Upgrade Guide

Canon EOS-1D Mark III→Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

EOS-1D Mark III
You own
Canon
EOS-1D Mark III
£102 used
2007
View on GearFrame →
→
EOS 5D Mark IV
Upgrade to
Canon
EOS 5D Mark IV
£278 used (+£175)
2016
View on GearFrame →
✅
Strong upgrade
The EOS 5D Mark IV improves across 3 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most EOS-1D Mark III owners will notice the difference.
What's new in the EOS 5D Mark IV
Suitability by genre

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
5.2
6.3
+1.1
Street
4.0
4.8
+0.8
Travel
3.5
4.9
+1.4
Wedding & Events
5.7
6.7
+1.0
Documentary
3.0
5.8
+2.8
Sports & Action
5.9
6.1
+0.2
Landscape
3.4
6.0
+2.6
Wildlife
5.6
6.1
+0.5
Casual
2.2
3.6
+1.4
Food
3.3
4.8
+1.5
Macro
3.1
4.2
+1.1
Architecture
3.8
5.7
+1.9
Astrophotography
5.5
6.2
+0.7
Filmmaking —
5.5
Full spec comparison
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
Compare side-by-side

See EOS-1D Mark III and EOS 5D Mark IV next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

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