Focus speed. Metering system. Overall feel and ease of use. Pretty much everything on this camera is a strength.

The fact that all Canon cameras, regardless of quality, get ripped on by many (not all) Nikon users. AF optimized for f/2.8 or faster.

Other than the new EOS 1v, this camera is the best product Canon has produced yet. The meter is spot on and very rarely gets tricked by strange lighting scenarios. It does E-TTL flash metering with both my 550EX and the 380EX I use with my Elan IIe. The camera feels substantial without being a pig, and the power booster is optional (unlike the F5) The 45 point eye control focus is a bit much, but there is a custom function that can reduce the number of points to 11. This is by far the better setting. It is very quiet which is advantageous when shooting wildlife. Auto focus works best with f/2.8 or faster. This is my one gripe because although I own several fast lenses, the lens that remains on the camera about 80% of the time is my 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS. This is a wonderful lens, and still focuses quickly, but noticably slower than my 28-70mm f/2.8. This camera is an excellent value and even cheaper now that the EOS 1v is out. Now if most Nikon users would quit ripping on anything Canon, I would be completely happy.

Customer Service

Not needed for any of my Canons. (knock on wood)

Similar Products Used:

F5, F100, EOS 1n-RS, EOS Elan IIe, EOS Rebel 2000, even my dad's Leica R8 (talk about quality optics!)

I love the AF system. It is fast and accurate. I use Kodak VS100 slide film and the exposures are great. Very sharp and the colors come alive. A perfect combination. The weight of the body is just right. Whether its a small 50mm up to my 100-400mm IS lens, it remains well balanced in hand.

I don't like the fact that I have to use an external flash. The EOS 3 would have been perfect if it had a pop up flash. I don't care that people say pro cameras are not supposed to have one. I want one.

I recommend the camera to advanced amateurs. The 45 point AF system is worth the money and will greatly improve picture taking in action and on the fly situations.

Customer Service

None needed.

Similar Products Used:

x-700

45 point AF, Multi-spot metering, build quality, ease of use, customizability.

ECF not great for eyeglass wearers or for people using polaroid sunglasses. Poor eye relief for eyeglass wearers.

Need to use f/2.8 lenses to fully exploit capabilities of the AF system. Palm door seems delicate.

This is a great camera body. It will feel very familiar to people who have used any Canon body before. Compared to the Elan II it is much easier to access exposure compensation -- just touch the +/- button and spin the command dial. On the Elan II multiple presses of a button on the back were necessary to access this function. I find the necessary chording of the buttons on the top left of the body to access metering mode, a second access to exposure compensation, AEB, drive mode, etc. faster to use than the equivalent functions on the Elan II.

Learning to calibrate the ECF seemed to be dual teaching process: you were teaching the camera and the camera was teaching you. After several runs ECF works fairly well for me, although I find I rarely use it. Automatic focus point selection works very well for the majority of subjects and it is quite easy and fast to manually select any of the focusing points. Since I tend to use slow film and work off of a tripod ECF is mostly superfluous for me, but it is a boon for sports, wildlife and portrait photographers since the 45 focus points cover the preferred subject placements in the frame.

The central high-precision cross sensors only activate at f/2.8 and faster, although the *center* cross sensor is active at f/4 and faster. However this poses a problem for people with consumer grade zooms since the camera seems to use the minimum aperture reported to decide whether to enable the central cross sensor. Thus the popular Canon consumer zooms will not work effectively with the AF system on this camera, especially in low light. However, with the f/2.8 L zooms it rocks -- providing fast and accurate AF in very low light.

So far, metering appears dead on. The inclusion of multispot metering frees me from having to dig out my 1 degree spot meter and averaging in my head. Matrix metering seems quite good. E-TTL with the 550EX seems very good for pictures of my cat. I have yet to try it out for fill flash outdoors though. (NB, the 550EX with fresh batteries cycles *very* fast. Typically I am able to get off 3 or 4 exposures before the flash requires any appreciable time to recharge. This is great performance when compared with the 380EX. I'll probably end up getting the Transistor Pack E to speed this up more.)

A review of a body such as this is not complete w/o some comment on the accompanying system. The Canon system is first rate, especially for wildlife and sports photographers. I find that it is less than hospitable to macro photographers despite the presence of two excellent 1:1 macro lenses: the 100/2.8 (old style) and the 180/3.5L. The problem is the lack of accessory finders which Nikon has for the F5. Canon only has the angle finder C, which still seems to require you to assume odd positions in the dirt to get good macro shots. The f/2.8L zooms are astounding, but they are big and heavy -- something I consider a small price to pay most of the time. A major drawback of the EOS 3 is the lack of a databack which imprints exposure information or makes it available for download (a'la the 1V) to a computer. I've never been good at keeping a notebook so when I look at a good shot the answer is "uh, f/8 and something...". Maybe Canon will introduce a real databack for this baby which duplicates the exposure information storage capabilities of the 1V. Probably not, though...

