For those who have experiece with both cameras how does ISO 2000 and up compare between these two cameras. I'm torn between wanting to go back to a large pro body of the D3s vs the latest and greatest D800 and it's massive resolution in case I want to print big. I've had a D3s before and know how clean it files are so at what point does one camera win out over the other with the higher ISO's. (D4 not an option based on price and a for what used D800's are going for vs a new D600 and the better build of the D800 I'd go with the D800 over the D600) Thanks.
Just my observation...it may not apply to a comparison with the D3s.
I only have D3's and a D800E, but one thing I've noticed with the D800 is that while, at a given high ISO, it might be noisier by technical measurement, the D800's pixels are so small--compared to the size of the 24x36 frame---that the noise "blobs" from the 36MP D800 are smaller than the noise blobs from a 12MP camera, and therefore less visible and annoying at a given size of enlargement .
This has been extensively discussed, at a pixel level the D800/d600 aren't as good but when you downsize to same size they equal to better. But you give up FPS with the D800 and focus and frames with D600, both don't have the conveninece of settings nor ideal for sports, but beside that pretty good. Just this evening I shot D600 with a D4 and it holds.
DxOMark shows that even when down sampled the D800 has less DR than a D3s at high ISO. Overall, you get a lot more detail or you get less DR, but you don't get both at the same time at high ISO.
Question is, how much of your photography involves shooting high DR scenes at high ISO that need to show a lot of detail in dark areas (as in a forest where everything is either dark or well lit) ? For such conditions I will use my D3s because it will hold more detail in the dark areas and give me at least a stop of extra DR even after downsampling a D800 image. Otherwise I'll use my D800E.
It seems that a lot of high ISO shots posted on the web are of scenes that require little or no detail retention in the dark areas, whether they be poorly lit or simply dark subjects. In that case go for D800.
Bear in mind that if I print anything at all it will be at sizes like 24" x 36" and so I will use all available pixel data. Even 8 MPx makes a good print at that size for normal viewing distances but more pixels stands up to greater up-close scrutiny. If you print small then both noise and fine details are being trashed.
If you want high DR and high detail at low ISO then the D800 is the clear winner.
egd5 wrote:
I have both and IMO the D3s is about a stop better at everything over 1600to 2000. Below that I'd sat they're equal.
no , up to 6400iso they are equal if you present the d800 file in d3s file size
You can down load raw from I-R http://www.imaging-resource.com and make your own opinion
^ that disagrees with DxOMark measurements. Equal with a D3 but not a D3s.
Bear in mind that the D800 further underexposes images than the D3s does by having too low an actual ISO - 0.3 to 0.5 stops too low IIRC, with more error at the high-ISO end than at the low-ISO end. The D3s was a relatively consistent 0.3 stops too low.
So when you are comparing images from different cameras the real ISOs are not making it a fair comparison. When you look at the charts at DxOMark where they have joined the sample dots for us, it is easier to see what the differences are.
Alan321 wrote:
^ that disagrees with DxOMark measurements. Equal with a D3 but not a D3s.
Bear in mind that the D800 further underexposes images than the D3s does by having too low an actual ISO - 0.3 to 0.5 stops too low IIRC, with more error at the high-ISO end than at the low-ISO end. The D3s was a relatively consistent 0.3 stops too low.
So when you are comparing images from different cameras the real ISOs are not making it a fair comparison. When you look at the charts at DxOMark where they have joined the sample dots for us, it is easier to see what the differences are.
I own both the D3s and the D800 and my D3s is still my go to high ISO camera. Like others have said the dynamic range is better and that means more to be than the noise. I can tackle the noise in post, I can't bring back detail that isn't there...
On top of it, I tend to use real borderline low shutter speeds and I feel like the D3s does a better job here.
The type of noise between a D4/D800/D800e/D600 vs. D3 generation is different. It is of a finer grain, easer to post process, or better ooc if JPEG is used. Probably due to faster CPUs used in this year camera's.
While the difference above ISO 1600 diminish (I would say they are more or less equal above this value ), the biggest benefit for the D800 for night photography is the quality at respective base ISO. Here the superior read out circuitry in combination with the higher dynamic range and resolution of the sensor provide visible better images vs. the D3s (when downscaled to D3s resolution). If this visibility is a game changer or not, is up to the observer/owner.
But: I'd rather leave this line of investigation and would recommend more concentration on differences on handling and convenience.
