About this guide
The Canon 5D Mark III uses Canon’s 3-pin N3 remote port (the same connector as the 5D II/IV, 6D, 7D/7D II, and several 1-series bodies), so any remote sold here has to say N3 specifically — an E3 or DC2 remote simply won’t plug in. These seven are real, currently sold N3 remotes; it’s a fairly small market of just a handful of makers, spanning Canon’s own wired switch up through wireless intervalometers.
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The picks, in detail
Canon RS-80N3 Remote Switch
Canon's own simple wired remote for the N3 port: a lock button for long bulb exposures and a half-press for autofocus, with no electronics to fail.
- Genuine Canon accessory, N3 3-pin connector
- Shutter lock for bulb exposures
- Half-press autofocus/exposure lock
- Roughly 2.6-foot cord
- Zero-fuss, purpose-built Canon accessory with no batteries or pairing
- The reference remote most other N3 wired remotes copy
- No timer or intervalometer functions — just a basic trigger and lock
Canon TC-80N3 Timer Remote Controller
Canon's official intervalometer for the N3 port, with self-timer, interval timer, long-exposure timer, and exposure-count settings for timelapse or astro work.
- Genuine Canon accessory, N3 connector
- Timer range from 1 second to 99 hours, 59 minutes
- Interval and long-exposure timer modes
- Exposure-count setting for timelapse sequences
- The only remote here with a full built-in intervalometer from Canon itself
- Long track record as the standard timelapse/astro remote for N3 bodies
- Priced well above the wired basics and most of the wireless options on this list
Pixel TW-283 N3 Wireless Shutter Remote
A 2.4GHz wireless remote with a claimed 80-meter range and its own built-in intervalometer functions, at a fraction of the TC-80N3's price.
- 2.4GHz wireless, up to ~80m range
- LCD screen with timer/intervalometer functions
- Single-shot, continuous, and bulb modes
- N3-specific cable included
- Wireless freedom plus real intervalometer functions in one budget unit
- Widely available with a long sales history on this exact camera
- Build quality and LCD are noticeably more basic than Canon’s own TC-80N3
Neewer NW-880/N3 LCD Timer Remote
A wired LCD timer remote positioned as a budget alternative to the TC-80N3, covering the same self-timer/interval/long-exposure functions.
- Wired, N3 connector
- LCD display with self-timer, interval, and long-exposure timer
- Exposure-count setting
- Compatible with 7D, 5D-series, 6D, and other N3 bodies
- Covers most of the TC-80N3’s timer functions for roughly a tenth of the price
- Wired connection means no pairing or battery-drain surprises
- LCD and button feel are a clear step down from Canon’s own unit
Neewer GD-C3R Wireless Remote Trigger
A simple wireless trigger and receiver pair for the N3 port, for straightforward remote triggering without a full intervalometer.
- 2.4GHz wireless trigger and receiver
- N3 connector for 5D-series, 7D, 6D, and other N3 bodies
- Simple shutter-release trigger
- Compact transmitter
- Cheapest genuine wireless option on this list
- Good for group shots or simple long-exposure triggering without a cord
- No timer/intervalometer functions — it’s a trigger, not a full remote controller
Vello Wireless ShutterBoss III (Canon N3)
A wireless remote with a digital timer built in, from a brand that sells camera-specific versions rather than one universal cable.
- Wireless transmitter and receiver with digital timer
- Canon N3-specific version
- Self-timer, interval, and long-exposure timer modes
- LCD readout on the transmitter
- Full timer functionality without a cord tethering you to the camera
- More polished build than the budget Neewer/Pixel options
- Price varies a lot by retailer and bundle — worth comparing before buying
Foto&Tech RS-80N3 Wired Remote
A third-party wired replacement for Canon's own RS-80N3, with the same lock-and-trigger function at a lower price.
- 3-pin N3 connector, direct RS-80N3 replacement
- Shutter lock for bulb exposures
- Half-press autofocus/exposure lock
- Compatible with 5D II/III/IV, 6D, 7D and other N3 bodies
- Does exactly what the genuine Canon RS-80N3 does for well under half the price
- Simple and reliable with nothing electronic to fail
- Build materials are noticeably cheaper-feeling than the genuine Canon part
What each one costs
Typical price, cheapest first. Tap a name to jump to that pick and its buy link.
Compare any three
| Canon RS-80N3 Remote Switch | Canon TC-80N3 Timer Remote Controller | Pixel TW-283 N3 Wireless Shutter Remote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $65-$75 | $180-$210 | $25-$35 |
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Buying tips
- Check the connector letter, not just the word “remote” — the 5D Mark III needs an N3 remote specifically; E3 and DC2 remotes are for different Canon bodies entirely and won’t fit the port.
- If you shoot timelapse or long astro exposures, an intervalometer (TC-80N3, Pixel TW-283 N3, or Neewer NW-880/N3) earns its keep; for occasional bulb-mode landscape work, the plain RS-80N3 or Foto&Tech equivalent is all you need.
- Wireless remotes (Pixel, Neewer GD-C3R, Vello) free you from a cable but add a battery to manage — keep a spare on hand for a long shoot.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.