I'm currently using a pair of 20D's which I enjoy, but think that I could do better. So, could someone give me a breakdown as to the best features of these cameras to help me clear up in which direction I should go?

1MKII
1MKIII
5D

I guess I'm just not sure how each one differs (except I think the 5D is full frame, right?)

How is color? Speed? High ISO? Low light capability?

Teach me please! :-)

Ksenia

Just get one of each!

Seriously, I'm in the same boat as you. I too have two 20D's. I may wait to upgrade until next year when the 5D drops in price or is replaced. I really want to go full-frame and I also can't really afford the price tags on the 1-series cameras.

Can anyone who owns these cameras give a list of what you like about them?

That would be great!!

Ksenia

I dont own any of those, but www.the-digital-picture.com is a great resource. Hope this helps. I have personally shot with a 5D and loved the huge viewfinder, ability to shoot with 1600ISO and barely see any noise, and the colors out of 5D are stunning. Just my .02

Thanks for your help, Tony!

I actually got to play a bit with the 5D last weekend and I'm drooling. I also had a 70-200 IS on there (I don't currently have an IS) and I would be in wedding heaven if I owned those!

Thanks again!
Ksenia

I have shot with the 20D the 5D and the MK III. They only thing that is stopping me from buying MK III is the 1.3 crop factor. However i only used the MKIII with a prime 50mm so i was unable to see how it really affected the lense when using the 14-40. I like shooting wide. If you are spending the money andont care about the crop factor go with the MK III it rock.

The 5D will be a big difference in picure quality. so you cant go wrong with it.

I think that it is an easy decision. the MK III.

http://www.dpreview.com has comparisons point by point of each camera.

I found that going from the 20D to the 5D increased the technical quality of my files, but the camera isn't what makes the actual images better, it's still the eye behind the camera that makes the difference -- I've learned a lot in the last year since going digital and it shows in my images.

Leann

I made a mistake few weeks ago. I tried a 5D out with 16-35 and kept the RAW images. All I can say is wow...I tested it at high ISOs and at 1600 the images are cleaner than my 20D at 800. Sorry I am not much help, but I am in the same boat...I want a 5D so badly, but I may wait until they replace it.

Take the Mark II off your list.

I've shot side-by-side with the 5D and MarkII, and the color out of the MII sensor is not nearly as good.

I've also shot w/the 5D and the MIII side by side. The colors out of the MIII rival the 5D. The MIII focuses at lightning speed. I had my 70-200 on the MIII and the 5D, and I was stunned at the difference in the time it took the two cameras to lock in focus (I was using the center AF point). The MIII is SO FAST, on the same lens.

The crop factor on the MIII didn't really bug me. I was still able to get good family group shots without changing my M.O.

The full frame on the 5D is a nice bonus if you need/want it.

The sealing on the MIII is a nice bonus if you need it.

The 10fps on the MIII is a good plus if you need it.

If you don't need a sealed body or high fps, I'd say get the 5D.

But if you ever want to do Sports or action, the 5D fps is way too sluggish.

The 5D feels like a toy compared to hefting the MIII around, but that's something I'm willing to get used to!!

Carey, are you saying you wouldn't be able to do action photography with the 5D?

I'm not sure if dance is considered "action"... but I doubt these dancers would have stayed in position much longer for me than they did.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thetownsquare/534172255/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1009/534172255_b69b12391c.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="iDance-8" /></a>

And this racer was moving right along too:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thetownsquare/515077789/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/233/515077789_510423788a.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="CSAGoKartsGoArts-8" /></a>

Being able to do 10fps with the MkIII is fine if you *need* to be able to do so to catch the decisive moment, but if you can do it on your own in single shot mode then the 5D will work just great.

Admittedly it does feel like a toy without the battery grip!

Leann

I'm not saying that you can't do action with the 5D.
I've caught great moments of action with the 5D, too. But never more than 3 in a second. Of course the dancers wouldn't sit still in that position.

But there's a reason why the vast majority of sports shooters are using 1D MIIn's or MIII's and not a 5D-- you still use your God-given good timing with the shutter, and you have the benefit of a high fps burst rate for continuous shooting of action.

Leann,

Shooting dance could be considered action, yes... in most cases. Shooting go-kart racing would be considered action too, right? However, being able to capture a single shot of each at a given time is a bit limiting, wouldn't you say? Anyone with any camera, whether it's a medium format dual lens reflex, nikon F100 or canon 1D Mark III can capture an image of people in action due to a high shutter speed and good timing, or just plain luck. However, being able to anticipate your subject's actions, starting to shoot before you know "the moment" happens and continuously capturing a flow of images for later sorting is a whole different thing, and is essential for sports and real action photographers.

That's what I was trying to say.... Darn you young wippersnapper!

If the action/sports befefites of the MIII AND the sealed body of the MIII will benefit your business, then consider it. Because the image quality & color & TTL metering is REALLY good -- as good as the 5D.

The full-frame sensor on the 5 is a slight benefit, but not much in my tests so far.

If you don't need the fps or sealed body, go with the 5D. There are other perks that come with the MIII (live view shooting, improved wireless transmitting...), but the fps & sealed body are the biggees for me.