Just posted: Nikon D800 test samples: Digital Photography Review

Why so coy abot the D800? The first preview was in February. A full review and test should be available by now. In 3 mths you could have tested and reviewed the entire space shuttle! Come on, its time we got the whole plate of beans. Masurov, Rockwell, and the Hong Kong guy's reviews have been out for >1 mthe now. Though mine has already been preorder for a mth now I'd like to see what DPreviews final verdict is!

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Why does not the D800 or D800E have an external stereo audio / video input please? Or does it have. Without an external audio recording jack is the high cost worth it, at least for the video part?

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When that great photo opportunity arises it is always nice knowing you've got the biggest badass camera in the world at home. And that you could probably take a great picture had you brought it along...

http://camerasize.com/compare/#290,155
Not to mention the size of the lenses...

I don't understand why people would spend so much on a camera with such limited applications. Camera of the past. But it sure takes nice pictures of test charts.

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Plenty of people take large cameras and lenses with them. This includes pro photographers and many non-pros. I carry both an m4/3rd and 5D.II kit with me.

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Hmmm, what about Leica S2 vs D800?

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Looking at the images, it sure looks like the D800 holds it's own against the MUCH more expensive Pentax 645D... up through IS0 1600, the top limit on the Pentax... and then the Nikon pix still look sharp up through 6400!

Could this be the end of medium format? "35mm submarine technology" takes it's final bite out of the old 120mm standard?

What I'm seeing (and I'm NOT a professional) is that there's no business case for buying a medium-format camera anymore. None.

And this is even before you start looking at lens costs... another News post has the Pentax 645 19mm-eqiv wide angle at $5,000... much more, just for this one lens, than the D800 and several lenses!

If I'm missing something, please let me know...

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To see a real difference in quality (resolution wise) you need at least double the pixel count. So medium format (there is no large format digital...) still holds its own with the 80 MPix Phase One IQ180. To get everything out of that sensor you need to use diffraction limited view/field camera lenses with view camera body, though, as normal medium format lenses do not resolve well enough. Usually those contraptions are not called "medium format", but if you consider the sensor size, they are. So while 16 MPix + cameras (like Fuji X-Pro1) beat 645 film quite easily, Phase One IQ180 and the best lenses beat 8x10" film! D800 is not quite there yet, and that can not be done with such a "small" sensor (diffraction sets the limits, not technology).

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That very much depends on the medium format lens used. Decent medium format lens could easily benefit from 80MP sensor.

The field camera lenses must be optimised "smaller" medium format sensors, so their imaging circle is much smaller than old 4x5" view camera lenses. More similar to 6x7 lenses given that there's also some room for movements.

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It is getting to the point where one has to question why any more is needed. I shoot telephoto birds and I want to have the resolution to crop and enough sensitivity to shoot a long tele in the morning light. So, I might have a 40% crop and still want a 16" x 20" print or monitor filling image. I can now do that with a 35mm format. I am a happy camper at this point, if I can believe what I am seeing in the reivews.

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Has anyone determined if the D800 has an internal focus motor so that we can actually USE the $8000+ worth of older Nikkor lenses we all supposedly have?

The only picture I can find of the lens mount without a lens attached is so blurry I can't tell for sure.

My D200 is feeling awfully dated, but the lack of an internal focus motor would certainly be a deal-breaker for me.

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Yes it has

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Hello all you people!

Does anyone know when Nikon will release these D800 to the market? Wasn't it today? Every store is still with pre order status!

Regards,

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I was not successful with my question... Did anyone got hands on the moster? Is it yet available?

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I just picked up mine last night. I had ordered it through NPS priority purchase. I don't know when the rest will be available though!

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You're a lucky one! In what country do you live? Here in Brazil it will take longer...

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I can see color bleed in the studio test at high ISO settings.
I've just added an image in the forum to show exactly what i'm talking about.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1000&thread=40986423

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Compared these D800 samples with (same scene) samples of D700 and D3S (at iso3200).

In a straight downscale of the D800 samples to 12mp (without noise reduction and/or sharpening) it seems that the D800 has less noise then both D700 And D3S, pretty amazing!

We have to wait for the dpreview side by side review though to be sure, but for now I am pretty impressed!

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If you have to downsample images to get noise performance similar to 4 year old cameras it sort of defeats the purpose for having all those extra pixels.

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I am dealing with moving subjects in low light conditions,
hand held of course and without flash.
I am not a spy, it's dancing ... :)
Having Canon L-glass I am really not satisfied with the results
and I favour Nikon now. I was waiting so long for d800 to switch.
I thought about d700 but it has no video capability.
I was waiting for d800 to have it, unfortunately it delivers more pixels too
and lower fps, I am really doubtful if I can use it now.
Does 5d Mark III looks much better in that case?
... really confusing, don't know what to do.
Where is my D700s...? With video and normal pixels count.
It feels like they did everything except what we want.

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These are the silliest test ideas ever which have nothing to do with the quality you should expect out of your nikons and canons. Are these guys joking me? I have no clue if they use the same lenses or different lenses but we should be raising red flags that we are being duped!

I can fabricate a better sample image from my rebel 300d than the Nikon D800 and never tell anybody and everybody will be discussing how 300d takes better photos than D800. These tests are solely for marketing purposes to trick people who subscribe to glossy magazines.

I do beleive that Canon, Nikon, Pentax is all the same, given the same sensor size, everything else is just hype.

And sorry to say, if you already own canon's lenses and thinking of jumping to Nikon in hopes that your photography will improve that just makes you an idiot.

My name is Mark and I live in beautiful British Columbia.

1 upvote

Considering you do indeed live in an undeniably beautiful place, shouldn't you be a bit more mellow? Lighten up brother, it's only equipment. Great folk music there as well!

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

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OMG!! DPreview is a fraudulent site giving fabricated samples! Thanks Mark for letting us know.

Either that, or Mark is the one with the siliest idea who slanders DPreview's professional work.

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"I can fabricate a better sample image from my rebel 300d than the Nikon D800 and never tell anybody and everybody will be discussing how 300d takes better photos than D800."

Mark, sorry to point it out, but you are truly the one who is the "idiot."

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Dear Mark, you just called me an Idiot. I knew it, but why for you to make it that obvious.
Yes I am expecting better quality from Nikon,
and from what I've seen it's clear they care about quality
much more then Canon. Unfortunately I didn't know that, when I bought my L-glass of Canon and it still doesn't deliver the quality I was looking for.

1 upvote

honestly, I would like to know how you are going to fabricate the image of 300d to match d800, or better still, since not many people own d800 and mark III, y dont u try to fabricate 300d image to match 5d mark II, please post your work.....I would love to see that...

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If you can't see a real difference in quality between nikon d800 and your rebel, then yes, all the brands are the same for you, even with different sensor sizes you will still be able to "fabricate" a better than d800 shoot, so go and buy a cheap bestbuy camera and save you some money.

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I shoot weddings for a living and most of my portfolio is still made up of images made with my 20D, D70, and some from 5D mark 2. If you review them all in a slideshow or printed at reasonable sizes and by reasonable I mean 24x30 prints nobody can ever tell the difference. So the idiots are those who think the tool is what sucks. None of my clients have ever said anything about one picture looking inferior to another when seeing them on my 50" HDTV during my presentation and that tells me that I can still shoot weddings with 10d and D70's if I was broke and nobody would ever notice especially the idiots that fall for dpreview's test charts.

