Canon EOS 6D
Winner
Canon EOS 6D

93

vs
Canon EOS 5D Mark III

90

Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Runner-up
     
 

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 6D

Light sensitivity
 High ISO
25,600 ISO
Sensor size
 Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Light sensitivity (boost)
 High ISO (boost)
102,400 ISO
 

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Screen size
 Large screen
3.2"
Light sensitivity
 High ISO
25,600 ISO
Sensor size
 Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
 
Differences | Recommendations | Cast your vote | Similarities | Competitors | Appearance | Discussion

differences

Advantages of the Canon 5D Mark III

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Cross type focus points Many more cross-type focus points 41 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Screen size Significantly larger screen 3.2" vs 3.0"
Help
 Around 10% larger screen
Focus points Many more focus points 61 vs 11
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Shutter lag Much less shutter lag 120 ms vs 290 ms
Help
 2.4x less delay when taking photos
Viewfinder coverage Significantly better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 97%
Help
 Almost the same
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 6 fps vs 4.5 fps
Help
 More than 30% faster continuous shooting
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
 More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
True resolution Slightly higher true resolution 22.1 MP vs 20.9 MP
Help
 Capture around 10% more detail in your photos
Color depth Better color depth 24 bits vs 23.8 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.2 more bits of color
Fastest shutter speed Much faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Learn more about
the Canon 5D Mark III

Advantages of the Canon 6D

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Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.1 EV vs 11.7 EV
Help
 0.4 f-stops more dynamic range
GPS Has a GPS Yes vs No
Help
 Automatically geotags your photos when traveling
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 82.0 vs 81.0
Help
 Almost the same
Size Smaller 145x111x71 mm vs 152x116x76 mm
Help
 More than 10% smaller
Thickness Thinner 2.8" vs 3"
Help
 Around 10% thinner
Weight Lighter 770 g vs 950 g
Help
 Around 20% lighter
Lowest price Cheaper $1,750.00 vs $3,399.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $1,649 cheaper (around 50% less)
Canon EOS 6D Learn more about
the Canon 6D
vs

recommendations

Which camera do we recommend? Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Snapsort Recommends
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Canon EOS 5D Mark III 90
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        vs
        93 Canon EOS 6D Canon EOS 6D
        Retailer
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              similarities

              Compared to recent DSLRs

              Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
              Low light performance Relatively low noise at high ISO Help
              5D Mark III:2,293 ISO
              6D:2,340 ISO
              Sensor size Large sensors Help
              Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
              Viewfinder size Above average viewfinder size Help
              0.71x
              Screen resolution High resolution screens Help
              1,040k dots
              Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
              Shoot in extreme weather
              Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
              Pentaprism
              Built-in flash No built-in flash Help
              Professional
              Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
              Less flexible
              Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
              You could stitch photos in post
              Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
              Risk of blur

              Compared to recent pro DSLRs

              Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
              Thickness Thin Help
              5D Mark III:3"
              6D:2.8"
              Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
              5D Mark III:6 fps
              6D:4.5 fps

              dxomark

              DXOMark

              competitors

              Shared Competitors

              Advantages

              Disadvantages
              Canon EOS 5D Mark II

              Canon EOS 5D Mark II

              Pro DSLR

              $3,120 body only

              $3,519 with 24-105mm lens
              Thickness Is thicker
              Light sensitivity (boost) Slightly lower boost light sensitivity
              Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the EOS 5D Mark III
              Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the EOS 6D
              Nikon D800

              Nikon D800

              Pro DSLR

              $2,797 body only

              $3,300 - $4,087 with 24-85mm lens
              Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
              Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
              Thickness Is thicker
              Weight Is slightly heavier
              Compare the D800 vs the EOS 5D Mark III
              Compare the D800 vs the EOS 6D
              Canon EOS 70D

              Canon EOS 70D

              Pro DSLR

              $1,099 body only

              $1,249 with 18-55mm lens
              Touch screen Has a touch screen
              Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
              Thickness Is thicker
              Light sensitivity (boost) Slightly lower boost light sensitivity
              Compare the EOS 70D vs the EOS 5D Mark III
              Compare the EOS 70D vs the EOS 6D
              Canon EOS 7D

