So what exactly does the 5D Mark III lack in terms of video?

[MrSandman]

I have never used any of my DSLRs to shoot video, so I know next to nothing about it. This is a topic about which I’m quite ignorant.

A lot of people complain that there are a lot of things the 5D Mark III lacks in terms of video.

I know that it doesn’t have uncompressed HDMI out, which (I’m guessing) means that you can’t hook it up to a TV and see the video in its full resolution.

What else does the 5D Mark III lack with regard to video?

 

[Christian_Stella]

Uncompressed HDMI is wanted by some so that you can record the video to an external drive without any compression. Think of it like RAW video the se way that RAW photos don't have the compression of JPEGs.

Personally, I think uncompressed footage recorded externally isn't as important in this price range as a better codec would be. I hear the C300's compression is superb.

What most video people want the most is true 1080p resolution. This was the big letdown for the 5d3. While the files are 1080p, the detail is only resolving about 800-850p and then upscaling to fill the 1080 frame. Why this is is unclear (pardon the pun). It could be the result of aggressive aliasing and moire filters/processing, insufficient cooling, limitations of the processor (doubt that), or crippling on the part of Canon to better differentiate their cinema cameras.

Firmware enhancements like on screen focus peaking and zebra striping were surprisingly missing, even though Magic Lantern implemented them on far older cameras.

Beyond that, I guess some people want XLR microphone inputs, but that's just silly for a dslr body.

I am very happy with my 5d3 video. The aliasing and moire reduction has given my footage a much more "filmic" look. Will I film my next movie on it? I don't know anymore. I'm leaning towards renting the 1dC... Not for the 4k resolution it will shoot, but for the much higher dynamic range and true 1080p. 4k is nice, but I don't have a whole post production facility to work with quite yet.

 

[Kane]

If you are new to video on a dslr you will learn quick that it lacks the ergonomics for everyday shooting that a proper video camera offers, especially hand held! But if you are serious about shooting with it well, some sort of rigging is a must.

The things that I find missing the most are the uncompressed HDMI out, the back LCD staying on when HDMI is connected and 1080 60p. Zebras and peaking would also be nice.

I am also happy with my 5d3 so far compared to my 7d. I do feel like the codec is better and the videos a little sharper.

 

[Tcapp]

To me, the only thing missing is sharpness. The video looks a tad soft, and total crap compared to a downscaled still.

 

[prestonpalmer]

It's lacking follow focus.

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

I have never used any of my DSLRs to shoot video, so I know next to nothing about it. This is a topic about which I’m quite ignorant.

A lot of people complain that there are a lot of things the 5D Mark III lacks in terms of video.

I know that it doesn’t have uncompressed HDMI out, which (I’m guessing) means that you can’t hook it up to a TV and see the video in its full resolution.

What else does the 5D Mark III lack with regard to video?

In addition....

It doesn't have zebras to show exposure blow out.

It doesn't have focus peaking while actually filming.

It doesn't have a 1.6x crop mode for more reach (and probably greater sharpness since it would be closer to native AA filter scale and not need much AA done in post) and could get this using the 2x2 method the C300 uses.

It seems a bit low in detail although perhaps it is because the AA filter is designed for stills but the video comes from 3x3 blocks and so they maybe need to soften it a bit to reduce aliasing (the crop mode mentioned above coming from smaller blocks might be able to be sharper will still maintaining the natural lack of aliasing and moire in addition to adding more reach for say wildlife or macros).

I've heard it still uses a super low quality (even by cheap consumer good standards) audio AMP, although I haven't really heard anything 100% solid on this.

The first part could 100% for sure be fixed with new firmware and the next two probably could. The last one obviously could not. The one you mentioned probably could if it is true that it already output it just with display info overlayed (I mean just turn that stuff off then.).

Oh, a bit more control over codec wouldn't hurt, more bitrate options and CBR vs VBR for all-i. Maybe a slightly better compressor chip or tune it in firmware to not drop low contrast or shadow fine details as easily and not block them out in unnatural video looking ways.