Professional Digital SLR Camera Review: Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Professional level cameras are easy to find these days, and the Canon models are no exception. The EOS 1-D is one of the best currently offered by Canon. Recently redesigned, this Canon digital is one camera that should really fit into every professional's camera bag. Canon has had years of experience building and perfecting the very best in photographic technology, and the quality of the pictures taken practically speak for themselves.

One of the features Canon is most proud of with this digital SLR is the Highlight Tone Priority feature. This feature allows the camera to capture exceptional levels of detail within a picture's highlight zone. This has proven to be a major problem with digital photography, and Canon's EOS-1D Mark III is the first digital SLR to address it properly. It captures that level of detail yet requires no reduced level of shooting speed or burst rate, allowing photographers to shoot high quality images without stopping to reset the camera mode they are in. The range of potential uses for this system ranges from weddings to sports photography, and everything in between, allowing high levels of detail in brightly light areas.

Canon's chosen image processor is a dual Digic III image processor, allowing the EOS-1D to reproduce images of uncommon detail, clarity, and natural color reproduction. Using dual processors allows Canon to capture more detailed pictures more quickly from the 10.1-megapixel sensor.

Also new to the EOS-1D digital SLR is a new viewfinder, employing a new optical system with a larger pentaprism for better magnification of images through the viewfinder. As you would expect, this Camera's viewfinder provides 100% coverage of the photograph area, showing nothing more or less than exactly what will be in the finished picture. Full-time ISO indicators and metering icons fit in the frame with battery level indicator, mode in use, as well as JPEG/ RAW recording indicators. A 3-inch LCD monitor features a Live View shooting mode, allowing the photographer to use the LCD screen as a viewfinder when enabled. Use of this mode allows a mirror within the camera to be locked, as well, steadying the shot to prevent blurred images. This is available during manual focusing only, however, so that you can still get great artistic action shots with the autofocus.

The LCD monitor also allows for a portion of the screen to magnify a portion of the shot by 5 to 10 times in order to reduce eyestrain during macro shots. It allows you to fine-tune your shot without having to constantly peek through the viewfinder.

Also on the EOS 1-D is an all new Autofocus technology, 57 different custom modes, dual memory card slots for uninterrupted shooting, an optional data security kit, integrated cleaning system, and a wireless file transmitter to send pictures directly to your computer instantly without having to wire up the system.

Canon's EOS 1-D Mark III is one of the strongest cameras on the professional market today, and is easily the best contender for all-around best professional digital SLR camera introduced this year. If you're a professional photographer, or an aspiring professional, there are few better ways to spend your money.