I got some 24x30 printed from my 20D canons and if anybody has a lot of time on their hands to come to beautiful British Columbia and view them and tell me that they would look better on 5D Mark 2 or on D800 I dare you but be aware, I might have shot them on Mark 2 and just told u it was 300D in which case you are the idiot twice!

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for dpreview test charts I want to know

1. are they using one lens to make these tests and if not then these tests are bogus.

2. why is the white balance and density on jpegs is different from test to test. This tells me the tests are bogus

3. if all raw files compared sided by side were done in ACR then for those people who use capture and dpp these tests are bogus

4. if all raw files compared side by side were done in capture against dpp then for people who use ACR these tests are irrelevant

5. these tests don't represent the quality that this camera is capable of outputing because each of us use different methods of post production and for each of us we need to see a similar process of post processing in order to claim these test charts to be relevant to our needs.

6. dpreview is a website that makes a profit, therefore we don't know if the samples were fabricated in favour of manufacturers in order to make more money.

i can go on and on but I think everyone got the point.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

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No, Mark's not such an idiot.

I have posted pictures with cheated EXIFS on this site and seen people cream over their favourite brand's image until I told them it was not.

There's far too much brand-fan bs here. And almost any of you would NOT know which camera took an image if someone removed the EXIF. You would not even know how to judge it.

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@GaryJP: ha ha, good job. You should do this more often. @Marksphoto: agree, and it seems all the people from The Luminous Landscape agree with you: only the prints matter, folks, not the screen. Now, how big these prints should be so you experts will notice a difference between 5D III & D800? I really have no idea. A0/A1, maybe...

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Will critical focus, "keeper rate " be lower with the d800, due to the denser
sensor.

Thanks

Ed

Comment edited 31 seconds after posting

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Probably, if you don't take the necessary precautions to reduce camera movement during shooting - at least this was put forward by some (most?) when the D7000 was introduced.
The D800 manual mentions that camera technique is critical (in this respect) I believe.

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My D5100 looks pretty in comparison.

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I'm a FC Barcelona fan and definitely D800 sucks, because it is not from Catalunya!

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Thanks; I will cancel my pre-order.

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Non fotis, noi. Messi isn't a catalán either. I think I'll keep mine.

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Hopefully this observation of D800 vs OM-D E-M5 will prove helpful to some.

Downloaded the 2 jpgs (switching the pentax 645 for M5) and up-ressed the M5 to match the D800 in Ps.

Firstly, the D800 FF inevitably has shallow DOF at f11. At f6.3, 4/3 M5 has focus front to back - have a look at the Queen of Hearts, or the text Eastman Kodak Company, 1997, top left on the greycard - the D800 is simply out of focus (as is the A900 and 5d mkIII at this focus point).

Secondly however, the D800 clearly has huge DR (compare the purples on the Q-60 colour target, and the highlights on the globe with the M5), and when it hits the spot focus-wise (the gauze to the left of the card, underneath the hairs) it trounces the M5 - as you would hope for and expect.

So what would you rather - a sharp result, with less fidelity, or an out-of-focus one (DOF-wise) with smooth colours? As a studio camera on a heavy tripod the D800 will excel - but forget hand-holding it at a 60th at f8 with a non-IS prime.

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I'm not sure which prime you're thinking of but I've regularly hand-held a 50mm f1.8 on my D700 (which is heavier) at 1/60th or even less with great results.

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Thanks Peli01, D700 is a brilliant camera, but the more MP, the more magnified the effect of camera shake seems to become - something the manufacturers haven't mentioned it seems (at least without using IS technology). Like you I had no problem with handholding my similar 5Dmk II but the replacement Mk III is unreliable to use below 125th for a sharp result - and that's on a zeiss 35mm f2, heavier than the 50mm nikkor.

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I've hand-held some ultra-sharp shots from a 4x5 camera, even. This "can't hand hold it" debate is kind of silly.

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Most 5x4 images hand-held were done using flash - Graflex for instance only delivered sharp images because of a flashbulb. You're misunderstanding the issue - it's not silly, it's a technical issue to do with modern high-resolution digital sensors. Yes cameras like the arca-swiss are designed to be hand-holdable, but it's the same situation with a 500c/m versus an HD40 - the digital medium format equivalent is not hand-holdable if you want to get the best from it... unless you're using studio flash...

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

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"the more MP, the more magnified the effect of camera shake seems to become" - only if you're reviewing the image at 100%; at conventional output sizes (a magazine page, for example), more megapixels will have the effect of reducing the apparent effect of camera shake, not increasing it.

1 upvote

Correct. But that doesn't deal with the issue of why you'd want such a high-res camera in the first place - i.e., bigger images. The DOF issue (along with camera shake if not using a tripod) will be magnified. Anyway... any professional photographers out there who have a considered response to my original post? Bored now.

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How on earth can you take a comment seriously when someone down loads JPGs then increases the file size of one to match the D800 size (using the term 'up-ressed the M5 to match the D800 in Ps@) then starts to compare them!!!

What a load of nonsense - JPEGs introduces changes to a file and so does increasing the pixel count it does not increase the resolution. If you are going to compare images it needs to be between two similar files.

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Now the debate on this box is getting more and more ridiculous, cant hand hold d800???? yeah you cant... if you are using lets say 85mm with a shutter speed of 1/15, but with a shutter speed of 1/125, I am absolutely sure you will get a sharp image.... unless you have a terminal tremor disease.... ck ck ck.. yawn yawn yawn....and MK3 is only like 1 meg more than the mk2, I hand hold my mk 2 with 50mm and a shutter speed of 1/60 and it looks ... perfect at 100% magnification... whats wrong with you? what have u been smoking dude?

Comment edited 43 seconds after posting

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Thank you for comment, enriching. What would you recommend then for hand held use? 5d Mark III?

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You've all completely missed the points I was making - DOF is shallower on FF than smaller sensors - fact. And the effect of hand-holding a hi-res camera (without IS) is magnified compared to a small sensor.

tresise - the up-ressing of the M5 jpg to match D800 blatantly shows shallow DOF on D800 at the points indicated. It's nothing to do whatsoever with whether it's a jpg or not - as I said, if you'd actually read the post, I said the D800 has excellent resolution - at the 85mm's optimum focus point. But even with the bump-up in size, even from jpg, the M5 still out-performs the D800 in terms of DOF - i.e., apparent overall sharpness. It's nothing to do with base resolution, or up-ressing, or pixel count. Have a go yourself and you'll soon see the point.

Stanley zheng - not been smoking anything mate, and nothing wrong with me, thanks for being concerned about my state of health and kudos for the comedy moment - good luck with hand-holding a non-IS 85mm at 125th on a 36mp sensor.

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D800 has a built-in Flash which allows use of CLS without purchasing an extra flash or a controller for most situations. That makes it even less expansive than 5D MK III.

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Assuming you want to use antiquated line-of-sight optical control of your slaves and not state-of-the-art radio control. Of course Nikonians can use functionally crippled third party RF adapters but then the advantage of the on-camera flash (as well as any price advantage) disappears. This is one thing Canon did right.

It's also worth noting that the built-in flash is the reason that Nikon itself doesn't describe the D700 as weather sealed. I don't know if that remains true for the D800.

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tlinn, D800/D700/D300S/D300/D7000/D90 and several other Nikon cameras build in flash with Commander Mode that can support the Nikon flash system call CLS with multiple i-TTL flash support. If you are not using Nikon CLS flash system and prefer the radio control, that is another options but the camera does build in i-TTL support for multiple Nikon flash in Group A and Group B with up to 16pcs i-TTL Nikon CLS flash support.

