6D vs 5D3, can't make up my mind...

For months I've been wondering if I should get a 6D or a 5D3 and almost everyday my preference changes. I have a 550D (T2i) right now and I want to buy a fullframe camera because I'm not satisfied with the amount of noise I get when going higher than ISO800. I don't shoot so many pictures a year (about 1000-2000) so I'm having a hard time justifying the price of any of the mentioned cameras. However I'm a perfectionist who wants as little noise as possible and who wants the camera to really nail the focus so I can get really sharp images instead of images with focus errors in it.

So what do I shoot? Still life stuff, products I buy, portraits and just (static) things that catch my eye. Tried to shoot sports with my 550D once (Aikido training), but that wasn't a great success... When the specs of the 6D were announced, I was really disappointed about it having only 1 crosstype AF point. Yet the built-in WiFi got me really excited and is one of the things I want THE MOST because it will make it possible to get very good portraits of myself using my iPhone or iPad (EOS Remote app). However I'm wondering if the AF is accurate when using the EOS Remote app since the rectangular AF point is rather big. So will it not only focus on e.g. my eye but also on my eyebrow which could cause my eyes to be rendered a bit soft (apertures between F/2 and F/4)?

And then there's the 5D3. I really would like to have its extremely versatile AF. All the other extra features don't really interest me (except for the 100% viewfinder). Problem is that it's very expensive and doesn't have WiFi so I'd have to buy a clumsy WiFi unit (which makes it even more expensive) and attach it to the camera before I can use the EOS Remote app for remote shooting (iPhone/iPad). As I mentioned earlier I want as little noise as possible, so the 6D has a slight edge for me regarding image quality at high ISO values. I also like the "Single Point Spot AF" of the 5D3 which seems very nice to nail the focus on tiny objects/spots (e.g. the eyes).

If focus errors because of focus&recompose didn't exist, I would immediately go for a 6D. But since I want to apply the rule of thirds to (most of) my pictures, I'm really afraid that focus errors would render the 6D useless because the AF points on the 6D are so centered (so focus&recompose is needed almost everytime when applying the rule of thirds). I'm also afraid that I'll always have to use the center AF point to focus&recompose because the others will fail to lock on. And when using the center AF point, focus errors will be bigger than when using one of the peripheral AF points since the peripheral AF points are located closer to the "thirds" of an image.

The whole situation is really driving me insane now and then.

Canon 5D MKIII = FTW

Thanks for your reply kouasupra although it wasn't really helpful. I want to hear user experiences, opinions, remarks etc.

Like I just said in another thread: I'd pick the 6D, just because it has slightly better IQ / DR than the 5D3.

I must say, it IS kinda weird that Canon used a better sensor for the much cheaper 6D, even if it is only marginally better..

If you need the AF then get the 5d3 otherwise what Osiriz said.

I cannot speak from experience with the 6D but I would imagine that the image quality gains are marginal at best. Of course, with you being a perfectionist, that may indeed be a deciding factor. But I must say that using the 5D3 has been, for me, a wonderful experience. The usability gains over the 5D2 are immense, and the AF performance is superb.

With that in mind, however, and from what you have stated regarding your preferences, I believe that the 6D would be the better choice for you. The inbuilt WiFi is a big draw and it's something which I really wish that the 5D3 had. I don't believe that you will have problems regarding AF precision as long as your desired points of focus fall within the 6D's limits, but that is for you to decide. Non-cross AF points really aren't as bad as some make them out to be as long as there is sufficient detail. Those of the 5D2 performed admirably, within reason. And of course, saving money is most always a good thing.

coming from a t2i, you should be very pleased with either.... 5D3 is what you should get, but it's like 1K more, so tough choice.

I have had no focusing issues with my 6d. I have even used it at a couple of basketball games and it has had no problem. Unless you plan on regularly shooting fast paced erratic subjects then you more than likely don't need the 5d3s focusing system. Save the cash and put it towards more glass, or something else that you want.

After reading your I think that the deciding factor would be money. If you have the money for the 5D III you should go for it. If you have any qualms with spending the extra money get the 6D. I own a 5D III and absolutely love it. Noise control, Af, and ergonomics are superb. Personally, I would not get the 6D based on size and build quality. This is not to say that the 6D is not built well, it is, but the 5D III is built with less plastic and has better weather sealing. If image quality is your highest goal though, you will not be disappointed with either.

For many, perhaps yourself, the output from a 6D would be indistinguishable from a 5D3. For me, the advanced AF and ergonomics of the latter convinced me the added cost were worth it.

I found the 6D too small, the GPS of little interest (and a battery drain), and the WiFi iOS app clunky and finicky, more of a gimmick.

I went from a T2i > 60D > 6D > 5D3, incrementally upgrading because I was chasing what I should have bought in the first place. I love the 5D3; I'm finally completely happy with a body.

jrmy wrote in post #15579820
For many, perhaps yourself, the output from a 6D would be indistinguishable from a 5D3.

I agree. If you have to pixel peep, the difference isn't substantial enough. And I don't get the feeling you'll be shooting at >12000 ISO on a regular basis so it won't matter.
The 6d has nearly every feature you want and since price is obviously what it boils down to, the 6d should be your choice IMO.

6D and use the grand you save to buy a nice lens to go with it

You said it yourself that for what you're shooting you don't need the crazy AF, so save some money and buy the 6D

Based on what you shoot, I think 6D is better for you. Better bang for the buck.

5D3 unless you want another Rebel.

I had this dilemma a couple of weeks ago .... {quite honestly, it still haunted me after I made the decision}. Between 5DIII or 6D.

After weighing in everything I can think of and find, I bought the 6D and have been happy with it. As others have said, the only thing that swayed me towards the 5DIII was the AF system. It's just simply amazing. But I find that I've always used the center AF point which is one of the strengths of the 6D (-3EV). As for the joystick ....... never had, nor used, it before so I won't miss it.

In the end, I could have had a 5DIII with the 24-105L instead of the 6D with 24-105L plus 70-200 f4L IS which is what I have now. So I traded the pros of the 5DIII to glass instead.