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Canon EOS 1D Mark IV vs. Canon EOS 5D Mark II: ISO and IQ Comparisons

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Posted by Patrick on Jan 28, 2010 in Cameras, Reviews

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV vs. Canon EOS 5D Mark II: ISO and IQ Comparisons

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Canon EOS 1D Mark IV vs. Canon EOS 5D Mark II: ISO and IQ Comparisons
Until the EOS 1Ds Mark IV is unveiled, we thought we’d take an opportunity to show how Canon’s newest professional model, the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, compares with the 21 megapixel, full frame, Canon EOS 5D Mark II. And of course we’re talking specifically about overall image quality, including ISO and resolution, because for the most part there really is no other comparison between the two.

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Canon EOS 1D Mark IV

I’ve got almost a few weeks under my belt now with the EOS 1D Mark IV and 1000’s of pictures, and I have to say I’m pretty impressed. In nearly every regard the EOS 1D Mark IV is a blazing performer, it’s responsive through and through, and I’m happy to say that the 1.3x crop, 16.1 megapixel camera has image quality that rivals the 5D Mark II. From the Mark IV perspective I assume some will complain that a $5000 camera doesn’t offer better IQ than the much cheaper model, but the Mark IV is far from just a studio camera, indeed, while it excels at such tasks (and I’ve been using it for such duties) it can shoot faster, and for longer, in worse conditions, difficult and moving subjects, than the 5D Mark II, while offering more customization and versatility than its more affordable full frame cousin.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Of course from the 5D Mark II’s perspective, this all good news. The same basic technology borrowed from the EOS 1Ds Mark III (from 2007) and placed in the much more affordable 5D Mark II is still offering superb image quality and impressive ISO performance as well, in fact between the 2 cameras, the captures are very close, and hard to tell apart without checking the EXIF and file sizes. It’s true the EOS 1D Mark IV takes low light further than the 5D Mark II, but further doesn’t mean better. You can see from the samples that their departure point at the 5D Mark II’s ISO 25,600 is pretty much the same, and judging by the samples from ISO 51,200 and 102,400, perhaps the EOS 1D Mark IV should have stopped with the 5D Mark II.

What does it all mean? Well we’re really comparing apples to oranges with these two cameras, they have dramatically different feature sets, are intended for different customers, and are based on different sensor types. Still, the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV can do everything the 5D Mark II can do, plus a whole lot more, and it does it all very well. For studio work, sports, journalism, and art, the EOS 1D Mark IV has a lot to offer for sure. As for the EOS 5D Mark II, if image quality is your only ballgame (or video), this is the camera for you. You could get 2 of them for the price of one 1D Mark IV, and that premium doesn’t get you better IQ or arguably even better ISO performance. It’s a great camera, with terrific image quality, but it’s antiquated AF system pales compared to the 1D Mark IV, and let’s not even mention its anemic 3.9 fps (vs. the EOS 1D Mark IV’s 10 fps!)

ISO Comparisons

The following were taken with in-camera noise reduction and dynamic range enhancers turned off. Both cameras set to f/8 and a +1 exposure compensation. The histograms are very much similar, and overall image feel is also similar. For this test we used the same lens, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4, but have adjusted the position of the 1D Mark IV to match the field of view. This levels the playing field for sharpness and metering, while processing both in Lightroom 3 beta keeps things fair in post. For the unfamiliar, Lightroom 3 beta sets a default amount of noise reduction for chroma noise, we’ve moved that slider to zero. In the real world LR3 does a very effective job at removing Canon’s chroma noise, so just remember these files are at their worse possible state. Click each thumbnail for the 100% crop. The full size set for the EOS 1D Mark IV is here and the 5D Mark II set is here. The 1D Mark IV is on the left, the 5D Mark II on the right. The last crop is ISO 51,200 and 102,400 from the Mark IV.

Crop Source

Crop 1


ISO 100	ISO 1600

ISO 3200	ISO 6400

ISO 12800	ISO 25600

ISO 51200 and 102400 (Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Only)

Crop 2


ISO 100	ISO 1600

ISO 3200	ISO 6400

ISO 12800	ISO 25600

ISO 51200 and 102400 (Canon EOS 1D Mark IV only)

Bonus

This test is far from scientific. Due to fast light loss, the exposure (shutter) times are off, and again, to match the field of view, the 1D Mark IV’s physical position is not the same as the 5D Mark II’s. Still the histograms are close, and one can, with the above test, get a sense of the noise and dynamic range characteristics of both cameras. Click each thumbnail for the 100% crop. The full size set for the EOS 1D Mark IV is here and the 5D Mark II set is here. The 1D Mark IV is on the left, the 5D Mark II on the right. The last crop is ISO 51,200 and 102,400 from the Mark IV.

It’s amazing how similar the renderings are from both cameras. You’ll note both cameras put a priority on preserving shadow detail, while forgetting about highlight areas. In reality the actual scene was quite dark, I personally wasn’t able to see detail in the rear of this structure, nor make out any of the actual colors. One other point, the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV had not trouble focusing in here, while the 5D2, shortly after taking it’s pictures, was no longer able to find focus.

Crop Source