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yeah I guess the built in flash and the cls, can be a great help when your flash trigger runs out of battery, it happens to me every now and then, and I use Mk2, it can be quite stressful when you are in the middle of no where and you forget to bring extra battery...:), its a nice features really.

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Canon and Nikon fans, don't fight, there is another choice coming soon - Sony A99 or A950 ;-)

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

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No offence but why are people who are not going to buy a D800, plan on ever upgrading to a D800 or any Nikon for that matter all over this thread??

Don't you have anything better to do?

How many people really are interesting in selling 4-8 grand worth of lenses and gear and make the switch to the other brand? Not a lot I'll wager. So please keep the comments to what THIS (In case you've forgotten, this is the D800 samples thread) camera can do or not for potential and current Nikon users.

I'm sure there are tons of great posts concerning the 5D MK III discussing the qualities of that camera.

We get it, you feel the need to reaffirm your commitment to some corporation (Nikon or Canon all the same) and bow down to their supremacy. Good for you, please do it somewhere else.

13 upvotes

We're bitter about the superior DR capabilities of the Nikon sensor and need a place to vent our frustrations. :)

9 upvotes

from what I see : (5D3 raw vs D800 raw from other site)

-1.Noise is similar (Canon claims 2 stop improvement over 5d2 in JPEG... how much of the claimed improvement is coming from sensor level?)

-2.D800 shows more detail, even at ISO 3200 (which is in line with point No.1).
However the difference is not dramatic

For me the question is whether I need 6fps (at FF) or the extra resolution offered by the D800

I do occasionally need continuous shooting and I am concerned that 4fps is not enough and I think getting D4 battery and charger just for 6fps is really silly..

Meanwhile while the extra resolution is nice I am still wondering if one can take advantage of the extra resolution in real life situation? The studio shoots are great but how about handheld shooting without IS/VR? Can I still capture full 36MP without using a tripod and mirror lockup?The samples at Dc watch Japan are quite bad.. maybe it's the lens..
http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/img/dcw/docs/519/454/html/089.jpg.html

1 upvote

I have been reading the comments here for years but it looks like all the smart people have left the building or have stopped offering valuable opinions for frree to idiot trolls. No point wasting any more time here. I just hope DPreviews keeps up the quality of their reviews otherwise this site is really headed down the tiolette.

10 upvotes

I said the same thing LAST year. I stop in once in a while to weed through the crap, but nothing has changed; brand wars, misinformation spewed from every corner and flame throwing/bashers.

5 upvotes

couldn't agree more... back in the day you could learn a lot in the forums, I used to find tips, good reviews, and sane discussions with the occasional troll.. now, its the other way around, fanboys arguing ad nauseam

4 upvotes

can you leave some tip where to look for valuable opiinions for those beginners that are hungry for them ? may be keywords?

0 upvotes

I am going to base my D800 / 5Dmk3 buying decision on the radius of the shutter buttons - at 4.33mm the 5Dmk3 button is clearly superior to the D800's miserly 4.16mm.

And before you Nikon fan-boys start, yes I'm aware the D800 button protrudes a full 0.83mm higher and has a tighter paint grain structure, but those features are just not important for my photography needs.

....after reading all the comments here, my buying criteria seems about as rational as everyone elses.

3 upvotes

I do not agree with your judgement. People with smaller hands will surely appreciate the more adequately sized shutter button of the D800.

Joking apart, digitalDork, the key issue is that both cameras are 1000-1550 euro or dollars higher than their previous versions.

To me, this means that both of them are a total failure.

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The D800 is not more than previous version, the 5D2 is.

1 upvote

The d800 has the same introduction price as the d700. So this is really a lot cheaper considering all the improvements.

3 upvotes

I just learned that Amazon owns this site! I want my camera. I ordered it seconds after it was made available for pre-order. I want to do my own test samples.

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I am an electric fan. And I wish I could spin so fast to blow all of these very strange conversations away.

6 upvotes

i really don't understand this nonsense, waste of time camera feud at all. if one can take great pictures, he could do it with any system avilable in the market...

btw i am a pentax-canon fanboy...lol

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I´m a Nikon fan, but the samples posted here show me clearly Canon´s edge over Nikon: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/canon-5d-mkiii/canon-5d-mkiiiA.HTM. And please, DON´T doubt I'm a Nikon fan, oh yes....

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

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Huh??? Didn't you read what I just wrote?

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you two are just clowns

3 upvotes

Interesting: over 350 comments, and none of the usual LiveView talk and DOF calculations? I thought for sure we'd here all about how the G1X and 5DII are the best camera's in history.

2 upvotes

Care to elaborate and share?

0 upvotes

LMAO!

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Sorry, it was kind of an inside comment: There's a woman who, without fail on every camera test thread claims "Canon's Live View is the best", "D4 doesn't do it", etc. And she write DOF calculations for each camera based on sensor size. I was hoping regular commenters would understand.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 3 minutes after posting

1 upvote

I'm a Canon fan, but the samples posted by one of our members here of
5DMk3 @
http://216.18.212.226/PRODS/canon-5d-mkiii/FULLRES/E5D3hSLI006400.JPG
and
D800 @
http://216.18.212.226/PRODS/nikon-d800/FULLRES/D800hSLI06400NR2D.JPG
clearly shows Nikon's edge over Canon in terms of detail.
Check out the green fabric with leafy pattern. You can see the clear interweave pattern on the Nikon image but only artefacts on the 5DMk3 image.
Also check out the specimen inside the Benissimo Pepper Oil bottle (1st bottle from the left of the image). Texture details are retained in the D800's but appear smooth in the 5D's.
From the above, I can see Nikon is leading this area, being 'more' true of what's presented in the image. If you study close enough, Nikon has slightly more detail in the shadow area (even with more noise) than the Canon...suggesting slightly better dynamic range, if not the same.
If the Canon guys fails to accept that this is a fact,then too bad.

Comment edited 14 minutes after posting

9 upvotes

To add, the 5DMk3 is a real disappointment to me, partly because of the way it's priced. It really should be the same, at least to the predecessor model when it was first launched.

0 upvotes

I´m a Nikon fan, but the samples posted here show me clearly Canon´s edge over Nikon: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/canon-5d-mkiii/canon-5d-mkiiiA.HTM. And please, DON´T doubt I'm a Nikon fan, oh yes....

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Sorry to say this.....you need to do the following:
1) Check the sample images again...upgrade your monitor if you need to, and calibrate for gamma and color.
2) View them at 100% not fit to screen
3) Put on your glasses if you are not wearing one cos' you t have forgotten due to senior moments.
4) If you have done (3), get an eye check-up to make sure you have the right glasses.
If results do not vary, repeat 1 to 4 again...or just quit doing this.
Thank you.

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Dear Mohdya:

I´m so sorry to say this, but maybe your list of tips is these one:

1) Check the sample images again...upgrade your monitor if you need to, and calibrate for gamma and color.
2) View them at 100% not fit to screen
3) Put on your glasses if you are not wearing one cos' you t have forgotten due to senior moments.
4) If you have done (3), get an eye check-up to make sure you have the right glasses.
5) And if you put hope and faith, you shall share my point of view (o cuz it is the only true).

If results do not vary, repeat 1 to 4 again...or just quit doing this and just practice my rule number 5.

