Yeah or nay on the new X10 sensor?

This is too late for people wanting to make a decision, but at least for the sake of those wondering if there is any difference between old and new sensors, and as consolation for those who missed the deadline..

I had an old sensor X10 which I sent to NJ for replacement, they sent a new camera with serial number 22A.. After spending some time with this new camera I feel:

• detail in well exposed areas of image is pretty much the same

• detail in low lights is not as well preserved as old sensor

• images from new sensor have a 'dirtier' appearance than old sensor. It's just not quite as clean, especially in low light areas

• pro low-light mode is definitely better on old sensor

as an example, posted below are a few samples images with old and new sensors, taken at ISO250 DR100, L size, NR set to low. Note that overall detail in well exposed areas is about the same, but detail in the low exposed areas, like the leaves in tree on the right is much better with old sensor (see the images with tweaked gamma).

New sensor is capable of nice images, but I think I enjoyed the old sensor images a bit more. I don't spend enough time capturing street scenes at night to really NEED the new sensor. In retrospect the pro low light mode really worked well for what I needed. But it's nice to have the capability to take long exposures without major orbs.

old sensor (major orbs)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ptrkhan/8038052820/sizes/l/in/photostream/

new sensor (no orbs!)

old sensor + tweaked gamma:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ptrkhan/8038072361/sizes/l/in/photostream/

new sensor + tweaked gamma
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ptrkhan/8038074069/sizes/l/in/photostream/