Feb 06, 2009
- By DigitalCameraInfo.com Editorial Staff
5The full-frame, 21.1-megapixel Canon 5D Mark II aced our color accuracy and dynamic range tests, and captures 1080p movies with extraordinary quality. But it's not the perfect all-in-one still and video camera: there are still too many quirks.
• Image noise very low through ISO 800 even with noise reduction turned off
• Noise reduction highly effective, maintaining sub-1% noise out to ISO 3200
• Noise results overall comparable to Nikon D700 and Nikon D90
We found that in the battle against image noise, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II is a warrior to be reckoned with. Compared to the other tested cameras, the 5D Mark II scored identically with the Nikon D700 and just a hair behind the leader in this category, the 12.3-megapixel Nikon D90. Compared to the other high-megapixel full-frame camera, the Sony A900, the 5D Mark II proved significantly lower in image noise. Click here for more on how we test noise.
Noise Reduction Level Comparison
We found that, even with the noise reduction system turned off, the 5D Mark II was able to maintain a noise level below 1% up to ISO 800, a very good result. With noise reduction on at the two highest settings, this sub-1 percent performance stretched out to ISO 3200, and even at ISO 6400, the top official setting, never became truly objectionable.
Color & Luma Noise
The individual color channels followed the same trend as shown in the chart above. Luma noise is noise in grey areas of the image.
Noise Reduction Off Comparison
With the noise reduction turned off, the chart above shows that the Canon 5D Mark II is slightly worse than the D700 across the ISO spectrum.
Noise Reduction Maximum Comparison
With noise reduction enabled, the Nikon D700 is less noise up to ISO 400, but the 5D Mark II proves superior beyond that point. In the chart below, the close race in overall scores becomes apparent. Higher scores indicate superior performance.
Noise Score Comparison
ISO(8.00)
The 5D Mark II offers an official ISO range from 100-6400, and an expanded range from L (roughly ISO 50) through H1 (12800) and H2 (25,600), all at full resolution.
NOTE: The images above are not used in our testing or scoring, but are included here to show real-world examples of the differences between cameras at the various ISO settings.
• Image noise very low through ISO 800 even with noise reduction turned off
