Is the 5DIII the New 50D?

[TTMartin]

If the translucent mirror gives the A99 a frame rate approaching 10fps with 24mp at the rumored price of around $2500 - $2800, then the 5D Mark III becomes even harder to justify at $3499.

Well, the whole EVF v optical viewfinder is still kind of a big deal. I still haven't seen an EVF that makes the camera worth it...both between killing the battery life and making it hard to see in less than ideal conditions (things that matter to full frame users).

Not to meantion the pellicle mirror blocking 1/3 of the light reaching the sensor, so the camera is always going to be at a disadvantage.

Here's a news flash Canon isn't behind in sensor technology. DXOMark is not a reliable source, time and time again, their data doesn't jive with real world output, and often contradicts itself. Case in point, the Canon 5D Mk III matches or outscores the Nikon D800 on the screen scores for ISO Sensitivity, SNR 18%, Tonal Range, and Color Sensitivity, yet for some reason the Nikon D800 has a massive Dynamic Range advantage? My understanding that all of those other scores are necessary components that would give the camera its dynamic range. It just doesn't add up!

 

[chimpmitten]

As a 50D owner, I would say that yes, for me the 5DIII is (hopefully soon) the new 50D.

The 50D was my introduction to DSLRs and I purchased it along with a 28mm 1.8 and a 85mm 1.8 with the goal of shooting indoor sports (mainly roller derby) and concerts (cramped bars and classical). It was at the right price point for me and I felt that the frame rate would work well for sports and the silent shooting mode when using live view would work well for the classical concerts. The fast lenses worked well in the dim lighting, but after about a year I purchased some flashes and soon after the stars aligned and I was able to acquire a 70-200mm 2.8 ii.

When I purchased it the Nikon D90 was another option for me, but after handling both cameras the 50D just felt better. I could see myself shooting all day with it in my hands, while the Nikon felt cramped. I had no interest in video at that time so the 50d was a perfect fit. The new features it had worked great for me and I didn't feel that I was missing out on much at the amount that I was spending.

I've been bumping up against the limitations of the 50D and the 5Diii looks to be a good upgrade for me. The silent shooting mode through the view finder looks to be a big improvement over using the live view of the 50D. It has a similar frame rate, but with a much improved auto focus and I can use all of my lenses on full frame. Plus after just having the weather sealing on the 50D fail on me in the middle of a schutzhund trial the 5D will also be a big improvement in this regard (or I could just learn not to stand in the rain).

The only downside is the cost and that I would want more lenses and the battery grip to go with it. At the moment probably the new 40mm 2.8 and the 2x iii extender; so that I could have field of views similar to the 28mm and 70-200mm on the 50d.

My 50D did recover from its jaunt in the rain and attached is a 100% crop from one of the photos that almost led to its demise.

 

[Chuck Alaimo]

Okay, I know this is sure to be controversial, but what the heck.

The differences between the 5DIII and the D800 have been the subject of endless debate on this forum. Now, Nikon seems poised to release a well-equipped D600 at a remarkably low price point if the rumors are true.

The 5DIII reminds me a bit of the 50D. The 50D was a great camera, but kind of a sales flop. It came out just as video was being introduced into DSLRs, but it had no video. Most 40D owners did not choose to update (instead waiting for a 60D that turned out to be the 7D...well I won't get into all that again).

Anyway the point being that there was nothing wrong with the 50D, but that a series of missteps, bad luck and poor timing combined to hurt the camera's sales.

I wonder if something similar is happening with the 5DIII. By all accounts, it is a great camera and seems to be very popular among its target audience: wedding and event photographers. But, will Canon be able to sustain 5DIII sales over the next three to four years? Is it $500 better than the D800? Or, is the D800 actually a slightly better camera at a lower price point? And, will sales fall if Nikon releases an entry-level full frame camera and Canon is forced to respond.

Now, before the Canon lovers and the Canon haters all go ballistic, keep in mind I'm not suggesting this means Canon is stupid or getting any part of its anatomy kicked or anything of the sort. In fact, making mistakes and learning from those mistakes are what makes a great company great. I'm just talking about one model in an entire lineup and suggesting that when we look back four or five years from now, I wonder if the 5DIII will be viewed as great camera that suffered from a series of unfortunate events.

I see your point, but, I really think this topic will need way more time and data to tell the story in full. For a while, those that were complaining about DR in the mk3 vs the d800 kept bringing the amazon top sellers list, highlighting the fact that the d800 was ahead of the mk3 in sales.

Well, the tables have turned - http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Camera-Photo-Digital-SLR-Cameras/zgbs/photo/3017941

mk3 at the 7 and d800 at 8. Which is pretty incredible considering that the top six DSLR's in sales at amazon are all under $1100. The fact that either are putting up these kind of numbers against lower priced consumer grade bodies is quite outstanding.

So while this could be a 'maybe,' we need to see what happens after a full year of these new bodies on the market.

Remember this too - its not all about the specs. Think of the free marketing both canon and nikon have - if the world at large see all of our images - us, the people shooting on the gear, and the difference is neglible in terms of IQ to the viewer (sad fact is, a whole lot of our hard work goes right out the window unless your clients are very IQ sensitive. The standard wedding or portrait client won't be as discerning. But we won't let that stop us from doing our best to make people say WOW!!!!).... If the world see's tons of WOW images, and the world see's taken on a mkiii, or d800, or the more generic, canon, nikon...if the world sees great images, the world will think I want a new cam...if the bulk of WOW is nikon, they buy nikon and nikon wins, same for canon.

