Fast autofocus, modeling flash, mirror lock up. The best 35 mm lenses made by Canon.

The quick dial on the camera back can be easily turned by accident (causing unintended exposure compensation), the custom function on the side bar are hard to get to, and the LCD only show the function number without any description or hint, therefore you can not leave home without the manual. What a headache! Using the quick dial AND the main dial to select focus points are not as easy as using the arrow buttons like Nikon F100's. Lacks built-in diopter lense too.

It is a fast and solid camera. But it needs a lot of improvements to be more user friendly. I also hope the camera has TTL spot flash metering capability (not E-TTL, which is taking the average of the scene) linked to the focus point.

Customer Service

No need for service

Similar Products Used:

Old manual focus Canon AE And Canon A

Very versatile.
Well constructed.
Great lenses available.
Speedlite 550EX is fantastic.

ECF tough to get working. I had an EOS 5 for a while where it worked perfectly (although much simpler than the one on the EOS 3 admittedly).

Wish the camera was a bit smaller; not an EOS 3 specific problem I know. The trend for gizmos are making modern cameras of any make too big.

Great camera that is solidly built and that allows you a lot of options in your picture-taking. No good for beginners though.

ECF a slight dissapointment but hardly essential.

Customer Service

Never needed.

Similar Products Used:

EOS 5
Pentax ME Super
Pentax MX

EFC (Eye Focus Control)
Fast Focus
Canon Lenses
Canon Flashes

Minor: Palm door

I've used most major brand small, medium and large format cameras as a commercial photographer. I researched the complete Nikon and Minolta systems. When you add up EFC, the 550EX, MR-14 flashes and the superb Canon lenses (see: photodo.com ), Canon has the most advanced equipment and the sharpest lenses. So I switched from Nikon to Canon. After 6 months of heavy use, there wasn't anything the ESO3 couldn't handle.

While this camera offers a program mode that is a no brainer,it is best suited for an advanced photographer who doesn't need 10 frames a second. I wear blended trifocals and can go from focusing on a bee in a flower to focusing on the eyes of a squirrel in a tree in about 2 seconds. The EFC is the reason to buy this camera for wildlife, sports, photo-journalism, pets and children. After 6 months of demanding use, I wouldn't hesitate to buy or recommend this camera.

Customer Service

Not Needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikon, Minolta

Fast autofocus and frame advance
rugged construction
If eye calibration is calibrated correctly it almost never fails
Built very rugged, don't ever believe anyone who tells you its cheap cause its plastic. The materials used arguably handle the shock of being dropped as well or better than a metal body
PB-E2 booster gives a solid feel, AA use, and all of the shutter controls in a vertical grip

Wish it had a button to a preselected focus point as a failsafe, like the EOS 1V

This camera is incredible. If you don't have the money for a 1v, then the only sacrifices you're making are a polycarbonate body (not a real loss), no quick focus button, and 10fps. But, on the other hand you gain the use of 45pt. eye focus which is incredible. Worth its weight in gold, if you're looking to shoot lots of sports like I do, the AF is incredible.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Canon Rebel 2000
Canon Elan IIe
Canon EOS 1V

Price, design, and features

Minor button layout issues which can vary from person to person

I feel that the EOS 3 is a very good buy for the money. It has Pro features and does what it is designed and made for. Its design and build is AWSOME. Reading through the various reviews of this cameras there are a few issues I would like to address. Since I work at a camera store I am able to do careful investigation by testing cameras side by side.
The first issue in frequent conflict is camera build. The EOS 3 is built internally very similar the Canon EOS 1n and EOS 1V. Where it differs is in the external body construction. The panels are made of a lighter yet very strong polymer. I am in charge of sending out cameras for repairs everyday and its usually the electronics that go before the body. The camera is a lot like a human brain. There is not always external damage that causes injury but internal. Metal based camera bodies tend to dent more when impacted while polymer camera bodies bounce or crack and chip if they hit a sharp edge. This is the same for all cameras whether Canon, Nikon, Pentax or Minolta. Another issue us logical photographers forget is the laws of physics. I would say that out of all the impact damaged cameras I see each day about 75% of them are cause by dropping them or them falling off of something. So here is where I want to challenge people in regards to camera build and weight. Is the camera going to have a harder impact internally and externally if it is lighter or heavier. So in my opinion I like the lighter camera body because its easier to carry.
The second issue I would like to address is in regards to the fogging of the infrared film. I have actually tested this out and unless you plan on custom printing the sprocket holes into your print you wont actually notice anything. In fact the Canon Manual even tended to over exaggerate on the side of caution. Here is where the infrared counter has its advantages. Its for those of us that cant afford or don’t feel like having 3 camera bodies around our necks with different film. I have rewound and reloaded film about 50 to 100 times without any overlap or film loss. A mechanical film counter could not do this.
I use most of the features in various situations and find that it allows me to be more creative because of its layout and design. I am not going to reiterate any of the features it has because you can get that off the Canon web site.
Some things I wish were different on this camera are access to the custom functions menu. I do change some of them around fairly often depending on what I shoot. Having to push a button to check the battery level is a little annoying too. But this is personal preference and not a flaw. If some of these minor issues are a problem for you they are fixed by the EOS 1V for an extra $1000. If you want the latest auto focus algorithms you can get the upgrade at a local Canon repair depot. This upgrade is done through the hot shoe of the camera. It also adds a new custom function menu for Canons new IS lenses. To have a well balanced camera it is necessary to buy the PB-E2 Booster. After Shooting vertically with it you will never want to take pictures any other way. It does add bulk and weight but allows you to change your settings for on the fly photography. If you use AA batteries for a flash it also makes this power source more uniform. I
If you want to photograph more creatively in varied conditions than this is the camera to get. If you want a point and shoot styled camera go for the Canon EOS Elan 7. After picking up the EOS 3 you will never want to put it down. Yes it is a tool but it has to become a part of you to get good results. The more you use it the more it grows on you.

