The Canon EOS 1D Mark III is Canon’s latest DSLR, using the most advanced 10.1 megapixels CMOS sensor and DIGIC III image processing chip. The 12.7 megapixels Canon EOS 5D uses Canon’s last year technology coupled with last year’s DIGIC II image processor. It will be interesting to compare between the two, especially because the EOS 5D has been considered as one of the highest image quality camera of all times.

Test Notes – Field of view

The EOS 5D uses a full frame 35 mm sensor where the EOS 1D Mark III uses a sensor with a 1.3 crop factor. To achieve the same field of view with our 50 mm lens, we had to move the EOS 5D slightly forward. This is the most common response of the photographer in real life. The full frame advantage is fully utilized in this comparison.

At the bottom of this page you can find the same comparison with the EOS 5D being placed at the exact same distance as the EOS 1D Mark III. However, it should be noted that the later comparison does not fully reflect how the EOS 5D would be used in real life. Nature photographers that use long lenses from a fixed point would benefit more from the second comparison.

Same field of view

Canon EOS 1D Mark III: Jpeg large, Picture Style: Standard, AutoWB, ISO
100, AutoWB, ISO100, 1/10, Canon 50mm@f8, NR OFF
Canon EOS 5D: JPEG Large, Picture Style: Standard, AutoWB, ISO
100, 1/10, Canon 50mm@f8

Canon EOS 1D Mark III	Canon EOS 5D

Evaluation results

Sharpening

Sharpening levels of both cameras are very similar. The EOS 5D seems to show slightly higher sharpening levels. As always with Canon there is some overshoot (hallows) on the edge, which gives the image a nicely crisped effect.

Details

Being closer to the scene along with an additional 2.7 megpaixels, the EOS 5D has the upper hand here. Because the large clear edges are slightly stronger with the EOS 5D, there is a strong feeling of a sharper result. However, we are actually quite impressed by the EOS 1D Mark III, which managed to exhibit only slightly less detail.

Demosaicing and false colors

Demosaicing today is a minor issue as most camera makers have reached a level where demosaicing errors are much less critical than they used to be. Never-the-less, in EOS 1D Mark III there is a minor improvement. False colors as a result of demosaicing are still an (small) issue that Canon apparently has chosen not to address with DIGIC III.

Colors and contrast

Picture style color and contrast is very much the same with both cameras. There are small differences between two cameras, which is to be expected.

Noise reduction

The Canon EOS Mark III was set with High ISO noise reduction OFF. Still, at the dark parts of the image there is less color noise than the EOS 5D (you need a good screen to see that). This is clearly a result of the new algorithms of DIGIC III. We are not sure, but it seems that we can see a better tonal gradation in the dark areas. This is probably a result of the better noise reduction and the new 14 bit pipeline.

Final Notes

The EOS 5D clearly has a resolution and sensor size advantage. Even with all these advantages the EOS 1D Mark III has produced a fine result, with sharp edges and a good amount of detail. There are some processing advantages that DIGIC III has contributed to the EOS 1D Mark III, among those is a better tonal gradations at the dark parts of the image.

Same distance

We also compared the EOS 1D Mark III with the EOS 5D at exactly the same distance. This comparison is less true to real life, but still would be suitable to these with long lenses at a given distance.

Canon EOS 1D Mark III	Canon EOS 5D same distance

The EOS 1D Mark III has more pixels per mm which produces more fine details overall. However the EOS 5D still produced sharper, crisper hard edges. This could be the result of a different or weaker optical low pass filter but probably is the result of a slightly different edge enhancement profile.

To confirm that we have processed RAW files from both cameras using ACR4 with the sharpening controls closed, we applied unsharp mask filter using the following settings:
Amount 70
Ratios 0.7
Threshold 0

As the crop below shows, the differences in sharpness seem to come mostly from processing differences between the two cameras, although in some cases the EOS 5D still shows stronger edges.

Canon EOS 1D Mark III	Canon EOS 5D same distance

These two cameras are pretty close in their specifications. Still, it will be intersting compare their image quality and see if Nikon had improved it in the D80.

Nikon D80: Jpeg Fine, Optimize Image: Normal, AutoWB, ISO100, 1/8,
Nikkor 50mm@f9
Nikon D200: Jpeg Fine, Optimize Image: Normal, AutoWB, ISO100, 1/8,
Nikkor 50mm@f9

Nikon D80	Nikon D200

Sharpening

Nikon aimed the D80 for the less professional users than the D200 producing a lower sharpening level at the ‘normal’ setting. We see this setting as a better default and there is always the option to set the camera to a lower sharpening level if needed.

