I did search this and not many threads on it yet.Here is why i am asking.
My next camera will likely be one of these.Why? Just need help in deciding, because i am not in a position to upgrade often so i want to make the right choice.
1.I need the file size of at least 4201 x 2801 which both will provide.
2.Type of shooting that i do is landscapes,portrait and weddings(occasionally),also sports (occasionally),and a lot of macro.
3.I do upload a lot to istock photo so much of my work will be at the lower iso settings.
4.what is most important to me is image quality.
So with all this in mind i am especially interested in hearing from those who possibly have used both and would like to hear their comments.
I am leaning toward the 50D since it has a lot of features that the 5D does not have but i am also drawn to what many have described as the near magical image quality that the full frame 5D has proven to deliver.
The 5D will work for sports, just expect 1d3 type AF performance, you will need to set the camera AIServo, center point AF only, expansion on. The IQ on the 5D is truly amazing, the question you need to ask is will you need iso 12,800 this would be needed for gymnastics and hockey most other sports have pretty good lighting (ie iso 3200 will work). Most churches iso 3200 will work fine with fast zooms and good primes.
Both great cameras but for the purposes you described the full frame 5D would be my choice. With the impending delivery of the new 5DMkII you should be able to pickup a great used one with really low clicks for a silly low price.
The 5D is the better camera for an experienced photographer by far, but for an all-round enthusiast I'd say 50D
I'd consider that to be a bit of a stilted comment David.
So which category do you think the OP falls into ? What is and how big is the divide between the two ? Makes you wonder how people progress from the latter to the former, doesn't it ?
I don't think it matters. I shoot mostly landscapes with a 40D and a 5D and have made numerous side by side comparisons and the sharpness, colors and contrast are nearly identical. However, FF will have the advantage at higher ISO's and if you desire less DOF.
I stand by what I said earlier. Nowadays you need a reason to go full frame, be it because of your lens collection or because you want the full frame depth of field characteristics.
The 50D is the current semi-pro model in the Canon range, with all it's bells and whistles while the wonderful 5D is still a relatively niche product, old and brilliant though it is
dhphoto wrote:
I stand by what I said earlier. Nowadays you need a reason to go full frame, be it because of your lens collection or because you want the full frame depth of field characteristics.
The 50D is the current semi-pro model in the Canon range, with all it's bells and whistles while the wonderful 5D is still a relatively niche product, old and brilliant though it is
5D also suits your lenses a lot better than 50D. With acrop camera, your 24mm is not really wide enough for lansdcapes, while your 85 is rather too long for portraits and weddings if you have nothing in between that and your 24. So, until you get more glass, I second the votes for 5D. Which also, BTW, has the better IQ AFAIAC. I tried both in comparison to my 40D, and 5D was clearly better than 50D. Actually 5D IQ is still very competitive even against muh more expensive and recent cameras like D700 and Alpha 900. It may not compete on AF, or fps, or liveview, etc. But on IQ, it is right up there.
I'm constantly impressed with my 5D. If you keep your 20 as a backup/sports camera, there's absolutely no reason not to go with a 5D. Keep in mind though that you'll probably want to pick up a new normal-wide lens (Nifty fifty or 35 2 maybe) because 24mm gets pretty dang wide on a full frame.
Don't know about you, but I'd take the full frame camera every time. It's night and day. Remember the 5D still has an IQ edge on the D3. 5Ds will be around for a long while yet.
RobertLynn wrote:
So you'd take a 30/40/50D over a 5D?
Well I wouldn't necessarily rule it out is what I'm saying.
I've been using 5D's professionally since they came out (literally the first weekend I could get one, I paid WAY over the odds), I've owned three and it's a fantastic camera even by today's standards.
But it's not for everyone, that is my point. The modern crop cameras are excellent if that happens to suit your style, knowledge or type of work.
I certainly wouldn't discount a 40D or 50D just because the 5D exists (I wasn't personally enamoured by the 8 meg sensor in my 20D, so I wouldn't buy a 30D).
If you value the EF-S lenses and their clones from other manufacturers (like the wonderful Tam 17-50), if you value a 1.6 crop, if you value sensor cleaning, new features etc etc, maybe even want a built-in flash the crop cameras might be for you. They're damn good.
I absolutely adore my 450D, it's small, packs a punch and is very cheap, but that doesn't mean I don't go back to full frame for my work.
I think it's important not to be too stuffy about it thats all.
I have both a 5D and 50D. I've owned the 5D for over 3 years whereas the 50D is a new toy (6 weeks). In most ways the cameras are almost the same: build quality, feel in the hand, control location, etc. I really prefer the LCD and menu system of the 50D and actually wish the 5D had a popup for causal fill flash. Don't find much use for LV. However, the VF of the 5D is so much better and easier to compose with. The 50D VF is among the best for a crop camera but it's still pretty small. However I have to agree with most of the posters above, 5D image quality is better: smoother and more "organic." It just agrees with my eyes more both in print and on screen. And, yes, from ISO 800 to 3200, the 5D beats the 50D senseless in terms of noise control.
Funny, but after buying a 50D i appreciate what a fine camera the 5D was and still is.
Gerry Szarek wrote:
The 5D will work for sports, just expect 1d3 type AF performance, you will need to set the camera AIServo, center point AF only, expansion on.
What? If the 5D had 1d3 type AF then nobody would be complaining about the 5D2's "crippled AF." It is by far different from the 1d3, with the 1d3 being remarkably better. Also, the frame rate is much too low for sports, even sports where there isn't that much action. You can get lucky and snap the right frame, but it really takes either dumb luck or godly skill.
