5D Mark III available for preorder in Australia !!!!!

[btaylor]

Now available for pre-order in Australia. Ted's is a very reputable chain of camera stores over here (although I don't use them because retail in Australia is ridiculously expensive)

http://www.teds.com.au/canon-eos-5d-mark-iii

Blurb from Teds:

Take your photography to another creative planet. With the EOS 5D Mark III you’ll achieve image quality like never before in both stills and video.The EOS 5D Mark III delivers the best of everything, delivering unsurpassed image quality, high-performance operation, plus a range of advanced and creative features that will whet the appetite of any advanced amateur or professional photographer. The EOS 5D Mark III delivers images like you have never experienced before, as a result of the incredible 22.3 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor and fast DiG!C5+ image processor. Plus you’ll be able to push your photography to new heights with numerous creative features such as HDR and Multiple Exposure modes. The EOS 5D Mark III has refined the high-performance DSLR camera category

[btaylor]

DESCRIPTION

Unsurpassed Image Quality

• 22.3 Megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor
• DiG!C 5+ Image Processor
• ISO 100-25600 (expandable to L:50 H1:51200, H2: 102400
• Full HD Movie (ISO 100-12800 (H:25600)

High Performance Operation

• 61-point high-density reticular AF (up to 41 crosstype points)
• 6.0 fps for high continuous shooting
• Intelligent viewfinder with approx. 100% coverage
• 3.2-type, approx.1.04m dot (3:2 wide) Clear View LCD II
• iFCL metering with 63-zone dual-layer sensor
• Shutter durability of 150,000 cycles

High end features

• Silent & low vibration modes
• Dual card slots (CF & SD)
• High Dynamic Range (HDR) Mode
• Multiple Exposures
• Comparative Playback function
• Improved durability & water and dust resistance

Available Colours	Black
Megapixels	22MP
Sensor Size	36 x 24mm
ISO/Sensitivity	100 - 25600
Image Stabilisation	-
Autofocus Points	61 points
Lens Mount	Canon
LCD Size	3.2"
Touchscreen	-
Liveview	Yes
Viewfinder	Optical TTL
Min Shutter Speed	30 sec
Max Shutter Speed	1/8000 sec
Built-in Flash	-
Continuous Shooting Speed	6 fps
Self Timer	10 sec, 2 sec
Metering	Centre-weighted, Spot, Evaluative, Partial
Video Resolution	Full HD 1080
Memory Type	Compact Flash
Connectivity	USB 2, HDMI, Mic Input, Wireless (optional)
Battery	LP-E6
Battery Type	Lithium-ion
Charger	Includes Li-Ion Charger
File Formats	AVI, RAW, H.264, MOV, MPEG-4
Dimensions	152 x 116 x 76mm
Box Contents	Battery Pack LP-E6 .. Battery Charger LC-E6 .. AV Cable AVC-DC400ST .. Interface Cable IFC-200U .. Eyecup Eg .. Wide Strap EWEOS5DMKIII .. CR1616 Lithium Battery
Skill Level	Professional, Semi-Professional
Lifestyle Uses	Portrait, Sports, Travel/Landscape
Waterproof	-

[btaylor]

So - my initial impressions:

22MP isn't astounding, I thought they'd have bumped it up a bit with Nikon's release of the D800 @ 36MP. But we all know MP isn't everything and 22MP is reasonable.

The new 61 pt autofocus will be VERY interesting, and 41 cross type points too! Hopefully the AF gets some major improvements to the 5D2, looks promising thus far. In fact it almost looks like it's the same AF system in the 1Dx (however it doesn't appear to have inherited its metering system)

Price - looks like $4200 RRP (AUS) so it's certainly not cheap, but it's generally more expensive over here. Will be a hard one to justify upgrading right now either way.

100% viewfinder is great. Not sure what's "intelligent" about it yet.

Digic! 5 + dual CF/SD slots is really nice too. I like the idea of peace of mind being able to back up to a second card.

HDR mode also peaked my interest. Sounds like an in-camera bracketed shot/ multi exposure blending. I wonder if it will output to jpeg only or to a raw file?

Looking forward to more info coming out. Very excited. The 5D2 and 24-70mm f/2.8L might be on the market soonish...

[Sheiky]

Wow, I haven't seen a pre-order yet, but I saw some photos of it earlier on.

22MP isn't that much indeed, but with the Digic5 it might be handling noise even better than before.
I see better AF, faster burst-rate, better metering, higher ISO, HDR-mode(?), dual card slot, better weather-sealing, headphone plug and a few other things. The headphone plug might suggest that the video-mode is upgraded as well. But then, the price has been upgraded also, which isn't a good thing
But it definitely looks interesting to me. Not that I will upgrade any time soon though

[Sean Setters]

I want sample pictures taken with the camera--low and high ISO. :-)

[dsiegel5151]

I told a buddy of mine a year ago that I would by a 5D mark II if it had autofocus and weather sealing as good as the 7D and as high of a frame rate as at least my 40D. Does this mean I have to buy one of these? The only number on that spec list that I don't like is the 150,000 shutter cycle durability. However, I haven't worn out a shutter yet, so that probably doesn't really matter.

[Dave Johnston]

The only number on there that I don't like is the price.

A $1,000+ dollar premium from the last model to this is a hell of a step-up, especially after waiting 4 years for it.

[btaylor]

Indeed Dave, it's a lot of money. RRP is generally inflated in Australia so it might work out better for those of you in the US though.

I'm interested to see what the flash sync speed will be. 1/320s would be nice.

[Sean Setters]

I'm interested to see what the flash sync speed will be. 1/320s would be nice.

I'm interested in that figure too. I'm simply hoping for 1/250 sec instead of 1/200.

[HDNitehawk]

Where is the official announcment?