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EOS R5 Excessive Noise at High ISOs

roger999webb
Contributor

I've read multiple posts here about noisy pictures from an R5 and would just like to share my experience with this issue. 

Like many others, I moved from a 5D mk4, that I loved, to an R5 because of reviews I read about how amazing it is. I lots of respects that is 100% true for me also. If nothing else the eye-detect autofocus is absolutely unbelievable. 

However, my R5 produces the most pretty dreadful noise at anything above about iso 800. I had seen multiple replies to queries about how this can't be true, it's something the user is likely doing wrong, the R5 is the best thing since sliced bread etc. So me being a scientist and a Canon user of over 30 years decided to conduct my own experiments to understand my own issues.

Reset the camera totally to factory settings, set up on a tripod, focused on the same point on a plant on a window sill and snapped away using the holy trinity of lenses, namely 15-35 f2.8, 24-70 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8. All L series lenses, which as you know, are spectacular! Tested 3 f stops for each, 2.8, 5.6, 16 and the limits of the zoom for each e.g. 15mm and 35mm etc.. Maintained the same exposure using a combination of iso and shutter speed. I varied the iso from 100 to 51200 and altered the shutter to maintain exposure. Shot in RAW. So in total I took over 500 pictures in RAW and compared in PS zoomed to 100%. 

As I knew, noise was very obvious at iso 800 but not too bad, but at 2500 it was borderline but nasty in the shadows, at 8000 I found the pictures to be totally unacceptable. Aperture and lens seem to have no impact on the noise levels, reproducible between each lens, aperture and focal length. 

I can't say how disappointed I am with this aspect of the R5. I so much want to love this camera, it has so many outstanding features, but this noise issue has just left me wishing for my 5D again. Is it possible that, like cars, there are just some 'lemons'? If so, I'm done making lemonade!

 

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

If you check the other noise threads here you will see that the culprit some times have been under exposing, heat and post processing.

https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/EOS-DSLR-Mirrorless-Cameras/Noise-on-EOS-R8-Image/m-p/454431/high...

https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/EOS-DSLR-Mirrorless-Cameras/EOS-R5-Noisy-Photos/m-p/458160/highli...

I don't own R5 or 5D IV, but I own R6 and 6D. They both have 20 mpix so it is easier to compare. Hard to see the difference at ISO 3200. Raw samples https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_aQmGvoGVrfycp0CFwhDhe6Q5TxyqDcC/view?usp=drive_link

Skärmbild från 2024-03-03 10-44-13.png

View solution in original post

10 REPLIES 10

Peter
Authority
Authority

You forgot to share some of your raw files, including exported tiff from PS without NR. Use a filehost.

 

roger999webb
Contributor

Thanks for reading my wows and for replying Peter. I didn’t (don’t) see any value in uploading pictures. I can see noise. Either my expectations are too high or I truly have a sensor that isn’t as good as some. In some conditions I’ve had excellent results. It’s just not the low light panacea I was expecting. 
cheers. Roger. 

With IBIS, it is more difficult to cool the sensor. For each increase in temperature of about 6 degrees C, the noise doubles.

What was the camera temperature?

Was "Auto Lighting Optimizer" enabled in the camera menus? https://cam.start.canon/en/C003/manual/html/UG-03_Shooting-1_0080.html

 

Caution

  • Noise may increase and apparent resolution may change, under some shooting conditions.
  • If the effect of Auto Lighting Optimizer is too strong and results are not at your preferred brightness, set to [Low] or [Disable].
  • If a setting other than [Disable] is set and you use exposure compensation or flash exposure compensation to darken the exposure, the image may still come out bright. If you want a darker exposure, set this function to [Disable].

Was Peripheral Illumination correction enabled?https://cam.start.canon/en/C003/manual/html/UG-03_Shooting-1_0190.html#Shooting-1_0190_1 "

  • Depending on shooting conditions, noise may appear on the image periphery.

"

What camera are you comparing the EOS R5 to? With increased resolution, the photo sites on the sensor will be closer together. When the photo sites are closer together, there is higher probability that an unexpected number of photons will be measured.

Without images to analyze, there will only be guessing.  And that won't be helpful.

--
Ricky

Camera: EOS 5D IV, EF 50mm f/1.2L, EF 135mm f/2L
Lighting: Profoto Lights & Modifiers

If you check the other noise threads here you will see that the culprit some times have been under exposing, heat and post processing.

https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/EOS-DSLR-Mirrorless-Cameras/Noise-on-EOS-R8-Image/m-p/454431/high...

https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/EOS-DSLR-Mirrorless-Cameras/EOS-R5-Noisy-Photos/m-p/458160/highli...

I don't own R5 or 5D IV, but I own R6 and 6D. They both have 20 mpix so it is easier to compare. Hard to see the difference at ISO 3200. Raw samples https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_aQmGvoGVrfycp0CFwhDhe6Q5TxyqDcC/view?usp=drive_link

Skärmbild från 2024-03-03 10-44-13.png

Appreciate it Peter. Unfortunately I had completely reset all settings in my camera. Only change I made was to shoot in Manual mode. No post processing. 68f ambient temperature. 

You wrote that you used PS. Wrong tool if you want to turn off things. Have you checked the links yet?

Waddizzle
Legend
Legend

“ I can't say how disappointed I am with this aspect of the R5. I so much want to love this camera, it has so many outstanding features, but this noise issue has just left me wishing for my 5D again. Is it possible that, like cars, there are just some 'lemons'? If so, I'm done making lemonade!

 I didn’t (don’t) see any value in uploading pictures. I can see noise.

Help someone to help you.  Post a RAW file so that we can all be on the same page.

Unfortunately, it would appear that you are not seeking assistance.  You are only here to rant.  Good luck resolving your issues with the camera.. 

--------------------------------------------------------
"The right mouse button is your friend."

Not a rant. And I apologize if you took it that way. My intention was solely to state in my case, as with a few other folks, that in some instances there is a noise issue. So, as a user, it’s not something you’re doing. 
Again, apologies if I seemed ungrateful, not the intention. 

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