ISO performance 450d to 7d

Most of my shooting is action: sports/wildlife/etc, using the 450d.

I shoot alot of special rec indoor sports. The Lighting can be truly awful - and flash is not allowed much of the time. I use fast primes for the most part.

I'm looking for an increase in autofocus, and ISO performance. I feel I am currently at the limit of my equipment. Some more FPS would not hurt, but is not my primary goal.

Looking to a 7d - other posts have provided the AF reassurance I am looking for.

I'm getting a very mixed read on the differences in ISO performance between the two. I generally shoot at 800 (with this camera). It's where I've found the performance/quality trade-off (to my tastes at least) to be.

I'd love to get another stop or two, to help freeze the action, and improve, or at lease hold the IQ/noise levels. Not a huge fan (or perhaps simply not adept) of PP - but it of course cannot be complete avoided.

Can anyone who has made this, or a similar move, or who owns both cameras offer any insights? A 5dm2 is not out of the question, but I gather it would not be best suited for the action focusing.

Welcome any thoughts, and thanks in advance for the insights!

Jim

I made the exact move - from a 450D to a 7D, and the ISO performance on the 7D just blew me away. Just the capability to go up to 3200 and 6400 was amazing - before,I would try not to ever use 1600 on the 450 because it was so noisy, but as long as you properly expose on the 7D, the low amount of noise is just awesome!

Some of the pictures I have taken this year (as oppose to last year when I didn't have the 7D) would not have been possible because I could not get a fast enough shutter speed ... I find the 3200 and 6400 ISO extremely useful indoors.

Thanks for the update. That helps. I know they have the higher settings - can you estimate for me what setting on the 7d approximates the 800 on the 450d - aka gives a similar noise level?

Jim

I'd say probably 3200 ... I try not to pixel peep though. Anyone, fell free to say otherwise

I recently upgraded from a 450D as well but in your case, I would recommend the 7D.

It's going to look a lot better than the noise levels in the 450D.

450D (RAW) and 7D (mRAW) at ISO 1600, 100% crop. Neutral picture style with noise reduction disabled in DPP before conversion to JPEG.

450D:

Ok, there is a difference there - Not sure if the difference in apparent size is cropping the image further, or done in camera. I must confess - it is not a significant as I was hoping.

I also went from 450D to 7D...the ISO performance is better, however, if one of your main reasons to upgrade is for higher ISO, then I would recommend against the 7D. It's better, but IMHO it is nowhere near great, and not worth the upgrade cost if high ISO is to be used frequently.

And FWIW, the two above pics look to be cropped differently, and also don't look to be exposed correctly.

mannetti21 wrote in post #13528122
And FWIW, the two above pics look to be cropped differently, and also don't look to be exposed correctly.

The difference in size is the difference between 10 MP (7D mRAW) and 12 MP (XSi RAW). Both are 800x800 100% crops. No interpolation.

Exposure was set with the live histogram and was the same for both images. Neutral picture style is very flat and no sharpening was applied. I wanted the images to be as unprocessed as possible. And you're right, there's not a significant difference in noise.

For action, 7D is miles ahead of 450D. I debated for 6-9 months before upgrading from 450D to 7D. 7D crushes the rebel in AF speed and fps. While i wouldnt say that the 7d is a miracle worker with ISO, for me and the stuff i shoot, I didnt like anything over ISO 400 on my rebel and 7D ive had keepers at 3200 and higher.

emelvee wrote in post #13527293
I made the exact move - from a 450D to a 7D, and the ISO performance on the 7D just blew me away. Just the capability to go up to 3200 and 6400 was amazing - before,I would try not to ever use 1600 on the 450 because it was so noisy, but as long as you properly expose on the 7D, the low amount of noise is just awesome!

Some of the pictures I have taken this year (as oppose to last year when I didn't have the 7D) would not have been possible because I could not get a fast enough shutter speed ... I find the 3200 and 6400 ISO extremely useful indoors.

you can get ISO 3200 on the XSi (450D), just increase the exposure using DPP or Photoshop, etc. I do it all the time.
that difference in ISO performance may not be so amazing!
www.dxomark.com
this guy thinks the ISO performance of the XSi (450D) is better than the 7D!
http://darwinwiggett.w​ordpress.com/2009/11/1​1/the-canon-7d/

I have both bodies. My wildlife keeper rate went through the roof when I went from 450d to 7d. Higher ISO + AF = more photo opportunities. Go for it.....

I also own both and I think the only reason to upgrade to a 7D would be af, fps and the slightly better high ISO. I've experienced first hand that it's easier to get great IQ from my 450D and while my 7D is capable of producing equal or better IQ, you've really got to work for it.

They're pretty much equal up to ISO 800 with the rebel having a bit less noise at low ISO while the 7D has a decent lead at ISO 1600+. If I had the chance to upgrade to a 1D X today and 1 camera had to go, I would seriously consider selling my 7D and keeping my 450D, it's that good IMO.

7D's hi ISO performance (1600 and/or up) is pretty good but I woudn't say I am blew away by it when i compare it with my older canons like T1i, 30D and 5Dc. The good thing about it's noise is that it's PP NR friendly so it's easy to clean up if you want to. I wouldn't hesitate to use up to ISO3200 on the 7D.

This is exactly the kind of feedback I've been looking for - thank everyone - keep it coming.

It sounds like I will see an increase in ISO performance - although perhaps not as much as i had hoped.

Seems like the AF and FPS will be a help.

I had not really considered the extra megapixels - I mean I knew they were there, but had not thought about them impacting me too much - I don't do crazy crops or posters much. Sounds like I may get a bit of help there.

In all, sounds like the 450d is hanging in there.

Thanks