Mark S Abeln
Forum Pro
The Nikon D200, D300, and D700 cameras are well-regarded for having good color, more so than newer cameras such as the D800, D7000, or D4. Every newer generation of cameras, some think, renders colors more poorly than the previous one, most especially with portraiture, with the D800 sometimes being a target of complaint for producing blotchy skin hues.
However, color accuracy should not be confused with color depth, which modern cameras certainly excel at. It's a matter of precision versus accuracy.
Now I happen to think that this isn't just a codgerly reaction against the new, always pining away for the good ol' days, but rather I think it can be objectively proven. Possibly, the reason for this decline is part of an attempt to provide better high ISO performance. See this post:
I might add that the same downward trend is found in many Canon cameras.
The decline in color accuracy has lately been bucked by the D7200, which apparently is as good or better than any Nikon digital camera ever made, although I haven't experience with this camera so I can't say for sure. I do know that my old D200, despite its high noise and low dynamic range, does produce luscious color, especially on a colorful autumn day, with great color separation, more so than my tepid D7000.
Does anyone have any wild speculation about the new D500, or even better, have inside knowledge? Will the trend towards cruddy color continue, or will the D500 recover the crown of chromaticity?
If it turns out that the D500 equals the fabled cameras of yore, would you consider this important?
However, color accuracy should not be confused with color depth, which modern cameras certainly excel at. It's a matter of precision versus accuracy.
Now I happen to think that this isn't just a codgerly reaction against the new, always pining away for the good ol' days, but rather I think it can be objectively proven. Possibly, the reason for this decline is part of an attempt to provide better high ISO performance. See this post:
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www.dpreview.com
I might add that the same downward trend is found in many Canon cameras.
The decline in color accuracy has lately been bucked by the D7200, which apparently is as good or better than any Nikon digital camera ever made, although I haven't experience with this camera so I can't say for sure. I do know that my old D200, despite its high noise and low dynamic range, does produce luscious color, especially on a colorful autumn day, with great color separation, more so than my tepid D7000.
Does anyone have any wild speculation about the new D500, or even better, have inside knowledge? Will the trend towards cruddy color continue, or will the D500 recover the crown of chromaticity?
If it turns out that the D500 equals the fabled cameras of yore, would you consider this important?