Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | EOS-1D Mark III | EOS 5D Mark IV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +1.1 | ||
| Street | +0.8 | ||
| Travel | +1.4 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +1.0 | ||
| Documentary | +2.8 | ||
| Sports & Action | +0.2 | ||
| Landscape | +2.6 | ||
| Wildlife | +0.5 | ||
| Casual | +1.4 | ||
| Food | +1.5 | ||
| Macro | +1.1 | ||
| Architecture | +1.9 | ||
| Astrophotography | +0.7 | ||
| Filmmaking | — |
| Spec | EOS-1D Mark III | EOS 5D Mark IV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £102 used | £278 used | |
| Released | 2007 | 2016 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 10.1MP APS-H CMOS | 30.4MP full-frame CMOS | |
| Resolution | 10MP | 30MP | ↑ |
| Video | No video | 4K (4096×2160) /30p Motion JPEG (1.64× crop), 1080p/60, 720p/120 | |
| Autofocus | 45-point phase-detect (19 cross-type + 26 assist) via viewfinder | 61-point phase-detect (41 cross-type) via viewfinder; Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face tracking in live view | |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 7fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~2200 shots (CIPA) | ~900 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 1155g (body only) | 890g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Yes | ↑ |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.76x | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.71x | |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 230k dots | 3.2" fixed touchscreen, 1.62M dots | |
| Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF | |
| Memory Cards | Dual slots: CompactFlash + SD | Dual slots: CompactFlash + SD |
See EOS-1D Mark III and EOS 5D Mark IV next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the EOS 5D Mark IV against your specific genres — not just specs.