Nikon ISO3200 comparison

[puddleduck]

Back in November, I evaluted an S5 Pro, D300 and D2X shooting all 3 bodies for a month. I only kept one body (S5 Pro if interested) after shooting several hundred shots in various shooting situations (low ISO, high ISO etc)

Anyhow, here is a fairly well controlled torture test I ran - ISO3200, *terrible light* (flourescent) on each body.

I used Capture One. I used each camera to shoot the other body, picked the body up, replaced the current body, and re-shot. Light did not change, although each camera metered differently (but all exposed fine)

Nikon D2X @ ISO3200:

Fuji S5 Pro @ ISO3200:

D300 @ ISO3200 (bit of wobbled (mirror slap on this doesn't change noise rendering)

This was the set-up:

I won't comment on my opinions on the results yet

 

[krazy_horse]

Put a D700 shot up

 

[puddleduck]

I was tempted to add D700 and D60 shots, but as this will be taken later than the original set-up (and light will be different), I'm not sure it'll be comparable. I could do it "for fun" but not for comparison sakes.

I can tell you the D700 will be a little better than any of them, and the D60 about the same as the D300 (nothing will ever look worse than a D2X!).

 

[puddleduck]

Added D60 (re-shot, same light bulb, but couldn't get identical framing) - my manual focusing was off (focus on "Nikon"), but doesn't impact noise.

D60 does better than I thought! (ISO3200 is HI-1)

D700:

(Had to use Capture NX, turned NR off, note D700 is much more sensisitve so it gave 1/50th exposure)

D60 and D700 images are not comparable to the first three, these two are just for Krazy_Horse

 

[Jamougha]

The trouble with comparing images at 100% from cameras with different numbers of megapixels is that it's effectively comparing different magnifications.

Still the S5 does well. The D700 is sick.

 

[puddleduck]

Well 3 of those camera are 12 megapixels, D2X, D300 and D700.

The S5, D300 and D700 all control chroma noise well. All have luminance noise.

The D60 has a bit more chroma (blue dots like the D2X).

The D2X is probably about 1 stop worse than anything else (DR is severely curtailed), the D700 about 1 stop better than the others.

The S5 Pro and D700 have more detail in the shadows, probably as they have better dynamic range?

Although I should stress the D60 and D700 shots are only comparable with each other, while I tried to match the setup (and got close for position, light and shutter speed) its not controlled vs the top 3.

 

[krazy_horse]

Now that's what i'm talking about, D700 wahoo! Practically night vision

That D60 is pretty damn impressive too, might have to have a looksie at one of those myself.