              Canon EOS 7D

              Pro DSLR

              $1,299 body only

              $1,599 - $1,799 with 18-135mm lens
              Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
              Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
              Thickness Is thicker
              Light sensitivity (boost) Slightly lower boost light sensitivity
              Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS 5D Mark III
              Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS 6D
              Nikon D610

              Nikon D610

              Pro DSLR

              $1,897 - $1,997 body only

              $2,797 - $2,800 with 28-300mm lens
              Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
              Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
              Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
              Thickness Is thicker
              Compare the D610 vs the EOS 5D Mark III
              Compare the D610 vs the EOS 6D
              Nikon D600

              Nikon D600

              Pro DSLR

              $1,600 - $1,613 body only

              $1,999 - $2,150 with 24-85mm lens
              Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
              Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
              Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
              Thickness Is thicker
              Compare the D600 vs the EOS 5D Mark III
              Compare the D600 vs the EOS 6D
              Nikon D7100

              Nikon D7100

              Entry-level DSLR

              $1,147 body only

              $1,447 - $1,470 with 18-140mm lens
              Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
              Screen resolution Has a slightly higher resolution screen
              Thickness Is thicker
              Light sensitivity (boost) Slightly lower boost light sensitivity
              Compare the D7100 vs the EOS 5D Mark III
              Compare the D7100 vs the EOS 6D

              Canon EOS 5D Mark III Competitors

              Advantages

              Disadvantages
              Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4

              Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4

              Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

              $1,698 body only
              Movie format Higher resolution movies
              Screen type Has an OLED screen
              Low light performance Significantly more noise at high ISO
              Autofocus Slower autofocus
              Compare the Lumix DMC-GH4 vs the EOS 5D Mark III

              Canon EOS 6D Competitors

              Advantages

              Disadvantages

              No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS 6D.

              appearance

              Canon EOS 5D Mark III Canon EOS 6D
              Canon EOS 5D Mark III Canon EOS 6D
              Canon EOS 5D Mark III Canon EOS 6D

              discussion

              Canon EOS 5D Mark III
              EOS 5D Mark III
              Canon

              Report a correction
              Canon EOS 6D
              EOS 6D
              Canon

              Report a correction

              Showing 11 comments

              Avatar for Aian I. Mazumder Aian I. Mazumder (2:15 AM, March 31, 2014)
              The 3 things that led me to the 5Dm3 over the 6D is 2 card slots, the anti-aliasing filter (rarely gets mentioned), and the much, much better focusing system. For event photography, writing to 2 cards is HUGE, esp a fast write to a CF card. For video, anti-aliasing filter is quite important. If you don't notice aliasing now, you probably will eventually. Because of this, there is no doubt that the 5Dm3 is a much better camera for video. The focusing system is also a huge upgrade from the 6D if you're shooting anything other than stationary shots in the middle of the frame. Those 3 things made me pick the 5D over the 6D.

              For someone that doesn't do video, shoots mostly still subjects, and is comfortable shooting to one SD card (many photographers), then the 6D is the better choice at the cheaper price but if the 3 things I mentioned are important, I recommend saving up for the 5Dm3 like I did.
               
              Avatar for Clover Paws Cattery Clover Paws Cattery (8:38 PM, January 29, 2014)
              This is such a tough choice! The focusing system of the 5D is definitely
              better, I don't think there is any question about that. But in every
              other way these two are very comparably similar. The biggest advantages
              of the D6 are it's price and built in WIFI/GPS, which if you added these
              features to the 5D it would be a thousand dollars more than it already
              is. I do portraiture and some events. I tend to think I might get more
              usable, in focus shots, especially for weddings and perhaps with
              restless children with the 5D. But is the difference so much it's worth
              paying an extra thousand dollars? That's the big question. Saving a
              thousand dollars could allow me the purchase of a new lens, or some nice
              props. I am still very undecided!
               
              Avatar for Jason Nalley Jason Nalley (0:57 AM, October 21, 2013)
              The shutter speed is also an issue for the 6D. I mean seriously why include a 1/4000s limitation on a Full Frame? Why not just allow it to do the 1/8000s like the rest of the cameras on the market today as well as its predecessors?
               
