The Nikon D800 and D800E Full Frame
36 MP DSLR
How Do They Differ ? Early Observations
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| White Sands National Monument - Nikon D800 with 70-300 Nikkor |
In the Spring of 2012, Nikon began delivery of the D800 and D800E DSLR Cameras. The new full frame 36 megapixel sensor has
created considerable interest among enthusiasts and professionals alike. Do a
Google search of reviews and you will see why these new Nikon's are considered
industry game changers - at least for now. The two models are virtually
identical except that the D800E has a modified low pass filter which
effectively cancels the anti-aliasing component that is found in the D800 (and
most other digital cameras). In theory, the absence of an anti-aliasing
filter in front of the sensor should provide slightly sharper images and
enhanced resolution of fine detail. I did a quick comparison of my D800
and D800E using a distant landscape scene.
The Result ?
What was I able to see at 100% on a 24" calibrated EIZO display ? Was
there any real visible difference on screen ?
They
are really close. My technique for the comparison was
not-very-scientific, but was a reasonable real world exercise. I focused
on a distant landscape using the camera's center focus point with a 24-70
Nikkor f/2.8 lens at 70mm. Both camera bodies mounted on a sturdy Gitzo tripod
with an Acratech head. Frames were shot at f/2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 14, and
f/16.
All files were RAW and Full Frame 36 MP. Imported into Lightroom using default LR settings.
The bottom line is there is indeed a visible difference, but only at the finest detail level. Where I really noticed the advantage of the D800E in my test scene was in the details of distant foliage. You may have noticed in your own landscape work how often distant vegetation looks like "clumps" of green as opposed to having any real structure. On the D800E, you can actually make out the "leaves" and "structure of the trees and shrubs" to a greater degree than on the D800. The details of distant man-made structures were rendered with slightly more sharpness and definition. BUT, I'm not talking about visible differences that are readily apparent at normal viewing sizes. You have to really look at the "fine detail" to see the difference. I think the nature of the "detail" and the light can often create results that are hard to differentiate. The exception being the "foliage test". The D800E was always better with the foliage. And foliage, when you think about it, really does present a good test.
The difference between the D800 and D800E and lower resolution sensors is generally only going to be noticeable at magnified viewing sizes or large prints. And that applies again regarding the difference between the D800E and the D800. What I am convinced of though is the removal of the anti-aliasing filter effect on the D800E does indeed result in better detail at the pixel level. Not that I was doubting Nikon's information, but it was interesting to "see" the degree of the effect in my own files. I also noticed that the D800E's rendering of the fine detail appeared to be a bit more contrasty than the D800. Not sure why that is. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that the effects of diffraction were not nearly as severe as I had anticipated at f/14 and f/16. With both bodies and this particular lens, f/8 - f/11 seemed to be the sweet spot (I would have thought f/5.6 - f/8, but that is not what I observed).
I think anyone would be happy with either the D800 or the D800E. However, for specialized applications where the you want to reveal the maximum "fine" detail, then the D800E does appear to have a visible advantage as far as files right out of the camera with LR default processing.
I intend to use both bodies as general purpose cameras for both my client work and my personal work. I really do feel they can be used interchangeably for the most part without any real concerns. Obviously, if I'm looking for ultimate large print resolution and the best possible rendering of the finest detail, I'd opt for the D800E.
Just some early observations and thoughts for what they are worth.
All files were RAW and Full Frame 36 MP. Imported into Lightroom using default LR settings.
The bottom line is there is indeed a visible difference, but only at the finest detail level. Where I really noticed the advantage of the D800E in my test scene was in the details of distant foliage. You may have noticed in your own landscape work how often distant vegetation looks like "clumps" of green as opposed to having any real structure. On the D800E, you can actually make out the "leaves" and "structure of the trees and shrubs" to a greater degree than on the D800. The details of distant man-made structures were rendered with slightly more sharpness and definition. BUT, I'm not talking about visible differences that are readily apparent at normal viewing sizes. You have to really look at the "fine detail" to see the difference. I think the nature of the "detail" and the light can often create results that are hard to differentiate. The exception being the "foliage test". The D800E was always better with the foliage. And foliage, when you think about it, really does present a good test.
The difference between the D800 and D800E and lower resolution sensors is generally only going to be noticeable at magnified viewing sizes or large prints. And that applies again regarding the difference between the D800E and the D800. What I am convinced of though is the removal of the anti-aliasing filter effect on the D800E does indeed result in better detail at the pixel level. Not that I was doubting Nikon's information, but it was interesting to "see" the degree of the effect in my own files. I also noticed that the D800E's rendering of the fine detail appeared to be a bit more contrasty than the D800. Not sure why that is. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that the effects of diffraction were not nearly as severe as I had anticipated at f/14 and f/16. With both bodies and this particular lens, f/8 - f/11 seemed to be the sweet spot (I would have thought f/5.6 - f/8, but that is not what I observed).
I think anyone would be happy with either the D800 or the D800E. However, for specialized applications where the you want to reveal the maximum "fine" detail, then the D800E does appear to have a visible advantage as far as files right out of the camera with LR default processing.
I intend to use both bodies as general purpose cameras for both my client work and my personal work. I really do feel they can be used interchangeably for the most part without any real concerns. Obviously, if I'm looking for ultimate large print resolution and the best possible rendering of the finest detail, I'd opt for the D800E.
Just some early observations and thoughts for what they are worth.
© 2012 Tony Bonanno Photography, LLC
