[Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

[Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

The Nikon D800 has been much criticized for its enormous megapixel count. And some have worried that packing 36 megapixels into a full frame sensor might lead to decreased low-light performance. These samples, however, push those worries aside. It’s no D4, but for 36 megapixels, I think Nikon should win an award for this. Canon took a different route with the 22-megapixel 5D Mark III, but that paid off, too. See for yourself in the full post!

These Nikon samples are thanks to this source. The Canon samples are thanks to this source. Click on any image for the full-size file.

Nikon D800 iso sample overview 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

Image Overview

Nikon D800 iso400 sample 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 400 Sample from the Nikon D800

Nikon D800 iso800 sample 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 800 Sample from Nikon D800

Nikon D800 iso1600 sample 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 1600 Sample from Nikon D800

Nikon D800 iso3200 sample 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 3200 Sample from Nikon D800

Nikon D800 iso6400 sample 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 6400 Sample from Nikon D800

Nikon D800 iso12800 sample 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 12800 Sample from Nikon D800

Nikon D800 iso25600 sample 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 25600 Sample from Nikon D800

Nikon D800 iso25600 wNR sample 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 25600 Sample from Nikon D800 w/ Medium Noise Reduction

ISO 50 5DMkIII 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 50 Sample from 5DMkIII

ISO 100 5DMkIII 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 100 Sample from 5DMkIII

ISO 200 5DMkIII 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 200 Sample from 5DMkIII

ISO 400 5DMkIII 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 400 Sample from 5DMkIII

ISO 800 5DMkIII 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 800 Sample from 5DMkIII

ISO 1600 5DMkIII 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 1600 Sample from 5DMkIII

ISO 3200 5DMkIII 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 3200 Sample from 5DMkIII

ISO 6400 5DMkIII 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 6400 Sample from 5DMkIII

ISO 12800 5DMkIII 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 12800 Sample from 5DMkIII

ISO 25600 5DMkIII 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 25600 Sample from 5DMkIII

ISO 51200 5DMkIII 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 51200 Sample from 5DMkIII

ISO 102400 5DMkIII 150x150 [Gear] Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII ISO Samples

ISO 102400 Sample from 5DMkIII

Update:
Nikon equivalents for the Canon shots below are too large to load here, so please visit the site here for images taken with the D800 in the same conditions, where you can find examples with noise reduction as well!

