Like other professional DSLRs, notably previous EOS 1Ds models and Nikon's D2x/D3, the EOS 1Ds Mk III is much taller than the average digital SLR. A big, fat battery housing sits in the base of the body, and this also allows space for an additional, vertical shutter release.

How many people are going to spend £5,500 on a camera? Even more importantly, how many enthusiast photographers rather than pros, will fork out that amount of money and justify it to their partners? Probably not too many, but Canon's flagship DSLR is still worth looking at for a number of reasons.

High resolution; full frame; low noise; solid build; speed of AF

Manual focus live view; low-res LCD; artisan design

The EOS-1Ds Mark III is the seventh Canon professional EOS-1D series digital SLR, although only the third of the 's' suffix sub-category which indicates a full frame sensor. Three years since the last EOS-1Ds, the Mark II, the Mark III pushes digital SLR resolution over the twenty megapixel barrier...

Significant upgrade to the Mark II that improves almost every area of performance without 'reinventing the wheel, Better ISO button placement, new joystick, new AF point selection method, ISO in the viewfinder; all help faster more intuitive operation and mean you less often have to take your eye

Edge softness / chromatic aberrations with wide angle lenses, needs good glass, Overall softness that means images need more sharpening than you might expect; we'd prefer an even lighter Low Pass Filter, No autofocus of any kind in live view mode, No built-in wireless flash (needs ST-E2 transmitter,

There has never been any question that the Canon EOS 1Ds produces the best quality images of any handheld digital camera on the market. The only question has been whether or not you wanted to pay $8000 and crush your shoulders under the weight of this monster.

What does it take to be the best? In comparing DSLRs, the answer is incredible image quality and performance. Especially for pros, it also takes a nearly unbreakable camera body, long-lasting battery, and a wide range of accessories to ensure that you don't miss the critical shot.

I have to tell you that I have in my hands right now what I consider is the finest camera I've ever had the pleasure to use in more than 40 years of taking photographs, the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III.

Not yet reviewed by editors.

Twenty-one megapixels. Think about it. Once the exclusive domain of those Tiffany-priced medium format digital backs, that same kind of high-end resolution is now possible with a D-SLR, albeit an expensive one.

This is my favorite camera, give sharp, colorful and pleasant images, perform very ell, quick response, easy conrtols (subjetive if yore an Nikon or Sony user ;)) is not an action camera, i mean, if you search a camera for sports the new Canon EOS 1DX, Nikon D4s or the Canon EOS 1D Mark III are more...

Unbelievable image quality. Solid, rugged build. Weather-proofing everywhere. Ultra-fast autofocus. Overall, the camera is heavier than a 5D (duh) but it actually balances out things when you have a heavy long lens. Dust reduction is a nice new feature. Cannot select all focus points at once.

IQ; build; weather-proofing; autofocus; dust reduction; lens-specific focus compensation

No dedicated WB button; no ISO 6400+; $8000 price tag