| Likes |
- Color accuracy
- Build quality
- Speed
- Low image noise
- Improved controls |
| Dislikes |
- Autofocus problem may not be solved
- Poor Auto white balance performance
- Autofocus point selection is clumsy
- Four-way controller is under-used |
Conclusion
The focus problem is a tragic flaw worthy of Sophocles. We used the Mark III with a 24-70mm and a 70-200mm zoom. Those lenses should not challenge the 45-spot autofocus system, but the problem was bad enough to show up with it. After the firmware fix, we couldn't reproduce the problem, but that's really not good enough. It doesn't prove the problem is fixed for more challenging conditions. Canon is in the difficult position of proving a negative: that the focus problem no longer exists.
But overall, the Canon EOS-1D Mark III is the fastest DSLR available. It produces high-quality 10-megapixel images with great color quality, noise control, and dynamic range. It performs well because of innovative technology that has been combined very, very well. If the focus works for you, go for it.