Canon EOS 1D Mark III

The EOS 1D Mark III is a DSLR from 2007, built for photographers who shoot fast-moving subjects in demanding conditions. Canon's EF mount gives it access to a wide range of lenses.

This is a large, heavy camera. The body measures 156 x 157 x 80 mm and weighs 1335 g, so it rewards a dedicated bag and a firm grip. Weather sealing helps it cope with outdoor work.

It records stills only. There is no video mode and the rear screen is fixed, so it suits photographers whose priority is action and reportage rather than hybrid shooting.

A 10.1 megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor with the Digic III processor keeps files modest in size, which makes storage and editing straightforward. The APS-H format is larger than the common APS-C size, so lenses give a moderately wider field of view than they would on smaller-sensor bodies.

Speed is the defining strength. The maximum burst rate is 10 frames per second, which suits action such as races, games and wildlife. The top shutter speed of 1/8000 can freeze fast motion or give headroom for wide apertures in bright conditions.

Forty-five autofocus points are provided, and sensitivity runs from ISO 100 to 3200, covering bright daylight through to dim interiors.

There is no in-body stabilisation, so longer handheld exposures depend on steady technique, a stabilised lens or another support. The optical pentaprism viewfinder gives an immediate view of the action.

The 1D Mark III does not record video. It is a stills-focused body, so any moving-image work will need a separate device.

That also means there are no video resolution or frame-rate figures to compare, since the camera offers no recording modes.

There is also no built-in timelapse mode, so interval projects would require another approach.

The features score of 49 is modest, and the camera sits around the middle of cameras in our database for Features. The 3 inch LCD is fixed and non-touch with 230,000 dots, so reviewing images is serviceable but basic.

Live view is available, which helps with composition on a tripod or at awkward angles even though the screen does not move. Weather sealing protects the body against dust and moisture in the field, and there is support for external flash units rather than a built-in flash.

WiFi connectivity is present, while Bluetooth is not. There is no GPS, so geotagging would need another method, such as a phone or external device.

The storage and battery score of 84 is exceptional. Two card slots accept SD/SDHC and CompactFlash Type I or II cards, so you can use whichever format you already own and carry a spare card of either type, which eases storage on long shoots.

The LP-E5 battery carries a 2200-shot rating, a strong figure on paper. Treat it as a guide rather than a promise, since heavy bursts and frequent image review change real-world results.

There is no USB charging, so the battery must be charged in an external charger and a spare is a sensible addition for travel or long assignments.