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ISO Comparison: Olympus E-620 vs. Nikon D90 vs. Canon EOS 5D Mark II
We’ve been saying for awhile now that at this point, all of the new cameras, regardless of manufacturer, can provide consumers great performance even at the entry-level. To demonstrate, we’ve put together this comparison of ISO samples from a couple of cameras we’re currently testing, and have added the Canon EOS 5D Mark II as well. You’ll note that while the kit lens included with Olympus E-620 isn’t able to fully resolve all the details (Zuiko Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 ED) in the setup, the camera is able to provide usable ISO up to, and in my eye including, ISO 1600. The D90 (paired with the new 35mm DX) provides terrific results with even clearer use of ISO 1600, even ISO 3200 possibly. Then you have the 5D2 (50mm f/1.4), whose ISO performance never fails to impress me, maintaing plenty of detail, and providing usable results at ISO 6400!
The point isn’t to start a flame war, but rather to show what to expect from the various class of cameras. For a near $600 camera, the Olympus E-620 provides better ISO results than more expensive cameras a generation ago. That’s no small thing for an entry level camera, and from a smaller sensor than the other contenders. Given the camera’s intended market, the results will likely be more than enough. In the Nikon D90’s case, the camera is intended for more advanced amateurs, or perhaps even as a backup for semi-pro/pro use. It’s hundreds of dollars more than the Olympus E-620, but provides a cleaner stop of ISO and performance well suited for it’s likely consumers. As for the 5D2, it’s substantially more expensive than the others, but provides perhaps 2 more stops of very clean and detailed ISO than the D90, in other words for pro and serious amateur use, it provides high levels of performance.
You can click on the thumbnails for a larger view, or follow the “original” link to see a full size file. All were shot at f/8 at equivalent lengths under the same lighting, with in camera NR turned off, and no processing or noise removal done in post.
Olympus E-620 |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
 ISO 100 |
 ISO 100 |
 ISO 100 |
 ISO 100 |
 ISO 200 |
 ISO 200 |
 ISO 200 |
 ISO 200 |
 ISO 400 |
 ISO 400 |
 ISO 400 |
 ISO 400 |
 ISO 800 |
 ISO 800 |
 ISO 800 |
 ISO 800 |
 ISO 1600 |
 ISO 1600 |
 ISO 1600 |
 ISO 1600 |
 ISO 3200 |
 ISO 3200 |
 ISO 3200 |
 ISO 3200 |
 ISO 6400 |
 ISO 6400 |
 ISO 6400 |
|
 ISO 12800 |
 ISO 12800 |
||
 ISO 25600 |
 ISO 25600 |
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Interesting. I actually find the E620 nicer than the D90 up to/including 1600. There seems to be slightly more detail/less smoothing the highlights. Perhaps it’s the lens or default jpeg settings.
At 3200 the E620 looses out with too much noise
The 5D is definately a class above, with details even at ISO 100 just streaming out of the screen. The strawberry texture is so alive.
Beyond my budget though….
I agree with nigel. I actually prefer the E-620 to the D90 images too. You said NR was off, right? In that case I would of expected the Oly to look even noiser, but it seems to compare well and hold details very well, especially considering this is the kit lens. 1600 looks good. It would be interesting to see it at low and/or normal NR. Interesting to see it compared to the Canon, but that’s on a whole different level.
I agree with the performance of the E-620, but in fairness to the D90, I think at 1600 is has less noise, and more detail (though again the E-620 is limited by lens) Still, the point is, ISO 1600 on the E-620 is quite usable. (part of the reason I’m anxious for a micro 4/3 compact from Oly!)
I have to disagree with you three gentlemen. When I look at the original images, the Olympus seems to be slightly over-saturating and boosting the contrast to compensate for it’s loss of detail compared with the D90 at ISO’s 800 and 1600. The Nikon just seems to be showing more texture, even as the noise levels increase.
The 5D Mk II $how$ that resolution does matter. The thread detail of the red fabric in the ISO1600 comparison crop is eye-opening to say the least.
I would love to see a comparison across equal models. It’s not really a fair fight for the Olympus.
dslr dad,
It isn’t a fair fight, and isn’t intended as such. I agree with you, the D90 is better (gives you an idea how D300 would compare to 5D Mark II).
Still, for 600 camera with a smaller sensor and kit lens, the point is the Olympus provides usable ISO 1600. You can’t ask for much more.
Thanks for this interesting comparison. I like that it isn’t fair and shows good$, better$$, best$$$$. Lens quality also plays a part here.
