5D Mark III Specs [CR1]

[dilbert]

The first spec list
...
A high-speed AF system. Double Cross Centre, Cross assists 19 points – 26 points. 5 AF point selection mode, types of automatic. Advanced AI Servo AF
...

This doesn't add up - literally.

19 + 5 = 24.

5 would be center and 4 in a diamond?

If it were to be 19 + 7 = 26, ok, but where do the extra 2 sensors go?

Given this, I'm willing to call this whole thing bogus as it suggests an AF system with fewer active sensors than is currently found in the 5D Mark2.

The person who fabricated these 5DIII specs seems to be stating 26 AF points total.  I'd read the "5" as referring to the number of AF point selection modes (presumably taken from the 7D specs - auto, zone, manual, spot, and point expansion).

... which suggests that the translation isn't that great - I could believe that. The translation is from google's translate web page (I know because I cut-n-pasted the Japanese into it and got exactly what's on the front page here

I'm not sure how they came up with 26, though...maybe they are not counting the 'double cross center' in the 19 cross points, so it's 1 double cross center + 19 other cross type + 6 linear (the same 'invisible' six the 5D and 5DII have)??

Possibly...

[DoesNotFollow]

The idea that at new 5D Mark 3 would not have the new Digic 5 chip and rather have two Digic 4's is not likely.

[bvukich]

The idea that at new 5D Mark 3 would not have the new Digic 5 chip and rather have two Digic 4's is not likely.

That a non-1d body would have DIGIC-V first is more unlikely.

[Flake]

The idea that at new 5D Mark 3 would not have the new Digic 5 chip and rather have two Digic 4's is not likely.

That a non-1d body would have DIGIC-V first is more unlikely.

Why when the Digic IV was first seen in the 50D? 
Canon Rumour from Wikipedia (even they're getting in on the act!):

Some rumours appearing lately suggests that DIGIC 5 will be released in Q2 2011 along with EOS 5D Mark III. Some of the rumours say from 20-30 Megapixels and possible introduction of filming in 4K at 30 fps and 1080P at 60 fps.

[DoesNotFollow]

That a non-1d body would have DIGIC-V first is more unlikely.

I see it as a solid business move on Canon's part. It sets up hype over their new Digic 5 chip and gives them time to give it some real word testing and get feedback before incorporating it in their flagship model.

[Bob Howland]

The idea that at new 5D Mark 3 would not have the new Digic 5 chip and rather have two Digic 4's is not likely.

That a non-1d body would have DIGIC-V first is more unlikely.

Who says that Canon has to use all of the Digic-5 features in a non-1d body?

[Justin]

What do digic 4 and digic 5 even mean? It's not like we have geekbench to test these against each other. What an odd thing to argue over.

The idea that at new 5D Mark 3 would not have the new Digic 5 chip and rather have two Digic 4's is not likely.

That a non-1d body would have DIGIC-V first is more unlikely.

Who says that Canon has to use all of the Digic-5 features in a non-1d body?

[dilbert]

What do digic 4 and digic 5 even mean? It's not like we have geekbench to test these against each other. What an odd thing to argue over.

The idea that at new 5D Mark 3 would not have the new Digic 5 chip and rather have two Digic 4's is not likely.

That a non-1d body would have DIGIC-V first is more unlikely.

Who says that Canon has to use all of the Digic-5 features in a non-1d body?

There is a geek benchmark test, it is run at dpreview.com.

[GMCPhotographics]

Why is everyone getting hot under the collar about a single Digic V vs a Dual Digic IV? Their proccessing through put is pretty much the same. Ie about 160 mb/s. The only thing a Digic V will offer a 5DIII is a slightly lighter chip set.
Im not sure on the 28mp / 6fps. From my math, Id make the through put at 28mp and 5.7 fps ;-)

I get the feeling that Canon used a dual Digic IV array for the 7D to bring in the processing power of the next gen camers to the XD range without having the Digic V chip ready. Which prolly means that the non 1 series XD range will. Always have dual Digic processors of the old tech from now on.

The Dual Digic V processsors are alledged to have a though put of upto 320mb/s so a 32mp / 10fps cam is quite possible. As such, I think the Digic V will be the last of its kind, Canon would not need a fast chip again, which is prolly why they are holding it back.

