mark II, the camera that turned digital still cameras into affordable workhorses for videographers and indie filmmakers. And this next evolution was definitely created with those filmmakers in mind.

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

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III is the successor to the enormously popular EOS 5D Mark II, and builds on the success of this full-frame DSLR. When the original EOS 5D was launched in October 2005, it represented the first 'affordable' full-frame DSLR.

Great photo and video quality with low noise at high sensitivities; Powerful 61-point AF system with easy presets; Large viewfinder with 100% coverage and detailed 3:2 screen; 6fps continuous shooting; Good ergonomics; build quality and twin card slots

No built-in flash or wireless controller, No built-in Wifi or GPS; Both are expensive accessories, No articulated screen, no interval timer, No movie crop mode, no clean HDMI, no continuous movie AF, 36 Megapixel Nikon D800 available for less

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

Canon's EOS 5D Mark III has a lot to live up to. For a start, the original Canon EOS 5D was the first DSLR to really bring full-frame digital photography within the reach of enthusiast photographers.

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.

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