I’m considering Olympus, since I have an OM1 and some nice OM lenses, But also like the Nikon D90. Full frame is out of the question$. Several other comparisons clearly favor the D90 over the 4/3 SLRs. But how does this pixil peeping, blowing up small areas of a print, translate to a real enlargement?
This has pushed me to stay with Olympus.
bart, if you click through to the original, I’ve included the entire file from all cameras, 100%. There are good reasons to pick olympus, but enlargements aren’t one of them.
I like the layout of this review and the image matrix… it offers a nice, quick comparison.
Thanks!
Patrick, you’re my hero! Thanks for this clear comparison. I was being told the Oly wouldn’t be good enough for me, but based on this I could live with it (I’m no pro); considering the price and SIZE and the fact that I already have Oly OM lenses…it seems to be a no brainer now
I’ve always wanted to be a hero…It does a pretty good job, and a fun…take anywhere camera.
A friend of mine over at DeviantArt is constantly telling me that the D90 is better than the 5D Mark-II
He told me that the sensor of the D90 is more expensive than the 5D’s sensor. I honestly call that bluff. The D90 is a crop camera while the 5D Mark-II is a FF camera.
http://biozz.deviantart.com/art/High-ISO-nikon-vs-canon-141854988
I honestly think the 5D Mark-II is better because it preserved the color, contrast, sharpness and the details of the dog.
How about you… what do you think?:D
I don’t know, it seems off to me. I know I get better results at ISO 6400 on my 5D2, and how big were these crops from the actual photos. Regardless, there’s no comparison between the two cameras at higher ISO in most comparisons.
to Patrick: Excellent comparison test!!!!!
Oly e620 performs well in these test (as an underdog in class). I personally own e620 since it is the (personal opinion) most complete entry level dslr I have researched. I rarely shoot at ISO 1600 or above so I don’t really care that much.
However, I found it a D90 performance in this test a disappointment. This is a higher level dslr, but perform in the samilar level of the entry level.
5D truly an excellent camera by this test. (Anyone knows how 7D performs?)
I also agree in the comment of lens limitation also, e620 kit includes standard level lenses (though they are the better ones in its class)
In summary, this test strengthen my decision that e620 is the best camera I can get as a beginner from p&s to dslr. The Super Control Panel does help me a lot. And the budget, sorry to say I can’t afford the higher level.
Learning new things is always fun.
Anton,
Oh, the E-620 is such a fun little camera–but surprisingly robust too–as far as setup and controls go–lots of menu items for enthusiasts to explore.
Since I added the first comment above I actually ended up going with the Nikon D90, 18-105mm lens & SB600 flash. I couldn’t have been happer — truly excellent kit.
But it’s also clear the important thing is to have a camera you feel good about, feels good in the hand, and one that you know how to use, and it’s how you use it that really counts!
So good luck to everyone with their choice!
Nigel,
Well, you’ve got yourself an excellent camera, one of my favorites from last year–great IQ and perfect size (IMO).
Hi all,
I have Nikon D90, soled 18-105, used 50 1.8, now useing with 35 1.8
Very nice paket, but I want to change the system into 4/3.
WHY? Becouse:
better lenses performance (in Nikkor U need to buy very expensive to get such sharpness from the very opened ap)
stabilisation in body (Oly)
Articulated display and not so heavy, AF in LV and normal is in my opinien better then in D90. I mean 1X vs 5X (E-620) and 11X points (E-3/E-30)
What only worries me, the ISO performance.
What do U think about it? from the samles I see that E-620 performed very well vs thos two machines.
Thank U fro any advise.
Regards for all fans of each Mark
PAT
Pat,
Hey the E-620 is a fun little camera, but the overall IQ isn’t quite as good as the D90. I think in the real world, the D90 will give a stop better of ISO, especially after post processing etc. To be precise, you aren’t going to get improved image quality from the E-620, just a big change in camera handling and overall size.
hi,
Patrick thank U 4 your reply.
Yeah, today I plaied a bit with e-620. Very nice in a hand, but U might be right with iso..
maybe I will wait till Oly will release net models with CPU V version, like in EP1?
Nevertheles I will ratehr go into 4/3 system, becouse of the lens it has.
if they improve the iso, I will choose something between E-620 and E-30.
Regards from Poland!!
PAT
I also have a 620. When comparing ISO dont forget you win at least two steps with the built in image stabilisation. With the 50mm f2 for example you can hold still at say 1/15 – 1/20. With the D90 and the 5D2 you dont have that opportunity with a fixed lens.
Bjorn,
That’s definitely true, there are real tangible benefits from the in-camera IS, plus it’s quite a bit cheaper than buying it in the lens over and over…