A New Full-Frame Performance Standard

The EOS-1Ds Mark III incorporates Canon's newest CMOS sensor, which delivers approximately 21.1 effective megapixels (5,632 x 3,750 pixels). The recording area of the sensor is 36 x 24mm, which is equivalent to the full-frame size of the 35mm film format. The tremendous pixel count delivers high-resolution images of exacting precision, with Photoshop? file sizes over 60MB for outstanding quality at large print sizes and post-processing cropping flexibility. Despite the higher pixel density, Canon CMOS sensor technology ensures exceptionally low noise and the widest usable ISO range* (from 50 to 3200, using ISO range extension).

* Standard output sensitivity. Recommended exposure index.

Highlight Tone Priority

Activated via a Custom Function on the EOS-1Ds Mark III, the unique Highlight Tone Priority feature takes full advantage of the camera's 14-bit per channel digital conversion to provide smoother gradations from the grays to the highlights and preserve greater detail in image highlight areas ? a perennial problem for digital photographers, especially those who work in bright sunlight or contrasty studio lighting. Highlight Tone Priority expands the available range of capture in the highlights, yet it exacts no penalties in either shadow detail or other aspects of image capture.

Advanced 14-bit A/D Conversion

Whereas most other digital cameras use 12-bit A/D (analog-to-digital) converters, the EOS-1Ds Mark III employs superior 14-bit per channel converters to process the output of the imaging sensor. In each color channel, this means there are 16,384 distinct brightness steps from the darkest to brightest tone (vs. 4,096 previously). This ensures smoother tonal transitions and more natural gradations. RAW images are recorded at the full 14 bit, and once processed will preserve the entire range of tones when opened in Photoshop's 16-bit color space.

Picture Style" settings

With another great feature, Picture Style technology, photographers can recreate characteristics of their favorite films. Color, saturation, sharpness and contrast settings create noticeable variation in the saved image. In addition to six preset Picture Style settings (Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful and Monochrome), users can create three additional settings for their particular photographic style.

Picture Style settings are applied directly to JPEG images, giving tremendous flexibility to shooters who prefer the ease of JPEG files.  If RAW images are processed in Canon's Digital Photo Professional software (v. 3.2 or higher) or RAW Image Task software, the versatile Picture Style settings can be modified or completely changed in the computer, without affecting the original file.

Powerful In-Camera Processing, Times Two!

Dual DIGIC III Image Processor

Developed to maximize performance between the capture and recording stages of digital photography, the EOS-1Ds Mark III's Dual "DIGIC III" Image Processors work in parallel to dramatically enhance image quality and deliver the speed and power needed to combine 21.1 million pixels and 5 frames per second. The latest-generation DIGIC III Image Processor works in concert with Canon's CMOS sensor to achieve even higher levels of performance. The entire electronic system is totally re-designed, giving the camera its incredible combination of speed and image quality. Digital noise is significantly reduced in shadow areas, and color reproduction is superior.

Large 3.0-inch LCD Monitor

At 3.0 inches diagonal, the EOS-1Ds Mark III's LCD monitor is exceptionally large. The big, clear image is ideal for Live View Function. It also makes it easier than ever to confirm capture, check memory card contents, confirm shooting parameters, and access menu options.

Composing and Shooting with Live View Function

The EOS-1Ds Mark III features a sophisticated Live View Function, which makes the LCD monitor a real-time finder. When the Live View Function is enabled, the reflex mirror is locked up and the shutter opens. The image output from the CMOS sensor will be displayed in real time on the LCD monitor with 100 percent coverage. A selectable portion of the image can be magnified by 5x or 10x to aid in precise manual focusing. Focus, exposure check, composing, and shooting can all be accomplished in this mode. There is also a grid overlay option, perfect for architectural photography.

Live View Function is convenient for tripod-mounted shooting, macro work, precise shooting with Canon's Tilt-Shift lenses, and many other situations in which it is a physical strain to keep the eye at the viewfinder. The image can also be displayed on a TV monitor, which is ideal for showing photographs, as they are being composed, to clients and portrait subjects.