Thank you, Nikon fan.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

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The Canon looks good, but the Nikon looks clearly better LMFAO!

3 upvotes

I'm not a fan. If Nikon or Canon gave me their stuff for free I'd be inclined to post how this one is so much better than the other. But since I have to buy these products, I don't feel the need to provide free advertising. I don't even use the camera straps with the giant NIKON/CANON on them. I have my own custom strap that says "Steal Me Please!" in equally large letters.

0 upvotes

I am with you brother mohdya!!!
BUT FIRST you have to rescale the nikon jpg to match canon rez... THEN you can clearly see the difference ;) the 800's grain gives the image a noisier but greater fine detail.
peace

gashô

0 upvotes

At the very beginning I honestly think of getting Nikon d800 because it gives me a little bit better resolution than canon at a cheaper price, but after reading all your nikon fan boy comments, i rather get something else, I am ashamed to be associated with you nut case Nikon Fan boy....

0 upvotes

I wouldn't rate Nikon by the attitude of their fan boys as I wouldn't rate Canon by the attitude of theirs.
When you're using your camera of choice I doubt you'll be worrying about the negative comments of others.

6 upvotes

Stanley, how old are you ?

3 upvotes

Dear Stanley:

I don´t know which system you are working with, or what are your needs.

But maybe you could consider your next purchase in other scene.

Sometimes these forums are attended by people that is unable to see the facts even if the facts are before their nose.

Best regards.

1 upvote

Dear Stanley ( please form a queue if you want to calm Stanley )

After D800, I confess I am a Nikon fanboy, and I am most certainly a nut case.

But we can all live in peace together and love each other regardless of our camera choices.

In a hundred years from now all of us, and all of our cameras will be ash. Don't worry too much.

1 upvote

@ Charly, well old enuf to think that some of the nikon fan boys are idiots...:)
@ Alejandro, Rite now I am working with canon system and some medium format camera.
@ tape 5, well I am cool, I just cant understand some of the fan boy. I just sold my 5d mk2 and thinking of upgrading my 35mm dslr for outdoor shooting and Honestly, I am leaning towards nikon d800 based on the resolution advantage and its price. Since, I am a strobist and I dont think high iso matter that much in my style of shooting, but I really need to know more about its focusing speed, accuracy and consistency compared to Mark III before i make a decision on my final purchase. Cuz personally, I think better resolution dont mean nothing if you dont have acceptable focusing speed, accuracy and consistency , as my a not so good past experience with 5d mkII focusing system.

Comment edited 4 times, last edit 8 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Stanley,

Rest assured, my friend, that Fanboys, no matter their allegiance, are usually idiots. Apple, Android, Nikon, Canon, Samsung... You name it, I'll show you tons of idiocies from their fanboys.

I guess you're only kidding but I dearly hope you're not deciding which camera system to invest 5k, 6k or more dollars based on forum fanboys...

Also, this certainly ain't news to you if you are a strobist, but not all lighting systems are the same... Nikon's CLS is very well regarded as it matters to flexibility, integration and features. Canon just put out new flashes with expanded wireless functions, not exactly sure what they are, I don't own a Canon, sadly (if I could buy all of these cameras I would :P).

0 upvotes

Tape5...

>In a hundred years from now all of us, and all of our cameras will be ash.

But under the Nikon Professional Users Scheme you wil be able to return your D800 ashes for an equivalent replacement model.

Try doing that with a 5Dmk3 - hah!

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 1 minute after posting

0 upvotes

Thanks Sylvain, I may take Nikon's Cls under one of my consideration and read more on those regards... Thanks a bunch..

1 upvote

As a matter of interest (for me anyway), DXO give an overall sensor rating based on, as far as I have found, an average:
"The Sensor Overall Score is an average of the Portrait Score based on Color Depth, the Landscape Score based on Dynamic Range and the Sports Score based on Low-Light ISO. It shows only sensor performance. "
However, with disparate variations in magnitude between ISO, Ev, and Bits, there is obviously some form of weighting going on behind the scenes.
For example the overall score of the D7000 is 80, whilst the D3S is only 82 in comparison whilst the D4 is 89.
In particular at ISO's above base both the D3S and D4 are vastly superior to the D7000 in each category but the D3S is only ± 2% better on the 'overall score'?
Perhaps somone can explain?
Seems that the 'overall score' is totally subjective on DXO's part.

0 upvotes

ANSWER: Nikon want to sell more D4 and D7000...

0 upvotes

> the 'overall score' is totally subjective on DXO's part.

I think they are willing to be objective if they know how to.

(1) an overall score will depend on statistics which may be
different from all the patterns and not correct for anyone.

(2) there are factors that cannot be quantized easily, like RAW NR. we know Nikon/Sony are not cooking their RAWs as extreme as Pentax but we don't know the exact SNR values we should punish them. DxO is trying to do something about it but it's very difficult if possible.

if anyone as me about image quality, I'll say they all look the same: D3S, D4, D800, 5D2, 5D3, and 1DX (except apparent differences in resolution).

0 upvotes

To be brutally honest... personally i don't trust DxO Mark's sensor analysis or overall scores...

Everyone has seen the D4's mediocre noise performance... which is visibly inferior to the D3S & even the Canon 5D Mark III (in JPEG & RAW) ... It is blatantly obvious that Nikon employs a significant degree of NR in its RAW files... and equalizing sensor output in order to gain a true insight is near impossible with DxO Marks's methodology...

The D4's fluctuations in magnitude do not reflect a proportionate ratio between ISO performance & EVS... especially considering the fact that absolute and relative degradation in image quality progress quantitatively up the sensitivity spectrum... therefore rendering DxO's score somewhat irrelevant...

0 upvotes

These sample images look very promising for the new D800.

As the discussion here looks like being about D800 vs 5D it's clear that neither camera will "blow the other out of the water".

However, although both cameras are in the same league, the D800 seems to be a more versatile photographic tool for a smaller price;

- Looks: Which camera looks more sexy? To me the D800 hands down Canon looks and feels boring! (sorry, I like red ;)
- Resolution: Even when the D800 has 1.5x more noise at 100% magnification, it will still out-resolve the 5D with 1.6x more resolution
- Popup flash: 5D doesn't have a popup flash.
- Metering: D800's metering is more sensitive (I don't say more accurate) then the 5D , the D800 can be used with smaller aperture lenses and/or convertors.
- Shutter Life: 5d 150,000 - D800 200,000
- Auto Iso: Configuration more versatile on D800.
- Video: Uncompressed video output for the professionals on D800, 5D only has compressed video. etc etc.

1 upvote

I made some comparison between the Nikon d700, Canon 5d MKII and the Nikon D800.

http://www.hq-webdevelopment.nl/nikon_d800.php

1 upvote

ok from ur point of view... do u honestly think that nikon d800 is way better than canon 5d.....yes nikon d800 gives u better resolution but not wayyyyyyyy better, but i guess.. nikon fan boy will say d800 is wayyyyyyyyy better than canon..... gosh ........ i dont know y nikon fan boy is so ignorant..... making comments based on other people's review, like dxo, what does dxo provide??? numbers???? give us some real unprocessed image and let us decide whats good and whats not.... based on what i see on these images, Nikon d800 cannot be considered to be much better than canon, it is better yes, but not a whole lot better.. like d700 vs d800 gosh you nikon fan boy really need to get a life...

