Canon 5D Mark II vs. Canon G11 – You Decide
This morning while photographing some professional headshots for a friend of mine, I decided to do a quick test. After finishing the “real” session using my 5D Mark II with the 24-105 f/4L lens, I picked up my point-and-shoot G11 and took a similar image. Since the lighting was already set I simply put the G11 in ‘Manual’ mode, set the exposure to match the scene (f/8) then attached the PocketWizard to trigger the strobes. For processing I used the same steps in Lightroom for each image and then combined them in Photoshop.
From the sample I have posted, can you tell which image is from which camera? I know, I know – you would like to see larger images to evaluate. If that were the case the 5D’s result would be obvious, but for the sake of this little experiment I wanted to see how noticeable the captures would be at a typical web-usage resolution.
So – which is which? Can you readily spot the $3,000 difference in equipment cost? And what would clients think if they showed up to have a “professional” portrait taken and saw the photographer using a little rangefinder-camera-looking G11? Or maybe, what would Judge Joe Brown think?
39 Comments
I’m guessing the 5D is on the left… at least that’s my preference. :-)
| Ron | March 15, 2010 at 1:27 pm
I’m going with the 5D being on the left, too. It seems like the skin tones are rendered more evenly in that image.
| Alicia | March 15, 2010 at 1:31 pm
I’m guessing that the 5D is on the right based on the slight details I seem to be noticing in it as compared to that of the right hand photo.
| Susie | March 15, 2010 at 1:31 pm
5D left and G11 right… I think that the left have a great deal of detail in comparison but the G11 delivers a great result
| dkess | March 15, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Strictly base on contrast, I’m going with the 5DM2 on the right.
| Dan | March 15, 2010 at 1:48 pm
I think you should have used a Nikon. :) Oh but besides that.
5d on the Right G11 on the left. :)
pat
| Pat Wright | March 15, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Based on her expression, my vote is for the 5D on the right. He probably picked up the G11 towards the end of the shoot and didn’t spend as much time on the expression like he would have with the 5D. :)
| Nicole Young | March 15, 2010 at 1:54 pm
G11 left, 5D right
| Megan Katauskas | March 15, 2010 at 1:56 pm
The 5D is on the Right. Look at the eyes.
| Garry | March 15, 2010 at 1:56 pm
5D on the left
| innov8 | March 15, 2010 at 2:07 pm
5D is on the right
| George | March 15, 2010 at 2:07 pm
5D on the right. Contrast, expression, white balance, sharpness.
| Eric | March 15, 2010 at 2:08 pm
5D on the right.
| Rosendo | March 15, 2010 at 2:08 pm
I believe the right side picture to belong to the 5D.
| Rosendo | March 15, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Looking at the eyes they seem sharper in the right. So with that I say 5d right G11 left. Hard to tell for sure though
| Torsten | March 15, 2010 at 2:12 pm
I’ll give it a go… and say…. 5D on the right and G11 on the left.
| Danny | March 15, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Going strictly by the fact that you used an “L” lens, I am going with 5dmkii on the right. The clarity in her eyes and features makes me think “L”.
| Brekke | March 15, 2010 at 2:14 pm
I would say the 5D is on the right based on the better contrast and color balance. But I guess the real lesson here would be, if you’re going to be using your camera to create images the won’t be reproduced larger than 400 pixels then don’t waste your money on the 5D. Of course if that were the case, then maybe you shouldn’t waste your money on the G11 either!
| James | March 15, 2010 at 2:22 pm
5D on the right. Photo has a little more clarity.
| Gordon Jones | March 15, 2010 at 2:27 pm
That is, as much as it hurts me to say this, a very tough call to make being a 5D Mkii owner and avid fan!
I would have to say however 5D on the left hand side judging by the more natural skin colour, better lighting in the background and more detail in the hair including colour!
