Is this a sensor problem?

I keep getting banding on ISO1600/3200, is this a sensor problem?

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Camera is 50D

Nope, that's about right, especially on a 50d (used to own one)

Edit, WHOOP 1000th post!

I have never seen it before to be honest....but thanks

Judging by the heavily cropped miniscule amount of the pic you're showing, it looks like it's under exposed.
If that's the case, banding and noise like that shouldn't be unexpected, and would more than likely be normal.

philwillmedia wrote in post #13560266
Judging by the heavily cropped miniscule amount of the pic you're showing, it looks like it's under exposed.
If that's the case, banding and noise like that shouldn't be unexpected, and would more than likely be normal.

I see

Looks like normal noise to me. maybe a little pattern there, but not bad. You should be able to clean a good bit of that up with some noise reduction.

Thanks for the advice guys...

Looks normal for the camera especially if you are somewhat underexposed you will see banding. I run mine through Topaz Denoise 5 as it can remove banding as well as noise.