Canon has today announced a 21.1-million pixel full-frame digital SLR in the shape of the EOS-1Ds Mark III.

Claimed to also appeal to a market traditionally dominated by the medium format camera the EOS-1Ds Mark III is housed in a ?compact, lighter-weight magnesium alloy body? and is ?rugged and versatile enough to take out of the studio and into the field?, according to Canon.

?The EOS-1Ds Mark III takes Canon?s pro-digital prowess into the realm of high-fashion and commercial photo studios where bulkier, medium format cameras previously reigned?, claimed a Canon spokesman.

Features include five frames per second shooting for a burst of up to 56 JPEG frames or 12 raw images.

EOS-1Ds Mark III is due to be available from November and – in the United States at least – will cost the same as its 16.7MP predecessor, the EOS-1Ds Mark II ($7,999).

Key features include an AF system with 19 cross-type sensors and 26 focus assist points, plus a 3in LCD monitor (230,000 pixel resolution) with Live View Mode.

The redesigned viewfinder is claimed to be ?wider and brighter? than before.

The ISO 100-1600 equivalent sensitivity is expandable to ISO 3200.

It also includes Canon?s EOS Integrated Cleaning system.

The EOS-1Ds Mark III is expected to include UDMA support for CompactFlash cards.

UK specification will be confirmed at a press briefing in London later this morning.

Click below for EOS-1Ds Mark III full spec:

EOS-1Ds Mark III spec

EOS-1Ds Mark III