Sum it up though...I just don't think any of us can make this call this early in the game. Give it a year, then revisit...

 

[unfocused]

Chuck Alaimo,

Basically, I don't think we are in disagreement. Like you, I've been amazed at how well these two cameras (one at $3,000 and one at $3,500) have been selling when compared to much lower priced models. I just checked the Amazon list and both are in the top 50 for all cameras and photo, which includes point and shoots. And, this at a time when the economy is still struggling.

I was simply speculating on the sustainability, given what appear to be some pretty significant market pressures that may be just around the corner (Pressures, by the way, that are self-inflicted by these two companies if they really do elect to release low-cost full frame models.)

I enjoy watching the competitive market work, observing how companies react and trying to guess where the market and companies may go next. Most product releases are pretty predictable. And, Canon and Nikon have traditionally released products that are remarkably similar at virtually identical price points. The 5DIII and D800 seemed to break that pattern. Did one of the companies make a mistake? Only time will tell. I just enjoy watching and trying to figure it all out.

 

[TotoEC]

I was simply speculating on the sustainability, given what appear to be some pretty significant market pressures that may be just around the corner (Pressures, by the way, that are self-inflicted by these two companies if they really do elect to release low-cost full frame models.)

I don't seem to find any correlation of what you've stated vesus the title of your post: "Is the 5DIII the New 50D?"

 

[briansquibb]

Chuck Alaimo,

I was simply speculating on the sustainability, given what appear to be some pretty significant market pressures that may be just around the corner (Pressures, by the way, that are self-inflicted by these two companies if they really do elect to release low-cost full frame models.)

I don't seem to find any correlation of what you've stated vesus the title of your post: "Is the 5DIII the New 50D?"

This is the start of a D600 vs 5DIII thread hijak where Canon are stated as money grabbing with inferor products

 

[wickidwombat]

Chuck Alaimo,

I was simply speculating on the sustainability, given what appear to be some pretty significant market pressures that may be just around the corner (Pressures, by the way, that are self-inflicted by these two companies if they really do elect to release low-cost full frame models.)

I don't seem to find any correlation of what you've stated vesus the title of your post: "Is the 5DIII the New 50D?"

This is the start of a D600 vs 5DIII thread hijak where Canon are stated as money grabbing with inferor products

i'm really disappointed that you forgot to mention the substandard DR of canon and blah blah blah

yeah its all getting a bit old isn't it?

 

[briansquibb]

Chuck Alaimo,

I was simply speculating on the sustainability, given what appear to be some pretty significant market pressures that may be just around the corner (Pressures, by the way, that are self-inflicted by these two companies if they really do elect to release low-cost full frame models.)

I don't seem to find any correlation of what you've stated vesus the title of your post: "Is the 5DIII the New 50D?"

This is the start of a D600 vs 5DIII thread hijak where Canon are stated as money grabbing with inferor products

i'm really disappointed that you forgot to mention the substandard DR of canon and blah blah blah

yeah its all getting a bit old isn't it?

Indeed.

I am waiting for the naughty forty to arrive on Monday - then I should be able to use the 7D as a street camera.

I do agree about the 5DIII getting a bad name, but it seems mostly to be based on forums with a large North American group of users. UK based sites are all singing its praises, even with the odd hitch here and there - they dont seem to care about the light leak as it didn't impact their images

My 5DIII owning friend had to send his back to Canon for 'adjustment'. Took 4 days to do (from posting to return). He is now producing stunning pictures with it. His pictures with a large white show just how good it really is - I would say basic IQ is as good as the 1DS3 (although I still prefer the 1DS3 colour rendition and low noise at iso 50-200)

He upgraded from a 50D - and is blown away by it.

 

[Chuck Alaimo]

Chuck Alaimo,

Basically, I don't think we are in disagreement. Like you, I've been amazed at how well these two cameras (one at $3,000 and one at $3,500) have been selling when compared to much lower priced models. I just checked the Amazon list and both are in the top 50 for all cameras and photo, which includes point and shoots. And, this at a time when the economy is still struggling.

I was simply speculating on the sustainability, given what appear to be some pretty significant market pressures that may be just around the corner (Pressures, by the way, that are self-inflicted by these two companies if they really do elect to release low-cost full frame models.)

I enjoy watching the competitive market work, observing how companies react and trying to guess where the market and companies may go next. Most product releases are pretty predictable. And, Canon and Nikon have traditionally released products that are remarkably similar at virtually identical price points. The 5DIII and D800 seemed to break that pattern. Did one of the companies make a mistake? Only time will tell. I just enjoy watching and trying to figure it all out.

Under this kind of logic, the d800 faces the same potential irrelevancy. How will a brand new cheap FF affect the market? Whether its nikon or canon, if the sub $2000 FF hits the market and the IQ isn't half bad, and that cam has a nikon name tag on it, then you should be more worried about the d800 becoming nikons 50D.

Either way, my original statement stands --- too soon to tell. If we ARE to judge this on a here and now level, the mkiii is currently ranked 4th in dslr sales at amazon - and that is far from being irrelevant.