Canon 1DS vs Canon 5D: 800 and 1250 ISO noise comparison

[JDArt]

For those interested in real-world noise comparisons of these two 11+ megapixel cameras, here's another data point.

The shots below were taken seconds apart, using the same 50mm Canon macro lens. Both were shot at f/3.5, 800 ISO.

I did a 100% crop from the photos so that you could inspect and compare noise levels and noise characteristics.

Here's the 1DS shot:



Here's the 5D shot:



I used JPEG large on both cameras for this test. Auto white balance, natural light.

[AlbertP]

Awesome. More than differences in noise, I see differences in exposure levels. The 5D is supposed to have such great noise levels at high ISOs, but I don't see a great deal of difference here. If anything, the 1DS appears more filmic in its noise to me. The 5D looks smeary.

The 5D did seem to hold highlights here better. The 1DS seems to have more pop.

Anyway, I think this puts the lie to assertions that you can't use the 1DS at anything over 320 ISO.

[Paul Shields]

Hmm, that's an interesting comparision - though I'm trying to see which one really works best (always hard to tell on 100% crops).

The 1Ds shot does appear noisier, but at the same time I would also say it is slightly less soft compared to the 5D crop. What were your thoughts on this?

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by AlbertP

Awesome. More than differences in noise, I see differences in exposure levels. The 5D is supposed to have such great noise levels at high ISOs, but I don't see a great deal of difference here. If anything, the 1DS appears more filmic in its noise to me. The 5D looks smeary.

The 5D did seem to hold highlights here better. The 1DS seems to have more pop.

Anyway, I think this puts the lie to assertions that you can't use the 1DS at anything over 320 ISO.

Ahh - you replied just as I was typing. 'Smeary' - that was the word I was looking for. I don't know... I'm sure seeing the complete image from both cameras it would be difficult to find the differences, though I guess that would make me think that the 1Ds is a bargain (referring to an earlier thread about current ebay prices).

[JDArt]

Perhaps those with a keener eye than my own will provide insight into what we're seeing. My thoughts are that the noise is different, that's all. Noise I see in both pictures. This is definitely "pixel peeping," but I felt it worthwhile to see just how "bad," or not, the 1DS was at ISO 800 compared to the 5D.

Here are comparison shots at ISO 1250:

Here's the 1DS shot:



Here's the 5D shot:



I used JPEG large on both cameras for this test. Auto white balance, natural light.

[Paul Shields]

One thing that struck me was that the 5D crop looked so much softer that I thought it may have been out of focus - I presume the two shots were equally well focused? There is also a distinct difference in colour balance with the 1DS having a lighter blue background. Were these taken as RAW or jpeg?

[JDArt]

These were taken in jpeg. And I can assure you that focus was spot on in both instances.

1DS original pic ISO 1250:



5D original pic ISO 1250:

[Alice Morrison]

Pixel fixation of the worst kind!



Seriously, I appreciate the thread, gentlemen.

My take: at 800 ISO it's a tossup. At 1250, the 5D boasts clearly less noise at the pixel fixation level (I have yet to see one of my clients smash his nose against one of my images in an effort to get the eyes close enough discern noise at this level) but no more noticable detail.

Given these results, I would not suggest that any current 1DS owners "upgrade" to the 5D.

[digiguy]

Originally Posted by Alice Morrison

Pixel fixation of the worst kind!



Seriously, I appreciate the thread, gentlemen.

My take: at 800 ISO it's a tossup. At 1250, the 5D boasts clearly less noise at the pixel fixation level (I have yet to see one of my clients smash his nose against one of my images in an effort to get the eyes close enough discern noise at this level) but no more noticable detail.

Given these results, I would not suggest that any current 1DS owners "upgrade" to the 5D.

I was always told that if you measurebate too much you go blind .

Even so , this is an interesting comparison. Maybe the 1Ds is the dark horse that's been unfairly neglected. Still looks to me that the 5D wins in overall image quality though.

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by JDArt

These were taken in jpeg. And I can assure you that focus was spot on in both instances.

there is definitely more punchiness in the 1Ds image compared to the 5D (see the red in the left side of the picture). Is this due to a particular picture style used in the latter camera?