Canon EOS 5DS R vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5DS R and Canon EOS 5D Mark III. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 5DS R were released 2015 and Canon EOS 5D Mark III was released 2012. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 5DS R 2015
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Canon Full Frame") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 5DS R 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 5DS R has a 51 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 5D Mark III has 22,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 5DS R 51 MP
50320896 pixels
8688 x 5792
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 22,3 MP
22118400 pixels
5760 x 3840

Canon EOS 5DS R has a 128 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 5D Mark III. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5DS R. Canon EOS 5D Mark III has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 5DS R has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 5DS R 100-6400
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5DS R
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 5DS R can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 5D Mark III can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5DS R 5
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 6

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS 5DS R and Canon EOS 5D Mark III can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III weighs 950 gr (equal to 2.09 lb) which is 2% heavier than Canon EOS 5DS R and its 930 gr (or 2.05 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 5DS R 930 gr
2.05 lb
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 950 gr
2.09 lb

Canon EOS 5DS R vs Canon EOS 5D Mark III Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5DS R and Canon EOS 5D Mark III, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 5DS R
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Name Canon EOS 5DS R Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 5DS R
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Release Year 2015 2012
Release Date 2015-02-06 2012-03-02
MSRP 4249 USD 3499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 5DS R
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 5DS R
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 8688 x 5792 pixels 5760 x 3840 pixels
Megapixels 51 MP 22,3 MP
Image Processor DUAL DIGIC 6 DIGIC 5+
Image
Canon EOS 5DS R
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
ISO Range 100 - 6400 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 8 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 5DS R
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 61 61
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 5DS R
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3,2”
Screen dots 1040000 1040000
Touch screen No No
Screen type ClearView II TFT-LCD Clear View II TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 5DS R
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Frames per second 5 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 5DS R
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 5DS R
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 5DS R
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Optional with Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7
Remote Control Yes (Wired and wireless) Yes (Remote control with N3 type contact, Wireless Controller LC-5, Remote Controller RC-6)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-E2 unit
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 5DS R
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E6 lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 700 shots 950 shots
Width 152 mm 152 mm
Height 116 mm 116 mm
Depth 76 mm 76 mm
Weight 930 gram 950 gram