Canon Launches The EOS 5D MARK III – A Powerful Full-Frame DSLR That Set New Standards In Photography And Videography

KUALA LUMPUR, 2 March 2012 – Canon, a world leader in digital imaging, has announced the launch of the new EOS 5D MARK III, the highly-anticipated successor to the popular EOS 5D Mark II. The EOS 5D MARK III is a class-leading full-frame DSLR targeted at advanced amateur photographers and independent filmmakers.

In conjunction with the significant announcement, Canon Malaysia today played host to more than 100 guests including some of the movie industry’s top leaders like Namewee, Director Chiu, C.L. Hor, Joon Han, Adrian Teh, Zaidan Zainudin, and special guest from New York Michael Helfman in a special preview of the EOS C300 and launch of the EOS 5D Mark III. Guests were given the opportunity to be one of first to touch and feel the highly anticipated models of the Canon 5D Mark III and Cinema EOS C300, the all-new interchangeable-lens digital video camcorder that combines exceptional imaging performance with outstanding mobility and expandability to meet the demanding production needs of today's motion picture industry“We are very excited to launch the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and the EOS C300 today at the right place and at the right time. We have seen how fast Malaysia’s movie industry is growing and we believe that the 5D Mark III is able to meet the most critical demands of all photographers and cinematographers alike. It offers the best combination of being affordable and also packed with revolutionized features that will redefine the way you take photos and shoot movies,” said Simon Wong, Director of the Imaging Communication Products Division of Canon Marketing (Malaysia).

Interestingly, this year marks the 75th anniversary of Canon Inc. and each guest received a special commemorative gift in the form of the miniature Hansa Camera. The Hansa Camera is the very first commercial camera produced by Canon in 1936. Notably, this year also sees Canon Marketing (Malaysia) celebrating its 25th anniversary in the Malaysian market.

Class-topping image quality is generated by a full-frame 22.3-megapixel CMOS sensor with a rapid drive that can shoot up to 6 frames per second (fps). Powered by Canon's state-of-the-art DIGIC 5+ image processor, the EOS 5D MARK III is capable of incredible ISO speeds of up to 25600 (expandable to L:50, H1: 51200, H2: 102400). A newly expanded 61-point Auto-Focus (AF) system makes it easier to track subjects with higher levels of precision and speeds.

Designed for the needs of advanced amateur photographers, filmmakers and professional photographers in all areas of photography, the EOS 5D MARK III is a powerful camera that blurs the line between mid-range and professional-grade cameras by providing amazingly fast, and stunning full-frame image capture at an affordable price.
Superior Image Quality
At the heart of the EOS 5D MARK III is a new 36 x 24mm full-frame CMOS sensor, with approximately 22.3 effective megapixels; up from the EOS 5D Mark II's 21.1-megapixels. Just as the EOS 5D Mark II earned a reputation for taking high quality still images and Full HD movies, the Canon has once again raised the bar with the EOS 5D MARK III.

But the benefits of this new sensor goes beyond just pixel count – its standard ISO sensitivity has been expanded two-stops to reach ISO 25600 (up from the EOS 5D Mark II's 6400). This can be further expanded to an astounding ISO 102400. This added light-receiving efficiency was made possible by a new gapless micro lens array and improved photo diodes. While the numbers themselves are impressive enough, photographers will be truly amazed by the EOS 5D MARK III's ability to take photos at ISO 25600 with roughly the same noise levels as the EOS 5D Mark II at ISO 6400. This balance of ISO sensitivity and high signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio, as well as a new customizable “Auto ISO” function, grants photographers freedom of expression even in low light.Assisting the EOS 5D MARK III in achieving such clear images is the DIGIC 5+, Canon's latest and most powerful image processor. The DIGIC 5+ processor is 17x faster than EOS 5D Mark II’s DIGIC 4. The new processor uses a newly developed advanced algorithm to achieve the highest possible image quality at low noise. The overall enhancements made in the EOS 5D MARK III improves movie shooting performance and increases continuous shooting speeds to approximately 6 fps at full 22.3-megapixel resolution.

