How Does Image Quality Compare Between 5Dmk2 And 7D, When Focal Length Is Equalized?

[Grant Atkinson]

Bit of a long title for this thread, but needed to clarify the parameters there. Chris Frylink and I set up a 5Dmk2 at 160mm of focal length, and a 7D at 100mm and analyzed the results of the images that were produced. You could replicate the extra focal length if you were a 5Dmk2 user by moving closer to your subject, perhaps.
Here is my blog post:
http://grantatkinsonphotography.blog...e-quality.html
All feedback welcomed,
cheers
Grant

[Chris F]

Grant thank you for the write up.

May summarize by saying this confirms the general preference for the 5D as a studio camera, as apposed to the 7D ?

Just to throw a bit of a spanner in the works - the 7D is still better than the 5D Mk II when dealing with "action shots".

Thus the choise between the 7D and the 5D is still not a clear cut nor easy choise. I am fortunate to have both, and often carry both with the BlackRapid strap, when I see a portrait or landscape I instinctively use the 5D (even though my best sunrise was taken with the 7D and a 200mm lens), for the faster stuff the 7D is utilized.



Pity about the price, but I can see the Mk III making this choise even more difficult.




PS - Grant I sent you a PM

[jayson]

This will remain a tough choice. I really love the pictures my 5Dmk2 produces. It is "creamier" especially with solid colours (sky/skin etc). I would be happy with a 5DMK2 that had the AF and FPS of the 60D. Don't really need all the extra value of the 5dmk3 at its price. But it does not exist so tough choices 7D/5dmk2/5dmk3

[dekade]

Thanks, Grant, for a fascinating series of tests! It gives me a good feeling that my 7D seems to be quite on par with the 5D Mk2, at least in the lower ISO settings. Maybe, there is a bit more black in the 5D Mk2 pictures, which could be the result of a higher dynamic range? Difficult to judge when looking at web pictures. Any chance to access/download the RAW files ?
Regards Dieter

[Grant Atkinson]

Hi Dieter
Thanks for your comments. You are welcome to the RAW files, I will pm you about best way to get them to you, I think I have some at even higher iso settings too. At lower iso settings the 7D is a very good performing camera, and yes, I agree, it is very tough to totally analyze image quality when we have size limits on the resolution that we can post but at least one can see something of what may be most important.
Cheers
Grant

[Chris F]

Grant I set a reminder to get the equipment for our next test ...