But not before considering autofocus performance! AutofocusĪutofocus performance is the major difference between the two cameras. The EOS 5D Mark III has a 61 point AF array with up to 41 cross-type AF sensors (depending on the maximum aperture of the lens mounted on the camera).It is a big factor if you are into photographing sports, action, portraits or any moving subject. The EOS 6D has an eleven point autofocus (AF) array with one cross-type AF sensor in the centre.Ĭross-type AF points are more sensitive, and therefore focus more accurately, than other AF sensors.Along with the EOS 1D-X, it has Canon’s most advanced autofocus system. This is especially important if you work at wide apertures (i.e. between f1.0 and f2.8) as depth-of-field is so narrow at these settings.Īs an example, let’s look at how it works with portrait photography. Imagine that you’re taking a portrait of someone with an 85mm lens set to f1.8. Accurate focus is critical as depth-of-field is very narrow at this setting – you may have less than an inch of sharpness to play with. The normal way to focus in this situation is to use the AF point closest to the model’s eye. The single cross-type AF point in the centre is shown in green, and the AF point the photographer would have to use is in red: The photo below shows how this works by overlaying a diagram of the EOS 6D’s AF array over a portrait.
As the only cross-type AF point is in the centre, you can’t use it to focus unless the model’s eye is also in the centre of the frame. You have to use one of the less sensitive, and therefore less accurate, AF points at the edge of the array. With the EOS 5D Mark III the story changes. With up 41 cross-type AF points available (shown in red), it is far more likely you will find one to cover the model’s eye. The end result is that you will get more in-focus photos. You can learn more about the autofocus of the EOS 5D Mark III in my article Understanding EOS Autofocus: The EOS 5D Mark III and EOS 1D-Xīottom line: If autofocus performance is critical, then (budget allowing) go for the EOS 5D Mark III. This is another major difference between the two cameras. However this time, and somewhat counter-intuitively, it is the EOS 6D that has the features and the 5D Mark III that does not.
One takes CF cards, and the other SD (plus SDHC/SDXC cards) CF cards are faster, which helps give higher burst speeds and assists with recording movies.Īnother is security.