Gear

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http://www.facebook.com/people/Joacim-Roboman-Schwartz/100001190769681 Joacim Roboman Schwartz
I’m just copying this from another website where they compared images at ISO 12800 side by side, where a user found some oddities in the EXIF data:
“Check out the exif data so you can see that the canon has more than 2/3 stop higher exposure because the shutter speed is 1/1600, while Nikon located at 1 / 2500th Thus, the canon has had to have faster shutter speed in the same aperture and ISO setting to get the same picture, in other words, either iso’s wrong or so, all the lights weaker (which would be pretty weird imo?). Then it’s JPG images you compare also, which makes it even a little more wrong.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9Y8uPScsX1A/T2INYg-IMsI/AAAAAAAAFm4/COyZs1Bnd4U/s0/D800vs5D.jpg
Here, I have exactly the same crop as comparison, but with raw files developed in PS5 with some ACR beta. Both have the same Develop settings, with type 20% color noise reduction and zero luminance. Consider the different exposures, it is therefore iso12800 on the D800 and corresponding roughly iso7-8000 on the 5D.”
http://feber.se/foto/art/238585/isojmfrelse_5d_vs_d800/#disqus_thread (Swedish)
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=506432237 Corey Melton
absolutely not hard to tell who the winner is. The Canon 5Dmkiii wins at high iso, the nikon d800 isnt meant to be a high iso camera. its meant for properly lit scenes and subjects. this comparison is like tomatoes to eggplants.
Y TZ
1600th is faster than 2500th? pls explain.
Y TZ
check on update.
Iñaki Llopis
In the EXIF data: Canon images are procesed with PS, the Nikon pictures seem to be a JPEG from the camera.
http://profile.yahoo.com/WMEMKL22E44LTPTGMDBOHSPBFM SeanS
Thanks for the images and the link to the alternate site where I can view the D800 pictures of the same kind. I think I have to agree that ISO wise, at low ISO – 800 and under for me (since I am currently using a d90 which barely makes it at 1600 in a dark situation), there isn’t much of a difference. The difference comes in at the higher end where the D800 is already getting pushed quite a bit. The Canon definitely outdoes the Nikon at high ISO (25600 is where i stopped looking). That said with NR set to high on Nikon, it comes close… maybe 1/2 stop or so but Nikon does retain more details. Perhaps it has to do with the higher resolution. I decided to get the d800 either way due to my investment in 4 of the lenses. I also deem it better than d90 in many aspects (the d700 already was better but the d800 compared to the d700 had cleaner images search for the comparison and you will find it). I do shoot concerts amateurly, mostly for fun. Being able to work in the 6400 range or even just the 3200 range is a major plus for me. I think in the end of the comparison, if you are an enthusiast or maybe even a pro, it depends on what equipment you already have and if you are willing to switch it all out for another system or just make do with what you have. I did shoot my concert with a d90… made do with what I had… PS a little bit and had some decent images as well. Canon or Nikon… I think it is the shooter’s preference at the high end/FX level. Compare the DX level and you will see a bit of differences still today on low noise and since you can only push so far on DX, that’s where choosing a nikon or a canon will come in. high iso low noise, 5dmk3 > d800, but it wasn’t so long ago that d700 > 5dmk2 so it will forever be changing and in comparison, we won’t be able to switch systems each time something new comes up that is better. Who is better than whom just ends up to be a fanboy/girl that wants to say one is better than the other. Thanks for the picture comparison though for those of us that want to see what we have currently compared to what could have been.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Joacim-Roboman-Schwartz/100001190769681 Joacim Roboman Schwartz
Translator problems, it should be “…Thus, the canon has had to have longer shutter speed in the same aperture…”
http://twitter.com/rmakyn ricardo makyn
Terrible Comparison The Nikon was used in a somewhat backlit situation this comparison makes no sense shoot both Cameras under the same lighting and then we can compare
http://twitter.com/photobyleighton Jr. Miller
Sure..but you do realize that needing to use ISO 8000 and beyond means a very crappy image without a light source like a flash?
I’m not saying it can’t be done, just that most “low light” images I’ve seen are pretty bad and why would you want that unless you “need” the capture and can’t get it any other way?
Aside from weddings, sports etc. who is asking for ISO 12,800 and beyond?
http://www.facebook.com/benjamingoff Ben Goff
Me, dammit! And any other photojournalist for that matter, or did I not just say that.
I’ll take some moderate noise over on-camera flash any day.
If you’ve ever tried to shoot pictures that include fire / police personell and vehicles with reflective stripes you know just how much hell they can be if you’re using flash.
