Upgrade Guide
Canon EOS 5D Mark II→Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the EOS 5D Mark II. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the EOS 5D Mark III
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Burst rate6fps vs 3.9fps
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Generation4 years newer (2012 vs 2008)
Unchanged or similar
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ResolutionSimilar (22MP)
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 5D Mark II | EOS 5D Mark III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.3 | ||
| Street | -0.1 | ||
| Travel | -0.1 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +1.3 | ||
| Documentary | +0.3 | ||
| Sports & Action | +0.9 | ||
| Landscape | +0.1 | ||
| Wildlife | +0.4 | ||
| Casual | -0.1 | ||
| Food | — | ||
| Macro | — | ||
| Architecture | — | ||
| Astrophotography | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | EOS 5D Mark II | EOS 5D Mark III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £128 | £219 | |
| Released | 2008 | 2012 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 21.1MP full-frame CMOS | 22.3MP full-frame CMOS | |
| Resolution | 21MP | 22MP | ↑ |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/30 | Full HD 1080p/30, 720p/60 | |
| Autofocus | 9-point phase-detect (+6 assist points) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face detection in live view | 61-point phase-detect (41 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face detection in live view | |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | |
| Burst Rate | 3.9fps | 6fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~850 shots (CIPA) | ~950 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 890g (with battery) | 950g (with battery) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 98% coverage, 0.71x | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.71x | |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots | 3.2" fixed LCD, 1.04M dots | |
| Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF | |
| Memory Cards | Single CompactFlash slot | Dual slots: CompactFlash + SD |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See EOS 5D Mark II and EOS 5D Mark III next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the EOS 5D Mark III against your specific genres — not just specs.
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