1.1 firmware vs 1.5, Nikon sending the prototype out to be
critiqued. Have you considered how a camera that took a year to
design and put into production could be "improved" and "perfected"
within a month or so? Haven't you considered the possibility that
a company the size of Nikon would have its own inhouse "experts" to
critique and perfect its own products? I'm not saying that Phil's
comments have no value whatsoever to Nikon at improving the camera,
but I believe more in Nikon's motive as being one of promoting the
camera before its release date. That is the best time for Nikon to
do this strategically. And haven't you noticed that the comments
given by Phil have mostly been favourable (I'm not implying in any
way that Phil was biased; as a matter of fact, I believe PHil has
always given honest and unbiased opinions.)?
Why the excuses? I don't have anything against Nikon, but I
believe in Phil's review and don't appreciate those who praise the
review when it matches their pre-formed opinions or expectations
but finds excuses when it doesn't. This seems to happen quite
often in this particular forum.
The clarity of the 995 doesn't seem to measure up to the S85. More
importantly (to me), the S85 seems to handle highlights much better
than the 995.
Take a look at sample pic #20 for the 995 and compare it to shot
- 10 from the S85. The highlights are completely blown on the 995
whereas the S85 retains detail. Look closely and you will see the
difference in other shots with strong highlights.
Trouble is, I much prefer the speed, swivel design & general
ergonomics of the 995! Whatever I get, I need to stop visiting
this else I will have to have the next latest model!
If you are using those two images as some sort of standard for
internal conviction, then you are dreaming. One is a relatively
distant object over fifty meters away surrounded in normal tones,
the other a contrasty nearby object surrounded in shadows. A
difference of 0.7 EV equivalency would destroy any ability to use
them as comparisons, but not as the appropriate exposure for each,
given their content.
What you will need for this sort of highlight handling comparison
will be shots of the same subject under the same lighting. Try
these:
And it would be good to remember that one of these cameras is a
prototype...
-iNova
Just had a look at Phils review of the new Sony S85.
When i saw the pages with image quality where phil compare the S85
to the s75, G1 and CP995. It struck me how unsharp the pictures
from the 995 looked. This new 4x lens seems really to let it down.
Both the G1 and s75 looked much sharper.
Dh