I would not recommend this camera for a beginner. It is complex and does not have any "idiot proof" modes -- Canon calls them image modes -- like the EOS 5 or the Elan II.

This is a good body for advanced amateurs and a good second body for professionals. It has every whizzy feature you are ever likely to want and a complete system to back it up -- in fact the EOS 3 and the 1V seem to share most of the same accessories. To those who complain about the "plastic" feel of the body: get a life. This thing has a

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Zeiss Contaflex, Pentax Spotmatic, Pentax K1000, Rebel XS, Elan II, Pentax 67.

Well built, very ergonomic body design, a dedicated DOF preview button, buttons very easy to find. Spot metering is sweet, especially with multi-spot averaging. AF is possible even at f8.

-feels a bit heaving, especially with vertical shots.
-not 100% viewfinder coverage (only 97%)
- ECF not working for me (I wear glasses)

I have to say this is not an easy camera to use. It took me some time to understand how the metering works. For those who complain this camera is not metering correctly: This is not a camera for simple snapshots. Don't expect you can aim, shot, and get perfect results! I believe the first step of using EOS3 is to understand the metering system and how it works with the AF system in various situations. After that, I find this camera really nice! Also, the 45 point AF is a real breeze! With a 300mm f4 and a 2X extender, I can still do autofocus easily. The Speedlite 550EX is a perfect companion with this camera. I highly recommend it.

Customer Service

haven't tried yet

Similar Products Used:

Canon Elan IIe

45 point ECF practically eliminates having to recompose! Autofocus is FAST with USM lenses. Polycarbonate body is STURDY, STRONG and LIGHT! 21 zone evaluative metering is precise, works brilliantly when needed. Multi-spot metering coupled with ECF is very handy!

Loud mirror, especially when compared with A2E. My thumb opens the side door when I'm handling the camera sometimes.

The EOS-3 is awesome technology! The ECF (and the rest of the camera functions)is EASY to calibrate and use IF YOU READ THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET. The later software updated models don't have the underexposure problem! It is even better built than my T-90, which was known as "the tank" (used mine for 11 yrs). The autofocusing is fast, especially with Canon USM lenses. Ergonomics are great. Great camera for serious photographers and pros. I am enjoying mine and would not trade it just for the Nikon name! This camera does almost everything a pro needs it to do!

Customer Service

Took several weeks to get my T-90 cleaned and checked, but it was worth it.

Similar Products Used:

AE-1, A-1, T-90, Rebel, Pentax

An excellency draws criticism. Look at the number of reviews. Those who call it a plastic body should have their camera's made out of cast iron, so that they can bang other camera's in jealousy. The metering is excellent, it does not underexpose brilliant whites.
1. Multispot Metering.
2. Eye control, which took me 5 minutes to set.
3. It is a camera which makes a film proud to expose itself. AF is lightening fast.
4. Partial metering becomes so selective, I wonder how much versatile can a camera be.
5. I dont want to indulge into mathematics and technicality, which is explored in the brochure. It is a work horse, and not a gizmo. It will provide you with pictures if you know how to use it. Not for beginers, or even not recomended for people who hav'nt used an EOS 5.
Army generals would take it in their ammunition division as a missile launcher.
6. With a booster, it is a machine gun with atomic accuracy.
7. A camera is nothing but a light box. But it is the best lightbox in the market with the astronomical support of the lenses, and a brilliant EX 550 flash gun.

If it takes any bad pictures it is my weakness not EOS 3's.

Those who say it is a gizmo and a difficult camera to learn, they must be beginers. it took me one whole day to absorb all the functions it has. It will tune to pefection. Trust me. I have used all known products that are called professional. The Only difference between EOS 1V and EOS 3 is the film speed, which requires PB-E2 booster. So dont spend money on the new one. The only other camera's that stand by its side is the tank F5, which is marvellous equipment and somewhat, Minolta Dynax 9. I cannot hope to compare the F100 with the EOS 3. Please don't do it. It is full of errors, unpredictable metering, and fails to expose correctly. Its exposure is even worse than the F80 which nearly £500 cheaper.
And one more thing, if you are not satisfied with my comments, and do not understand the technicalities, then buy a Canon for the lenses which are truly an extension of the human eye, specially the L series lenses.

Customer Service

Not yet approached.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F5, F100, F90x Minolta Dynax 9, Pentax (All models, including Medium Format) and all Canons including EOS 1V.

21-zone evaluative metering, 45-focus point AF, ECF, great combination with the Speedlight 550ZX flash.

None

Canon and Nikon they both make great cameras. I did several test shots with both the EOS3 (with the Speedlight 550ZX flash) and the Nikon F100 (with the SB-28 flash). And the winner is the EOS3. The fill and bounced flash is perfect in every single shot while there was a little over exposure in the pictures taken with the Nikon F100. However, I notice that the Nikon has somewhat sharper focus which is hardly noticeable. I love both cameras and I wish I could afford both.