You have to tell us!
| Daniel Smith | March 15, 2010 at 2:48 pm
I’d go for 5D on the left, although it’s tight…maybe cause the right image looks like it has more lens distortions, maybe a bit of pincushion…or is it just the model’s slightly different pose..
| fotoamater.com | March 15, 2010 at 3:04 pm
I think Niki is on the right track: from a purely technical standpoint, you can’t tell. You need to look for non-technical clues. Both cameras are so much higher res than the image here, you’ll have more artifacts from the downsizing than from the camera/lens. IMO, any differences people see between the two shots (contrast, skin tones, sharpness, etc) are from the slightly different angles of the model with respect to the lights.
| Harley Pebley | March 15, 2010 at 3:15 pm
5D on the right… the tones on the left image look a little compressed, there’s greater dynamic range in the image on the right
| steph | March 15, 2010 at 3:17 pm
G11 on left side, 5D on the right is my guess. Judge Joe Brown obviously isn’t familiar with the phrase, “It’s not the gear it’s the photographer.” I’ll take an experienced pro with a Rebel vs a “wanna be pro” with a 5D mkII any day of the week!
| Dennis | March 15, 2010 at 3:29 pm
I suppose if one only shot these types of pics in these lighting conditions with little or no cropping for posting on the Web as above at the given compression, it may make little difference which camera is chosen. Isn’t this an issue of matching the equipment to the job? We certainly can’t justifiable generalize a “no significant difference” to other shooting conditions/requirements from this comparison.
Now, let’s compare a Pentium 4 computer against a core i7 machine when composing an email… ;-)
–Gary
| Gary | March 15, 2010 at 3:45 pm
My glass is that the 5D is on the right.
| Laura Magane Goyer | March 15, 2010 at 7:13 pm
5D clearly on the right, the two photos are really quite different, even at this resolution.
| adevadeh | March 15, 2010 at 8:04 pm
G11 on the left. 5D on the right.
| BWJones | March 15, 2010 at 8:09 pm
5D on the right.
| LPadgett | March 15, 2010 at 9:24 pm
They were both taken with a Panasonic GF1.
| Andy | March 15, 2010 at 9:26 pm
“5D clearly on the right, the two photos are really quite different, even at this resolution.”
I agree
| Pamela | March 15, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Let me see both at 100% and I can tell easily
Debbi
| debbi | March 16, 2010 at 7:40 am
Looking at the eyes I would say the 5D took the right hand side photograph. The photo on the left taken with the G11
| Peter Stephens | March 16, 2010 at 10:55 am
There is almost no difference in both pictures !
It is not only the camera who makes butifull pictures, but the artist behind …
| PSpotter Fotografie | March 18, 2010 at 1:44 pm
My first thought was: G11 right side… because of the sharpness.
I have the G10 and ALL! shots i take with it are hard to beat when it comes to sharpness and out of camera contrast.
I recently bought a 5D mk2 (Germany) with the 85 1.8 and 24-105 L and the first 800 shots where mostly unusable… unsharp/unfocused. Yesterday i send it to the service/repair. If Canon can´t “repair” my new 5D… i send it to “Will it blend?”
Back to the pictures. I would not swear that the right one is the G11 but it´s my guess (today) ;-)
| Ole Seegelken | March 19, 2010 at 2:35 pm
I got a G10 and i now what he can ,for me is the G11 the
photo on the right side.
| Dacale | April 30, 2010 at 3:57 am
So which one is which one? Can u reveal the answer?
| Charmaine | September 1, 2010 at 10:24 am
5D is on the right.
Much more light details and colour intensity.
Isnt as much compressed as on the left with the G11.
Very hard to tell dough at the 1rst look…
| Ben | November 30, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Hmm… I’m not properly speaking a good photographer, but I have a sharp eye, that and the fact I own a G11 & used a 5D. So, based on my portrait experience with both, I would say, regarding the teeth & eyes, that the 5D is on the right. But that was not my first choice…
Still tricky, in my opinion.
| Leopold | July 7, 2011 at 4:58 pm