              Avatar for Shawn M. Knox Shawn M. Knox (3:08 PM, August 28, 2013)
              The 5DM3 has a multi-cluster of center points (9 I believe). It makes a big difference for sports or event action. I used to have a 5DMK2 that had the lone center focus point. If you're subject is moving directly towards you you'll probably get some usable shots but if it is moving across the plane then you'll need a lot of luck or perfect timing. The choice is up to each person on what they buy. My only point here is make sure you choose what you need. The 5DMK3 focusing system is very advanced and not difficult to do. It has been a long time since I could say that about a Canon DSLR. If you're shooting sports you will be limited. If you're shooting still life subject then you will probably be satisfied with the 6D. WiFi seems to be an overrated feature to me. I can see few specialized uses but not many in my workflow. I would rather have a higher percentage of in-focus shots than have the wifi option and end up with a lot of out-of-focus shots transferred wirelessly. There are other and better ways to fire cameras wirelessly (at the moment). But again, choose the camera based on your needs and understand that almost no camera is perfect for every type situation, so choose wisely.
               
              John Wynne (4:33 AM, August 26, 2013)
              Then you must have very still subjects. Fast moving subject such as action or sports requires an adept focusing system, even when your subject is not dead center.
               
              Avatar for kaka kaka (4:10 AM, August 24, 2013)
              forgot about the money and the weight
               
              Avatar for Cbordin Cbordin (9:46 PM, August 04, 2013)
              I have never moved my focus point from center. I would never trust that the sensor wouldn't pick a back ground or foreground object and ruin my shot.

              Pick your focus point and hold then frame your shot.
              I can not think of a time in the past 22 years of shooting that I would want the camera to decide what to focus on.

              Just bought a 6D and I am selling my 5D Miii to buy a second 6D.

              5D plus wifi = 2 6D's .... no brainier unless you are making thousands of dollars a month from your camera.

              I'm going to miss my dual card slot but that is about it. And JPG In the camera for HDR.... Who would want to create a HDR in the field unless it was for fun. To do a good job in HDR it needs to be done in post.

              My 2 cents :)
               
              Avatar for Shawn M. Knox Shawn M. Knox (8:23 PM, July 29, 2013)
              There is one glaring advantage to the 5DMKIII that should be heavily weighted in its favor over the 6D and that is the focusing system, which is well worth the additional cost. The 6D is using a system with only 11 focus points and 1 cross sensor. If you are shooting stationary objects then you'll be OK but if you're shooting anything with any type of movement pay the difference and get the 61 point/41 cross sensor focusing system of the 5DMKIII which compares favorably with the very high priced 1D X. As with every camera purchase, look at your needs first and then match those to the camera. If you're a landscape, fine art or portrait only photographer then the 6D is probably a good choice. If you shoot the aforementioned, plus events, weddings, sports, etc. then upgrade to the 5DMKIII. My personal rule of thumb on buying high cost technology is to always try and buy up if you can possibly afford it. That's just me but given that you are already spending $2K, I think another $1K is worth the investment. You can usually get a refurbished 1DMKIII with warranty from the Canon store for around $2800 which is less then a $800 difference and is definitely worth it in my opinion.
               
              Avatar for Anna Anna (1:07 PM, April 22, 2013)
              6D is a great camera, and surely it has some advantages over the 5d mk3 - weight, for starters, which happens to be absolutely crucial for me.. I'm not massively frustrated about this, it was however one of those things that I didn't find out when researching this purchase. The fact that I first bought the 5dMk3, after all the reading etc, only to return it and swap for the 6d, kind of shows how closely the two cameras can compete. So definitely check both cameras out at this detailed comparison review below. The 6D will appeal to you.

              Canon 6D vs 5D III
               
              Wildlife shooter (10:09 PM, March 25, 2013)
              I can't choose ...... Both so cool!
               
              Ricecim (3:40 PM, September 20, 2012)
              Forgot wifi for the 6D