Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic - Canon T3i picture quality-sharpness-noise far superior to 7D

annedunlap · Joined: 18 Jul 2011 Posts: 53

Has anyone else found the Canon T3i picture quality, sharpness, and noise level to be far superior to the 7D?

Some folks may remember my posts complaining about my dissatisfaction in upgrading from the 30D to the 7D. Folks suggested resetting the camera, tripod issues, lens issues, my not knowing how to use the new focus system, etc.

I troubleshot for everything and after shooting over 20,000 frames, still felt that nothing I shot was high quality enough to submit (due to noise, soft focus and other things I felt were produced by the camera body).

It has been a shame because the content of many of the shots I felt would have been strong submissions.

Well, I finally had enough money to buy a brand new EF 70-200mm f/2.8 II USM and Canon EOS Rebel T3i from BH photo and WOW!!!

The shots taken with the new lens and 7D body were as lame as the last 20,000 and the few new I took with the lens and T3i were SPOT ON in all areas!!!

I have to be careful because I can't take more than 200 shots if i want to return the Rebel. I notice A LOT of the features I like on the 7D are missing.

But I feel I could really make some income from the T3i body - unlike from the 7D (which is why I haven't had any new submissions since Nov 2011!!).

Is this a fluke? Has anyone else made the same discovery? How do other users like the feature set on the T3i - what do you feel is missing?

Thanks, Anne

copidosoma · Joined: 17 Nov 2009 Posts: 3917 Location: Canada

Good to hear that you found an option that is going to work. Maybe you had a dud 7D. Maybe there really is a difference in the sensor between the two (I've never use the rebel so I'm a bit curious now).

In other good news...it will pay itself off alot faster too.

annedunlap · Joined: 18 Jul 2011 Posts: 53

Yes, I am very happy to finally have quality photos. I may have a 7D dud, unfortunately, Canon doesn't stand behind their products so it is all my loss for getting the lack of luck of the draw. They won't do anything :-(

geoffwnz · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 2:37 pm

My 7D is off to Canon next week to see if there is an issue with it. Having similar sharpness issues.
Did some comparison shots last night with the 550D.
Indoor close work with a flash seemed to result in a very similar image. Will try again when I get home tonight with some outdoors shots over a longer distance.

annedunlap · Joined: 18 Jul 2011 Posts: 53

Are they willing to look at it for you free of charge?

I contacted Canon within 30 days of my purchase and they were not willing for me. They just blamed my not being able to figure out the new system. I went from the orig Rebel film back to EOS Elan Film Back to I forget D90 or 90D in 2001 then 10D, 20D, 30D, 7D and now 3Ti.

I didn't like my 1st digi back in 2001 and have not been dissatisfied again until the 7D. Canon refused to do anything about either body. Yet I still shoot canon!?!

Glutton for punishment I guess.

geoffwnz · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 3:34 pm

ajancso · Joined: 18 May 2009 Posts: 1898 Location: Right Behind You

Could you please post two images taken with the same lens, under the same conditions, one with the 7D and one with 3Ti ?

I am a happy owner of a 7D and I would love to see a comparison.

geoffwnz · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 5:12 pm

annedunlap · Joined: 18 Jul 2011 Posts: 53

I can but they will not be examples of stock photo quality submissions for layout. I just got the 3Ti yesterday and the weather has been rainy w 60mph gusts which is not prime photography weather - so PLEASE do not comment on lame composition :-)

annedunlap · Joined: 18 Jul 2011 Posts: 53

Okay sun came out for sunset (still NOT a layout or content for stock photography - just for purpose of pixel comparison)

annedunlap · Joined: 18 Jul 2011 Posts: 53

Here is another comparison

copidosoma · Joined: 17 Nov 2009 Posts: 3917 Location: Canada

can't really argue with your results (noise wise anyways) except that your focus on the first bird (7D) was off (more on the background).

I just did these this a few hours ago...

Not flawless but good enough for stock (or prints).

(I normally downsize to 10MP for SS)

copidosoma · Joined: 17 Nov 2009 Posts: 3917 Location: Canada

And I'm not posting these to start a pi$$ing contest or anything. Just to show that the camera is capable of reasonably high quality shots (look at me so modest).

You undoubtedly have noise. The best I can do to explain that is that they are underexposed or something. And I can't really explain the difference with the rebel. There shouldn't be one. Assuming the settings were the same and all things besides the camera bodies are equal, it looks like your 7D isn't performing as well as the rebel.

Surprising but apparently not impossible. Stick with the rebel I guess.

annedunlap · Joined: 18 Jul 2011 Posts: 53

Yes, out of 20,000 images shot with the 7D (on a tripod - Manfrotto strong beast - at 100 ASA and a ton of other suggestions to reduce noise and improve focus) I NEVER got a single shot as clear as what you have posted :-(

annedunlap · Joined: 18 Jul 2011 Posts: 53

Actually, I should ask about how much post-production work you did on those photos. Canon said I needed to use their post-production tools to clean up the image because RAW images are inherently soft. They sent me the most current version of their software and it did not help at all.

The photos I posted have absolutely no correction.