Customer Service

I deal with the Canon service department each day in regards to customer repairs and find them to be one of the easiest ones to deal with. If a problem can at all be covered under warranty they will.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS 1V
Canon EOS Elan IIe Canon EOS Elan 7e
Nikon F100
Nikon F5
Nikon F80
Minolta Maxxum 7
Minolta Maxxum 9

The feel: balance, weight, comfort, etc.

Metering: Spot, Multi-spot, E-TTL flash, the pattern of the 21 zones (weighted more towards middle of frame).

AF: Fast, not as picky as Elans, works well in low light.

The PB-E2: Full vertical controls, increased speed and ability to use double A batteries.

ECF: Love it (or hate it).

Placement of Custom Function Button. I access this button quite often. I am not having trouble with the door. I snagged it with my thumb once when taking my hand off the grip...No big deal.

After having sold my Elan II for an Elan 7E and then becoming quite letdown by the 7E (too small, even with the BP300, poor balance with bigger lenses or 550EX, poor AF in lowlight. Otherwise a great camera), I purchased the EOS 3.

This camera feels and sounds sturdy. A little noisy, but you know it can handle it. Mount the 550EX on the hotshoe and camera feels very well balanced. My 7E felt like it wanted to fall forward with the 550EX mounted. Bigger lenses feel as though they are mounted on a body that will not be stressed under too much weight.

This camera feels great in my hands. The controls were easy to learn.

There is virtually no shutter lag on this camera. I shoot alot of action and movement. and this camera has proven to be very, very responsive in this regard. AI Servo is incredible.

You don't know how nice the metering options are until you have them at your disposal. Spot metering linked to eleven AF points is splendid and fast. Recompose? rarely. Multi spot has proved to be quite nice in contrasty scenes. The Elan 7E has 35 zones for E-TTL, sectioned off in a simple grid pattern. The emphasis on the placement of the zones on the EOS 3 (more in the center than the outside) has proven itself in some touchy situations (differences in foreground and background seem to have less impact on the 3's metering). The exposure meter is very handy. Balancing foreground and background exposure with flash is a snap.

AF is fast and accurate. AF blazes with fast lenses (1.8-2.8) and is still very fast with slower lenses. I have not pushed it any further than 5.6, but it is nice to know that I can. It appears to work much better in lowlight than the 7E. I wish that someone would run an independent test on lowlight focusing of camera bodies. I would love to get some idea of the differences on paper. I know some are better than others, but by how much? This is more a curiosity than a necessity.

The PB-E2 is a monster! Heavy, durable, fast and user friendly...One thing: The buttons on the body have a different feel than the ones on the PB-E2. It takes a little practice to master the difference in feel.

I have been calibrating the ECF for close to three weeks. With 45 AF points, it is difficult and somewhat inaccurate (it is getting better, this obviously takes time); switched to eleven it is fast and very accurate. So, do I like it? I have learned when and when not to use it.

I don't like the door. Those buttons could be somewhere else. But, I do not find the door to be a problem.

Ah, the nicest part...the very healthy current rebate.

So, am I pleased? Yes. Well worth the increase in price over the 7E. Do I need it? I will learn to need it.

Customer Service

I have needed no service on this camera. I have had good experiences with Canon in the past.

Similar Products Used:

EOS Elan II and 7E.
Pentax Spotmatic F

Excellent quality
Excellent ergonomics
Excellent view finder
Excellent Auto focus
Excellent Metering
Very, very easy to use

I like to shoot infrared film now and then
and this camera is not ideal for that. But,
fortunately, I have another body which
works with infrared.

