Your post title suggests that the 7D is not an improvement on the 40D whereas its a mega improvement. If all you are actually talking about is ISO performance (whether you are correct or not) perhaps your post title should reflect this?
Thanks for that helpful bit of feedback there, as I outlined in the post with examples,
in my experience it is not an improvement (let alone mega) - In image quality, ISO performance and to a large extent AF performance.
I had a 7D in 2009 and my observations pretty much mirrored what you're seeing Jonathan. Most people seem happy with the output but mine was desperately noisy at the lower Iso settings when compared to other bodies I had.
Bob
Thanks that's actually useful - were you ever able to compare to other 7's at all? are they all like this and we are just fussy or are there duff copies about?.
A while ago I was using a 40D and a 550D. On a couple of occasions I used borrowed 7D's (multiple ones) and was never impressed with the noise quality. The 550D definitely produces better quality images in terms of fine detail compared to the 7D. The 40D I found was very similar just lacking in pixels for much cropping.
Thanks, I too have seen fullsize images from 550s that look markedly better in terms of resolved detail and colour accuracy - I was lead to believe the 7D would excel in all these areas.
The 40D was always regarded as a top performer regarding noise. The 7D can get decent noiseless images but you pretty much need to nail the exposure. You under expose and you will see noise.
Steve
Thanks, I have used the technique of exposing to the right numerous times and I still see nasty patchy noise at all ISOs up to 800. I rarely ventured higher than 400 on the 40D, but I am seeing worse noise at ISO 100 than I had at 800 from the 40d - surely that step is unreasonable?
I have had both cameras and didn't think image quality was much different, but the 7D was certainly far nicer to use.
The 7D was certainly more prone to showing up noise if underexposed, but I suspect that's because of the extra 8mp on the same size sensor
Agreed, I didn't expect miracles from the pixels being squashed in but as mentioned before, the 550D appears to have a far better level of image quality.
Print them both at A3 and compare them at viewing distances.
I will bet the difference has disappeared.
I am sure that is the case, however I use the images for digital art and need to resolve as much detail as possible - the 7D appears not to be able to do this (in my case at least) as well as the 40D. I didn't upgrade my camera to produce the same results as my 40D on prints on A3 viewed 4 foot away - I wanted, and paid for, an improvement in detail and image quality.
I have owned both, but the other way around... i.e. I had a 7D and then bought a 40D as a backup camera.
I hated using the 40D and found the IQ crap in comparison at anything over ISO 400 in comparison to the 7D. However I shot some architecture for the local uni with the 40D to test it out when I bought it and couldn't see any difference what so ever between the standard of pics it took at ISO's 400 and below to what the 7D would have been capable of.
If I had to choose one and only one out of the 2 bodies I'd plump for the 7D due to the better ISO performance above 800 and better AF system... but it really comes down to what you're shooting.
For me both camera's are crap at mid to high ISO's really so I am loathe to pick up the 7D most of the time and sold the 40D. At lower ISO's there's little between them.
Thanks, I'm not seeing the same results unfortunately - I rarely go above 800 at any rate, but at all ISOs below 400 the 7D appears roughly twice as bad as the 40D. AF appears patchy as well- while i'm willing to put this down to misuse of the settings due to inexperience of the new(er) system, the image quality I am not so willing to accept blame for.
I swapped a 60D for a 7D to use as backup to my 5D3 and I've found mine noisy above ISO800. It's at the repair centre at the minute being almost rebuilt after I dropped it (both PCB and AF unit damage, £600 to repair) and I'm debating whether to part ex it for either a 1D Mk3 or wait till the 70D gets released and part ex it for that. I've not used a 40D for a direct comparison but I've had a 550D, 60D, 5D2, 2 x 7D's and a 5D3 and the wife 650D and both the 7D's have been the same. For noise handling they're definitely bottom of my pile but the AF does make up for a lot.
Thanks - it is interesting to hear that - would you say the Aston shot in the OP is fairly standard for the 7D then?
Thanks all for taking the time to post - if you could take a look at the sample images if any of you get a chance and let me know if it looks any different in terms of technical quality to what you have experienced with your 7D copies.
Many thanks again