Canon 5D Mark III
full-frame DSLR · 2012
Canon EOS R1
Stacked 24MP · 40fps · Pro sports
Canon EOS R1 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Canon 5D Mark III lands at 78 and Canon EOS R1 at 96. That puts Canon EOS R1 ahead by 18 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Canon 5D Mark III if…
- ✓Mature system, great used market
- ✓Proven lens lineup
- ✓Often on sale
Pick Canon EOS R1 if…
- ✓Eye-control AF returns and works
- ✓No-blackout EVF at 40fps
- ✓Built-in vertical grip
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testErgonomics
Canon EOS R1Compared on the ergonomics sub-score
Canon EOS R1 leads on ergonomics (96 vs 86).
Video
Canon EOS R1Compared on the video sub-score
Canon EOS R1 leads on video (96 vs 70).
Value for money
Canon 5D Mark IIISpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Canon 5D Mark III more score per dollar ($3,499 vs $6,299).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Canon 5D Mark III | Canon EOS R1 |
|---|---|---|
| Format | full-frame DSLR | — |
| Release year | 2012 | — |
| Sensor | — | 24.2 MP stacked CMOS |
| Mount | — | Canon RF |
| Burst | — | 40 fps electronic / 12 fps mechanical |
| Video | — | 6K 60p RAW · 4K 120p |
| AF | — | Dual Pixel Intelligent AF + Eye-control |
| Storage | — | Dual CFexpress B |
| Weight | — | 1115 g |
Canon 5D Mark III
- +Mature system, great used market
- +Proven lens lineup
- +Often on sale
- −Older AF system
- −Heavier than modern mirrorless
- −Firmware updates trailed off
Canon EOS R1
- +Eye-control AF returns and works
- +No-blackout EVF at 40fps
- +Built-in vertical grip
- −Resolution conservative at 24 MP
- −Heavy at 1115g
- −Pro-only price
FAQ: Canon 5D Mark III vs Canon EOS R1
Which is better, Canon 5D Mark III or Canon EOS R1? +
Canon EOS R1 scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 18. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Canon 5D Mark III worth the price? +
At $3,499, Canon 5D Mark III delivers a Specdex score of 78 — strongest in ergonomics.
Is Canon EOS R1 worth the price? +
At $6,299, Canon EOS R1 delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in af.
Does Canon 5D Mark III or Canon EOS R1 last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for ergonomics, Canon 5D Mark III or Canon EOS R1? +
Canon EOS R1 — leads on ergonomics (96 vs 86). Compared on the ergonomics sub-score.
Which is better for video, Canon 5D Mark III or Canon EOS R1? +
Canon EOS R1 — leads on video (96 vs 70). Compared on the video sub-score.