Comparing 6D with 5D3

[DzPhotography]

I shot with the 6D on Photokina. I liked it. I like the 5DIII more and the 1Dx even better, but still, I liked it...

[Musouka]

the 6D doesn't have the side buttons or joystick either

Some of the side buttons were relocated to the right, but some are gone which is a bummer. The joystick is now embedded in the wheel, which is an implementation I prefer as it can free up space for more physical buttons. The removal of the side buttons is puzzling, however. It's like Canon designed the layout for an articulating screen but decided not to include it at the last minute.

5D3 owners are still left with the extremely expensive option of the WiFi grip which adds unnecessary bulk and doesn't double up as a battery grip. Canon should just discontinue that and just sell a WiFi dongle instead but I doubt that would happen.

[pz-photography]

Sry, its a bit off topic but WHY THE HELL does it say "AE Bracketing +/- 3 EV) in almost every report I read? You can bracket up to 7 shots +/- over 8 EV, thats a lot! I was confused when I read that the 5D III had only +/-3 beacuse I thought its not better vor HDR than my 7D, but +/- 8 stops is a lot. Although I had the 6D in my handy on tuesday, I didn't check if its the same with the 6D. But it's not ok to write "AE Bracketing +/- 3EV", because it would mean its the same as for example the 7D where you can only take 3 shots up to +/- 3EV, thats it. With the 5D III its the same if you want to take 3 shots, but you shouldn't leave out that you can get a whole more EV range when you push up the shots. Whats your opinion on that?

[Phenix205]

5D3 is no doubt a more capable camera. It seems to me that 6D will give you the best bang of buck for now. The real question is what feature matters most to you. If the extra sensitivity of the center focus point is more important given your shooting conditions, then go with 6D.

[DzPhotography]

5D3 is no doubt a more capable camera. It seems to me that 6D will give you the best bang of buck for now. The real question is what feature matters most to you. If the extra sensitivity of the center focus point is more important given your shooting conditions, then go with 6D.

I really want to try that out for concerts...

[Meh]

You are not giving enough weight to important things the difference between a 97 % and 100% viewfinder is massive also it doesn't look to me like the 6d has the same awesome programs le dof button the FPS difference I s actually massive just use a 5d2 side by side with a mk 3 the 5d mk3 AF is simply awesome and blows the doors off anything that is not a 1dx yes the 5d3 is well worth the extra money IMO

Totally agree.  It doesn't sound like much when you think of it as 3% difference but that difference is is seeing the edge of the frame or not seeing it at all.

[neuroanatomist]

One thing no one has mentioned so far, but might be relevant for some users.  The 5DIII does not have a user-replaceable focus screen, but the 6D does - and it's compatible with the Eg-S super precision screen (whereas even the 1D X is not metering compatible with the corresponding Ec-S).

[Marsu42]

5D3 is no doubt a more capable camera. It seems to me that 6D will give you the best bang of buck for now

The relative "bang for the buck" in Canon-land is getting better for the 6d since the 5d3 price is rising, many disillusioned Canon users seem to bit the bullet and pay more than €3000 in Germany. If this trend persists this tells the whole story of how the 6d announcement is received.

[Sharper100]

Many interesting comments so far. Thank you, all. It may be worth the wait to see how the 6D will actually perform, when it comes out in stores in quantities........around Christmas?

It may turn out to be an excellent FF camera, with a simple yet useful AF system, which would make it a big hit, as it finally replaces the 5D2. However, that may affect the sales for the 5D3. But then again, Canon may announce the 46MP 5D X around that same time, just to change the moods, and please the Pro's in another way...

[rocketdesigner]

The relative "bang for the buck" in Canon-land is getting better for the 6d since the 5d3 price is rising,...

"The 5D3 price is rising"?

Gee, I wonder then how I bought one from Adorama for $750 off the list price a little over a week ago....?

The 5D3 will go nowhere but down in price - due to market competition, better value/more functionality in lower priced cameras, too high of a release price etc. etc. --- market factors we have already seen.

[Botts]

It's going to be an interesting comparison.

I already lined up my rental of a 6D in January to try out.

Coming from a Digital Rebel, the 6D would be a great camera.  However, for people like me coming from the 7D, it's going to be a tougher decision.

Us 7D users are used to 8fps, which is still better than the 5DIII and way ahead of the 6D.  We are also used to 19 point auto-focus, and side buttons with joystick.

If the image quality is similar to the 5D3 and the AF accurate.  I might sacrifice on ergo's and speed to save the money, seeing as I'll have to replace my 17-55 with a 24-70 as well.

I can't wait to try the 6D and see if it's my next camera, but the 7D still seems more capable, other than sensor size.

[RC]

One thing no one has mentioned so far, but might be relevant for some users.  The 5DIII does not have a user-replaceable focus screen, but the 6D does - and it's compatible with the Eg-S super precision screen (whereas even the 1D X is not metering compatible with the corresponding Ec-S).

I noticed this yesterday while putting together my own comparison list.  On the surface user-replaceable focus screens seem like a benefit  but what is the advantage of Canon's fixed screen?  I recall something a few years ago when I was comparing the 5D2 (with) and the 7D (without) but I can't recall what it was.  I certainly enjoyed user-replaceable back in the film days.

[neuroanatomist]

... what is the advantage of Canon's fixed screen?  I recall something a few years ago when I was comparing the 5D2 (with) and the 7D (without) but I can't recall what it was.  I certainly enjoyed user-replaceable back in the film days.

The fixed screen confers no real advantage, it's the same as the stock removeable screen.  I suppose you could list cost as an advantage (possibly, and sort of).  The 7D and 5DIII have fixed screens, and they also have the transmissive LCD, which allows complex AF point displays, grid lines and a 2-axis level on-demand, etc.  The transmissive LCD and user-replaceable focus screens aren't mutually exclusive - the 1D X offers both...for a price. 

[Helevitia]

Don't forget ergonomics and button layout.   Myself coming from a 7D, it would be awkward going to the smaller joystick less 6D.   Personally I like the larger body, even the 60D feels a bit small. 

Personally I think the joystick is a con.  The setup on the 6D is just like the 60D and I loved it.  Once I went to my 7D, I was disappointed.  You have to constantly switch back and forth between the pad and joystick. 

[swrightgfx]

One thing no one has mentioned so far, but might be relevant for some users.  The 5DIII does not have a user-replaceable focus screen, but the 6D does - and it's compatible with the Eg-S super precision screen (whereas even the 1D X is not metering compatible with the corresponding Ec-S).

This is not true. Adapted screens can be fitted to the 5D Mark III by simply removing two small screws. There are a limited number of suppliers for the screens that, while not as easy to replace as in the 1Dx, or in fact the consumer APS-C devices, take no more than ten minutes to swap.