0 upvotes

Looks like you didn't upscale, just zoomed in on the screen. That's why you get all those jaggies. If you upscaled, the images would all appear much closer in quality.

0 upvotes

Dear Ynola thank you - a difference is very evidently visible

0 upvotes

Stanley zheng ,
do you belong to the boys anti-nikon fun
or simply trade Canon ?

0 upvotes

@panstas, I, neither hate either brands, nor I favor either brands more over the other, I only buy the brands of an equipment that suits my taste and shooting style. Because to my understanding money dont grow on trees and its pretty stupid to make a purchasing decision of an equipment solely based on brands. unless Nikon or canon give me everything i need for free, than I will talk louder than any of you fan boys.....

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Stanley zheng , it absolutely is not interestingly me what you going to purchase
and as you behave to the Nikon fans or not

we talked about the differences of quality of picture of Nikon vs Hasselblad

since I offered to you to confirm the words with the real pictures, you changed a theme and began to talk about yuur plans ..

you in general adequate ?

0 upvotes

Here's the reason all those canon users are jumping ship. DxO Mark rate and score all Camera's on the market and the No.1 camera is the $40K Phase One IQ180. The new D4 is only loses out by 1 point and the out dated D3x follows the D4 by just one more point. The D3x leaves them all for dust, even the Phase One when it comes to Dynamic Range with an outstanding 13.7 stops, and from what I have researched, the D800 will beat them all for Dynamic Range. So come on over Canon users, the water is great :)

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Publications/DxOMark-Reviews/Nikon-D4-review/Sensor-performance

Comment edited 11 minutes after posting

3 upvotes

Don't pay a lot of attention to DXO's scoring, it's not useless, but DXO is not in anyway the last word.

Comment edited 8 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Correct. The value of DXOMarks is there because it is a composite of many different, imperfect scores. I've always felt the overall score is a bit of bragging rights to a lot of users. BTW, I am a Nikon user with a Camera with one of the top scores.

Still, they deserve credit for having their score encompass all major aspects of photography. WAY too many people are blinded by ISO numbers.

Sony deserves some credit for their Exmor Sensor technology. All cameras based on their design have tremendous DR and overall image quality.

0 upvotes

Sylvain Larive:

Too many of the early Sony Exmor P&S cameras produced images that looked always out of focus. Sort of a good idea but then the execution didn't follow--typically Sony.

DR also depends on lens quality.

0 upvotes

While sensor technology has a bearing on AF accuracy, I don't think it has a huge impact. If Sony P&S do not focus accurately, it isn't because of their Exmor sensors but a poor implementation of AF algorithms and hardware. Nikon has superb AF and they use Sony sensors in many of their designs.

As far as DR go, yes a lens can affect DR, but at heart I believe this is a sensor attribute. Most reviewers will state a DR for each camera, not a camera/lens combo. Obviously DR is affected by ISO settings and other things.

0 upvotes

lol...DxOMarks~~~ Accordingly to them, Sony a580 beats Canon 5DII, Sony a900, Sony a77, H3D...

it even says my 1DsII beats 1DIV.......really......wow.....i should be thankful then.

0 upvotes

Very nice. Especially instructive to take the raws and compare with D4 *at the same output size* (e.g., 16MP). In this scenario, D800 noise performance is virtually identical with the D4, but retains more detail. If I were buying, I"d get the D800(E), shoot raw, and downsample all my high ISO shots to 16 (or even 12) MP - best of both worlds.

1 upvote

Just to be clear: You did the raw extraction in ACR, right?

0 upvotes

Hi,

To everyone who wants to comment about the D800 compared to the Canon 5D III:

Where are y'all getting raw extraction software for the Canon 5D III? To the best of my knowledge, Adobe Camera Raw 6.7 RC1 (the latest generally available ACR) does NOT extract 5D III raw files. Did Canon release something? Is that something free?

Or are y'all really commenting on jpegs, from either camera, and then drawing general conclusions about the cameras based on this limiting format?

0 upvotes

ACR 6.7 RC1 opens 5D3 image just fine

0 upvotes

Mtsuoka--

Damn, you're right. Time for me to get some Canon 5D III raws somewhere, though not form DPReview I note.

Got a place to download raw samples from the 5D III?

But the point that many times people need to disclose what file type they're commenting upon remains.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

0 upvotes

I got mine from imaging resource

0 upvotes

Mtsuoka:

Cool! I'll take a look, unfortunately every secondary page at Imaging Resource refuses to load over my slow home connection--never seen anything that bad, ever.

If it weren't for your statement, I'd guess that the IR servers aren't connected anymore.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 9 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Mtsuoka:

Thanks got a few Canon 5D III raws now, they're good, but at ISO 6400 I'd expect less noise from the Canon.

At that high ASA I'm more impressed by the D800.

I see that Imaging Resource is not using a production camera, so perhaps things will improve a bit when the 5D III gets final release.

0 upvotes

guys, pls check out iso 100 image crops taken from imaging-resource
http://i44.tinypic.com/13z4fp.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/350lbug.jpg
at iso100 markIII is not able to give detail, however not due to pixel size it is due to strange highlighting abilities, as if HDR applied. D800 is very much okay.
in second image you'll see the violin player.. check out his arm and his face.. markIII brough some white shades to vilon player skin, I am curious if they were supposed to be there or not? since D800 gives more mono color with a smooth surface..
in impression, D800 process images with strong highlight and extra clarity of sharpness, which 'extra' word is critical here, makes photo not real!!!???
regarding iso performance, MarkIII is the best upto now as far as I can see, in higher iso, result is extremely smooth unexpectedly despite HDR like processing..
so MarkIII will please us with most if photos, however a bit question if it is really the correct image?

Comment edited 12 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

In the first picture the issue happens because of in camera JPEG or bad raw conversion which smears the red channel.

I've checked this image before. Open the raw file and reduce chroma noise reduction (especially with high ISO).

The detail is definitely there though not as good as D800.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Dear Muratime, please examine mikro hairsprings of white roller for a paint - it in a center of a test - I think the Nikon's is best

0 upvotes

for me according to this results Nikon's is best anyway, JPEG conversion of MMArkIII is painting the eyes of poeple.. which is not correct even...

0 upvotes

Ok ISO100 in D800 is okay, but when comapre this two camera on iso 6400?!! Mark III rulez.

1 upvote

I agree but low iso is important than iso6400...

0 upvotes

to FOTOINFORMATOR dot PL

OK , and let us compare on 320 000 000 ISO :)
(I never use 6400)

0 upvotes

panstas:

And of course you never ever go above 200ASA, well then get a Leica S2.

Comment edited 13 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

@FOTOINFORMATOR dot PL

I don't think so. The red channel smearing happens with D800 too at high ISO, so its important in ACR to set lower chroma noise setting. Suddenly the details will pop up.

0 upvotes

Will critical focus be a problem with the way the sensor is constructed? In other words will there be more missed tack sharp images with a 36mb file sensor.

If the high ISO is really as close to the D4 as it appears, this will be a great camera for many users.

I am a d700 pro shooter and am starting to like this new d800 more and more.

Ed

0 upvotes

What does "tack" even mean, aren't razors a bit sharper, like always?

The D800 high ISO is not really close to the D4.