Details

It seems that the strength of the anti aliasing filter is the same, creating very similar results in the detail level.

demosaicing, false colors

Both cameras show almost no false color problems. In some problematic frequencies there is some screen print pattern shown.

Contrast and color

The change in color and contrast in the D80 can be seen in our color database. Nikon created colors that are more saturated and are further away from Nikon has chosen a more contrasted curve that affects the dark levels. At the end of the day we get an image that needs almost no processing with the D80 compared to the D200 that creates images that need some work. With the D80 we can get the same contrast curve by setting the camera contrast in the menu.

Noise reduction

Noise is almost not a factor in low ISO, we discuss noise in our higher ISO comparison.

Notes

Most issues are pretty much the same in these 2 cameras. But it does seem like Nikon is aiming the D80 for the less professional market in the processing part of the flow. One can change his D80 setting to create the same effect as the D200 but the opposite is not possible as Nikon does not allow medium levels of the tone setting that creates the contrast.

Although these two cameras are far a part one from another, both price wise and market share wise, it’s the first time in a long time that there is a possibility to compare between Nikon and Canon under the same resolution.

Canon EOS 400D: Jpeg Fine, PS: Standard, AutoWB, ISO100, 1/6,
Canon 50mm@f9
Nikon D80: Jpeg Fine, Optimize Image: Normal, AutoWB, ISO100, 1/8,
Nikkor 50mm@f9

Canon EOS 400D	Nikon D80

Sharpening

As always, the default sharpening mode of the Nikon is lower than Canon’s. The Nikon D80, considered more professional, shows lower sharpening levels than the Canon 400D at this ISO. More over, there are significant differences in these two sharpening systems. We showed on different tests that our images are optically sharp from top to bottom. The reason these images have uneven sharpness in different zones is due to the sharpening mechanism on both cameras that work differently on the regions of the image. The systems don’t work the same on different contrast zones.

We tend to prefer the Canon’s sharpening system (despite it’s halos), it has a crisp and vivid feeling to it (as in all cameras with Picture Style). Similar sharpening levels can be achieved with the Nikon D80, but even high sharpening doesn’t reach the same crispiness, as this camera is aimed at the more professional consumers. (In contrast to the Nikon D50 that shows crisp and aggressive sharpening.

Details

Both cameras show a very similar amount of details. Even though it might seem that the Canon 400D had a little bit more details, these details exist in the Nikon D80 but need a stronger level of sharpening to make them emphasized.

demosaicing, false colors

The Nikon D80 doesn’t show any severe false colors problems and the demosaicing patterns are hidden pretty well with a cubic pattern. We assume that this pattern comes to give an illusion of a response to the high frequencies. You can see some color in the pattern, but in a reasonable amount. With DIGIC II in the Canon 400D there is a good false color level bit the hiding of the demosaicing problems isn’t so elegant and can be improved. We hope to see this improvment in the DIGIC III.

Contrast and color

The different approaches of the two companies can really be seen here. The Nikon D80 is softer with less contrast in it, while the Canon 400D has more details in the dark zones, stronger and more vivid colors. Notice cut 6, where the detail in the girl’s face are almost unseen. Under the Nikon D80, her face is a bit too saturated. You should remember that in both cameras everything can be changed via the menus and according to the shooting scene.

Noise reduction

It is hard to discuss the noise reduction subject under 100 ISO, we will check it in our 1600 ISO comparison.

Notes

It will be hard to say that one of these cameras is better than the other. Both companies have things to improve. It seems that no matter what camera you will choose you will be able to get a similar result.

The Canon EOS 30D and the Canon EOS 400D are both equipped with the DIGIC II image processing pipeline. However, the EOS 400D has a 10 MP CMOS sensor oppose to 8 MP CMOS sensor in the Canon EOS 30D. It will be interesting to see if the two more mega pixels of the Canon EOS 400D provide any disadvantage on the 8MP sensor at 100ISO.

Canon EOS 400D: Jpeg Fine, PS: Standard, AutoWB, ISO100, 1/6,
Canon 50mm@f9
Canon EOS 30D: Jpeg Fine, PS: Standard, AutoWB, ISO100, 1/8,
Canon 50mm@f9

Canon EOS 400D	Canon EOS 30D

Sharpening

Due to the picture style system, the sharpening levels are equal in both cameras, that’s the idea behind this system and it seems to work.

