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Canon EOS 1D Mark IV vs. Canon EOS 5D Mark II: ISO and IQ Comparisons
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
Crop 1
 |  |
| ISO 1600 | ISO 3200 |
 |  |
| ISO 6400 | ISO 12800 |
 |  |
| ISO 25600 | ISO 51200 and 102400 (Canon EOS 1D Mark IV only) |
Crop 2
 |  |
| ISO 1600 | ISO 3200 |
 |  |
| ISO 6400 | ISO 12800 |
 |  |
| ISO 25600 | ISO 51200 and 102400 (Canon EOS 1D Mark IV) |
Stay Tuned For a Full Review of the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV.
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It appears that the default noise reduction (when noise reduction is turned “off” in both cameras) is higher in the 1D; the details are being “smudged” more in the 1D images versus the 5D images.
Modern cameras are built with a lot of features. users need how-to guides to use all the features in a digital camera model.
Hm…
To me the EOoS-1D Mark IV ISO 51.2K doesn’t look too bad…
This is quite interesting.
The individual pixels of the EOS 5D Mark II are 1.265392 times the size of those found in the EOS-1D Mark IV.
Those of the EOS-1D Mark IV are 1.770719 times the size of those in the 18-megapixel EOS 7D.
The comparative results of the three cameras are, therefore, not surprising.
All good, but all pale to the D3s, (how much bigger are those pixels Fil? )… Still some will be willing to trade a stop or two of ISO for resolution I suppose.
The pixels of the Nikon D3s are 2.198264 times the size of those found in the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV. So it’s not surprising.
The name’s not “Fil”. My screen name is fils-de-Daguerre, meaning “son of Daguerre”, in reference to Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre, the inventor of the daguerreotype, an early form of photograph.
Fils-de-Daguerre,
My comment perhaps looks snarkier than I’d intended, and apologies for snipping your screen name, I usually check these things on my iphone during the day, and got lazy…won’t happen again.
It’s fine. I wasn’t bothered. I just thought you’d find it interesting.
As for myself, I’d probably go for the 1D, but it’d be a tough choice.
For Studio and outdoor D3s,5Dmark2 or MARK IV…I would like to learn your approach to a decision like this…thanks in advance…btw…Nikon and Canon lenses are in my bag already…cheers and thanks for the input…with laugh Danny
I am just wondering when Canon announces the new 1Ds… I want a full frame 1Ds with good ISO!
Many people wondering the exact same thing (including us).
What sort of camera are you currently shooting with Fils-de-Daguerre?
Canon PowerShot SX10 IS. I’d like to upgrade to the EOS 7D, but I’m a bit low on cash, and even if I could purchase the basic kit (which I probably could eke out), my family computer is so bogged down with stuff that I can barely fit in my PowerShot’s JPEGs.
The name’s David, if you wanna type two words less ;]
I don’t really have much use for a Rebel camera. It’s not as if I don’t understand the stuff. Right now on my SX10, I generally shoot in M, although if I’m lazy I’ll shoot in P or Tv. Auto ISO is something I never use anymore.
I also own a Sanyo VPC-S600 compact, as well as a Canon SureShot Z180u compaact 35mm film camera.
Yes, “affording things” can often be an irritating obstacle. I’ve only recently finished paying for the 5D2, and to move up from that, well… that brings new meaning to low on cash.
Yup. Mind, my parents think $400 is really expensive for a camera so they’ll think I’m mad for spending $3000 on a camera.
Fils-de-Daguerre,
I often find most people find the prices associated with photography to be insanely high. Reviewing the 1D Mark IV, one has to remind oneself that the same amount of money could by a used car.
As they say, c’est la vie!