Why do Sony A7R and Nikon D800 sample images show different-looking noise at 100%?
Asked 12/5/2013
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2 answers
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I’m comparing Sony A7R and Nikon D800/D800E sample images because I want a high-resolution camera for fine art prints. Both cameras have similar resolution, but at 100% view the A7R samples often look more “processed” to me, with noise that resembles compression or sharpening artifacts, while the D800 samples look smoother and more film-like.
If I’m judging from online sample galleries, what actually causes that difference? Is it mainly the sensor, or can JPEG processing, noise reduction, sharpening, ISO, shutter speed, lighting, lens, and aperture all affect the look of noise and fine texture?
In short: when comparing these cameras, how should I judge image quality fairly if I want to understand the real sensor differences rather than differences caused by in-camera or reviewer processing?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
6
You're comparing JPEGs here - therefore you're not just comparing the sensors, but whatever processing parameters the manufacturers and/or reviewers have chosen to use when creating those JPEGs. From a quick play with DPReview's studio comparision, it's fairly obvious that Sony have stronger noise reduction / sharpening / contrast enhancement in their pipeline than Nikon do. Comparing the same shots as RAW gives the two looking much closer to each other. You can argue about it a bit, but you're now into the realm of "small differences".
Moral of this story: don't compare JPEGs unless they've both been processed via the same pipeline.
Originally by user11371. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11371
12y ago
0
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The big issue is that online sample galleries are often JPEGs, not a pure sensor comparison.
At 100%, JPEGs reflect several things at once: the sensor, in-camera processing, noise reduction, sharpening, contrast, and compression, plus shooting variables like ISO, exposure, light, and lens choice. That “artificial” look you see on the A7R is very likely influenced more by JPEG processing than by a major sensor difference.
If you want to compare the sensors fairly, compare RAW files processed through the same software with the same settings. Then you’re much closer to judging the sensor itself, with remaining differences mostly coming from exposure and lens/shot conditions.
So yes, the different noise appearance can come from all of those factors, but with JPEGs the processing pipeline is usually the biggest reason. Between these two cameras, once RAW files are processed consistently, the differences should look much smaller than they do in the sample JPEGs.
Bottom line: don’t base a buying decision on mismatched JPEG samples alone.
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