On top of these new developments, the EOS 5D MARK III is also capable of real-time chromatic aberration correction, in-camera RAW processing, and lens distortion correction (using in-camera RAW processing).
Enhanced AF System
The EOS 5D Mark II featured a 9-point AF system, but the new EOS 5D MARK III greatly improves a newly designed 61-point High Density Reticular AF System; the very same one found in Canon's flagship EOS-1D X. With this new AF system, the number of cross-type points has been increased to a maximum of 41 (f4.0 sensitive), with f/2.8 sensitive dual cross-type points as the central five points. The central cluster of 21 AF points are also f/5.6 sensitive cross-type sensors.

With the enhanced AF coverage, not only will it be easier for photographers to compose portraits and track fast-moving subjects, but the system is also advanced enough that photographers are able to use f/4.0 lenses and still achieve the same rapid AF speed as an f/2.8 lens on the EOS 1D Mk IV. The new AI Servo AF III tracking speed and accuracy is similar to the EOS 1DX, allowing the 5D Mark III to be a very capable camera for sports, action and wildlife photography.

Incredibly rapid response
When it comes to photographing sports and wildlife, speed is a necessity for serious photographers. The EOS 5D MARK III's CMOS sensor has been upgraded to make use of eight data channels (twice as many as the EOS 5D Mark II), which works in tandem with the enhanced data processing speeds of the new DIGIC 5+.

The EOS 5D MARK III's shutter-release time lag has significantly decreased with better mechanisms to power the reflex mirror to render it more efficient. The EOS 5D MARK III employs a new level-type device to suppress mirror bounce; with this, the DSLR is able to achieve a time-lag response of only 59 milliseconds, equaling the EOS 7D's class-leading speed, and providing ample time for AF and AE computations.

With these technologies supplemented by the aforementioned 61-point AF system, photography enthusiasts can rest assured that the EOS 5D MARK III will not miss the perfect shot when it comes to moving subjects.

Superb moving pictures
The EOS 5D Mark II was the first EOS camera equipped with the EOS Movie function, and quickly revolutionized the film-making industry when it saw use in the production of commercials, TV dramas and movies. In designing the EOS 5D MARK III, Canon's developers worked with professional cinematographers to come up with a new version of EOS Movie that produces videos of an even higher quality.

Between the new CMOS sensor and the fast processing speeds of the new DIGIC 5+, the EOS 5D MARK III is able to solve a common video problem by significantly reducing color artifacts and moiré in areas containing striped patterns. The power of the DIGIC 5+ also grants the EOS 5D MARK III an increase in S/N ratio, so that videos shot in dimly-lit environments will have noticeably reduced noise, even at higher ISO speeds.

For increased editing flexibility, the EOS 5D MARK III is able to shoot at all the popular frame rates and quality, ranging from Standard Definition all the way to Full HD, in 30P/25P/24P. As a response to the feedback and requests from film editors, the EOS 5D MARK III supports both ALL-I and IPB compression modes to suit different post-production work-flows. ALL-I results in larger files, but editing is made easier as the frames are individually compressed. IPB compresses frames in groups, which reduces file sizes but increases decoding times.

Professionals who shoot live events such as weddings will sometimes need to record longer takes. The EOS 5D MARK III makes this possible as videos it will automatically create a new video file and continue shooting once a file reaches 4GB (the maximum file size for FAT file systems). There is no lapse in shooting between files, so editors will be able to cleanly splice these files together without any glaring jump cuts.

Creative features
Beyond the class-leading image quality, the EOS 5D MARK III has also been designed with a set of creative features to help photographers push their creative limits. One such tool is the new High Dynamic Range mode, which combines three images shot at different exposures to form one single detailed image. It does this by taking one shot at the recommended exposure, one that is deliberately over-exposed and then one that is under-exposed. The over-exposed image provides visual data for the subtle gradations in shadowy areas, while the under-exposed image provides visual data for bright areas that would be blown out under normal exposures. The combination of these images forms a single image that contains clear details and tones in all areas.

