08-18-2010, 05:52 PM
Lower density only helps give lower noise *if* you compare like with like, and look at a pixel level. A new generation high density sensor can perform better than older generation bigger and lower pixel density sensor. I have or have had a 1D, 5D, 7D.
1D mk1, APS-H, 4MP
5D mk1, FF, 12MP
7D, APS-C, 18MP.
At ISO3200, which would you pick? Me, it would be the 7D every time. Then again it does have 8 years of technology advantage over 1D, and 4 years over 5D. Looking more recently, the update from 50D 15MP to 7D 18MP was noticeable at high ISO also, with the 7D giving better looking results at high ISO (say 1600+).
Further, if you consider the noise on an equal output area basis as opposed to per pixel level, that changes the results too. Personally, providing you have "enough" pixels, the number or density doesn't matter, the overall whole output does.
1D mk1, APS-H, 4MP
5D mk1, FF, 12MP
7D, APS-C, 18MP.
At ISO3200, which would you pick? Me, it would be the 7D every time. Then again it does have 8 years of technology advantage over 1D, and 4 years over 5D. Looking more recently, the update from 50D 15MP to 7D 18MP was noticeable at high ISO also, with the 7D giving better looking results at high ISO (say 1600+).
Further, if you consider the noise on an equal output area basis as opposed to per pixel level, that changes the results too. Personally, providing you have "enough" pixels, the number or density doesn't matter, the overall whole output does.
<a class="bbc_url" href="http://snowporing.deviantart.com/">dA</a> Canon 7D2, 7D, 5D2, 600D, 450D, 300D IR modified, 1D, EF-S 10-18, 15-85, EF 35/2, 85/1.8, 135/2, 70-300L, 100-400L, MP-E65, Zeiss 2/50, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300/2.8, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Olympus E-P1, Panasonic 20/1.7, Sony HX9V, Fuji X100.