Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2012/11/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In his conclusion to a multi-part D800E usage report (not a review), Michael wrote: ******** (link to full post: < http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2012/11/verdict-the-nikon-d800e-and-af-s-35mm-f14g-lens.html >) That said, I'm not entirely certain that it's the best camera out there now, or even that it's actually appreciably better than the Olympus OM-D E-M5<http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/842930-REG/Olympus_V204040SU000_OM_D_E_M5_Micro_Four.html/BI/2144/KBID/2882>for image quality in the small to medium-sized prints I make. My intuition?and that's all it is?is that digital technology has recently rounded another curve in its ongoing technological development, in that the engineers at the camera manufacturers are actively responding to the photographic community's concerns about dynamic range. This is leading to a new class of sensor and new emphases of implementation?and a new, higher level of image quality that is exciting and gratifying. These new FF Nikons; the D7000<http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/735002-REG/Nikon_25468_D7000_DSLR_Camera_Body.html/BI/2144/KBID/2882>and the Pentax K-5II<http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/891517-REG/Pentax_12016_K_5_II_Digital_SLR.html/BI/2144/KBID/2882>; the newest rangefinder-style Fujis, starting with the X100<http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/751784-REG/Fujifilm_16128244_Finepix_X100_12_MP.html/BI/2144/KBID/2882>and definitely including the great X-Pro1<http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/839135-REG/Fujifilm_162255391_X_Pro_1_Digital_Camera.html/BI/2144/KBID/2882>; and the current best Micro 4/3 camera, the OM-D, all seem to belong to this movement. There may be more. The Canon 5D Mark III<http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/847545-REG/Canon_5260A002_EOS_5D_Mark_III.html/BI/2144/KBID/2882>, for one, might also belong in this group, though I don't know a lot about that one. ******** This is what I was referring to in the Sony full frame compact side-thread a few days ago: there does seem to be a genuine leap with the latest sensor such that even the tiny 4/3 sensor seems to compare favorably with the best that are/were available. Or to put it this way: if you were happy with last generation's full frame sensor performance, you can now get similar performance even on smaller sensors. Yes this means that if you are forever chasing "the best," the best new full frame sensors (and that could be the Nikon D800/E, or the Leica M/T240, or..) will be even better, but it's no longer necessary. If you consider other factors, smaller cameras are warranted consideration, even if you want really good image quality/ Not that I will personally move. My M9 is still one of the best phototool with the Leica rangefinder DNA. -- // richard <http://www.richardmanphoto.com>