Making Foveon-like Images with a Bayer Camera

D Cox wrote:

No, they are not at all Foveon-like. Much too blurry. Sorry.

This is from my DP3M:

Don

Nice shot.

Hard to prove Foveon-like images using an image that is not perfectly sharp on its own. Even so, it proves equivalence for not-so-sharp conditions.

I think it was very interesting to pursue the Foveon-like result (in terms of resolution at pixel level) using the method linked in this thread, and I believe that it has great potential.

I spent hours processing an image yesterday, using the best standard methods I could find, and also using the method linked in the first post. In terms of resolution at pixel level, they are a close match. Of course this means the DP3m still competes well with 60mp Bayer cameras such as the fp L.

In this thread we see that Merrill resolution at pixel level is basically equal to uninterpolated Bayer quads, assuming the basic image itself is sharp at the sensor. It also means that a basic Bayer image can deliver equivalent quality at pixel level if downsized to 1/4 original pixels.

This means that most any high-megapixel-count camera out there can equal Merrill pixel quality as long as the number of resultant pixels from the Bayer is 1/4 of the total sensels (pixels) on that sensor. In other words, fp L = DP3M.

This is now seen to be a matter of processing, and hopefully soon this interpolation-free alternative will become easily available either in the camera (via a firmware update) or in the many raw processors. For example I've seen Leica users posting about how nice it would be to have this in the M11.

So, now that we know Foveon pixel quality is available from most any modern camera, what will be the advantage of a full frame Foveon (or 3L) sensor? Sure, long-time Foveon users will immediately buy such a camera, but what does it offer to other photographers who have many equivalent and better choices? Will they be willing to give up higher-ISO performance and its intrinsically better dynamic range? I doubt it.

What should Sigma do? I think they are already doing what they should: they have the fp and the fp L, along with Sigma Color Tech to back them up.

I tend to agree with some others that Sigma does not expect high volume from a full frame 3L sensor, compared with fp and fp L sales volume. But it will still be a worthwhile thing for Sigma to do. It will help fp and fp L sales, at the very least.