0 upvotes

if attentively and in a large increase, to examine mikro hairsprings of white roller for a paint (I do not know exactly, that it in a center a test),
That in Nikon''s 800 even a bit better, than in Pentax 645

1 upvote

I think this forum is too much full of Nikon's funboys. It's useless to read it.
The D800 will be a nice camera (especially for studio, adv, still), but I think that the resolution will be useless for most of people, and it will be requiring big expences for computers, store hard drives and higher- end lenses. All this to publish some pics on Flickr for most of you?. I don't know but before everyone was criticising Canon because too much higher resolution and YOU was glorifiing Nikon because of its 12 Megapixel sensor of D3s (best camera ever built in my opinion), and D700. Now YOU are changing your mind again, pretending to convince us that the strategy of higher megapixel is the winner. This is ridiculous.

1 upvote

http://i44.tinypic.com/13z4fp.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/350lbug.jpg
check this coomparison for iso100 pls..
pls tell me Mark III is not making something strange, in first link MarkII can not give fabric texture at all, but not due to its Mp size..
check out cilon player in scond link, why the hell his hand painted in white shades?? this is iso100, which photo is realistic?

0 upvotes

I think you are pretty much on point. People who are 'fanboys' are going to fan it up right now. I needn't look at the pictures to know that it is a great camera if you need the size. I just don't like Nikon cameras any more, they bore me seriously and are quite stale. Same for Canon. DSLR is about Dead. Long live the compact camera revolution.

0 upvotes

Gone the days when you had to be a professional photographer to justify buying a three grand camera. There will always be more people who want a crisper, higher resolution/reasonable ISO image compared to lower resolution/higher ISO photography. Because the vast majority of buyers of high end cameras are not professionals.

I don't understand what Canon think they are doing. Look at the mess now. I bet for every 5D III sold, Nikon will sell ten D800, and much more importantly millions of higher end lenses, locking an entire generation of new photographers who are spending more.

It was time for Canon to learn a lesson from Nikon's better market awareness.

6 upvotes

WTF are you on about... I was at Focus on Imaging in Birmingham and heard more Nikon users saying they will have to move to Canon MkIII as the D800 is not what they need or want. Both cameras will have a very different market. D800 locked in-doors with studio work and 5DMkIII used mainly outdoors and in low light.

0 upvotes

@BeanyPic I'd say you are the one talking nonsense "D800 in-doors for studio and 5DIII outdoors in low light"? Both cameras can and will be used in both environments. Neither will be "locked" anywhere. Different photographers will use them for any number of applications. And for the record, there seems to be more Canon users considering a switch as the 5DIII was a much more modest upgrade.

1 upvote

Hi marike6. Thanks for your reply. I recommend you study up about upgrades before you type. The new redesigned sensor, AF system, HD video formats at higher bit rates and so much more make the 5DMkIII a planetary jump from what the 5DMkII was. You are right people will use both in different environments and each model will preform better in different situations. All down to the user and what their expectations are. It's just my opinion that we will discover that Nikon will work better in-doors and Canon outdoors. This is from the hands on I've had with both units in the last couple of weeks. Both are fantastic units which will enhance photographers work. I can also only comment on the people I spoke to at Focusing as well. The Biggest issue they had with the D800 is the potentially BIG file sizes...

1 upvote

These comments are swarming with Canon users. In all honesty both camera brands are good thanks to their R&D [this is where your money is going so dont complain if the prices are too high, these people work loooong hours just to give you the latest technology there is. if you want the camera then you have to pay for these people's hard work] I have different kinds of camera but im never loyal to any brand. Dont fight over something that will be an endless competition.

Dont be a slave to the brand but be a slave to the art of photography.

In the end some kid with a phone camera might have better pictures than you do with your Canon or Nikon.... whatever.

Just chill and enjoy the discipline.

1 upvote

Completely objectively, the Nikon d800 images do look very good.

It is surprising that there is so little perceived difference between the Canon 5D3 and the Nikon D800 at higher ISO. Given the higher MP count of the Nikon it would have been entirely understandable ( and acceptable ) for the Nikon to have a little more noise at high ISO.

I do not think it would be fair to compare the high ISO noise levels of a 22mp camera over a 36mp camera. The very fact that they are so close means that Nikon has done a great job.

The Nikon d800 is shaping up to be a very versatile camera indeed - with its two crop modes ( 1.5 at 15mp and 1.2 at 25mp) and the option of the D800e with no AA filter, this could be the only camera you would ever need.

Well done, Nikon.

4 upvotes

D800: fantastic
5d: fantastic

Test these camera's at home with full control of the parameters.
Comparing to other DSLR's you will notice that these are great DSLR's that have enough sharpness and fully usable high iso's.

The D800 isn't meant to be a high ISO monster because it has 36MP, but WOW if you look at the sample images floating around the net, it is a nice piece of engineering.

2 upvotes

I think the consumer is on a win win situation with both the 5DMkiii and the D800. Considering the D800 has 36 mega pixels the high ISO images are pretty dam good. Both cameras have there benefits and negatives. All you have to do is decide which best suits your individual needs.

I for one shall be having the D800 purely because I have invested in the Nikon lens range. I could quite happily use the ISO 6400 image. Just my 2p worth.

7 upvotes

I totally agree...

0 upvotes

Agree ... contrary to what some Canon fanboys says I agree with you, I will use D800 36MP ISO6400 without a problem, even with NR at normal the detail retention is great.
Best Regards

Comment edited 53 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Have to agree with the Nikon Fanboys here. I'm a Canon user and want Video and Images. The Canon will give me both in all lighting conditions. Stick with what you know and need. Both models are strong in their own ways.

3 upvotes

Would also like to see the movie samples of D800.
If the sensor of D800 is also from Sony, I would like to know if Nikon will discuss with Sony whether they can use Sony's top professional model F65 sensor for Nikon's future cameras.
We all know the F65 can shot at 120fps at 4K resolution with dynamic range over 13 stops at ISO800, if there is a DSLR with the similar image quality, then it's great!

0 upvotes

hahahah well if its similar than the pricing of the device will be pretty much similiar, aint it? there is no way getting around it... or else sony will go bankrupt.. for 63 grand over worth of digital motion picture camera it has to be damn good, or else there is no idiots out there will buy it....its like you cannot get anyting close to bugatti veyron at the price of KIA.

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Business is business, that depends on how they structure their strategies.
The same situation in personnel computer business vs. main frame computer business

0 upvotes

Stanley, one more important thing between your case (the motor vehicle business) and this case is the focus on different market segment.
Sony F65 is selling their Total Solution in motion picture industries, not just the F65 camera body, but the whole solution behind the camera, like the workflow in post processing, their cooperation with Panavision....
On the other hand, the business of Nikon cameras are major in consumer sector, Total Solution is not a selling point to their customers.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

0 upvotes

The problem with higher resolution and faster frame rate video is not the sensor, but data transfer and processing speeds and storage space, and the heat generated. Those cinema professionals who need 4K video at 120 fps should buy a camera built for that (fan cooled), not that we all have to pay for those features in a DSLR we need for stills, mostly.

0 upvotes

Better but not a lot better considering nikon offers 60% percent more megapixel . On the other hand, Canon 5d mark III,has a better iso performance than the other 2,it is able to provide a reasonably clean image at iso 1600, and yes it is better than nikon and its brother markII. 1 stop better than markII, and maybe almost 2 stop better than Nikon. Thus, in the real world, in my opinion, those 3 cameras will produce almost the same image quality. The difference in image quality can only be noticed by keen eyes and pixel peeping freaks!!! and definitely not by your clients or by other common viewers. In choosing which camera to buy, I would like to see more reviews in regards to focusing consistency, accuracy, durability of the body and ease of use. Because that would make a lot of difference in our final image.

