When you're looking for the latest and greatest pro camera equipment, African safaris are apparently a good place to start: photographer Stephen Oachs ran into a Canon employee in Kenya that was shooting with a DSLR that we've never seen before, along with a couple of new lenses. The photos Oachs surreptitiously snapped of the camera don't reveal much, but they hint at what could be the new EOS 5D Mark III. The mysterious DSLR takes on some of the 7D's looks and controls, and appears to have a larger LCD than the 7D or the 5D Mark II, with aspect ratio more like 16:9 than 4:3. Its "Q" button resides on the right side of the display (it's on the left on the 7D), there's a new joystick on the removable battery grip, and we're also seeing a new "Rate" button on the left side. We can't be sure of what camera this is, but the 5D Mark III seems like the most compelling option: with no pop-up flash it likely isn't a 7D replacement, and the lack of an articulating display rules out the 60D as well. There are plenty of oddities in the photo — he's using a grip but not its shutter button, and taped-over logo always makes us cringe — but it still looks like evidence that we might be seeing a new 5D in the next few months.
Canon 5D Mark III spotted on safari in Kenya?



There are 41 Comments. Add yours.
I just scared the girlfriend shouting “oh my god!” upon seeing this come up on the Twitter feed.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 4:07 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I’m guessing it’ll be around $3000 for the body when it finally comes out. There’s gonna be a lot of broke camera nerds in a few months.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 4:59 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
And then the people that buy the camera and treat it as a point and shoot… lol
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 8:06 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Failed attempt to be cleverly funny.
0/10
This is not an entry level DSLR.
Posted on Jan 26, 2012 | 2:42 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I hope I can afford one (not holding my breath).
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 4:11 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
On safari… Chimping… There’s comedy gold in there somewhere… (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimping)
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 4:13 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
The screen IS on. the viewing angle is not particularly good, but if you zoom in all the one you can see parts of the UI in the lower right corner of the screen. as for the screen on the top of the camera, the pictures on the source link show a it operating.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 4:20 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
I should read what I write before I post…we need an edit button.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 4:20 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I was going to say the same thing. I work with DSLR’s all day, and the viewing angles on that top screen are not good, so it very likely IS on, just can’t be seen from this angle.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 4:55 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
You could be right. It’s hard to tell in these photos which is the 1D X and which is this new cam, but you can see it on a bit when you zoom in. Fixed above, thanks!
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 5:01 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s super obvious, the 1D series cameras have the buttons for changing modes to the left of the mirror box versus the dial on the 5Dish camera.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 5:58 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 6:14 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
That 200-400 is making my all tingly in my nether region…
Posted on Jan 24, 2012 | 2:25 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
a bunch more pics
http://blog.apertureacademy.com/2012/01/canon-200-400mm-and-600mm-prototype.html
Posted on Jan 24, 2012 | 4:40 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
The camera in this is probs the 1Dx
Posted on Feb 16, 2012 | 12:36 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
If you enhance the photo of the supposed 5D Mk III you can see that the photographer is photographing the head of a Guinea Fowl.
Posted on Jan 27, 2012 | 1:02 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Time to sell any backup 5DII bodies you may have lying around in your camera bag before they lose a lot more value.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 4:21 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I’ve been waiting for about a year an a half, Canon. Just release the successor to the 5D Mk. II and take my money.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 4:34 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m equally excited about the “new lenses.” Why was there no mention of the specifics in the article???
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 4:45 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s not really a new lens in this image, it’s the 600 f4L IS II
The other new lens in one of the images in the set is of the new 200-400L f4 with built-in tele converter that Canon has shown off a little.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 5:58 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Finally, a leak that isn’t blurry.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 4:51 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
Why don’t all tipsters shoot with DSLRs?
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 4:54 PM EST reply Recommend (5) Flag actions
Hard to be discreet with a 5lb camera and a 12in lens.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 5:19 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
They could at least learn how to hold their camera still…
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 5:26 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
But…but…that’s what terrorists use!
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 9:29 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Professional courtesy also plays a huge roll in things. If you shoot Canon, the last thing you want to do is piss off the company that you hope will be sponsoring you in the future.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 7:42 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Yeah. That shot was probably taken at 40 yards with a 70-200L lens (from a different camo stand). The Canon employee probably doesn’t even know that the tipster spent his safari time shooting rare species of the Canon variety.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 5:36 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Actually it was taken with the 100-400L at f6 on a 1Ds Mark III, according to the image metadata.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 5:56 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Okay smarty pants! :) Can you infer the distance/zoom given the aperture and the apparent depth of field? (Notice that the rag on the guy’s shoulder is slightly out of focus.)
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 6:55 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Approximate answer:
If the depth of field is about 1 foot (since his shoulder is about 6 inches from his head) then with that lens zoomed in all the way and at f/6 the photographer is about 40 feet from the subject. If his zoom is only at 200mm then he is only 20 feet from the photographer which would make it harder to be clandestine. So I’d guess he’s farther away and zoomed in.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 7:03 PM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions
I think Mr. CameraMan bought a 5D MkII to snap a photo of that.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 8:08 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
In my experience the 5D Mk. II is the premiere video dslr in terms of image quality per dollar. I hope Canon builds on that with the Mk. III.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 5:32 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Can’t wait to see the ISO performance on video. ISO 1600 is usually too grainy for me w/ my 5DII. Probably the primary thing that would REALLY make me want to upgrade.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 6:41 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I really doubt it’s a 5D if it has a removable battery grip. 7d MkII?
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 6:11 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
why wouldn’t a 5d have a removable battery grip? the first two did.
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 6:39 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
I think you’re confused with the 1D line. The 1Ds are the only ones with the “square” body. The 5D has always had a removable battery grip
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 10:24 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Hurry up Canon and take my money!
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 9:16 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Looks like another pushbutton mode-dial lock. I don’t like.
Posted on Jan 24, 2012 | 1:25 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Interesting – Not a fan of the MK1 or MK2 particularly – be interesting to see how this stacks up against the crazy specs of the D800
Posted on Jan 24, 2012 | 3:03 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I’m Kenyan and I like this.
Posted on Jan 24, 2012 | 7:19 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
not enough blur! What have product spy shots come to. I remember when I was young…
Posted on Jan 24, 2012 | 4:34 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
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