High ISO: Old 5D obliterates EOS 50D

[Strawberry Fields]

The new EOS 50D versus the 3-year old EOS 5D. I believe these were shot in RAW. The EOS 5D RAW file was pushed/expanded to ISO 6400, and compared to ISO 6400 Expansion on 50D.

Scroll down to the very bottom of this page to see the direct comparison.



[Added More Links Below]

Here is another comparison between a retail version of the new EOS 50D and an old EOS 5D. The test was done by a helpful member (motopram) at DP Review who bought a 50D, and borrowed a 5D. Some things to consider, before looking at the pics:

• Shot in RAW, converted through DPP, identical settings, NR sliders at ZERO in DPP.
• Both shot with the same 180mm Macro lens @ f/11
• Identical settings means the EOS 5D will be 1/3 stop brighter. The advantage of the EOS 5D is that its sensor is 1/3 stop more sensitive than the newer cameras.
• Identical settings means EOS 5D will have 1.3 stops shallower Depth of Field in these samples
• Focus is a bit off between samples, so we can't compare details. Especially since DoF is different. But we can still compare noise grain, since NR=off.
• The images were not resized, since the difference between 12.8 MP and 15.1 MP is negligible. less 9% difference in vertical, horizontal size.

Here is the EOS 5D at ISO 3200

Here is the EOS 50D at ISO 3200

Here is the EOS 50D at ISO 1600

In my humble opinion, the EOS 5D at ISO 3200 looks as good (or better) than the EOS 50D at ISO 1600. It's interesting that the 5D has very fine noise grain, compared to the lumpy noise blotches on the 50D. Anyways, in my opinion there's slightly more than one stop difference. But I'd advise people can look at those pictures themselves, and make their own judgements.

Some more comparisons from the test above:

Here is the EOS 5D at ISO 1600.

Here is the EOS 50D at ISO 800.



It just goes to show that fancy new technology is no substitute for a bigger sensor. When the EOS 90D shows up in 2014, I'd bet it *still* wouldn't be as good in high ISO as a then-9-year old EOS 5D.


.

[_aravena]

Maybe there will be a bigger sensor on the 90D? That's too far but to say 70D, yeah.

Well I never doubted the 5D's capabilities. It's why I'm strongly considering just saving for awhile, put off weddings (having only one camera) and get a 5D as my main. Armed with a 18-50 on the 20D and 70-200 on the 5D I'd be happy. At 200 I can push the ISO and get a decent shutter speed.

[HaroldC3]

Wow, that really makes me rethink buying a 50D...hmmmm

[FlyingPhotog]

Is there a RAW converter for the 50D yet?

[Indecent Exposure]

My first reaction to the title of this thread was , "Another person overstating what amounts to a minuscule difference."

I was wrong. I admit it.

Gonna have to follow this.

[sadatk]

Originally Posted by FlyingPhotog

Is there a RAW converter for the 50D yet?

acr.

[chevysales]

Originally Posted by Strawberry Fields

The new EOS 50D versus the 3-year old EOS 5D. I believe these were shot in RAW. The EOS 5D RAW file was pushed/expanded to ISO 6400, and compared to ISO 6400 Expansion on 50D.

Scroll down to the very bottom of this page to see the direct comparison.

It just goes to show that fancy new technology is no substitute for a bigger sensor. When the EOS 90D shows up in 2014, I'd bet it *still* wouldn't be as good in high ISO as a then-9-year old EOS 5D.

not even close for a true comparison... but you go with your swedish comparison and enjoy your 5d.

what blows my mind are all these totally off the chart comparisons that mean nothing...done with beta acr of thru jpegs of one raws of another...all conjecture.

me i am a little more realistic and will wait for true comparisons done under true controlled tests that actually mean something... 5d may come out on top who knows. but at least the testing procedure will be legitimate

[khkohl]

Who shoots 6400 iso ?? I certainly don't or wouldn't unless it was an emergency situation!

[_aravena]

I've done 3200 and would have been absolute grateful to have 6400 like that.

[DDWD10]

I certainly wouldn't expect a 50D to beat out a 5D at high ISOs. It's just a matter of sheer sensor size.

The real question is can the 5DII beat the 5D at the pixel level at High ISO?

[khall]

Originally Posted by khkohl

Who shoots 6400 iso ??
unless it was an emergency situation!

That's when you need ISO 6400

[darosk]

Originally Posted by khall

That's when you need ISO 6400

Exactly.

[Lucy Brown]

umm, this is a silly thread

[gjl711]

Originally Posted by DDWD10

I certainly wouldn't expect a 50D to beat out a 5D at high ISOs. It's just a matter of sheer sensor size.

The real question is can the 5DII beat the 5D at the pixel level at High ISO?

I kind of expected the 50D to perform better than the 40 though. If you go back to page 1 and look at the 40/50 comparison I'm not seeing any difference.

Does look like the 50D does a better job with white balance though.

[Tsmith]

In the 4 years now with DSLR's I've gone above iso 800 only a few times other than for pixel peeping tests.

Its kinda amazing all these high iso samples flying around the net. I've seen quite a few 50D iso 6400 that are very good. A lot of variables can affect the results.