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?

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by Paul

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?

Actually, picture style was set to "faithful" in 5D. Color space in 1DS was 2 (portrait). But as RAW files these things could be changed.

[dc2]

Be interesting to see prints from these [but a bit more expensive] and the same test in raw .
Personally I never shoot in jpeg

[dc2]

(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.
Quote
No we have not seen any of you clients either Alice M [no offence Just kiddin] but please please post us a pic
it only takes a few clicks , and pretty please

[metalstorm]

My impression from reading about the 5D at other boards is that it's jpg compression is a little to high and really degrades it's output. I too would like to see some RAW comparisons. I'm really impressed with the high ISO performance of the 1DS. especially the ISO800. Thanks for doing a direct comparison of the two.

[scoundrel1728]

I see a fair amount of chroma noise in the 1Ds shot but this may be masked by the red color cast in the 5D's background. I also fancy seeing more noise suppression artifacts in the 5D than in the 1Ds image.

[Mr. Pickles]

Tick for tat here. The real questions are different.

Why so different in JPG's. Does the 5D real do worse in JPG mode than others? If so, why do they change the level of compression so much? Ever wonder about that?

What is the REAL color of the background. Faithful or whatever, both should LOOK the same or close. These aren't close. For a more accuate assesment of the noise, the colors have to be closer. Quite possibly the noise is not even across the RGB band, and if the background colors were the same color, you might see a different difference.

[JDArt]

Real color of background was closer to what the 1DS produced, but neither camera did that well.