Comparing 6D with 5D3

[LetTheRightLensIn]

Am I reading it wrong? The 6D performs better in half the light of MKIII is able to do??? What does that mean exactly? Focusing in low light? 

Yes, AF (with the center point and an f/2.8 or faster lens) is possible in half as much light with the 6D as with the 5DIII/1D X.  In theory, based on specs - whether that holds true in practice remains to be seen.

That makes a huge difference. I don't shoot sports but lots of candid in-motion people. I'm just use to using center point focus on everything I do in low light situations. Now I wonder if I really need all the extra AF points for from the MKIII if the 6D center point is actually that much better and what I'm use to. I never had good enough AF on any of my previous cameras so I just learned to only use center.

Hard to say, also just because it can focus in lower light doesn't mean that it will focus as precisely or quickly when there is enough light for either camera to handle. Maybe under bright light it will even get a bit blinded. Who knows. Nothing below 5D2/7D has been much reliable for one shot AF from Canon and even those two, especially the 7D, miss often enough. The pro 1 series and especially new 5D3/1DX are better.

[LetTheRightLensIn]

The 6D sensor is just 35.8mm x 23.9mm.
The 5D III's is 36mm x 24mm.
I don't know how significant that difference would be to you (or me.)

6D 855.62 sqmm
5D3 864 sqmm

6D has a crop factor of 1.01 compared to the 5D3.

So the 6D is definitely going to be the better cam when you are reach limited.

 

[K-amps]

so, I'm not sure where I'd need the extra 2.5 stops...

I remember shooting in Egyptian tombs where no flash is allowed to be mounted, and thus you cannot even use the af focus pattern :-> ... but really, the -3ev seems to be more of an excuse to tell people why the af system has to be so much dumbed down in comparison to the 5d3/d600.

Generally I'd say don't look a gift horse in the mouth, but only @$2099 it's not really a gift.

I always keep a miniature LED (230 lumen) flashlight with me for emergencies... 

[danski0224]

After comparing several key specifications between 6D and 5D3, below is my summary on how the two FF bodies compare (at least on paper):

AF Center Point:   -3 vs. –2 EV   = 6D is 33% more sensitive in low light

What do others think?

If I have the specs right, the 1DX center point sensitivity is also -2 EV, so this 6D can AF in 1/2 the light of the 1DX... Does the 6D have F8 support? 

The 5D II is at -0.5 EV.

I think this 6D could be a worthwhile upgrade from a 5D II. The smaller body is a negative for me, but the 1DX is not within reach.

Interchangeable focus screens and I'll assume no black AF points too. Double bonus.

[RLPhoto]

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.

The wheel sounds like it would be very awkward to quickly change focus points around precisely.

The wheel indeed is very annoying to change AF points.

[blaow]

I'm interested in picking a 5dmkiii or a 6D for astrophotography. Out of the two, which one points to have a higher signal to noise ratio?

Astro is one of my prime interests also; I've gone film-300D-40D(modded)-60D and was interested in the high ISO capabilities of both the 6D and 5D3.  One thing I'd miss with both of those would be the EOS Clip filters I use.  I think if you're considering plunking down the bucks for either one, it might be worth renting each one first before locking yourself in.  I would at least wait until others (with deeper pockets than mine) have put both cameras through their astrophotography paces and posted reviews/results.  Just when you decide......the 7DMkII will come along.

Im eagerly waiting for those reviews, a simple signal to noise ratio test of both will be sufficient for me to decide, time will tell.

[Marsu42]

The wheel sounds like it would be very awkward to quickly change focus points around precisely.

The wheel indeed is very annoying to change AF points.

Imho it's really about habits, given the few af points at least on the 60d rotating the selection w/ the wheel or selecting them with the direction keys works ok me - esp. since I hope Magic Lantern will port "focus patterns" I use to the 6d, too, so you have more alternatives than "one or all" selected. For more than the 60d/6d af points a joystick surely would make more sense.

[Kiboko]

Can anyone state with any certainty just WHICH camera actually replaces the 5D MKII? Initially I thought it was the 5D MKIII, but now people are saying, no, it's the 6D. I won't be replacing my 5D MKII for reasons of cost at present, (never had any focusing problems with it whatsoever by the way, although I admit I use it only for portrait/landscape work), - but for someone wanting their first F/F camera, the fact that the MKII is likely to be discontinued shortly doesn't make it any less a camera, and is it not cheaper in real terms than either of the other two, now that the price has dramatically dropped?