Not to mention the red-eye. The harsh shadows. And of course, heaven forbid there is some depth to your composition and the subject is not the closest thing in the frame.
Do I need to continue on the negatives of using on-camera flash at night?
Now don’t get me wrong, when I’m in the studio I shoot at ISO 100. Maybe 200. That’s about as high as it goes. If I’m shooting something static in low light I whip out a tripod and shoot at, you guessed it, ISO 100.
Manuel Fiestas Moreno
Why everybody is comparing jpgs? At http://www.imaging-resource.com/ you can download the RAW files and compare them with same conditions of noise reduction. And….. nobody has seen that canon´s images ares 2/3 EV + exposed than nikon´s ?? So nikon´s images are underexposed compared to canon´s… so noisier than in a correct exposure
http://twitter.com/SandyPhimester Sandy Phimester
Too much talk. Go use your camera to take photos, please. Either one of this will be more than most people here could even dream of needing. Some of us will get one, and that’s great. Me included. But I could care less, creativity and vision have nothing to do with pixel peeping or tech specs. Thanks.
http://twitter.com/SandyPhimester Sandy Phimester
And that’s directed at both Canon and Nikon people here. Both cameras are true gems, which can basically do anything you’d ever want with a digital camera. The rest is just keyboard banter. I’m happy knowing I can have yet another useful tool in my arsenal!
http://www.facebook.com/leo.hoang Leo Hoang
I don’t think it’s a good or fair test. You can crank up ISO to 6400 on most cameras, and providing the scene is well lit, it can look ok. Pitch black environment, at 6400 you’ll see LOTSA grain… Nikon looked to be in a dimly light area compared to Canon…
But in saying that, Nikon is not pushed for it’s ISO performance, but the Canon was… So I knew Canon would win even before looking…
Also, to anyone looking to buy, it’s worth noting the price difference also.
It’s personal preference, but the Canon easily wins with ISO Performance, and I am impressed with it’s ISO capabilities…
But I have spent a lot on Nikon lenses so I am Nikon faithful
http://twitter.com/MattHalic Matt Halic
It looks like somebody would like to shit on Nikon! What a bad comparins images.. what a shame…
http://WWW.LIFEASCINEMA.BLOGSPOT.COM SEAN SHIMMEL
I think Led Zeppelin prophetically named it’s song after this endless thread.
http://youtu.be/sW6xaDGmffQ
http://www.facebook.com/svedle Christer Svedle
Since the Mark III has 2 stops better iso performance than the Mark II you could sell your Canon EF 400/2,8 L IS II USM and buy a EF 400/4,0 DO IS USM instead and get the same or better noise quality as before. Then you could afford a brand new Nikon d800 with optics. You get both 36Mpixel and badass iso with the canon. Cheers everybody. ;-)
http://twitter.com/Emacs232 Denis Cheremisov
I did downscaling of Nikon images, and they looks as clean as Canon’s. So, the Nikon is clear winner: much better low ISO, at least as good high iso.
http://twitter.com/photobyleighton Jr. Miller
Well when I say “Flash” I mean auxiliary flash which can be bounced/modified. In your case, getting the shot has little to do with max IQ..it’s just getting the shot. If you were shooting a portrait or something else to be printed large anything higher than 6400 is a real pain in the neck. Newspaper photos are tiny by comparison. an ISO 6400 or even 25,600 downsized and cleaned up for noise looks great.
http://profiles.google.com/hamtons junyang chen
Apart from vegetarians, who else eats vegetables?
Anw the awesome thing about the mark 3 that you can’t really do with the mark two are precisely wedding and sports ETC
http://twitter.com/photobyleighton Jr. Miller
Really?
Be sure about that…
http://desherchobi-ideasrbulletproof.blogspot.com/ Ideas_R_Bulletproof
well, just think about the unfortunate bunch of photogs who had used inferior gears for the last 100 years, yet managed to gain fame…. gears should help with our photography, but not drive us… today’s cameras are all so good that hair-splitting reviews like these should not dictate us… and there are so much more to photography than just IQ… I hope you’ll agree to at least some of it… thanks for the reply though… I kinda enjoyed it :)
http://twitter.com/fotoshark Brian Hurrell
This is a terrible comparison. Its not the same lighting or the same image. What is the point? Obviously a Canon fan I guess
http://www.facebook.com/ericcgould Eric Gould
Agreed!
Y TZ
Can you guys pls see the “Update notification as well on side of the photos”. In case if you missed it here is copy and paste from there.
P.S > Next time pls read the article carefully and comment coz it make you look like an idiot. Update:Nikon equivalents for the Canon shots below are too large to load here, so please visit the site here for images taken with the D800 in the same conditions, where you can find examples with noise reduction as well!
http://www.facebook.com/michdurant Michael Durant
Stop the ford and chevy comparison with canon or nikon cause if your not paying your bill with your camera than your just a gear head what would karsh ,adams and the rest of the great photographer’s say to this nonsense!
