5D3 or 5D2, please compare old vs. new model (real life)

[te4o]

For all those who are still not entirely convinced (like me) new 5D3 users please compare with examples the 5D2 with the 5D3: IQ at RAW, sharpness, colours, VF, LCD usability for MF, usability of AF and higher FPS (RAW), all in all give us your impression why should I pay twice the price...

I'd like to structure the first impressions a bit. You decide what you compare and post either here or start a new topic. I agree this is borderless issue but please stick to hardware testing standards ie as objective as possible.

Thank you to all first buyers for  being avantgardistic and bold and for leading the rest!

[wickidwombat]

I will be when i get mine on thursday

[tobiah]

I've shot a lot with the 5d2, and my only complaint was the focus. That is now so so so much better. Its so worth it to me just because of that.

[GL]

Likewise. As a wedding photographer (for whom the 5D3 looks like it's been custom made), the advantages over my 5D2:

> faster, more accurate AF
> much better low light AF
> dual cards
> up to 1 stop RAW improvement (a usable 6400 and 12800 will make a big difference in dark churches and reception halls)
> quiet shutter mode
> 6FPS - better for those moments where things are happening in a flurry
> much lower shutter lag (my PET HATE with the 5D2 - missing 'critical moments' because the camera's half asleep)
> better metering (not essential, but useful)
> better weather sealing (5D2 and L lenses can shoot in drizzle all day long, so 5D3 should be even more flexible)

Slightly OT, but the only 'advantages' the new D800 seems to have over the 5D3:

> 36MP - overkill (and in fact counter productive) for weddings (or just about anything unrelated to large print landscapes or studio work)
> better DR and low ISO (a great feature indeed, and hopefully one Canon will aspire to, but just not important for weddings - I can count on one hand the number of times I shoot under ISO 800 at a wedding)
> $500 cheaper (if you have to squabble over $500 for a camera body as a professional photographer, you should consider changing careers)

So yes, the 5D3 is worth every cent (and more) of the premium they're charging for it over the 5D2, and the D800.

[oilbeefhooked]

I've been shooting with the 5D II for two years, and I couldn't ask for anything better.....But the AF is really slow, difficult for sports, and not very responsive in low light conditions. So, if the 5D III is half as good as they say, I'll have one in my bag by summer. I can't wait for Lens Rental Canada to pick up the 1D X so I can give that one a try.

[JR]

I think the others above have summed it up quite well.  I have no doubts the mkIII will be much better then the mkII.  For me the things I like most about the new model (even if I dont have it yet) are:

-AF system (now able to track moving objects (like my daughter!)
-Better ISO performance
-Better Auto ISO function and now finally works in Manual mode - a big change from mkII even if some members here are still not happy about it
-Good fram rate at 6fps

Personally I would have upgraded only with a better AF and a better Auto ISO function in Manual mode compared to my mkII, so I will be getting a lot more!

Good luck with your decision.

[Tijn]

Why are you all writing out spec lists and making comparisons on the basis of that? The topic title clearly states "(REAL LIFE)"... He wants to hear the experiences of people that actually have it, not over-chewed spec lists that we all already know by now... :-)

[JR]

Why are you all writing out spec lists and making comparisons on the basis of that? The topic title clearly states "(REAL LIFE)"... He wants to hear the experiences of people that actually have it, not over-chewed spec lists that we all already know by now... :-)

...because officially the mkIII is only shipping on the 22nd in the US and Canada.  Yes there are a very few lucky with a camera in their hands, but likely not enought to provide a large enought base such that they would respond to this post from our friend te4o here.  I think all these commenst above are valid and helpful.  If you instead only want comment from real user, then dont post a question like this before shooter actually have it!

[kitomo]

Why are you all writing out spec lists and making comparisons on the basis of that? The topic title clearly states "(REAL LIFE)"... He wants to hear the experiences of people that actually have it, not over-chewed spec lists that we all already know by now... :-)

...because officially the mkIII is only shipping on the 22nd in the US and Canada.

I'm in the UK, and I'm picking mine up today when I finish work.

[Pyrenees]

Why are you all writing out spec lists and making comparisons on the basis of that? The topic title clearly states "(REAL LIFE)"... He wants to hear the experiences of people that actually have it, not over-chewed spec lists that we all already know by now... :-)

+1 Tijn

Oh.......wait....

[Wahoowa]

The image quality may not be much different for some, but it's not all about the difference in term of image quality alone for many many photographers. The same logic goes to the old film era for the same reason why one would pay more for an EOS 1v or EOS 3, rather than an Elan 7 or a film rebel.

One example, a friend of mine just went to Antelope Canyon with his 50D and 17-55 and he came back with a lot of fine grain sands in the joints of his camera body and within the lens. He said he could use weather seal of a better body and that of an L lens.

If you don't need any better features in the new Mark III, the image quality is the only concern and you don't see much difference in term of image quality, by no mean you should pay extras for it.

Cheers.

[briansquibb]

My friend picks his up tomorrow. On Monday we are going to do a side by side test of the 5DIII vs the 1Ds3. Will be fun

[Alker]

My friend picks his up tomorrow. On Monday we are going to do a side by side test of the 5DIII vs the 1Ds3. Will be fun

Already done
I can't wait...

[te4o]

Thanks Tijn, this is exactly right: REAL LIFE is what the question is. We all know the specs by heart now. Thanks to the other posters too: even the simple repetition of specs gives the poster an exciting twitch, I agree, BUT I wanted to ask some of the early adopters and users from today and this coming week to do a sober real life comparison: most of the early adopters here have been using a 5D2 to 100% of what it delivers and know what they miss as well as what they love about it. They are my target here. So, again, the Usability and practicability of the new specs is the issue. On paper all is fine, 3.6K are OK(well, erhh)
NOW, THIS WEEK, THE REALLY EXCITING POSTS START : please make your first impressions as objective as possible.