Review: Canon EOS-1D X Mark III real world sports review

Go Wild · Jan 23, 2020

Good review! Confirming what we expect! A huge camera!

Thumbs up Canon! But, off-topic question, does anyone heard anything from external recording? Atomos compatibility and what to expect about recording externally?

BadHorse · Jan 23, 2020

Hey it's Peter Read Miller from On Sports Photography with Peter Read Miller!

Graphic.Artifacts · Jan 23, 2020

Had a chance to demo one a Mark III. Can’t speak to the IQ or focus accuracy but if you are a BBF point focuser, and I think a lot of Canon shooters still are, that optical AF ON button is a game changer. It’s not a toggle it’s more like an optical mouse it senses your thumb move around but only focuses when you press it. Of course you can do both at once too which is currently impossible unless you have two thumbs on your right hand. very nice
Was back shooting with my Mark II this afternoon and all I could think about was how annoyed I was that I had to take my thumb off the AF On button to move the focus point.

CanonFanBoy · Jan 23, 2020

Graphic.Artifacts said:
Had a chance to demo one a Mark III. Can’t speak to the IQ or focus accuracy but if you are a BBF point focuser, and I think a lot of Canon shooters still are, that optical AF ON button is a game changer. It’s not a toggle it’s more like an optical mouse it senses your thumb move around but only focuses when you press it. Of course you can do both at once too which is currently impossible unless you have two thumbs on your right hand. very nice
Was back shooting with my Mark II this afternoon and all I could think about was how annoyed I was that I had to take my thumb off the AF On button to move the focus point.

I am living vicariously through you... even with the Mark II.

richperson · Jan 23, 2020

Go Wild said:
Good review! Confirming what we expect! A huge camera! Thumbs up Canon! But, off-topic question, does anyone heard anything from external recording? Atomos compatibility and what to expect about recording externally?

I can't imagine it would be any less compatible than the 1DXii was.

Graphic.Artifacts · Jan 23, 2020

CanonFanBoy said:
I am living vicariously through you... even with the Mark II.

And I was living vicariously through the demo unit. The Mark II was a one-off for me. It’s very nice but I don’t have any practical reason To justify owning it. I’ll likely sell it at some point to get one of the new R’s. But, It’s good to know that if I keep the Mark II it will never wear out.

Go Wild · Jan 23, 2020

richperson said:
I can't imagine it would be any less compatible than the 1DXii was.

Well, that´s the point.....it must be MUCH BETTER than the 1dx II. The 1dx II didn´t even allow you to record externally in 4k, only 1080p. I read in white paper this new one support external 4k, witch is a big thing! Now i hope we can use external monitors to have zebras and to allow direct video timelapse recording in 4k. (this last one is a wish, but don´t think it will be true.) Well, despite that, can´t wait to have the camera!

unfocused · Jan 23, 2020

This is the review I've been waiting for. The autofocus improvements look very good. Feeling much better about 20 mpx now.

richperson · Jan 23, 2020

Go Wild said:
Well, that´s the point.....it must be MUCH BETTER than the 1dx II. The 1dx II didn´t even allow you to record externally in 4k, only 1080p. I read in white paper this new one support external 4k, witch is a big thing! Now i hope we can use external monitors to have zebras and to allow direct video timelapse recording in 4k. (this last one is a wish, but don´t think it will be true.) Well, despite that, can´t wait to have the camera!

Just out of curiosity, why would you want to shoot 4k video external on a 1DX body, when you could do it on an R body more conveniently and much cheaper?

Go Wild · Jan 24, 2020

richperson said:
Just out of curiosity, why would you want to shoot 4k video external on a 1DX body, when you could do it on an R body more conveniently and much cheaper?

Well, completely different cameras. I want the camera no only for video, I also shoot photography. I own a 1dx mkII and I want to keep the EOS 1d series. Love it for photo. Regarding video, EOS R makes good video but again, not up the match of this beast its coming. Different bitrate, different frame rates, different codec. HEVC (H265) in 1dx mkIII is a new game. Overall cameras can´t compare. EOS R was a great revolution! It´s a great camera and finally Canon have open the gate for 4k externally. But doesn´t compare to this new 1dx. This new 1dx almost kill the need of external recording, because camera can record everything internally (unless atomos could make some magic and unlock some 4k 120fps!!

) But the mais reason of using an external monitor is to have another features...False color, zebras, focus peaking (wich now have the 1d) histogram, etc...and also with the plus that you can record to SSD cards if you need. So, it would be good if 1dx is fully compatible and have all the FPS unlocked, but i guess we will have only 25fps (im in Pal region).

KKCFamilyman · Jan 24, 2020

This review is exactly why I love Canon as this model gets compared to Sony on other sites. These bodies and lenses are used by professionals who make a living on capturing that decisive moment. I am sure it will still be picked apart but I think it looks to be the best Camera on the market as it can do all. That AF tracking was amazing. Maybe I am just a Canon fanboy but I want this camera.

Jack Douglas · Jan 24, 2020

Doctor please, I have GAS. Trouble is there is no way I can justify selling what I have for this and the alternative of having a second camera that is lighter and mirrorless seems to make more sense.

Jack

Del Paso · Jan 24, 2020

Graphic.Artifacts said:
And I was living vicariously through the demo unit. The Mark II was a one-off for me. It’s very nice but I don’t have any practical reason To justify owning it. I’ll likely sell it at some point to get one of the new R’s. But, It’s good to know that if I keep the Mark II it will never wear out.

I really would like being able to justify having to buy a EOS 1 Mk.III, but, sadly, I can't...

Hector1970 · Jan 24, 2020

Good straightforward review with good examples.

jedy · Jan 24, 2020

KKCFamilyman said:
This review is exactly why I love Canon as this model gets compared to Sony on other sites. These bodies and lenses are used by professionals who make a living on capturing that decisive moment. I am sure it will still be picked apart but I think it looks to be the best Camera on the market as it can do all. That AF tracking was amazing. Maybe I am just a Canon fanboy but I want this camera.

Sure it’s an amazing camera but it is far too expensive for most photographers. It’s also a huge camera so not great for a lot of people wanting a smaller, lighter camera. Also far from ideal ergonomics (esp with the in built in battery grip) for video camera rigs.

domo_p1000 · Jan 24, 2020

jedy said:
Sure it’s an amazing camera but it is far too expensive for most photographers. It’s also a huge camera so not great for a lot of people wanting a smaller, lighter camera. Also far from ideal ergonomics (esp with the in built in battery grip) for video camera rigs.

… it is not designed for 'most photographers' - that 's what the rest of the range is for.

jedy · Jan 24, 2020

domo_p1000 said:
… it is not designed for 'most photographers' - that 's what the rest of the range is for.

I know that, I was just responding to the comment that it’s the ‘best camera on the market’. Best is a very subjective word.

SecureGSM · Jan 24, 2020

Jack Douglas said:
Doctor please, I have GAS. Trouble is there is no way I can justify selling what I have for this and the alternative of having a second camera that is lighter and mirrorless seems to make more sense.

Jack

except GAS is not about being sensible.

Fran Decatta · Jan 24, 2020

Canon already improved AF, AF in low light situations, got awesome lenses (great lenses on EF, and personally love the RF). 1DXmk3 is a monster. Only wish to know if the Dynamic range is also improved over the 1dxmk2. Honestly, with the DR of 1dxmk2, 5Dmk4, eos R, is more than enough for my work, pure joy to work with eos R, (you have to be really bad exposing the photo or really need a huge DR, like some landscapes, if is not enough) but all the improvements are welcome!