Customer Service

Never needed.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Elan IIe, Canon A2E, Nikon N60, Nikon N90, Nikon F100

Fast & accurate autofocus; great flash system; durable build; very gripable and great ease of operation.

No dioptric adjustment--you gotta buy a diopter lens. Mirror lockup is too complicated.

This is the finest 35mm camera I have ever owned or used! With the PB-E2 Booster Drive, it feels as solid as a tank but is nimble to use. The extra weight keeps the cam from bounding around and thus I can handhold shots about a stop slower than with my EOS5. I rarely used the ECF in my EOS5, not because it didn't work for me, but because it was a little slow for action shots and was disabled in verticals. The ECF in the EOS3 is great--I rarely turn it off now!

As I also have an EOS1N, this camera immediately felt familiar in my hands--I barely had to crack the manual.

The EOS3 viewfinder is the brightest and most clear and contrastly viewfinder I have seen. In fact, the first big difference I noticed between the EOS1N and EOS3 is that the viewfinder is much brighter & more contrasty in the EOS3. The EOS5 viewfinder is almost as bright as the EOS3 but is not as contrasty. However, all three EOS cameras have brighter viewfinders than my old Nikon FM2.

In good light all 3 cameras seemed to autofocus about the same--fast. However, in poor light the EOS3 really outshines the other two.

The meter of the EOS3 seems to nail a few more shots better than the EOS1N in difficult situations (sidelight, backlight & lots of light or dark objects). I especially like the multi-spot average system for difficult situations.

My minor beef with this camera is that for a grand it should have built-in dioptric adjustment. I know, it's only $26 for a diopter but built-in convenience is nice. Another little beef is that the mirror lockup is too complicated--you gotta use the custom function to turn it on or off. How about a button? A mirror lockup button behind the palm door would be great.

Well, I'm selling my EOS1N...

Customer Service

Fine most of the time.

Similar Products Used:

EOS1N, EOS5, EOS100, EOS10S, EOS630

autofocus speed; control layout; metering accuracy; ease of use; canon technology

heavy! consumes batteries quite rapidly, but it might just be my rechargeable Ni-MH's sitting around for a while.

as a photojournalist, i have come to greatly appreciate the ease of use this camera offers. it is also because of this camera that i have been able to capture some truly great images.

this is for john h.>> have you really looked through the viewfinder? you say you have the canon eos a2 as well as some other canon products. well, the eos 3 is simply the brightest viewfinder in the canon line. i have used my newspaper's nikon D1, and the viewfinder, although easier to see with my glasses, is darker- significantly... especially with slower lenses- than the eos 3. the construction, if you have ever felt this camera, is VERY rugged, VERY SOLID. if you have the canon eos a2, you will know that the polycarb used in the a2 is nowhere near the quality of the eos 3. stick on the PB-E2 and this camera is as solid as any on the market, minus the frozen fingers you will get in the winter cold. about nikon's VR lens... big whoop. nikon can't seem to get anything right. they get VR, but lose AF-S. what's the point of a really good lens that is supposed to be used for handheld nature photography when it can't focus fast wnough to get the birds flying around? the old screwdriven autofocus is really slow on nikon, you know this... canon on the other hand, has the 100-400 IS USM. notice something? IS > USM. what this means is super fast autofocus with image stabilizing technology. just don't talk gibberish and try to sway the review marks for a great camera just because you, as well as other nikon users, are jealous of canon's ingenuity. if you look at the history of nikon and canon, it is always canon that invents the good stuff that nikon eventually steals. e.g.'s: textured rubber grippable surface, multipoint af, ultrasonic in lens AF motors, image stabilization technology, weatherproofing, command dials, ergonomic designs that molds into the hand etc.etc.etc. see? the list goes on and on. nikon, though, has some great flash technology, and i will give them that. but that is all they have that canon has not quite grasped.

Customer Service

great. CPS can't be beat. web site response is great. toll free line is great. i wasn't on hold for half an hour like i was with nikon's when i inquired about the nikon super coolscan.

Similar Products Used:

canon eos 5, canon rebel Xs, nikon D1, nikon 2020, minolta 600si (tested a friend's) and eos 1n

amazing 45pt. autofocus!! the more you use it, and recalibrate to the situations you find yourself in, the better and quicker it works! there are many useful custom functions which allows you to totally customize the different capabilities of the camera, tooled specifically to your needs, even down to changing the commands of the buttons to different buttons, i.e. changing focus from the shutter to the AEL button, this camera is Light! illuminated display by button touch is nice!

noisy shutter, solid sounding, quick as anything, but LOUD! might not stand as much abuse as other promodel cameras- not as well sealed from dust and water as other pro models-

Definetly check out this camera if stepping up into the pro model line, it is quite affordable and boasts many unmatched capabilities!

Customer Service

just purchased recently so no need yet, hopefully ever

Similar Products Used:

eos elan IIe, elan 650, elan, nikon 6006, pentax 645n, hassy 500cm, others