Canon EOS 5D Review

The-Digital-Picture.com gives the Canon EOS 5D an overall 4.0 rating

by Bryan Carnathan
Review Date: 2005-11-22

Currently of interest in the Canon world - How close is the image quality and the resolution of the 12.8 MP 5D to the 16.6 MP Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II.

Canon EOS 5D	Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II

Both of the above full-size-but-very-reduced sample shots were taken using identical settings (ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/8 sec, AWB, Neutral Picture Style, Sharpness = 2) moments apart on a cloudy day. The sample on the left from a Canon EOS 5D, the sample on the right from a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. The 5D shot exposure was increased by .1 in DPP as my 5D generally underexposes by this amount relative to my 1DsII. The 5D image was also given a +1 saturation setting to more closely match the 1DsII. Clicking on each image above will download a large 100% crop from the respective picture (618K and 790K files).

Both shots were taken with a Canon EF 180mm f/3.5 L USM Lens mounted to a Gitzo G1327 Tripod / Arca Swiss B1 Ballhead sitting on concrete. Mirror lockup and the 2 second self timer were used. While most of the many comparisons I shot gave similar results, the pumpkin picture is as good as or better than the rest for showing the similarities/differences. Of minor importance but in the interest of full disclosure, there is a slight rotation between the shots. Following are 100% crop comparisons. Pick a small detail in one crop and compare it to the same detail on the comparison crop (the top left of comparable crops should match positionally). Go both directions.