Canon 5D Mark III vs Fujifilm GFX100S - comparing a 10-year-old camera to a modern one

To mark 10 years since the launch of Canon's now legendary workhorse the 5D Mark III, the team at Lensrentals has launched an interesting and fun challenge - to see just how far technology has come in the last decade, and whether or not anyone can tell the difference when compared to a camera today.

To do this, photographer Zach Sutton compared the 5D with his own Fujifilm GFX 100S, taking five images and then putting them up for comparison. So, is having the top-of-the-line camera as important as many will want you to believe?

As Zach explains, the test isn't purely scientific. The Fujifilm GFX 100S is a better camera on all accounts – increasing imaging resolution significantly from 22.3mp to 102mp, packing in a much larger sensor, adding built-in image stabilisation, and having nearly seven times as many focus points. The other change is with the image-making technology itself. DSLRs like the 5D Mark III are a dying breed, while big sensor mirrorless cameras like the Fujifilm GFX 100S are the new cutting edge.  

Obviously, it would be easy to spot the difference when viewing full-size files, however, that's not how most people view photos, with the majority of images only seen online.

The main takeaways are that in terms of overall sharpness, the Fujifilm is a clear winner - although some of this will be down to the fact its sensor is much larger than the 5D Mark III, and the way both cameras handle their RAW files - with the Canon baking in more contrast and saturation when compared to the Fujifilm. 

If you fancy taking the test yourself, you can do so here. We managed a score of 3/5, which is probably equal parts skill and blind luck. As of a week ago, with over 1,000 people taking the quiz, the average score was 44.7%, with just 2.5% of people achieving 100%, and just 4% getting not one image right. 

Cover image: Lensrentals, used with permission.