7D, 5D classic, and 5D2 noise and detail

Thanks TomW.

appreciate the effort.

This is a great thread, thanks for the hard work.

It is appreciated!

EDIT - You may have helped convince me that the 7D is the way to go for me, over the 5D classic (due to this, as well as other usage-issues).

Since the 3200 ISO shots on the 5D are just pushed 1600 ISO images, you could push a 1600 shot up 2/3rd stops to account for the 1/3 stop extra sensitivity.

tdodd wrote in post #8934658
7d vs 5D2 ISO/noise comparison - http://www.cameratown.​com/reviews/canon7d/ - click the thumbnails to see larger images, otherwise the differences are hard to spot.

Wow, even at ISO 400 the 7D looks noisier in these samples, but the 7D images look underexposed - I wonder if that is a factor in these samples.

is it just me or does the 7d edge out the 5d in terms of resolving power? I've been comparing the text "2 channel" off center to the right and i have noticed that the 5d cannot resolve the "nn" on channel. the 5d2 is very clear and distinct.

the 5d orange is slightly better than the 7d's duller color tone, but i'm sure if you bump the 7d's in-camera saturation up 1, it might have a fighting chance.

very excited for canon's future.

Thanks Tom for your hard work!

Interesting and well-done comparison!

Thanks for sharing.

c2thew wrote in post #8957998
is it just me or does the 7d edge out the 5d in terms of resolving power? I've been comparing the text "2 channel" off center to the right and i have noticed that the 5d cannot resolve the "nn" on channel. the 5d2 is very clear and distinct.

the 5d orange is slightly better than the 7d's duller color tone, but i'm sure if you bump the 7d's in-camera saturation up 1, it might have a fighting chance.

very excited for canon's future.

Looks that way to me and it certainly was when I compared the 7D to my old 40D. It's the advantage of more MP, even though the majority keeps harping that "less is more".

same lens used on all 3?

NaKiD EyE wrote in post #8959394
same lens used on all 3?

Yes, the 70-200 f/2.8 IS. Details on the method are in the thread.

Have you done any new tests, I am thinking in buying a 5D Classic or the new 7D but can't decide. Do you have any new tests at low ISOs.

iF you do birding and need the high density 7D sensor and its better AF tracking its the one or a 5D classic.

papucla10 wrote in post #8994551
Have you done any new tests, I am thinking in buying a 5D Classic or the new 7D but can't decide. Do you have any new tests at low ISOs.

http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/82070​7/0#7603301

Thanks, versedmb - I saw that thread a while back but had forgotten about it.

To papucla10, I already sold my 5D so no more testing can happen. The 7D/5D2 combination covers a LOT of territory. I will say this - the 7D has a very superior feature set to the 5D. It's high-ISO noise performance is very close to the level of the 5D. It's AF is superior. Better rear screen. Video. Ultra-fast. Extreme pixel density.

But there is still some magic in the 5D's files. You can really work with a typical ISO 400 file from a 5D without ruining it. Bump it up a stop or two to expose shadow detail. Pull it down a stop or so to show highlight detail. Very workable. And you do get that excellent shallow DOF that full-frame brings out more easily.

I think that it really comes down to the type of shooting you're going to do, and your budget. The 5D is a bargain these days, showing up used at around $1200 USD. That's a lot of image quality for a low price. But if you're going to be shooting sports, birds in flight, or other fast activities regularly, the 7D might be the direction you want to go.

Tom W wrote in post #8995195
Thanks, versedmb - I saw that thread a while back but had forgotten about it.

To papucla10, I already sold my 5D so no more testing can happen. The 7D/5D2 combination covers a LOT of territory. I will say this - the 7D has a very superior feature set to the 5D. It's high-ISO noise performance is very close to the level of the 5D. It's AF is superior. Better rear screen. Video. Ultra-fast. Extreme pixel density.

But there is still some magic in the 5D's files. You can really work with a typical ISO 400 file from a 5D without ruining it. Bump it up a stop or two to expose shadow detail. Pull it down a stop or so to show highlight detail. Very workable. And you do get that excellent shallow DOF that full-frame brings out more easily.

I think that it really comes down to the type of shooting you're going to do, and your budget. The 5D is a bargain these days, showing up used at around $1200 USD. That's a lot of image quality for a low price. But if you're going to be shooting sports, birds in flight, or other fast activities regularly, the 7D might be the direction you want to go.

Very well balanced comparison, IMO. The 7d is an amazing camera, no doubt.

Now, if we could only get a 5d with a little more fps and the 7d's AF.