How does Fujifilm X-Trans improve image quality compared with a Bayer APS-C sensor?
Asked 4/28/2012
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Fujifilm’s X-Pro1 uses the X-Trans color filter array instead of a conventional 2×2 Bayer pattern. Fuji claims this less repetitive 6×6 pattern reduces moiré enough that the camera can omit the optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter, which could improve perceived sharpness and fine detail.
In practice, how does this compare with a similar-resolution APS-C DSLR or mirrorless camera using a standard Bayer sensor? Are there real-world comparisons showing whether X-Trans delivers sharper images or reduced moiré?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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In contrast to the standard 2x2 bayer pattern the X-Pro 1's sensor uses a 6x6 pattern (see this link for images)
R,G,R,G,R,G G,B,G,G,R,G
G,B,G,B,G,B R,G,R,B,G,B
R,G,R,G,R,G G,B,G,G,R,G
G,B,G,B,G,B G,R,G,G,B,G
R,G,R,G,R,G B,G,B,R,G,R
G,B,G,B,G,B G,R,G,G,B,G
The new pattern results in every horizontal and vertical line being covered by all three photosite colours, the lack of which is the main source of moire in bayer pattern sensors. They combat this by using an anti-aliasing filter to (slightly) blur the image to ensure that all lines will hit all three colours. The lack of this blurring in the image that hits the X-Pro 1's sensor results in the potential for increased sharpness and image quality, which seems to be born out in reviews, see here and here
dpreview allows you to compare the X-Pro 1 to a wide range of cameras (shooting the same test scene) here.
Originally by user9646. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user9646
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The key difference is the color filter array. A standard Bayer sensor uses a repeating 2×2 pattern, while the X-Pro1’s X-Trans uses a less repetitive 6×6 pattern.
According to the community answer, the X-Trans layout places all three color samples across horizontal and vertical lines more effectively. With Bayer sensors, that regular repetition is a main cause of moiré, so manufacturers typically add an anti-aliasing filter that slightly blurs the image to suppress it.
Because X-Trans is designed to reduce moiré by pattern design, Fuji can omit the anti-aliasing filter. In theory and in reported reviews, that allows slightly higher perceived sharpness and fine detail because the image is not being optically blurred before it reaches the sensor.
So the practical advantage is not magic extra resolution, but potentially crisper detail at the same pixel count, with lower risk of moiré than you’d expect from a sensor without an AA filter.
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