How good is the original 5D Mark I compared to the 2013 Canon's?

IQ jpegs 'straight out of camera' ranked from best (top) to worst (bottom) relative to each other:

the following have pixel sizes very close to the same; albeit 'newer' should be better:

5DMkIII (note: in-camera 'default' sharpening more '+' than 5DMkII; if one prefer less use a '-' value)
6D ('default' sharpening lower than 5DMkIII, closer to 5DMkII)
5DMkII ('default' sharpening very low; 'soft' (=no/less acutance !!! (ideal)))

the following have pixel sizes very close to the same; albeit 'newer' should be better:

PowerShot G1X (has VASS*) (really!!!)
60D (has VASS*) / EOS M (no VASS)
650D (has VASS*) / 600D (no VASS); ALL Rebels lack EOS-1 Dual Controls upper models have
7D (long overdue for update)

older generation pixels, even if larger, fine in good light but not good in low light

5D (no VASS/no ExpSim LV) limited by it's lower Mp for 'creative crop'; noisier at higher ISOs; lack of ExpSim LV especially if one enjoys the ease of Full M/M ISO (means one still has to do old film SLR style 'light meter scale readings' via TTL spot/area evaluations (much slower than ExpSim LV), and 'compensate' w/o benefit of real time exposure previews)

*VASS=Vari-Angle Swivel Screen

--
sdyue
(not 'Steve D Yue' (my husband (RIP)))