1 upvote

I'm not sure what you are looking at but the d800 is better than the 5DIII at ISO 6400. Not a lot better, but still better - maybe 1/2 stop - unlike the d700/d3 that is 1 to 1.5 stops better than 5DII.

1 upvote

check at www.imaging-resources.com since I havent personally tested the 2 cameras, I am not sure if i can draw a definite conclusion on that matters. I even downsize the image to mark III size to see the difference, and I do notice that mark III has a better iso performance. But I could be wrong...:)

1 upvote

Are you kidding...?! The Canon 5D Mark III is much better than the D800 & Nikon D4 at every setting throughout the ISO spectrum... Go check any one of the numerous websites that provides comparisons... the result will be the same...

In the case of the D800 its just basic physics that imposes heavy limitations on its sensors sensitivity & DR capabilities... The magnitude of diffraction also impedes its light gathering ability due to its miniscule pixel pitch...

For a full frame sensor the D800 has very mediocre noise performance... that is reminiscent of the previous generation of camera's...

You're not going to be able to extract any extra details out of the D800 in either RAW or JPEG beyond ISO 1600... If you want to believe Nikon have created a miracle, go ahead... the final results will tell a different story...

In my estimation the 5D Mark III is about 1½ stops better than the D800 in ISO performance... and approximately ½ stop better than the D4... from ISO 6400 onwards...

2 upvotes

Don't mislead.
Never just based on the pixel size to determine the quality of the image.
Different materials, different circuit designs and different physical structures of the cmos / ccd generate different results.
Especially when you are talking different manufacturers with different technologies and manufacturing processes, they are not apple-to-apple comparison.

0 upvotes

@anhand
check this out

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/canon-5d-mkiii/FULLRES/E5D3hSLI006400.HTM

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/nikon-d800/FULLRES/D800hSLI06400NR2D.HTM

You tell me if you still wanna say Nikon d800 is better.

1 upvote

@Edmund, its true that pixel size is not everything, and its true that it is not apple to apple comparison. Because it is hard, Final image is not only determined by camera sensor only, but also lens. And every lens from different manufacturer has different qualities given at the same size. Let say 85mm from nikon, has a different g spot, I am sorry "sweet spot" hehehe than lets say canon 85mm. and which to pick for the test given the best 85mm from canon is over 2 grands, and the best from nikon is way less than 2 grands, each has different quality and different sweet spot that will influence the final results. It is hard to measure the real quality of the camera sensor alone.
But we know, (not for absolute certainty as well) that MarkIII performs better under difficult lighting situation. At least that's what I got from the sample image at imaging resources.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 6 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Stanley,
I'm not so interested in such comparison.
From technical point of view, the measurement of a cmos / ccd is not doing in this informal way. They have their specific instrument to measure it.
From the user point of view, that small difference in image quality is absolute not a matter for day-to-day use or for creation purpose.
From the business point of view, the most important is the cost benefit of the camera. Actually, the post-processing can adjust a lot of defects.

0 upvotes

@Stanley zheng
Nikon sample is MUCH BETTER for sure. I have downsampled (adaptive resizing with convert utility from imagemagick tool set) it to the size of Canon shot and then look at textures: they are washed out at 5d mkIII one and visible on Nikon's.
The letters are clearer on Nikon shot as well, the brush details are better.
So, you better to learn how to use tools first ;)

Comment edited 4 minutes after posting

2 upvotes

@Edmund, I guess thats exaclty what I was saying on my original post, if you care to read it again, that I honestly suspect, there will not be a substantial difference in the final output under the real world application. Because final image does not depend solely on these small differences, and yes.. its true and I totally agree with you that the post processing is also one of the determining factor of final image that is going to be delivered to your client, and yes, you can also retouch some of the variation that u may not want on your final image. Thus, I conclude that neither of these 2 camera will give you an absolute upper hand against the other, the real question is, which camera body will suits your workflow better, thats what matter the most.

Comment edited 30 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

@edmund, maybe if you spend more time in your studio, then I guess you might wanna go with nikon d800 since higher mega pixel gives more latitude in your post processing, but if you are a wedding photographer who works more under the low lighting and uncontrolled lighting situation you may wanna go with canon. Or if you are a nikon shooter, u may wanna go with d800 cuz you already have your nikon lenses collection, and the same goes with canon shooter..... well thats my opinion...:)

0 upvotes

Why is Stanley getting so hung up on ISO and noise levels at high settings? Not everyone wants to shoot fast moving subjects at twilight! In my case, about 98% of all photos I take are at ISO 100, with the only exceptions being when I shoot the odd stage show - and there, a little bit of "filmic" noise can actually improve the subjective result!

You wanna shoot in the dark? Get a D3. Or an image intensifier tube.

Brian

0 upvotes

@emacs I never said that canon had a better resolution, try read it again..:) what I said was Nikon has a better resolution, but not a lot, given that nikon has 60 percent more mega pixel. And by saying not a lot here is clearly a subjective opinion and judgment on my part. If you are happy with Nikon resolution and think that its out of the world then be my guess..:) cuz I am neither nikon or canon fan boy... I dont care which one better.. I only care which one serves my purpose better.,..:) and thanks for the advise to learn to use my tool better...... I believe you are a much more eloquent tool user, and maybe one day I can learn something from you..:)

Comment edited 59 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Stanley,
Sorry, I'm not in those businesses.
I deal with professional printing/document processing.
Cameras are just the tools for us to perform part of our jobs in artworks.

0 upvotes

@Biowizard, Oh my god.. I am not hung up on iso .. or noise level, I was merely stating what I saw from the sample image, and honestly, neither of those 2 cameras are my favorite..I am neither nikon fan boy, nor canon fan boy, to me Nikon and Canon are still a honda accord, and they are not mercedes or
Bentley and Not even a lexus, just stating what I saw from the samples and maybe the samples can be wrong too, go and address your complain to imaging resources... and why do u get hung up on my post? hahahahaha

0 upvotes

@Edmund, wow.. okkk..:) then I guess you are in the wrong box... you shud be on the sony f65......:) which is more professional to you....:)

0 upvotes

The D800 easily beats the 5D heck I can see the weave on the D800 image but not on the 5D. check the dark blue, grey and green swatches at the top

2 upvotes

Stanley,
No, I personally like photography. That's why I participated in a number of Challenges by DPR.
I do not use expensive cameras; but I have interest to study various cameras in the market. Might be one day I will deal with the camera business too.
For sure, I like the motion picture cameras much more than the still cameras... That's why I'm so interested in Panavision, Arri, Eclair...

0 upvotes

The grey levels in the 5D Mark III are outstanding completely devoid of chroma noise... whereas the D800 is applying excessive NR and still you can see traces of chroma noise...

I'm using PS CS5 to compare samples... The thread fabrics look like a pastel impression on the D800 from ISO 3200... the bottles look overly processed... leaving deep levels of black but rendering the image with an artificial look... the placards on the D800 are nowhere nearly as well defined as on the 5D III ... the light pink one is severely lacking in texture... the sunflower design looks like a watercolour... the khaki one lacks the intricate pattern clearly definied on the 5D III... & the wooden slabs look like Nikons NR has obliterated any semblance of detail & colour saturation found at lower sensitivities...

