What do you recommend: 5D Mk1. or 50D?

[Alfamale]

March 3, 2009 at 12:38 pm

I can currently (probably) afford a new Canon EOS 5D mk.1 (not mk.II) or a new Canon EOS 50D if I finally decide to jump from film to digital. I like idea of the full-size sensor on the 5D, plus presumably as a semi-pro it is very well built, but then the 50D is a newer design with a very large pixel count. Really, I am looking for durability and image quality. I am looking to keep my existing EOS lenses, so I’m assuming difference in picture quality will come down to the camera body in this case – which do you think is better? Does anyone have experience of both?

I am not really looking to change systems but might consider it if there is something *massively* better for very similar money.

Thanks

[guthrij]

March 3, 2009 at 1:15 pm

If you must have a full frame sensor then it is a no brainer – 5D MkI. It is a great camera, a bit long in the tooth but none the worse for that. If you have been using EF lenses on you film camera the 5D will allow all your lenses to function at their correct focal length.

Cheers.

John

[b318isp]

March 3, 2009 at 1:26 pm

The 50D has a higher frame rate, so good for action shots, the 5D is better suited for nearly everything else. I’m hearing that the increased pixel count on the 50D is causing more noise than the previous 40D – so that may be an issue. The full frame sensor on the 5D is very good – but you will loose some “virtual” focal length from your exisitng lens changing from a cropped sensor, but gain it at the wide angle.

Personally, I’d consider the 5D a slightly better choice.

[Alfamale]

March 3, 2009 at 3:20 pm

Thanks guys. Interesting about the noise on the 50D … I’d read on another thread in this forum that a lot of people seem to consider the 40D a better buy and the difference in price between the 40D and the 5D mk.1 equals a pretty good lens … so that’s another one to consider.