Other creative functions include the ability to take multiple exposures to super-impose different images on top of one another. This can lead to artistic juxtaposition of different images, or it can be used in conjunction with the EOS 5D MARK III's speedy 6 fps continuous shooting mode to recreate the appearance of motion in a shot of a moving subject.

Ease of use
The EOS 5D MARK III has a new 3.2” tempered-glass 1.04 million dot Clear View LCD II monitor, with a wide 3:2 aspect ratio, making it easier to frame shots, review images and navigate menus. To reduce glare when in sunny outdoor locations, there is an optical elastic polymer between the LCD and protective panel that reduces reflections. Furthermore, an AR coating on the surface provides additional glare reduction.

Built for steadfast high performance in the harshest shooting conditions, the EOS 5D Mark III sports a greatly improved shutter durability, with lightweight yet sturdy shutter blades withstand an amazing 150,000 shutter cycles. An increased resistance towards dust and water also feature largely in the EOS 5D Mark III's overall reliability.

To benefit users who primarily use their cameras for shooting movies, the EOS 5D MARK III's Quick Control Dial includes an inner ring that is triggered by an electrostatic touch sensor. With this silent control, cinematographers are able to change settings while shooting movies without any risk of accidentally recording any clicking sounds from the control dial.

A redesigned battery grip
Supplementing the EOS 5D MARK III is the new BG-E11 battery grip, ergonomically designed to facilitate vertical shoots and longer battery life. It is made of the same magnesium alloy as the EOS 5D MARK III, with identical dust and water resistant qualities, and comes with a multi-controller and a customizable multi-function button. The battery access of the grip has been relocated to the side, allowing for a curved form that provides a comfortable grip for horizontal and vertical shooting.

On the strength of its image quality alone, the EOS 5D MARK III would already be a class-leading camera. But Canon has not rested on its laurels and has upgraded the EOS 5D MARK III with a host of new features, making it a remarkable full-frame mid-range DSLR that will surely meet the needs of advanced amateurs and cinematographers. The 5D Mark III has evolved into an extremely versatile DSLR with very significant improvement in image quality (including video image quality), and inheriting a professional level AF system. It is now able to meet the most stringent demands of all types of photographers and videographers, including sports, landscape, portraits and wildlife.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR will be available in the market at the end of March at an estimated retail price of RM11,500 for the body only and an estimated RM15,500 for the 5D Mark III kit set that comes with the F24-105L IS lenses (subject to change).
Online pre-booking will be available soon at http://eosworld.canon.com.my/ so interested parties can be the first to place the order for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III.

To commemorate the Canon Inc. 75th anniversary, Canon Malaysia is giving away limited-edition HANSA Canon miniature to the first thousand customers who purchase an EOS 1D MKIV, EOS 7D, EOS 5D MKII, and EOS 60D. This promotion will start from 2nd March 2012 onwards. Register your warranty online and Canon will deliver the gift right to your doorsteps (while stock lasts).For further details, do visit your nearest Canon Authorized Dealers or log on to Canon Camera (Malaysia) Facebook page.

EOS 5D MARK III Specifications:
• Dimensions: 152 x 116.4 x 76.4mm
• Weight: 860g (body only)
• Image sensor: 22.3 mega-pixel 36 x 24mm CMOS sensor
• Imaging processor: DIGIC 5+
• ISO speeds: 100-25600 (expandable to L:50, H:51200, H2: 102400)
• AF system: 61-point high density reticular AF system
- max 41 cross-type sensors
- Central 5 points : Diagonal cross-type sensors
• Continuous shooting speed: 6 fps
• Release time lag: approx. 59 ms
• Viewfinder : Approx 100% coverage, 0.71x magnification, 21mm eyepoint
• LCD: 3.2”, 1.04 million dots Clear View LCD II
• Shutter durability : 150,000 cycles
• Recording media : CF + SD
• Battery : LP-E6