[shinjuku-thief]

I thought it was pretty obvious that the 5DMk3 replaces the 5dMk2. The 6D is a new addition to the product line. For a short while it will overlap price-wise with the 4 year-old 5DMk2, however, just until new stock of the latter is finally sold off. That's how I see it.

[Marsu42]

I thought it was pretty obvious that the 5DMk3 replaces the 5dMk2. The 6D is a new addition to the product line.

No, it's the other way around: From the completely different price tag to the 1dx-derived features the 5d3 is a whole new product line, while the 6d is the real successor as an updated 5d2 - newer manufacturing process, some gimmicks added, some features removed. The 5d2 was a bumped up 40d, as the 6d is a 60d with ff sensor.

That's why so many people are disappointed with the 6d, just like the 50d->7d/60d split there is no feature-complete ff like the Nikon d600 unless you want to pay €3000+.

[LostArk]

5D3 focusing screen = fixed
6D focusing screen = interchangeable

While I'm sure I'm in the minority, lack of an interchangeable focusing screen is a dealbreaker for me, which is why if I had to choose between the 5D3 and the 6D I'd pick the latter, assuming it has comparable IQ. With an Eg-S focusing screen or split focusing screen and some Zeiss glass, the 6D can moonlight as a ghetto Leica; a feature the 5D3 lacks.

[sivesind]

I thought it was pretty obvious that the 5DMk3 replaces the 5dMk2. The 6D is a new addition to the product line.

No, it's the other way around: From the completely different price tag to the 1dx-derived features the 5d3 is a whole new product line, while the 6d is the real successor as an updated 5d2 - newer manufacturing process, some gimmicks added, some features removed. The 5d2 was a bumped up 40d, as the 6d is a 60d with ff sensor.

That's why so many people are disappointed with the 6d, just like the 50d->7d/60d split there is no feature-complete ff like the Nikon d600 unless you want to pay €3000+.

But now, you forget the original pricetag of the 5D.2.  All the three 5D cameras have been $3000,- cameras when released.  The 5D.3 is slightly more expensive, but then prices in general have gone up as well.  The 6D is an entire new product line, which should be obvious by the name it has been given.  It is also obvious by the physics of the camera.  Check out these side by side pictures of the 5D.3 and 5D.2, to see how similar they are: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canon-eos-5d-mark-iii/6.  Although I haven't seen similar comparisons with the 6D, the specs indicate it is between 5 and 7mm smaller in all three dimensions, which is significantly smaller.  it is also significantly lighter (770g vs. 950g with batteries).  The 5D.2 is specified to weigh 810g without battery, so both 5Ds are much more solidly built.

To me, all these facts indicate that Canon considers the 5D.3, the successor to the 5D.2, while the 6D is a new product line.

[xtaski]

The one I'm still trying to compare is the 6D vs the D600 from Nikon... I was pretty much ready to start putting my Canon gear up on eBay and switch to Nikon but now I have to rethink the plan... I still haven't seen any actual reviews/tests of the 6D and considering its release date it may be a while yet... perhaps the Nikon price will go down... I'm not rushing towards either as my T3i is just fine - the lure of FF is tugging at me though...

[Marsu42]

I still haven't seen any actual reviews/tests of the 6D and considering its release date it may be a while yet...

Canon seems to want to make sure that 5d2 and 6d won't be sold alongside each other, thus the clearance sales and the December release date of the 6d. So it's unfortunate we won't know how the 6d really performs until it is too late to get a new 5d2 w/o "the last boxes" premium.

But now, you forget the original pricetag of the 5D.2.  All the three 5D cameras have been $3000,- cameras when released.

No, I didn't forget it, I consciously ignored the fact - and for a reason: With tech evolution, the price of consumer dslr categories is falling, and the 6d price should have reflected that (and the Nikon competition). Would you buy an automobile that has the same (inflation included) starting price as 1900 when only very few, select rich could afford it? Would you buy a 60d dslr that for the same starting $1500 price as the 20d in 2004? No, probably not.

[Sharper100]

AF Center Point:   -3 vs. –2 EV   = 6D is 33% more sensitive in low light

EV, like stops, is log₂.  So, not 33% more sensitive, the 6D works in half as much light.

But of the two, I'd still pick the 5DIII.

I finally pulled the trigger and got the 5DIII. The AF system is truly amazing, and capable. I am glad that I made that choice.  I must admit that Neuro's comment had an impact, as I find his knowledgable comments very informative.

The price was a bit above my original budget, but I feel that I got my money's worth. It is an amazing camera......