15Dec Canon 6d v.s. 5d mark III low light testing
I planned on saving the high ISO tests for the video review, but I’ve received enough requests that I’ll go ahead and post my early ISO results between the Canon 6d and Canon 5d mark III. I am by no means a testing expert when it comes to resolution or high ISO testing, instead I simply take shots of a scene at different ISO’s with each camera and look at the 100% crops to see what looks better to my eye. If you want to dig deeper into my settings and images you can download all 340mb of raw files here.
The image above was scaled down from the 5d mark III at ISO 12800 just to demonstrate how clean that high ISO can look if you’re final images are bound for the web. If you’re final destination requires an image less then 1000×667 pixels, ISO 12800 and 25600 are very usable. If you need to go larger then that stay clear of ISO 25600. ISO 12800 is still pretty usable up to about 2000×1333 but you’re right at the edge of what I would consider acceptable unless you want to start using denoise software.
These are 100% crops of each image at ISO 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, and 25600. The images were captured using a Canon 50mm f1.2 lens and the focus point was set to the little green guys chin. The Canon 6d seemed to focus forward slightly compared to the 5d mark III and I’m not really sure why. This could be operator error or camera error, but I don’t really have time to run the test again. Either way by the time you get to high ISO settings I’m shooting at f6.3 and f7.1 which makes this a mute point.
To my eye it looks like the two cameras are neck and neck up to about ISO 3200. After that it looks to me like the Canon 6d started to pull ahead just a little bit and by the time you get to ISO 25600 it seems that there is a noticeable difference in clarity. The 5d mark III looks like it has more of a blotchy pattern while the noise in the 6d seems to have a finer grain. It also seemed like the 6d held on to a little more detail then the 5d mark III and that blacks in the 6d image at ISO 25600 have less overall noise.
It’s close, but if I had to pick a winner, I would lean towards the Canon 6d in the low light category. So if you were on the fence about the 6d and low light is the only thing on your check list, there is your answer. But if you are really serous about these test results be sure to download the raw files and let me know what your opinion is.
December 16th, 2012 at 7:56 am
Thanks for running these tests.
I agree 3200 seems the separation point. Although I am seeing a consistent difference in contrast between the two cameras. The MKIII seems to be flatter, with a higher, brighter black point. That could result in more noise n my experience.
December 16th, 2012 at 8:27 am
These results really change my mind about this camera.
December 16th, 2012 at 9:43 am
Have you notice has the moire in video improve since the initial reports…..
December 16th, 2012 at 11:35 am
The two look about the same to my eye.
December 16th, 2012 at 10:28 am
Wow, that’s a bigger difference than I expected. The 6d looks like a better value if video is your thing. I know the 5D is better for the other features, but the 6D plus a really nice L lens would be great for video shooters.
December 16th, 2012 at 11:17 am
When I use the 6d I miss the focusing system of the 5d mark III but in video mode it’s not really an issue. The lack of buttons hasn’t really bothered me as much as I though it would. The dedicated ISO, f-stop, and shutter speed controls are all there. The center focus point is very responsive.
IF the Wi-Fi controls worked in video mode it would even better.
December 16th, 2012 at 2:31 pm
No video over wifi???!!! WTF?
December 16th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Yea, that was a huge disappointment.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:18 am
Strange how the aftermarket can find ways to do this and the camera manufacturers with all their money and engineers can’t or won’t figure this out. They will probably never get it fully working.
December 18th, 2012 at 7:57 am
Many ppl have found that the Moire is very noticeable….all you have to do is film a shirt with stripes and lines that are close and watch the lines move….this alone make me feel better about getting the 5D3
December 18th, 2012 at 8:24 pm
I’m taking the 6d out with me on a shoot at the end of the week. I’ll let you know if I run into any moire issues. If you watch my latest video (hero 3 review), look at the two wall hangs in the back ground. That was filmed on the 6d and those are what I usually use for moire testing. Didn’t seem to cause any problems.
December 18th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Upon first glace the 6D seems much more appealing, but this could have something to do with the point of focus being better aligned. In the 5D, the character’s face is out of focus, and the green object is in, whereas you see the opposite in the 6D
December 19th, 2012 at 5:11 am
It’s possible, however most other tests I’ve seen show the 6d as a clear winner over the 5dmkiii at high iso.
January 3rd, 2013 at 6:52 am
Gizmodo puts 6D Moire on showcase for you all to finally see…. http://m.gizmodo.com/5970624/canon-eos-6d-review-beautiful-full+frame-stills-crummy-full+frame-video
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