The 5D III should be compared against the D4 ... now thats a worthwhile comparison... This D800 is more like an experimental prototype camera which Nikon is betting on for marketing purposes

0 upvotes

@lensberg: are you using a high end graphical monitor that is calibrated? I cannot come to the conclusions you do. But what the heck, if you like the Canon better then it is fine with me :-) I already got Nikon lenses so I'm of course going for the Nikon.

0 upvotes

a test is not correct - pictures are taken off not in the equal terms ???

Nikon = Exposure time: 1/1250 s F-number: f/8
Canon = Exposure time: 1/800 s F-number: f/8

0 upvotes

In my opinion after reviewing and comparing sample images from nikon d800, canon 5d markII and mark III (available at www.imaging-resource.com), downloaded the sample image and down sample it to mark II size, there is no clear winner, they are all good cameras capable of producing acceptable image quality. Yes Nikon D800 has a better resolution but the difference is kinda subtle, nikon doesn't blow canon out of the water. its not like comparing hasselblad to either nikon or canon hahahaha.

1 upvote

Compare Hasselblad to Nikon or Canon is irrelevant because the big difference in sensor size.
Why don't you compare Sony F65 with Nikon and Canon. I guarantee Sony F65 is much... much better than both.

0 upvotes

@ Edmund Leung, Thats exactly my point...both cameras are good, and there is no clear winner over each other. It all comes down to which one you like better. One has the advantage over the other and also the down sides. which I suspect in the real world, and in the final print output, our client will not be able to notice the difference. But then again, it is still to early to judge, since the 2 camera are not really in the market yet. So lets wait and see.

0 upvotes

Stanley zheng ,you under magic of the names are
and let us look the real shot of Hasselblad and Nikon D800
face to face

0 upvotes

@panstas well yeahhh of course nikon d800 rulezzzzzzz its the best camera in the world for you retarded nikon fan boys... really you need to get a life. I really feel sorry for u fan boys..... yeah hasselblad is only a big name.... I am sure nikon d800 will blow it out of the water too ....:) you are one sad case...

0 upvotes

Stanley zheng , I am not a boy but professional from 20-ti year by experience . I am happy that you are sure ...
but let from your confidence will pass to the facts,
two test pictures Nikon D800 vs Hasselblad

I at once will be penetrated your confidence

Comment edited 38 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Wow reading these comments it is clear a lot of canon fans are desperately grasping at straws trying to convince themselves that the D800 isn't as good of a camera as it actually is so they can feel better about not owning one.

2 upvotes

SLR camera makers see their customers as livestocks. Nikon is lurring cattles from Canon and I hope they succeed. after tens of years of bad performance, Nikon lost a good deal of customers to Canon and I think we better adjuct the balance back for a better market.

0 upvotes

Simply not true. Nikon have always had the best AF and the latest 4-5 years the best high ISO perfomance.

3 upvotes

Really?
It seems Canon has more patent filed than Nikon did in the past few years.

0 upvotes

@ Edmond Leung
Because they were trying to catch up the Nikon these two years.
BTW SLRs are dying breed.

0 upvotes

Emacs23,
Might be you need to check how many patents that Canon filed each year during the past 20 years.
Nikon is still a small potato when compared with Canon.

1 upvote

What the f[luffy bunny] have PATENTS got to do with it? Microsoft files patents. Apple files patents. Neither is well known for its pro cameras.

Brian

1 upvote

Thanks dpreview for posting these test shots, with downloads of the NEF images. This is the first time I've been able to compare the new and old Nikon bodies head to head, using real data instead of prose. :-)

0 upvotes

I think if you are making big prints for a living, it does make a difference to use the D800 over the Canon Mrkii. Also, when you have to crop pictures, you do have a slight advantage shooting with the D800. If money is an issue, definitely go for the 5D Mrkii, it's worth it. But don't fall for the 5DMrkIII because it's a hype and definitely overpriced. As far as the high iso is concerned, I don't think it is worth paying over $1500 for the 5DMrkIII.

1 upvote

My first cover shot was taken with a 6 mexa pixel Pentax istDS.
I now have a D300s but obviously that isn't good enough now either.

The photographer takes the picture and the public view the image. They don't care what it was taken with.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

1 upvote

I think you are absolutely right. People were producing great pictures with slides before the invention of DSLR. We can still do that today since used film cameras in excellent conditions are practically becoming affordable. The prints I got from my F3Hp looks better than the ones I got from my D700 in terms of colors...

0 upvotes

My first car had 87hp. I got to highway speeds just fine. My current car has 100hp more. Would I go back to 87hp? No. More power gives more flexibility. Same with the D800. What people are forgetting, or at least not mentioning, is the flexibility this camera has. 15mp DX. 36mp FX, both in RAW, one can do FX snaps in 20 or 9 mp too. One can shoot in 20 mp 5:4 crop mode for fine art or the like. Is high mp the end all, be all? No. Of course not. But one sure has options when they go out with a D800. Besides it's not like Nikon took a D1 and added a 36 mp sensor. It's value is the sum of it's parts. There's a lot more going on inside vs a Pentax istDS or even a D700 that make it a worthwhile upgrade. 1920's V12 had 120 hp. Now you can get that out of 2 cylinders. Time and technology marches on. Don't hate.

5 upvotes

I own a 120 Hp city car, and an almost a 60 percent more horsepower both stock engine, clearly the 200 horsepower car that I have blow the 120 hp out of the water, you cannot even compare in terms of acceleration and handling and top speed....But nikon??? with 60 percent more meg??? doesnt blow canon out of the water ahahahah but at a purchasing cost nearly 15 percent cheaper, it is worth considering hahahahahha

0 upvotes

hahhaahaha, yeah the public don't give a rat ass about what camera u use, they only appraise your final image, and in order to deliver a great final image involves quite a lengthy process, and it doesnt rely solely on the brand or which model of a camera that has only slight advantage over the others. hahhahahahahhahaha hahahahahahahhahahahahahahah True That...!!!

0 upvotes

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh !!!

I don´t have to switch to Nikon !!!

The only thing that remains is the 5DIII AF. I hope it be really better.

Beside that, IT´S OBVIOUS that the D800 and its 36MP don´t work. Look also at imaging-resource the comparison between 5DIII and D4. The 5DIII ISOs are very clean; impresive !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (And before you Nikki-fans check the samples release your livers...),

3 upvotes

i saw all the samples.. the 5d mark III is a nice camera.. but remember.. the d800 was not made for low light shooting even though it will do a great job for what it is.. remember its 36mp not 22mp. for someone like me who does mostly landscapes.. the pictures i will be taking with this camera will always look better than what the 5dmark 3 will do.. because i will never 90% of the time ever go above 100 iso. but mp doesnt always mean better picture either. ill put my d7000 with the 16-85mm lens against any other nikon or canon cropped sensor camera. i had the canon 7d and it just couldnt hold up to what the d7000 could do. it is what it is.. if canon comes out with a camera i like i will buy it.. no problem with that. i just find Nikon to be superior in almost every thing. but thats my opinion only and shouldnt matter to you or anyone but me.

3 upvotes

Trying to justify yourself a bit much? The MK III Samples so look nice but one can't say its D4 quality. The loss of details and mostly DR at 3200+ is quite evident compared to the D4!

Not saying the MK III won't be good. The samples show it will be great but there's a bit of hype going here a bit....

4 upvotes

Dude, when D800 images downsampled to canon's they have more details than canon's shots.

3 upvotes

Emacs23 , I agree, I also think so

0 upvotes


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