Remote Live View Function

Using Canon EOS Utility software, photographers can check and adjust focus and composition in real time on their personal computers, whether in the studio or on location. The camera can even be fired remotely from the computer. Connection between the camera and computer can be done via USB cable or, with the optional WFT-E2A Wireless Transmitter, via wireless LAN or an Ethernet connection.

Weather-Resistant Design

Extensive weatherproofing ensures superior reliability, even when shooting in harsh environments. Rubber gaskets are used at nearly every joint and seam?including around the battery compartment cover, memory card door, and flash shoe?to keep out moisture and dust.

EOS Integrated Cleaning System

Photographers who must change lenses in dusty environments will find the advanced Canon EOS Integrated Cleaning System a tremendous time saver. Dust that settles on the low-pass filter is removed using ultrasonic vibration. This Self Cleaning Sensor Unit is automatically activated whenever the camera is powered on or off. (It can also be manually activated.) A special collar positioned around the sensor collects the loosened dust. Dust particles can also be automatically removed via software. By shooting a plain white subject, the photographer can acquire dust position data called "Dust Delete Data" that is transmitted along with each subsequent image (whether JPEG or RAW). Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP) v.3.2 or higher software can then be used to manually or automatically erase the dust spots, before the image ever gets to Photoshop? or a similar image-editing program.

Self Cleaning Sensor Unit

Dust that has been missed by the Integrated Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit can also be erased with software included in Digital Photo Professional (DPP) Version 3.2 or higher. The EOS-1Ds Mark III's imaging sensor is able to single out the dust particles on its surface, then plots out their location coordinates within the image. This data is transmitted along with the image, whether JPEG or RAW, and can be either manually or automatically erased in Canon's DPP software. This added software option ensures the cleanest possible image, perfect for printing or archiving.

Dust Delete Data Detection

Dust that has been missed by the Integrated Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit can also be erased with software included in Digital Photo Professional (DPP) Version 3.2 or higher. The EOS-1Ds Mark III's imaging sensor is able to single out the dust particles on its surface, then plots out their location coordinates within the image. This data is transmitted along with the image, whether JPEG or RAW, and can be either manually or automatically erased in Canon's DPP software. This added software option ensures the cleanest possible image, perfect for printing or archiving.

Compatible with UDMA CF Cards

The EOS-1Ds Mark III supports the latest, faster UDMA (Ultra Direct Memory Access) CF memory cards. UDMA-compliant CF cards offer twice the data transfer rate of conventional cards, further enhancing the shooting and post-shooting performance of the EOS-1Ds Mark III.

Excellent Shooting Performance

Impressive Shooting Performance

The new 21.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor generates a tremendous volume of data that must be processed by the camera. Thanks to unparalleled Canon high-speed data management technologies?including the use of dual DIGIC III processor chips?the EOS-1Ds Mark III delivers full-resolution performance without sacrificing all-important shooting speed or camera responsiveness. Maximum continuous shooting is 5 fps, and up to 56 consecutive full-resolution JPEG or 12 RAW images can be captured in a single continuous burst (at shooting speeds up to the full 5 fps).

Incomparable Canon EOS AF Technology

The EOS-1Ds Mark III incorporates new Canon AF technologies that bring about improvement in key performance areas. The extraordinary 45-point high-density area AF system provides not only the industry's largest continuous AF coverage area, but also the greatest range of control over focusing point selection. The focusing point can be selected automatically by the camera (based on high-speed microcomputer analysis of image content), or users can manually select any of the 19 high precision cross-type AF points, which can be complemented by 26 additional Assist Points for fast, accurate focusing.

A separate processing unit devoted solely to autofocus calculation is a key in the EOS-1Ds Mark III's superb AF performance. The One-Shot AF mode is ideal for more static subjects. The camera rapidly selects the optimum focusing point, and the subject is instantly brought into

focus even if it is off-center. The AI Servo AF mode is excellent for moving subjects. Aided by a the camera's outstanding new AF sensor and powerful processing abilities, it precisely tracks subject movement, even when shooting continuously at 5 fps. Even with erratic or rapid subject movement, the photographer can concentrate solely on image composition.

New Custom Functions aid the photographer in choosing default focusing points, as well as changing the size of a manually-selected AF point, making this not only the fastest, but also the most customizable AF system on the planet.