Canon 6D or 5D Mark III

[Etienne]

I owned a 40D and a 5DII, now i have the 5DIII.

The 5DIII is the 40D speed + 5DII IQ combined + a whole lot of extras. It's worth the the $.
The 6D is lower build quality, poor ergonomics compared to 40D, and much worse than 5DIII

Get the 5DIII, and enjoy the full-frame goodness

 

[fonts]

I owned a 40D and a 5DII, now i have the 5DIII.

The 5DIII is the 40D speed + 5DII IQ combined + a whole lot of extras. It's worth the the $.
The 6D is lower build quality, poor ergonomics compared to 40D, and much worse than 5DIII

Get the 5DIII, and enjoy the full-frame goodness

I think you have 6D mixed with the 60D.


To OP. I recently had the same question, and went with the 6D. I don't regret it one bit. I am not a professional, and I don't shoot sports nor wildlife. The 6D AF is more than adequate, seriously.

I just want to advise you that don't feel like its not good enough. It's a great camera. I don't think the 5D MIII is worth the $1000 that you can put in lens or accessories. But that's my opinion.

It really comes down to whether you NEED the AF of the MIII. If not the 6D is more than practical. I love it. Honestly think about what your needs are. The 6D will still be around just as long as the MIII. So don't get thrown off by that comment.

 

[Marsu42]

The 6D is lower build quality, poor ergonomics compared to 40D, and much worse than 5DIII
Get the 5DIII, and enjoy the full-frame goodness

No, don't - the 5d3 has lower build quality, poor ergonomics compared to the 1d4, and much worse than 1dx. Get the 1dx, and enjoy the *real* full-frame goodness - at least if you don't want to think about what you actually need.

 

[alexanderferdinand]

I liked the IQ of the 5dMk2 a lot.
But the AF was awful not using the centre and/or moving subjects.

The 5dMk3 is an ideal allrounder, you would enjoy a lot taking picutres from erratic moving subjects like your kids.

 

[azezal]

I'll tell u what we want, we want a camera with 5d3 ergonomics and af with the 6d sensor at the price of a 5d2

 

[Mehmetski]

Coming from two Canon 5d MK II bodies and killing one, which I replaced with a mk III. I'm seriously considering selling my remaining mk II and getting a 6D as a second (walkaround and backup) body. The low light AF (dis)abilities of the mk II really bothered me since its release and reports of the 6D are very positive in this regard. I also have the cash for a second MK III but at this point I find it a little overkill to use a 3K camera as a walkaround body dangling over my shoulder or wrist wherever I go, but the 5D Mk III is a JOY to use and love the images I take with it. It is a fantastic camera and the images looks more "natural" to my eyes than the the 5d mk II ever did. And reports that the IQ of the 6D is at least as good as the 5d mk III gives me a reason to ditch the 5d II for one of these two bodies. I can't choose!!

 

[SJ]

If you dont care about price, I suggest get 5dm3, its a great tools. I recently upgrade from 7d, and im very satisfied. but 6d great tool also. So its up to yyu my friend 8)

 

[J.R.]

Coming from two Canon 5d MK II bodies and killing one, which I replaced with a mk III. I'm seriously considering selling my mk II and getting a 6D as a second (walkaround) body. The low light AF (dis)abilities of the mk II really bothered me since its release and reports of the 6D are very positive in this regard. I also have the cash for a second MK III but at this point I find it a little overkill to use a 3K camera as a walkaround body dangling over my shoulder or wrist wherever I go, but the 5D Mk III is a JOY to use and love the images I take with it. It is a fantastic camera and the images looks more "natural" to my eyes than the the 5d mk II ever did. And reports that the IQ of the 6D is at least as good as the 5d mk III gives me a reason to ditch the 5d II for one of these two bodies. I can't choose!!

I replaced the 6D for the 7D in my kit to go along as a second body with my 5D3. It makes a great combo with teles on the 5D3 and WAs on the 6D

 

[fonts]

I'll tell u what we want, we want a camera with 5d3 ergonomics and af with the 6d sensor at the price of a 5d2

I don't get it. I happen to like the ergonomics of the 6D better. Then again that is subjective. One thing is fact, the 6D is lighter. Don't underestimate that.

 

[azezal]

I'll tell u what we want, we want a camera with 5d3 ergonomics and af with the 6d sensor at the price of a 5d2

I don't get it. I happen to like the ergonomics of the 6D better. Then again that is subjective. One thing is fact, the 6D is lighter. Don't underestimate that.

True, some like their cameras light, some like it heavy I should have used some of us instead of "we"

 

[7enderbender]

Coming from two Canon 5d MK II bodies and killing one, which I replaced with a mk III. I'm seriously considering selling my remaining mk II and getting a 6D as a second (walkaround and backup) body. The low light AF (dis)abilities of the mk II really bothered me since its release and reports of the 6D are very positive in this regard. I also have the cash for a second MK III but at this point I find it a little overkill to use a 3K camera as a walkaround body dangling over my shoulder or wrist wherever I go, but the 5D Mk III is a JOY to use and love the images I take with it. It is a fantastic camera and the images looks more "natural" to my eyes than the the 5d mk II ever did. And reports that the IQ of the 6D is at least as good as the 5d mk III gives me a reason to ditch the 5d II for one of these two bodies. I can't choose!!

