Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Canon EOS R5

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Canon EOS R5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III were released 2012 and Canon EOS R5 was released 2020. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 2012
Canon EOS R5 2020

Type of camera

Canon EOS 5D Mark III is a DSLR camera while Canon EOS R5 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

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 5D Mark III 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS R5 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 5D Mark III has a 22,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS R5 has 45 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 22,3 MP
22118400 pixels
5760 x 3840
Canon EOS R5 45 MP
44761088 pixels
8192 x 5464

Canon EOS R5 has a 102 % 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 R5 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5D Mark III. Canon EOS R5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS 5D Mark III has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 100-25600
Canon EOS R5 100-51200

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.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS R5 belongs to the Canon EOS R-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS R5

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 5D Mark III can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS R5 can shoot up to 20 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 6
Canon EOS R5 20

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Canon EOS R5 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 29% heavier than Canon EOS R5 and its 738 gr (or 1.63 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 950 gr
2.09 lb
Canon EOS R5 738 gr
1.63 lb

Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Canon EOS R5 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Canon EOS R5, 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 5D Mark III
Canon EOS R5
Name Canon EOS 5D Mark III Canon EOS R5
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS R5
Release Year 2012 2020
Release Date 2012-03-02 2020-07-09
MSRP 3499 USD 3899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS R5
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS R5
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5760 x 3840 pixels 8192 x 5464 pixels
Megapixels 22,3 MP 45 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 5+ DIGIC X
Image
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS R5
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 6 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift. Works with lens-based IS systems for maximum shake reduction.)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS R5
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 61 1053
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Canon RF

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 5D Mark III
Canon EOS R5
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3,2” 3.2”
Screen dots 1040000 2100000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type Clear View II TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 5760000
Photography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS R5
Frames per second 6 fps 20 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 No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS R5
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
H.265
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
4096 x 2160
7680 x 4320
8192 x 4320
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS R5
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS R5
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Optional with Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual-band) + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (Remote control with N3 type contact, Wireless Controller LC-5, Remote Controller RC-6)
Yes
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-E2 unit
No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS R5
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
LP-E6NH lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 950 shots 320 shots
Width 152 mm 138 mm
Height 116 mm 98 mm
Depth 76 mm 88 mm
Weight 950 gram 738 gram