Full Frame vs Cropped Sensor Demonstration 1 of 2

I wanted to post a demonstration of the difference between a full frame DSLR and a crop sensor DSLR that I had done for a former co-worker when I had gotten my new camera. What I wanted to illustrate in this particular exercise was how the two cameras with approximately same effective focal lengths. The difference in both the sensor technology and the pixel density impact the noise in the photo (diminished photo crispness) vary at various ISO levels. A used a Nikon D600 mounted with 50mm f/1.4 D lens and a Nikon D5100 mounted with 35mm f/1.8G (equivalent 52.5mm focal length with 1.5 crop factor).

I took three shots with each camera mounted on a tripod. The photos were taken at f/2.8, one at ISO 800, one at ISO 3200, and one at ISO 6400. The image crop is set at 100%, and there is just a slight difference due to the 2.5mm different focal lengths.

D5100 @ ISO 800

D600 @ ISO 800

Already you can see the difference in photo quality between the two cameras, but the difference becomes more exaggerated at higher ISO levels as seen below:

Nikon D5100 @ ISO 3200

Nikon D600 @ ISO 3200

Nikon D5100 @ ISO 6400

Nikon D600 @ ISO 6400

It's pretty clear that especially at lower ISO levels at an equivalent focal length, the full frame camera materially outperforms the one with the crop sensor. No one would argue otherwise, but it is easier to understand when there is a visual demonstration of how the cameras are different. Next time I will show the difference between these two cameras with the exact same lens on the camera. I'll explain more why there is a difference between these two cases at that time. Until then, feel free to ask any questions!