That's probably the best case I've heard so far for a 6D. If it's really just a backup and for walkaround I see how a smaller lighter plastic camera makes sense and its limitations probably won't be too difficult to deal with since you still have the Mark III for the more serious stuff.

On the other hand I personally would keep the second 5DII until fails before spending more money. I still think that the MarkII beats the 6D overall - but then I was never concerned with the AF performance and find it plenty good even in difficult light.

How about something completely different for everyday use/walkaround? I'd consider a Fuji or Sony and keep the 5DII around as second SLR body.

 

[Mehmetski]

Coming from two Canon 5d MK II bodies and killing one, which I replaced with a mk III. I'm seriously considering selling my remaining mk II and getting a 6D as a second (walkaround and backup) body. The low light AF (dis)abilities of the mk II really bothered me since its release and reports of the 6D are very positive in this regard. I also have the cash for a second MK III but at this point I find it a little overkill to use a 3K camera as a walkaround body dangling over my shoulder or wrist wherever I go, but the 5D Mk III is a JOY to use and love the images I take with it. It is a fantastic camera and the images looks more "natural" to my eyes than the the 5d mk II ever did. And reports that the IQ of the 6D is at least as good as the 5d mk III gives me a reason to ditch the 5d II for one of these two bodies. I can't choose!!

That's probably the best case I've heard so far for a 6D. If it's really just a backup and for walkaround I see how a smaller lighter plastic camera makes sense and its limitations probably won't be too difficult to deal with since you still have the Mark III for the more serious stuff.

On the other hand I personally would keep the second 5DII until fails before spending more money. I still think that the MarkII beats the 6D overall - but then I was never concerned with the AF performance and find it plenty good even in difficult light.

How about something completely different for everyday use/walkaround? I'd consider a Fuji or Sony and keep the 5DII around as second SLR body.

Thank you for your reply. That's is exactly the reason, 6D to play around with and the MK III to bring the money. My remaining 5D II is currently parked on 180 thousand actuations and I think it won't die in the near future. The truth is, I didn't touch it since I got the 5d mk III unless it was absolutely necessary because the IQ is not so appealing to me anymore, and it seems the 6D is on the same page with the mk III IQ wise. And that matters to me a lot.

I'm steering on all directions right now. How is the weather sealing on the 6D? Is it in the same level with the 5D II/III? This is important as I beat the crap out of my camera's on all kind of conditions.

 

[fonts]

Coming from two Canon 5d MK II bodies and killing one, which I replaced with a mk III. I'm seriously considering selling my remaining mk II and getting a 6D as a second (walkaround and backup) body. The low light AF (dis)abilities of the mk II really bothered me since its release and reports of the 6D are very positive in this regard. I also have the cash for a second MK III but at this point I find it a little overkill to use a 3K camera as a walkaround body dangling over my shoulder or wrist wherever I go, but the 5D Mk III is a JOY to use and love the images I take with it. It is a fantastic camera and the images looks more "natural" to my eyes than the the 5d mk II ever did. And reports that the IQ of the 6D is at least as good as the 5d mk III gives me a reason to ditch the 5d II for one of these two bodies. I can't choose!!

That's probably the best case I've heard so far for a 6D. If it's really just a backup and for walkaround I see how a smaller lighter plastic camera makes sense and its limitations probably won't be too difficult to deal with since you still have the Mark III for the more serious stuff.

On the other hand I personally would keep the second 5DII until fails before spending more money. I still think that the MarkII beats the 6D overall - but then I was never concerned with the AF performance and find it plenty good even in difficult light.

How about something completely different for everyday use/walkaround? I'd consider a Fuji or Sony and keep the 5DII around as second SLR body.

The 5D MII is not better. 1/180 & 1/4000 max shutter is not much of a difference. The 6D is the better camera, especially in low light photography (concerts, clubs, night shots etc) it has 2 full stops of ISO advantage, plus it's a cleaner image. Faster FPS, less shutter lag, better screen, 2 more AF points and better AF in general. If you would list out the differences the advantages are clearly to the 6D. Also especially if you're in colder the states, like Minnesota, the Wifi is so useful. Frame your shot and go back into your car while taking pictures, that comes INCLUDED.

 

[pgsdeepak]

Played around a little bit with the 5D MIII which I got as CPS loan. A huge step forward from my 40D, especially the AF and low light photos. Focus was amazingly fast indoors. this is the first time I am using a FF camera. The IQ difference is big. Some samples below. In have tried ISO up to 12800(first two images below) and still got decent pictures (better than my 40D at 1600). Have not tried 6D. I assume IQ would be more or less the same, but speed and AF would be something I would really like. Shutter life is another thing I consider as a differentiator, as I plan to keep the camera long term, as long as it works. The debate still continues, need to make a decision before the rebate ends. For now I am leaning towards 5D. I have to really stretch financially to accommodate it, hope I will be able to manage.
Thanks everyone for the valuable inputs.