So does the 5D MkII have better IQ than the MkIV?

I can't really tell with the web images and that's all I can find.

What's the current consensus?

Noise doesn't appear to be that great, but IQ?

IQ is phenominal... I think you are comparing two different bodies that in reality have two different functions. You dont think the noise is good? What do you think is "great noise"? Serious question.

Better than the 5dmkII, I think so..

From images I can find, whilst really not ideal, it appears the 5D still has less noise.

I know the 1d has technically better pretty much everything else though but am interested in the IQ too.

Gel wrote in post #9484940
From images I can find, whilst really not ideal, it appears the 5D still has less noise.

I know the 1d has technically better pretty much everything else though but am interested in the IQ too.

the mkIV has better IQ and better noise handing.. easily. Im speaking from personal experience with the camera..

Isn't it sort of like comparing a Lexus with a BMW? Both good, both different. I'd like either one. Hey, I've got a 5DmkII and much cheaper than the mkIV, Lexus or BMW!

I never understand these car analogies. I get in, I turn the key, I drive. What is so exciting? I just want to get somewhere.

As for the original question, I'm interested too (though more in a 1D3 vs. 1D4 comparison. I'd really like to get some one on one RAW test images at ISO3200 and ISO6400 from each to compare.

To me the IQ of the 1D3 and the 5D2 are about the same. I'd really only consider the 1D4 (which I am seriously considering) if I can get at least one more stop ISO from it for the same detail and noise from a RAW image.

Gel wrote in post #9484890
I can't really tell with the web images and that's all I can find.

What's the current consensus?

Noise doesn't appear to be that great, but IQ?

what do you mean by that?

ed rader

just buy both. think of it like this: the 5d2 is chuck norris' left eye and the one-four is his right.

when you mount a lens to either, that isn't aperture. that's pupil constricting

These two cameras are totally different, i.e. one does not decide which one to buy based on the noise characteristics consideration.

Anyway, here are some captures of comparable images (the shots were made specifically for measuring the dynamic range), with ISO 100, 400, 1600 and 3200. Only the "red" raw channel is shown.

My observations are:

- the noise measured as standard deviation is very close with these cameras,

- the ugly pattern noise of the 5D2 is not present with the 1DMkIV (this can not be judged well from these captures),

- the 5D2 images are "cleaner". I can only speculate about the reason; perhaps due to the difference between the size of the sensels (the 5D2 has 2.4 megapixels per cm², the 1DMkIV has 3.1 megapixels per cm²).

I hope it can be used, but it is not much.

Panopeeper wrote in post #9486669
Anyway, here are some captures of comparable images.....

Not seeing any captures...

canonnoob wrote in post #9484955
the mkIV has better IQ and better noise handing.. easily. Im speaking from personal experience with the camera..

Oh well that's different then! IQ is subjective, and you can't tell if it has superior IQ or inferior IQ from the samples posted on the web.

oaktree wrote in post #9485076
Isn't it sort of like comparing a Lexus with a BMW? Both good, both different. I'd like either one. Hey, I've got a 5DmkII and much cheaper than the mkIV, Lexus or BMW!

Lexus is made by Toyota and BMW has crap resale....

Links to the captures

I am so sorry, the age combined with drugs has its effect.

1DMkIV, ISO 100

5DMkII, ISO 100

1DMkIV, ISO 400

5DMkII, ISO 400

1DMkIV, ISO 1600

5DMkII, ISO 1600

1DMkIV, ISO 3200

5DMkII, ISO 3200

The numbers with the red, oval markings show the intensity on that particular patch, in EV from clipping; for example -9.75 means, that is is close to the end of the 10th stop of the dynamic range. The number in the second row shows the noise in percentage of the average intensity.

Panopeeper wrote in post #9486906
I am so sorry, the age combined with drugs has its effect.

Not to worry - thanks for posting these.

I'm lucky - I get the effects of the "forgetful" drugs without having to take them.

Panopeeper wrote in post #9486669
- the 5D2 images are "cleaner". I can only speculate about the reason; perhaps due to the difference between the size of the sensels (the 5D2 has 2.4 megapixels per cm², the 1DMkIV has 3.1 megapixels per cm²).

The product of linear pixel resolution and read noise is about 5-10% lower for the 1D4 than the 5D2 at high ISOs, and also, the 1D4 read noise has less line noise, but the 5D2 collects about 1.69x as many photons (assuming equal QE), so it is to be expected that the 1D4 will be better in the shadows, and the 5D2 in brighter areas, especially at the low end of the high ISO range (800 to 3200). A high-key ETTR image will be cleaner in this range on the 5D2.

canonnoob, I did not see a 5dII in your gear list. Did you own one and sell it? did you own both concurrently? I am interested to see to what extent this personal experience is.
As for the OP, as others said, the camera's are vastly different, and there are many factors that go in to image quality.
Are you shooting static objects at iso 100, at f8? 5d2 will have better image quality. will give you more detail.
shooting static objects with your lens near wide open? a full frame would have an advantage there for same size prints, with better center resolution, simply b/c you are magnifying your image less for same size print. Taking pictures of a fast moving object with off center focus? forget 5dII. I am not simply stating the obvious. Its just that there is so much that goes in to image quality and sharpness depending on your application.
As for noise performance goes, I have not owned 1dm4, just the 5d2. Looking at all the comparisons between 1d4 and Nikon d3s, I would venture to say that there should not be much difference in high iso performance for the same size print between 5d2 and 1d4, nor do I think there is much difference in dynamic range between the two sensors.