[kai]

Disappointed no raw(uncompressed) video output. This is the only requirement if I ever upgrade from mark2 to mark3.

[RogerC]

No mention of dual slots. Is this something to be kept exclusive to 1 series?

[cancan]

I'd like to see improvement in the Auto and Av settings though.  Specifically, the option to change the default shutter speed from 1/focal length to a settable ratio.  This would fix the auto ISO as well, since ISO would rise or fall according to the shutter speed ratio, and in effect, be changing the minimum or maximum limits depending on lens focal length used, at least while in auto or Av mode.  It might help in Tv mode too, I haven't thought much about it.  Right now, I have to use full manual, or set the ISO to get fast shutter speeds in Av mode.

I completely agree with your request.  Perhaps if we can set a minimum shutter-speed in Av + Auto ISO, that will solve most of the problem too.

[RogerC]

Canon have taken a tremendous amount of stick over the last few years with their focussing problems and quality control. To cap it all Nikon vastly improved their high iso performance. This resulted in a mass exodus by a lot of professionals from the Canon camp.

Canon showed signs with the 7D that they would try to halt this. But they are going to have to make a massive leap forward to get these people back. Regrettably I do not see this happening because Canon’s policy has always been to make small step by step improvements rather than a quantum leap.

With the 5D mk2 the marketing people seemed to have had the strongest voice. Development work was concentrated on the video function rather than sorting out the inherent sluggish behavior and focussing problems of the mk 1. I do hope this does not happen again with the mk111.

[scalesusa]

Canon have taken a tremendous amount of stick over the last few years with their focussing problems and quality control. To cap it all Nikon vastly improved their high iso performance. This resulted in a mass exodus by a lot of professionals from the Canon camp.

Canon showed signs with the 7D that they would try to halt this. But they are going to have to make a massive leap forward to get these people back. Regrettably I do not see this happening because Canon’s policy has always been to make small step by step improvements rather than a quantum leap.

With the 5D mk2 the marketing people seemed to have had the strongest voice. Development work was concentrated on the video function rather than sorting out the inherent sluggish behavior and focussing problems of the mk 1. I do hope this does not happen again with the mk111.

One thing you forgot to mention is that Canon is making tons of money, and Nikon has been cutting costs to stay afloat.  They have just begun to show a profit in FY 2011.  Those tons of people you claim to know of have just barely made a dent in Nikons losses.  Maybe the foundation is being laid for future profit, but Canon knows how to manufacture cameras cheaply and sell them at a lower price point.  Canon cameras are very good, but they do not pull out all the stops, they just make them good enough to sell for a big profit.  They have been doing this for 40 years quite successfully.

[dilbert]

Canon have taken a tremendous amount of stick over the last few years with their focussing problems and quality control. To cap it all Nikon vastly improved their high iso performance. This resulted in a mass exodus by a lot of professionals from the Canon camp.

Canon showed signs with the 7D that they would try to halt this. But they are going to have to make a massive leap forward to get these people back. Regrettably I do not see this happening because Canon’s policy has always been to make small step by step improvements rather than a quantum leap.

With the 5D mk2 the marketing people seemed to have had the strongest voice. Development work was concentrated on the video function rather than sorting out the inherent sluggish behavior and focussing problems of the mk 1. I do hope this does not happen again with the mk111.

One thing you forgot to mention is that Canon is making tons of money, and Nikon has been cutting costs to stay afloat.  They have just begun to show a profit in FY 2011.  Those tons of people you claim to know of have just barely made a dent in Nikons losses.  Maybe the foundation is being laid for future profit, but Canon knows how to manufacture cameras cheaply and sell them at a lower price point.  Canon cameras are very good, but they do not pull out all the stops, they just make them good enough to sell for a big profit.  They have been doing this for 40 years quite successfully.

Maybe, but right now Canon and Nikon need to worry more about Sony than each other for the long term game.

I think that the A900 (and friends) were just Sony's opening move, just getting their toes wet in the water. Look at what Sony released this year (mirror-less DSLRs, NEX, etc). In 5 to 10 years, it will be interesting to see where things are at.