Re: Nikon D800 announced -- 36mp, w/ & w/o AA filter
Here are my thoughts regarding D800 vs. D800E:
Case 1: If you have coarse structures, i.e. a green leaf which spans several pixels, against the blue sky, then the D800E will have no problem with accurately rendering it. At the borderline between leaf and sky, the RAW conversion algorithm can make a good guess that the color of the last pixel at the leaf edge is green, and the first sky pixel is blue, even if the corresponding photosite on the Bayer pattern happens to \"see\" a different color. The D800 will have no problem of course, but show the borderline with slightly less contrast, due to the AA filter. A slight sharpening in post should result in an equivalent image as from the D800E. I don\'t think the D800 would loose any detail info here (as the structures are coarse), just contrast that is easily fixed.
Case 2: You have fine structures, close to the pixel dimension, but irregular. I.e. a landscape with some tiny spectral highlights, a grain of sand here and there, some irregular feather detail etc. The D800E will again show these details sharply, but I\'m afraid with artifacts. I.e. the spectral highlights may have the wrong color, if they hit only one pixel. The D800 should be more accurate but less sharp. One may argue that in a print or downsized web image, the viewer may not see or notice those D800E artifacts. That\'s a good bet, especially in landscape shots with lots of random irregular detail. Who\'s gonna notice one pixel with the wrong color? But if the viewer can\'t see that, then I\'d say he also can\'t see the extra detail or sharpness provided by the D800E.
Case 3: Fine regular pattern, close to the pixel dimension. This would usually be the rarest case. The D800E provides moire. The D800 will be fine.
So these thoughts make me lean towards the D800, but I\'d appreciate any comments and insights. Thanks!
Feb 09, 2012 at 07:19 PM
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