Nikon D800: The best sensor analyzed on DxOMark (so far?)

[Buller]

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Pub...or-performance

Now let's wait for the 1Dx and 5DmkIII's results, and see if this D800 will stay in this position.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Wow, that is indeed very impressive!

I am not sure if I agree with the low light performance just yet, but I have only been able to play on JPEG settings. With the cameras now in the field, I think we will see some serious real world examples coming in.

[kobuspotgieter]

Wow, that is indeed very impressive!

I am not sure if I agree with the low light performance just yet

Why would you not trust DXO ?

[Buller]

I managed to buy a D800 yesterday and did a shoot today with it. It is quite impressive what you get straight off the camera in RAW.
So far, I find the D800 a huge step over the very competent D700, my previous body.

I can't say anything about low light perf, since I shot with studio lights outside between ISO 50 and ISO 100.

[dylansalt]

Its amazing what a little bit research can do

http://mansurovs.com/nikon-d800-high-iso-image-samples

[cagenuts]

Its amazing what a little bit research can do

http://mansurovs.com/nikon-d800-high-iso-image-samples

Sure, nut what boring photographs are those!

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Why would you not trust DXO ?

Hehehehe.... just because I have different criteria? I didn't agree with their low light review of the 5DmkII either

Like I said elsewhere. I have only been able to play with the low light performance in JPEG mode, no RAW... which looks great, but I have no idea what is done in camera with the noise... does it matter? surely not if the final image is good.

Do I think it's better than a 5DmkII in low light? yes I think it is, not because of the signal to noise ratio, because that is just marginally better, but because of the latitude and dynamic range.... because that is so much deeper, it means the signal accuracy is so much better.

I am impressed with the camera, I really am. I also like the way noise is controlled in my *very few* test shots.

What I am more eager to test is the actual dynamic range. DxO claims it's reaching medium format depth, but I am not quite sure how a 14 bit sensor can produce the same dynamic range as a 16bit sensor... will be able to tell you in a few weeks!

[Grant Atkinson]

It is very important, whatever camera sensor you are comparing or considering, when you are using DXO Mark, to make sure that you take into account which element of the cameras sensor performance is most important to the type of photography that you practice most. The overall DXO Mark final score is made up of results from a variety of tests and criteria, and it is not always clear how they arrive at their overall score to me.
Comparing signal to noise ratio for the D800 with the D7000 and the D4, on a pixel for pixel basis, in screen mode, may give a good idea what one can expect from the camera in raw output, when viewed at high magnication levels, or cropped heavily.The image I have attached here is courtesy of DXO Mark comparison tool on their website. I hope I am not breaking any copyright rules by posting it here www.dxomark.com
I have selected the D800, D7000 and D4 on the DXO Mark site, and it shows the readings on a pixel to pixel comparison of the three sensors. According to DXO Mark, the higher the number for Signal to Noise, the cleaner-appearing the image will be.
cheers Grant

[kobuspotgieter]

I downloaded the RAW files for D800, D3s, D3 and D300 from DPReview at 200ISO and 3200ISO.

Converted them with CaptureNX and printed them at A1 for the lower ISO and A3 for the higher ISO's using an Epson 7890 loaded with Epson's Premium Luster paper.

The A1 print show what we all expected - the extra resolution definately shows.

The ISO 3200 prints is the biggest surprise. These prints show the D800 to be much closer to the D3s than to the D3.

The reds on the D800 look different than on 3 the others. Darker/deeper.

Like the D3 was a huge step up from the D2X it replaced, the D800 is a huge step up from the D700 having much more resolution and better noise. If we all need this though, is debatable. D700 is still a flippin nice camera, able to do more than most of us need.

[Grant Atkinson]

Kobus
That is a good way to do it, to simulate your own intended use for the cameras and choose by looking at the output you may want most...
cheers
Grant

[robert_s]

Why would you not trust DXO ?

It's a measure, not the measure. http://luminous-landscape.com/essays...-numbers.shtml gives some food for thought.

[kobuspotgieter]

It's a measure, not the measure.

What do you suggest the ​measure should be?

[Henk Coetzee]

Sure, nut what boring photographs are those!

My thoughts exactly.

[robert_s]

What do you suggest the ​measure should be?

I don't think that there is one overriding measure. And if there is, it is likely that the measure will differ depending on your priorities, what you look for in a sensor.

But if you push me for an answer, I'd have to say the measure is your eyes

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

"the measure"?

Well that would be impossible as a basic standard.... What needs to be taken into account that is equal for all photographers? And then, would it be practical? When we went to digital, my wife shot with a 300D instead of a 10D because of the weight difference (needing to shoot for 8 hours straight) what about cost? Or cost for technology received? What about extras? Doesn't help it's the best sensor in the world but doesn't have peripheral support.

As I have mentioned before, it's rather a question of what is the best camera for my budget and my expected usage?

[kobuspotgieter]

As I have mentioned before, it's rather a question of what is the best camera for my budget and my expected usage?

Maybe you don't understand the DxO results then. They never claimed the D800 to be the best camera they ever tested. All they claim is that when data like DR, ISO etc is averaged, the D800 uses the best sensor they have tested to date. They also have detailed, easy to understand graphs to show where and how the sensor perform when compared to others. Not the camera !! The sensor !!

[kobuspotgieter]

But if you push me for an answer, I'd have to say the measure is your eyes

I am afraid that we all see what we want to see.

But if you don't want to believe DxO you can always believe Ken Rockwell !!

[robert_s]

I am afraid that we all see what we want to see.

That's quite an admission

But if you don't want to believe DxO you can always believe Ken Rockwell !!

I never said I didn't believe DxO, just that I don't believe it's only way to measure a sensor. I do think DxOMark is a valuable resource and I find the comparison graphs especially useful. I do believe that a measure is more valuable if you understand the context, i.e. what and how it measures.

Maybe you don't understand the DxO results then. They never claimed the D800 to be the best camera they ever tested. All they claim is that when data like DR, ISO etc is averaged, the D800 uses the best sensor they have tested to date. They also have detailed, easy to understand graphs to show where and how the sensor perform when compared to others. Not the camera !! The sensor !!

So DR, ISO, etc is averaged - what if ISO is more important to me than DR or any of the others? Then the DxO ISO score may be the measure for me rather than the overall DxOMark. Once again, a measure is more useful if you understand the context.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Just read the LR resolution test article, and the D800 does pretty darn well in the resolution tests (although quite a bit short of MF "kit lens" range... if you can call the medium format lenses "kit" lenses )

And also, just for interest sake, here is the 5DmkIII RAW noise comparison against the D800 (no NR from my side, not sure what comes off the sensor. I recently read that the D3s and D3x does some noise handling in camera, even on the raw files!?)



I am not saying one is better than the other, I am JUST posting for interest sake!

[walterpike]

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Pub...or-performance

Now let's wait for the 1Dx and 5DmkIII's results, and see if this D800 will stay in this position.

Let's wait for the 5DmkIV