Details

Although the 10MP sensor of the EOS 400D has a small advantage, these differences does put the MP war in proportion. The differences appear in cut 11 where you can see the fabric texture better detailed with the EOS 400D. Also note cut 2 in between the sketch lines.

demosaicing, false colors

These problems are not new with the DIGIC II. Both camera don’t deal ideally with demosaicing problems, and in the EOS 30D there is are a bit more false colors. It seems that the EOS 400D’s sensor is coping better with problematic frequencies, but not much better than the EOS 30D.

Contrast and color

Again, due to the picture style system the shadows and contrast are pretty similar. Because the Canon EOS 30D overexposes in about +0.4/+0.5EV, we had to set its exposure down by -0.3EV. There are still minor contrast differences between the two cameras despite that.

Noise reduction

It is hard to discuss the noise reduction subject in 100 ISO, check the 1600 ISO comparison.

Notes

After evaluating these results, 10 MP don’t seem to create a big advantage. With DIGIC II and the picture style system we get quite similar results. 10 mega pixels can get the enthusiast printer the extra push needed for big prints, and can resolve some false color issues DIGIC II should have handled.

The Nikon D200 and the Canon EOS 5D are very different cameras. The Canon EOS 5D has a full frame 12.8MP CMOS censor while the Nikon D200 uses a 10MP CCD.
There are further differences inside the camera, the Canon EOS 5D uses the same old DIGIC II image pipeline where the Nikon D200 uses Nikons top of the line image pipeline. Let’s see how it went.

Test Notes – High Sharpening – Zoom Lenses

Because the significant difference in sensor size, The Canon EOS 5D will have a clear disadvantage if we would compare between the two with a standard 50mm lens. That’s because the Canon EOS 5D will have a much larger field of view than the Nikon D200 in the same distance, which means the EOS 5D real world advantages of full frame sensor isn’t utilized.

For that reason we used top of the line zoom lenses while placing the cameras at the exact same distance. The Canon EF 24-70mm 2.8L was set for 60mm and the Nikkor 17-55mm 2.8 was set for 38mm.
Further more, we used HIGH sharpening setting on the Nikon D200 as we’ve found the D200 normal sharpening quite soft compared the EOS 5D normal setting.

The Test

Nikon D200: Jpeg Fine, Sharp:High, AutoWB, ISO100, 1/13, Nikkor 17-55mm@38mm@f8
Canon EOS5D: JPEG Large, Picture Style: Standard, AutoWB, ISO100, 1/20, Canon EF24-70mm@60mm@f8

Canon EOS5D	Nikon D200

Evaluation results

Sharpening

The normal sharping level of the Canon EOS 5D is clearly higher and must have been made for printing. The Nikon D200 is only capable of reaching this much sharpening with the high sharpening setting. Both cameras exhibit a bit of sharpening halos, but keep in mind those are not very apparent in a print.

Details

The resolution and the full frame advantage are playing an important game here. As you can see the Canon EOS 5D is producing good strong amount of fine detail and textures. Note the yellow flower on the third crop form button and the red doll on the second crop. You can also see that the Nikon D200 struggles to produce details in the skin tons of the third crop.

demosaicing and false colors

Nikons upper hand in image processing is very much apparent here. As you can see the Nikon D200 produces some kind of fine checker like artifact in problematic frequencies, but still manage to cover and reduce false colors completely. The Canon EOS 5D on the other hand, is showing lots of demosaicing problems and does not cover and reduce false colors very well. It should be noted that the Anti Aliasing filter in front of the sensor has a large affect false colors and Aliasing. However, the image processing should still remove those.

Colors and contrast

There are huge differences between the two, and no body is saying those two cameras should produce the same output. Camera makes are working on "memory color" concept and both Nikon and Canon have reached their color model (or color style) years ago. Although it’s up to you to find your liken, it is noticeable that the Canon EOS 5D is producing a much more contrast image in the default setting. This means that Canon’s approach is closure to print from Nikon’s approach. You can still produce the opposite result from either camera by tuning the image processing settings.

Final Notes

The Canon EOS 5D has a clear resolution and sensor size advantage in this case. The detail this camera can produce is very impressing. However, the Nikon D200 does have more pixels per mm than the Canon EOS 5D, which means in some cases the Nikon D200 should produce more details by the nature of physics. It is most likely that nature photography (birds and such…) will be one of those cases.