Bestest for low noise

[chauncey]

I love my 1Ds3, but the noise is disturbing...anything over 200 ISO requires using software on my RAW images, which softens things.
I'm quite anal about 100% PP and "nose length viewing distance" on my studio flowers and BIF metal prints.
Which of the newer generations is the absolute best at handling noise?

 

[bdunbar79]

I love my 1Ds3, but the noise is disturbing...anything over 200 ISO requires using software on my RAW images, which softens things.
I'm quite anal about 100% PP and "nose length viewing distance" on my studio flowers and BIF metal prints.
Which of the newer generations is the absolute best at handling noise?

Sounds like you need a 1Dx

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

The noise amount causes a different perception when the quality of the noise is organic, film like .

1DX this time is the king in the amount of noise (until you get the Mark II).
5DS is the king in quality of noise, color retention, and preservation of detail, even in ISO1600.

The Sony A7 II is a serious competitor in "absolute minimum noise", but loses in color accuracy, sharpness, ergonomics, battery life, selection of lenses, etc.

 

[rfdesigner]

The noise amount causes a different perception when the quality of the noise is organic, film like .

1DX this time is the king in the amount of noise (until you get the Mark II).
5DS is the king in quality of noise, color retention, and preservation of detail, even in ISO1600.

The Sony A7 II is a serious competitor in "absolute minimum noise", but loses in color accuracy, sharpness, ergonomics, battery life, selection of lenses, etc.

+1

My old 30D's banding made pushing limits very troublesome limiting me to ISO800 for my standards, but now with my change to the 6D I'm happy to use even ISO25600 as the "grain" is much more film like and there's next to no banding (I've only seen it in test "dark frames" stretched to try and show it, even then it's almost non-existant, I've never seen it in a real image).. if using a little bit of colour noise reduction it can look really quite pleasing.

 

[zim]

From Canon the 1Dx2, I'd (am) wait for the 5Dwhateveritscalled to appear

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

There is always some noise. Some say the 1DS MK III has less noise at certain ISO settings, like 200, 400, and so on. Others like the 1D X do not seem to work that way. Some Cameras have less noise at ISO 160, 320, etc.

There is quite a bit of information about optimum ISO settings for different camera models, so try searching for it.

Here is a start. Keith Cooper often posts in the CR forum.

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/cameras/canon_1ds3_noise.html

 

[bdunbar79]

There is always some noise. Some say the 1DS MK III has less noise at certain ISO settings, like 200, 400, and so on. Others like the 1D X do not seem to work that way. Some Cameras have less noise at ISO 160, 320, etc.

There is quite a bit of information about optimum ISO settings for different camera models, so try searching for it.

Here is a start. Keith Cooper often posts in the CR forum.

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/cameras/canon_1ds3_noise.html

The reason I said 1Dx is because all ISO's, including tweener ISO's are analog all the way up to 6400. The S/N is also linear across that range, so I'd say if noise and only noise is your true consideration, of the available cameras today from Canon, that is easily the best.

 

[chauncey]

Were I to list importance, noise and dynamic range performance would rank higher than would MP.

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

Were I to list importance, noise and dynamic range performance would rank higher than would MP.

When you decide to look for a camera with "absolute lowest noise" but must choose which ISO you expect this camera is the supreme king.

In a simple way:

5DS has very low noise at ISO 100 or 400, maintaining color accuracy and sharpness compared to other models.
1DX has very low noise at ISO 3200, maintaining color accuracy and sharpness compared to other models.
Sony A7Sii has very low noise at ISO 6400, but the colors are a bit strange and sharpness is not as good, compared to other models.
Canon ME20F-SH has very low noise at ISO 25600, but the resolution is the smallest of the above models.

So I can say that Canon ME20F-SH is the champion at extremely high ISO, but that does not mean it is better than the other cameras at ISO 800. I can also conclude that 5DS is the champion at ISO 100 or 200, but that does not mean it is better than the other cameras in ISO 1600.

The amount of noise is not linear over the entire range ISO, and no camera model will be better in all ISO settings. A particular model of camera can be optimized for the best performance in low ISO, and another model for high ISO, and color characteristics and sharpness will depend on the choice that the manufacturer did when design this camera.

Canon 1DS Mark iii, was a project that prioritizes the best color and clarity with the technology available at that time, and suffers from above ISO 800. Canon used the same "philosophy" in the current 5DS, but technology now allows to reach the same standards color and sharpness, even up to ISO 1600, with the advantage of plenty of resolution.
1DX has less noise, but the color and clarity are NOT the same standard of good old 1DS Mark iii.