Comparing 6D with 5D3

[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.

 

[Loswr]

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]

Re: Comparing 6D with 5D

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.

 

[Loswr]

... 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.

 

[Loswr]

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.

Perhaps I should have been more clear. I'm sure there are users out there who can field strip a 1D IV down to it's component parts and put it back together in perfect working order with all sealing intact. Canon considers the focus screen on the 5DIII to be not user replaceable. User replaceable screens are designed to seat properly when inserted into the slot (granted, they don't always), whereas if you swap a non-replaceable screen yourself, you may need to shim it, etc. Not saying it can't be done, just that it may not be so easy for the casual user. On the 5DII, I could swap in the Eg-S in little more time than it took to mount the 85L II, and swap back in the Eg-A stock screen when I switched to the 100-400mm. Two screws and '10 minutes' would be a bigger inertial barier to using the appropriate screen.

 

[Deleted member 7828]

Played around with a 5D3 at the store yesterday for a few minutes. Probably shouldn't have done that- couldn't put the thing down! :

Coming from a 60D, this just seems like a whole new world of camera. But I was most impressed with the FF IQ. Notably cleaner at high ISOs...and seems like the FF sensor tends to be better than 1.6x at capturing minute details?

Makes me more intrigued by the 6D, if the quality can hold up...then again, probably wouldn't be a TRUE upgrade from a 60D besides the sensor (and still spending nearly 2K, come on). 60D will probably stick around in that case.

If 5D3 price falls into high $2000s/good deals arise, perhaps the temptation to go "all out" will be there...only thing that sucks would be having to give up the 17-55 (for a 24-70 + lose IS), great lens...

 

[Botts]

I've been trying to research the difference between a 97% and 100% viewfinder.

Could someone point me to a diagram of a viewfinder and the differences between each? The 7D has a 100% viewfinder.

What would I be losing going to a 97% coverage?

 

[architect]

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.

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?

 

[Loswr]

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.

 

[RLPhoto]

The Real comparison should be if the 6D is worth the $$$ over the MK2. :-X

 

[architect]

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.

 

[Loswr]

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.

I suppose it depends on what you're used to. The 5DII center point AF is spec'd to -0.5 EV (2.5-stops brighter than the -3 EV of the 6D), and with my 5DII, I was able to AF with an f/5.6 lens with netered exposure of 1/80 s at ISO 25,600...so, I'm not sure where I'd need the extra 2.5 stops...

 

[Marsu42]

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.

 

[architect]

Sounds like I should get buy a MK II

The MKII still floats around 1600~ used here in Toronto, Canada. Harder decision.