Zoom vs crop - guess which?

I offer to your attention two images. One of them was taken with Fujifilm HS30 at 250mm plus x2 intelligent zoom, and the other one is a crop from Canon T2i DSLR with Sigma 18-125mm zoom lens at 125mm. No other processing was applied except EXIF was stripped off both images and both of them were downsampled to 3MP - typical high definition computer monitor resolution. Try to guess which one is which, feel free to share your impressions.



Image1



Image2

Have fun!

Well...

One image is noisier, and covered with undesirable 'striations' on all the diagonal edges (an unmistakable defect of EXR sensors), and the crane's lighting/highlight is blown due to limited dynamic range.

The other image is cleaner, smoother, not blown.

I'll leave it for others to decide one from the other (not wishing to spoil the fun).

Yep, you've got the telltale signs right - and for the trained eye like yours this task might be  not too difficult anyway... Equivalent focal length for optics in both images is not too far away  - roughly 250mm for HS30 and 125x1.6=200mm for DSLR. Intelligent zoom and crop take them not too far apart in total zoom department (xN). As for me, it was interesting to compare  the efficiency of HS30 matrix shift  vs DSLR lens OIS performance in cropped image. Any observations about it?

I saw the second image as obviously much better, whether it had anything to do with OIS or whatever.

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Do people really spend $700 on a camera so they can take a picture of a squirrel or a duck?

That's a very cautious answer... why?

Since there's no single definite answer yet - another clue. This time this is the pair of images in same sequence , but HS30 is zoomed to the max of 720mm (no intelligent zoom though), and Canon T2i presented by cropped image from 75-300mm lens at equivalent focal length of 480mm. To make conditions even - no stabilization at all, in both images. So which is which in images 1 and 2?



Image 1



Image2

Just to be clear ... intelligent zoom is crop ...

Both work?

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http://kimletkeman.blogspot.com

I don't think stabilization made any difference. The usual clarity difference of the large dSLR pixels versus the artifacts of the small / EXR pixels.

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http://kimletkeman.blogspot.com

Stabilization makes things even, statistically speaking, since it raises the probability that each image will be fairly sharp.

By not using stabilization, you raise the probability of one of the images being unsharp, thus reducing the likliehood that things are "even" ...

So I don't see the point.

Actually, this ground has been stomped over ad nauseum ... I am wondering what specific purpose the thread is meant to serve?

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http://kimletkeman.blogspot.com

That's fairly obvious - for someone to say finally which image belongs to what camera - without cautious dancing around  beaten "DSLR vs Bridge" debate. I feel like I missed an opportunity here - should have left the camera types open to guess too.

I don't have much to add to what Mark H. has pointed at, except that when I move those images around  on my tablet LCD the artifacts/noise stand out much more and the second shot looks even cleaner in comparison. If the second, cleaner image had been shot with the HS30 I wouldn't be too surprised - more often than not I prefer SOOC jpgs from my X10 over those from my NEX-5 w/ kit lens, but don't own a HS30 or T2i and so don't know anything about their jpg engines nor the settings you've used. Interesting thread Michael; keep them coming.

All images were only resized or cropped in Adobe Lightroom, no color, contrast, sharpening/NR was applied.No presets when importing either.

You're welcome, there's plenty where these ones came from!

You can compare the two camera's if you don't cripple the HS30 in advance by using digital zoom. The following pictures are: no digital zoom, 1.4 digital zoom en 2.0 digital zoom. No digital zoom is the best picture. The HS30 has a 720 mm zoom lens. With the digital zoom you get 720mm x 1.4=1008 mm and 720 mm x 2.0=1440 mm. So you exclude the 720 mm and you start with the 1440 mm. That is cheating.

Peter

they both look okay but I am surprised that the hs30 didn't hold the blooming down inside of the light structure. another situation where one needs to pick the camera based on how large they want to view the capture. (or their tolerance for weird artifacts)

wj

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nikonfujiandricoh

1st one is the HS30. If you will provide the RAW of that then that will make the comparison a little more challenging.

-=[ Joms ]=-

Actually ... that's what "you" want from the thread. There had to be something. What I am wondering is what everyone else is supposed to get from it? The focal lengths are fairly evenly matched. The crops are fairly evenly matched. The artifacts are classic EXR.

I am wondering what purpose it serves because you are making no assertions and are showing nothing new. Now, if it is just for S&Gs then fine ...

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http://kimletkeman.blogspot.com

Not being cautious - I just thought it had already been decided that the second image was better, and from the DSLR.

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Do people really spend $700 on a camera so they can take a picture of a squirrel or a duck?

The focal lengths are fairly evenly matched. What a joke ! The crops are fairly evenly matched. Lie number two. Call yourself an expert. What a bummer.

Peter

The first image looks better to me. The big question though is, why does it seem 90% of the posted images around here don't have any EXIF information.

Thanks Peter. If you want to apply for the position of "Kim's nemesis" I'm afraid that you will have to do these things:

• Step up the intellectual level of your insults
• Try to keep up with the context of the discussions and look at the comments earlier on where the EFLs are matched up pretty close
• Get in line

Anyway, I'm sure you (don't) mean well and are operating well within your concept of the holiday spirit ... have a great rest of the holidays.

(p.s. Where did I call myself an expert? Have you got a reference?)

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http://kimletkeman.blogspot.com