Canon EOS 1D MkIII review
Canon EOS 1D MkIII
Is this latest speed demon the answer to a sports photographer's dream?
Canon's 1D series of digital SLRs has always inspired confidence. Cutting edge features combined with advanced performance and rock-solid build quality have made them the choice of professionals the world over, from fashion and advertising to music and sport. A few years ago, the EOS-1D split into two distinct streams: those with an ‘s' suffix were built principally for image quality, with high-resolution sensors topping out at around 16 megapixels; those without an ‘s' continued their high-speed lineage, offering eight frames-per-second to those that needed it.
Upgrades to the current models - the EOS 1Ds MkII and EOS-1D MkIIn - have been expected for some time, especially the former, which has been the subject of much industry gossip. It was surprising, then, when Canon announced the EOS-1D MkIII a 10-megapixel DSLR capable of an astonishing 10 frames per second: a sports photographer's dream.
On unpacking the EOS-1D MkIII from its substantial packaging, its ergonomic, stylised shape is instantly familiar. This is misleading, though, as Canon claim to have redesigned the EOS-1D MkIII from the ground up, taking on board feedback from pro photographers working in the field. The MkIII is a completely new camera and not an iteration of previous EOS.
Some of the reason for such a radical redesign is the sheer speed of the MkIII. Doing some back-of-the-envelope maths, shooting 10 frames per second on the 10-megapixel sensor equates roughly to 520MB of Raw data coming off the sensor every second. Yes that's right folks - half a gigabyte of data per second. Now obviously once this is processed into 8-bit JPEGs or compressed Raw files, a lot less space is taken up on a memory card, but this just goes to show how much data the camera needs to process on the fly.
To accomplish this, a new processor has been designed - the DIGIC III - and two of these can be found in the MkIII, working in parallel. It's an amazing system that enables 110 JPEGs (or 30 Raw files) to be captured sequentially at the camera's top frame rate before it needs a rest. Furthermore, Canon claim a 300,000 cycle life span for the shutter, which we work out to be 8.3 hours of continuous shooting at 10fps. Phew! Of course, the ability to shoot this quickly would be pretty useless if the rest of the camera's performance didn't match. And it does - sometimes.
Improving on the AF system of the EOS-1D MkIIn was always going to be difficult, as it was virtually perfect, but this is clearly what Canon have tried to do here with the MkIII. However, when we first got hold of the camera it had to go back to Canon for recalibration because results were actually very soft when shooting in continuous drive mode. After a check-up and tune, things were better, but still not perfect. Occasionally, when tracking a moving object coming towards the camera, the first few frames were typically out of focus, as if the system needed time to get itself going before improving at around shot four or five. Other times, the camera appeared to lock on focus on a stationary object, but every frame captured continuously was lacking in ‘bite'. This is clearly disappointing: tracking focus is largely what the MkIII is all about and on paper its AF system is the most refined of any camera out there, having 19 high precision cross-type AF sensors clustered around the central part of the frame. The problem may not happen with every use, however consistency is what professional DSLRs are all about. Indeed, one experience sports photographer told Pro that he had experienced similar results when testing a MkIII recently, with images being ‘very soft' and ‘disappointing'. This is clearly a big problem for Canon and one that needs addressing quickly.
When it came to measuring light, things were better for the MkIII. The camera seems to have a near-psychic ability to read the mind of the person using it and get exposure bang-on every time. Evaluative exposure metering comes courtesy of a 63 zone pattern and was really only fooled by subjects that were almost entirely white or entirely black. And show us a meter that doesn't do that. White-balance is accurate and consistent and the camera manages to make a good job of colour temperature even when there is no pure white in the scene.
Other new features include: Live View, for those occasions when composing a shot on the viewscreen is preferable to the viewfinder; ultrasonic sensor cleaning when the camera is turned on or off; and highlight tone priority, which preserves detail in bright parts of a scene.
Handling
As you'd expect from a design that's been adapted and iterated over years, the MkIII handles very well. In fact we'd say, in this respect, it's the best EOS yet. The MkIII is a heavy camera (although 16 per cent lighter than its predecessor), but doesn't feel so in use, thanks to the chunky but comfy grip.
Thankfully Canon has got rid of the ridiculous hold-and-twiddle menu control system found on previous cameras and installed a four-way joystick. All the usual niceties are here, including the still unrivalled large thumbwheel for setting aperture and shutter speed settings, but these have been joined by a huge three-inch review screen and a dedicated ISO control button.
Unlike beauty, ergonomics are not skin deep, and the MkIII's excellent design continues with the camera's software. Canon has achieved a high degree of customisation and there is even a user-definable menu screen (‘My Menu') that can be stocked with frequently accessed commands. For those who work for agencies the ability to save the camera's settings to CF card and load them into another MkIII will be welcome.
Performance
Of course, it's picture quality that counts more than anything, so how do image files from the EOS-1D MkIII stack up against the competition? Noise is practically non-existent at most normal ISO settings, and even on moving to ISO1600, noise is at about the same level as other manufacturers cameras at ISO400. Pictures shot at ISO3200 are eminently useable, and the camera can even be pushed to ISO6400. Canon has made a real breakthrough here when it comes to sensor sensitivity. The best digital camera yet for low-light work yet. No contest.
Picture quality has that distinctively Canon look and feel to it, being very smooth. Comparing the EOS-1D MkIII to other 10-megapixel DSLRs shows the effect of Canon's new DIGIC III processing engine on image quality. Colours are gloriously punchy, even in dismal light levels, and the camera makes a great job of keeping extremes of contrast under control. The only fly in the ointment here is the issue of soft images, especially in continuous mode, which is very disappointing indeed.
If you shoot sport, press, or anything else that moves, however, the EOS-1D MkIII should be your ultimate fantasy camera, let's just hope that Canon can get to work on the image quality issues that many early users are experiencing and that we've highlighted here.
Specification
Sensor 10-megapixel APS-H size CMOS type sensor
Image processor 2 x DIGIC III
Lens mount EF (EF-S lenses not compatible). 1.3x crop factor.
Exposure modes P, A, S, M.
Image size 3888x2592 pixels; 28.8MB
ISO range 100-3200 (ISO50 and ISO6400 also available)
Continuous shooting 10 frames per second for 110 JPEGs or 30 Raw files.
AF System 19 cross type points with sensitivity up to f/2.8; 26 assist points aid AF tracking.
Viewfinder 100 per cent coverage; magnification x0.76; built-in shutter.
Shutter Electronic focal plane type. Speeds of 30-1/8000sec adjustable in 1/3 stop increments.
Flash E-TTL II and metered manual;
PC terminal; sync speed 1/300sec
Screen size 3in with Live View
Storage media CF, SD, SDHC
Battery Li-ion
Weight 1155g (+180g battery)
Dimensions 156.0 x 156.6 x 79.9mm
Summary
The ability to shoot at 10 frames per second is a technological feat that deserves respect. By putting it in such a rugged, well-designed body Canon have ensured they have a clear winner on their hands here. We have some concerns about the camera's AF and, although the problems appear to be infrequent and intermittent, this doesn't inspire the kind of confidence a professional demands. Let's hope Canon can work this out, afterall if you shoot any kind of action, particularly sport, then this should this be the camera you aspire to.
Professional photographer rating
| Features | ***** |
| Handling | ***** |
| Performance | *** |
| Value for money | **** |
| Overall | **** |
