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M50 Mark II First Impressions

Started Oct 12, 2021 | Discussions thread
R2D2 Forum Pro • Posts: 26,528
Re: M50 Mark II: More Impressions
1

Larry Rexley wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

Larry Rexley wrote:

- The M50ii in most situations gives final images at my usual final resolution (2160 pixels high) that are virtually indistinguishable from the M6ii images, even at crazy-high ISOs like 12,800 using DxO Deep Prime

+1 If all a person needs is 2160 (8k) resolution, then there are a boatload of cameras (and phones) that can meet this minimum IQ requirement. All that’s left to distinguish them is features.

R2

Sorry, but with all due respect I have to strongly disagree with that statement. Downsizing images to 2160-pixel high 4k resolution does not hide differences in camera and lens image quality.

2160 pixel-high (4k) images are not even a linear factor of 2 reduction of a 24 MP image (4000 x 6000) on each axis. Images are also often cropped for composition, so the reduction factor is often less than that --- it isn't uncommon to crop an image right to the 4k pixel resolution --- even for a 32 MP or beyond sensor.

In another thread I showed, and the majority of viewers agreed in a blind test, that the Canon M6ii's image reduced to 4k resolution had noticeably better IQ than my 64 MB LG phone reduced to 4k, for the identical scene taken at the 'equivalent' focal length moments apart. Differences in color reproduction, tonal gradation, flare, sharpness, noise, etc. The difference was even obvious to many at the dpreview page's thumbnail resolution.

I've found that 4k resolution 'standard' is also enough to expose the IQ and sharpness differences between lenses: prime vs modern zoom vs vintage for example. Differences in micro-contrast, flare, overall sharpness, haze, corner sharpness, and other issues are all still obvious at 4k. Sure, they're even more clearly visible at full pixel resolution --- however they're still easily visible with less than that 2x downsampling.

LOL, I of course agree that differences still remain, otherwise I wouldn’t be owning the top shelf cameras from each format.  

But downsized 2160 (4k) [note my (8k) typo earlier] is undeniably a much lower bar to meet.  Just ask the M4/3 crowd!  Heck, even some of my 1” sensor cameras have produced amazing 2160 (8 MP) images!

Each camera must be chosen based on its merits (which your entire earlier post was about).  Your entire assertion that at 2160 the M50ii was good enough left out the fact that the M6ii’s files have a lot more cropping leeway (which MAC has noted).

Be happy that you have the best of both worlds!  

R2

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