In a rather unexpected turn of events, Canon has just let the cat out of the bag, announcing plans to finally introduce the 5D Mark III’s ability to output a fully uncompressed 1080p signal via HDMI – something Nikon’s and Sony’s HDSLR counterparts have been touting for some time.
Additionally, the official firmware, planned for an April 2013 release, will improve the 5D3′s autofocus functionality, an enhancement detailed in the press release snippet below:
Improved AF Functionality
Even when the EOS 5D Mark III is equipped with an extender and lens making possible a maximum aperture of f/8, the firmware update supports AF employing the camera’s central cross-type points (currently compatible with maximum apertures up to f/5.6). Accordingly, the update will allow users to take advantage of AF when shooting distant subjects, benefitting sports and nature photographers, particularly when using telephoto lenses.
Uncompressed HDMI Output Support
When shooting video, HDMI Output makes possible the recording of high-definition uncompressed video data (YCbCr 4:2:2, 8 bit) from the EOS 5D Mark III to an external recorder via the camera’s HDMI terminal. This, in turn, facilitates the editing of video data with minimal image degradation for greater on-site workflow efficiency during motion picture and video productions. Additionally, video being captured can be displayed on an external monitor, enabling real-time, on-site monitoring of high-definition video during shooting.
Source: Canon