This is the best 35mm camera I have ever used. It is great for any type of work, not only
sports. To compare this body to the A2/5 is not really fair. The A2/5, although a successful
camera, does not have the build quality of the EOS 3. The function buttons that the 3
employs, instead of a command dial(as in the A2/5), is really a gigantic step forward.

The 3 is a very, very intuitive camera. However, I say this only because I've used EOS
systems since they came out; and perhaps that is the reason why it's been so easy to use.

Something else that's surprising is how well it balances with "L" lenses. For example, the
Canon 28-70mm 2.8L is considered by some to be an uncomfortably heavy lens.
This is actually true, when you pair it up with an Elan 7, ElanII or even an A2/5.
But with the 3, this camera/lens combination is "made in heaven". I cannot believe how
well the camera balances with the heavier "L" lenses. It even makes these lenses feel lighter. No joke! No doubt this is testimony that Canon was engineering the body to be used with these better lenses.

If it sound like I am happy with this camera; that is true!
I highly recommend this camera for anyone that is serious about their work and is wanting
a camera that will last them many years. If you are just starting out in photgraphy, then I
would hold off(not because it's difficult to learn) but because you may not want to fork out
between $800-$1100 and have it sitting collecting dust in your closet. On the other hand, if money is no object; get it, and enjoy it!
Cheers!

Customer Service

The only experiences I've ever had with Canon services, whether they'd be technical or sales, can be classified as
nothing short of outstanding. I've been
shooting Canon for over 15 years and
I've never had any problems.

Similar Products Used:

EOS A2
EOS 10S
Canon A1
Canon "L" lenses
Pentax Medium Format systems

Rugged construction
ECF
ETTL Flash system

Custom Functions could be easier to access, as I use them quite often.

This is simply one of the greatest cameras ever made by mankind! It feels great in the hands! As far as construction goes, there are those that say this is a 'plastic' camera. Feel it, and you will see it is quite rugged. On to the Eye Controlled Focusing. I use the hell out of it! I've read complaints that it is not accurate. I'll let you in on a little secret...CALIBRATE, CALIBRATE, CALIBRATE!!! Do it just about every time before you start shooting. It takes all of 2 seconds. When you do, the ECF system works great! The EOS 3, when mated with the 550EX flash, produces some of the best flash pictures you will ever see from a shoe-mounted flash. Simply amazing. Even with all the incredible features of this camera, it is still amazingly user friendly. Check one of these babies out. You'll be glad you did. I certainly love mine!

Customer Service

Never had to use in 20 years of shooting with Canon cameras.

Similar Products Used:

Canon FT, A-1, EOS 650,
EOS IX Lite

weight, 45 points, e-ttl. fast AF, bright image, all those L Lenses

I wish the side door was a bit stronger. Seems a little flimsy and my hand always catches it.

I have been using Canon's for a long time now. I started with the old manual focus camera and have finally moved up to the Eos 3. I must say technology has moved up quite a bit. I feel that people have just place too much emphasis on the construction of the body. Everyone complains that it's too plasticy. Well folks, it's not plastic. They are strong polymers blended to produce a very durable camera. Carbon fiber is a very light weight material and extremly strong. Why doesn't anyone complain about that. Maybe since it has a fancy name. Well, I have never had a problem with the EOS 3. It's a very durable body. If you want to complain about the 45 points, then turn some of them off with the custom functions. I can't find any flaw in this camera yet. It performs flawlessly every time. I have trusted it in the most demanding conditions through snow and dust. There is no reason to look back. Just buy one and see for your self.

Customer Service

never had to use it in 3 years so far.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 8008, Canon Rebel 2000, 3000, 500n, Eos 5, Elan 50e, Eos 1, Eos 650, 630, AE-1

AF speed
Eye control
7FPS with EB-2 booster
Feels like I could drop it and not break it....

Side door IS a little flimsy

Mated to a good "L" series lens, this camera is superb. By far the best camera Canon have ever made, so it's just got to be the best in the world. The precision on the eye controlled AF is astounding once it's calibrated properly (give it a few weeks of using it) and I really love the 1/8000th of a second shutter speed, so you can shoot wide open in bright sunlight, to get those shallow shots. Another great thing is I got the Power Booster free as a promotional offer, which saved me alot of money.

If you are an beginner/ intermediate, and you are starting to see the limtations of your equipment, the I can honestly say it's well worth the plunge to get this camera. This camera will always out-perform me, it's got all the speed, functions, and adjustablity you could ever want. I love this camera!

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

EOS 300,
EOS 5
EOS 1N