The 10.1-megapixel Canon EOS-1D Mark III, part of Canon’s flagship 1D line, is a powerhouse DSLR. It has an APS-H-sized CMOS sensor, two dual DIGIC III image processors to reduce shadow noise, and a 10-frame-per-second burst rate. The camera is designed to be sturdy and weather-resistant, and the EOS Integrated Cleaning System applies ultrasonic vibrations to shake off dust on the sensor. The 3-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD has live preview, a feature more commonly being found on DSLRs that allows users to frame their shots using the LCD screen, rather than the viewfinder. The Mark III retailed for $3,999 when it was released last April, but can currently be found online for less.

The Mark III produced exceptional color accuracy in our testing lab, with 99.32 percent saturation and a mean color error of 5.69. The Faithful color setting produces the most accurate results, while the Standard picture style tends to oversaturate colors a bit.  Noise levels stay low at ISO 100 but raise steadily at higher sensitivities, and it’s clear the SLR implements noise reduction throughout the ISO range. The Mark III only falters when it comes to white balance – it’s inconsistent, with the Auto setting performing better than the presets in flash and fluorescent lighting, but a lot worse in tungsten lighting and outdoor shade. Stick to custom white balance when using the Mark III, as it produces much more accurate results.

Low light results are good, as well, and the Mark III makes notable improvements over its predecessor, the 1D Mark II n. Dynamic range also scores well, falling only slightly behind the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro and Canon EOS 5D.

The Mark III has an impressive 10 fps burst rate, placing it at the top of its game. The burst holds for about 90 shots before pausing. A 10 fps burst rate should be plenty quick for capturing high-speed action.

The 3-inch LCD screen has a smooth Live Preview mode with a refresh rate of 30 fps, which prevents jerkiness as subjects move across the frame. The Live Preview mode has its drawbacks, though, as it adds significant delays between shutter and shot. It’s still an improvement over the live views found on other Olympus and Fujifilm SLRs.

A second monochrome LCD sits on top of the Mark III and displays shooting information, including ISO, exposure mode, metering, battery charge, shutter speed, and more.

The 6.1 x 6.2 x 3.1-inch, 40.7 ounce SLR has an ISO range of 100-3200, expandable to ISO 6400 at lower resolution and a 1/8000 to 30 second shutter speed range. There is an auto mode, but no preset Scene modes like the ones found on most point-and-shoots. Users can, however, create their own presets and save them in the camera for later use. Like most SLRs, the Mark III does not have a Movie mode. A Silent mode minimizes mirror noise, allowing for shooting in places where noise must be kept to a minimum.

After it was released, some users noticed a problem with the camera’s autofocus system, noting that it sometimes missed the focus on moving subjects, instead focusing slightly behind the subject.  Firmware updates have since seemed to solve the problem. The autofocus features 19 cross-type sensors, with 26 sensors set between them. The autofocus points are manually adjustable, so users can select the size and positioning of the points for focus and metering. This function is a little clumsy, although still useful.

Overall, since the autofocus issues appear to have been taken care of, the EOS-1D Mark III is an excellent DSLR with innovative technology and great features. And it takes good pictures, too – with good color quality, low noise, and dynamic range. However, at just under $4,000, it's not cheap. But it's aimed at professionals and serious photographers, and these discerning users will find what they need in this full-featured camera.