1D Mk4 vs 7D Noise

JimKarczewski

OK, I googled several variations, is there any place that puts out noise profile comparisons?

Reason being is I currently have a 1D IV on loan from CPS and I've been shooting my a$$ off with it. Today however I went and shot some indoor track and at 3200 I was shocked to see how much noise there was vs my 5D MkII. Just thinking I need a faster camera for sports (currently use 5D II) and it's going to either be a 1D IV or 7D. But I'm also considering just getting a 7D as there are rumors of the 1D Mk 5 being announced June/July.

ANYWAY, Point being, is there a site that profiles noise? I thought there was... like someone that makes a noise reduction plugin.. DXO? Maybe that was it... I'm just curious of 3200 on the 7D vs 1D IV.

My current thoughts are instead of a MkIV to pick up a 7D + 200/2 + 1.4TC for times when I need a bit more reach, maybe in the future a 2x TC. 200/2 would be useful for weddings and with a 1.4TC sports...

ziggy53

DXOMark.com has comparisons available. Understand that these comparisons are using the DXO RAW conversion process and so may not directly compare with Adobe RAW conversion, for instance.

Hopefully this link will work:

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Camera-Sensor/Compare/Compare-sensors/(appareil1)/619%7C0/(appareil2)/629%7C0/(onglet)/0/(brand)/Canon/(brand2)/Canon

Also, I have to caution about using LCD monitor technology to view image noise and/or image grain. A CRT does a much better job at this but a print is still the best method of evaluating the effect of noise and grain. I have an LCD monitor and I can see some extra "stuff" that I do not see on another CRT monitor (nor on prints).

Be certain that you expose properly as any underexposure can cause considerable extra noise. Exposure bracketing is generally indicated while you learn a new camera and new RAW converter settings. Do not assume that the default RAW conversion is best. It often is not best and it takes some time with a new camera in order the coax the best from it.

Another site that does decent JPG comparisons is at Imaging Resource.

A 7D, ISO 3200 JPG:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E7D/FULLRES/E7DINBI03200.HTM

A 1D MKIV, ISO 3200 JPG:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E1DMK4/FULLRES/E1DMK4INBI003200.HTM

For these sample images look primarily at the pure black regions. If you don't see sensor noise in the blacks, and I don't see much in either, then sensor noise is not much of an issue. LCD displays will often generate a type of interference pattern in regions that should not be confused with a sensor noise problem.

When in doubt, print it out.