http://profile.yahoo.com/ZEPFFUHFLWEFK7BLOU5T67ZASQ Paul Taverna
This thread is a serious hate-a-thon…for a site & thread where peeps are at minimum specialists (fstoppers isn’t anywhere as broad FB i.e.) & sometimes professionals, it’s straight-laden with an extreme amount unnecessary hyper-negative stabs. Fuck.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-Bell/662785617 Robert Bell
Jr. Miller
Glad it wasn’t my wedding you shot at iso 1600 on a 20d they must look awful! bad enough at iso 800.
Trevor Cochlin
Aside from the inaccurate comparison of two cameras shooting two different atmospheres (Nikon in an obviously low-lit setting and Canon’s obviously in a studio) let us remember too that aside from the first “Image Sample” on Nikon’s list, all of the following ISO examples are significantly cropped – inevitably revealing more noise: just another reason this article is inappropriately called “a comparison.” It seems that some of us need to reexamine the simple process of the scientific method – the distinction between controls and variables.
Jordi Mallorquí
I’m publishing information about Nikon D800 in my blog: http://www.jmallorqui.com
MJPerkins
I’m currently “struggling” along w/ a Canon 50D for nature photography. It’s about time to upgrade, and I’m surprised to say that the high pixel Nikon has an unexpected degree of my attention. Here’s why I care about pixels – LEAVES. As in, the millions of little critters hanging off trees. When I shoot a forest of trees, I need sheer resolution to render the detail of leaves and pine needles. My research so far has me leaning towards either the Nikon or saving some serious $$$ with a 5D Mark II. That would be less of an upgrade, but still a big upgrade nonetheless. It’s looking like the bargain pick for what it provides to a shooter like me. (I have to buy new lenses in either case since I’m using APS-C lenses today – and yes, I know, that’s part of my leaf-rendering problem too.)
curiousjosh
LOL… agreed Ben!
Second professional photojournalist here. I live above 1600 for most events,
And I’ve shot for LA Times, LA Weekly and more.
Sorry, there are tons of reasons for high ISO when needed. I can’t wait.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Filip-Karlsson/622342253 Filip Karlsson
Who whant’s to use 25000000000000 ISO ????
Not me for sure.. cant they go for more low iso instead.. much more intrest!
Republic311
So a Nikon D800 win using a Sony sensor….
t_linn
Give Nikon props for using a state-of-the-art sensor. It was a good decision to use it. But Nikon can’t pat themselves on the back too hard for the D800 given that without the Sony sensor the D800 is just another capable high end DSLR. The sensor is what sets it apart.
For me, it’s not even the resolution that is the big deal. It’s the dynamic range. I’d love to have a 22Mp version of it in my DSLR body to give me both the DR and low noise.
http://twitter.com/topscientist Top Scientist
Well among other things, they’d probably recommend you go back to grade school and learn the difference between “your” and “you’re,” as well as the fact that an apostrophe before an “s” indicates the possessive, not the plural.
http://twitter.com/topscientist Top Scientist
Uh, actually, half-wit, the problem is that the Nikon shot is dark and the Canon shot is brightly exposed. If you weren’t dumber than a sack of hammers, you’d understand what that means. But since you obviously are, let me spell that out for you: noise shows up IN THE SHADOWS.
http://so-so-rad.tumblr.com mmmarc
You’re wrong. This test is a complete failure because lighting conditions do matter.
http://www.facebook.com/BigDaveP David Portass
Event/Sport photographers who have to freeze fast moving subjects or rapidly changing environments in poor light where flash/additional light modifiers aren’t permitted but still need a reasonably clean image
http://www.facebook.com/Kai911 Jun-Kai Teoh
From my understanding, when downsampled/upsampled to the same image size/resolution – the noise from both are very comparable with the D800 edging out in detail.
And I do agree, high ISO matters. But then again I’m very much like Ben Goff above where I’m a photojournalist and shoot at night a fair bit. I never know if I’m shooting the late afternoon outdoors concert or late night indoors music show.
That said, I shoot with the D800. Haven’t had a problem pushing the ISO. The dynamic range of the D800 is just a winner/killer for me.
http://twitter.com/MarkPattenInUK Mark Patten
I have read this entire thread and there are some very interesting points of view. Some have validity. Some are not really reading the same thread as I am. LOL.
The baseline of any test, for a camera or in a real life situation, is to have “Identical” points of reference.
This has not happened in this piece. Ergo, the test is a failure and any conjecture on it becomes redundant.
SubrataGuha
Premature comparison and waste of time. Use the same lighting scenario when you compare two different cameras.

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