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MZ-S p.I
MZ-S p.II
MZ-S p.III
MZ-S p.IV
Optio 330 p.I
Optio 330 p.II
Optio 330 p.III
Optio 330 p.IV
Optio 330 p.V
Optio 230 p.I
Optio 230 p.II
Optio 230 p.III
Optio 230 p.IV
Optio 230 p.V
*ist D p.I
*ist D p.II
*ist D p.III
*ist D p.IV
*ist D p.V
*ist D p.VI
*ist D p.VII
*ist D p.VIII
*ist D p.IX
*ist D p.X
*ist D p.XI
*ist D p.XII
*ist D p.XIII
*ist D p.XIV
K20D
| | Pentax
*ist D
Compared to
Canon EOS 300D:
Outdoor at 18mm focal length (RAW)
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Canon EOS 300D,
Canon EF-S 18-55mm at 18mm f/8 1/400s ISO 200
(click on
above image to get the 3072x2048 pixel 1.7 MB jpeg converted from
RAW file)
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Pentax *ist D, SMC
Pentax-FA J 18-35mm at 18mm f/8 1/350s ISO 200
(click
on above image to get the 3008x2008 pixel 1.8 MB jpeg
converted from
RAW file with Pentax Photo Laboratory) |
Pentax *ist D, SMC
Pentax-FA J 18-35mm at 18mm f/8 1/350s ISO 200
(click
on above image to get the 3008x2008 pixel 1.8 MB jpeg
converted from
RAW file with Genzo RAW converter utility)
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| Contrast,
sharpness and saturation settings were left as
default. Contrast and color balance of the Genzo file have been
approximately adjusted, but finer tuning can give better results. |
| Comparison
of small details |
Details above are 50% size,
equivalent to a 45 x 30cm whole image (as seen on 17"
computer screen)
|
Click
here to compare 100% size details, equivalent to a 90 x 60cm whole
image (as seen on 17" computer screen) |
|
Click
here to compare 200% size details, equivalent to a 180 x 120cm whole
image (as seen on 17" computer screen)
|
Details above are 50% size,
equivalent to a 45 x 30cm whole image (as seen on 17"
computer screen)
|
|
Click
here to compare 100% size details, equivalent to a 90 x 60cm whole
image (as seen on 17" computer screen) |
|
Click
here to compare 200% size details, equivalent to a 180 x 120cm whole
image (as seen on 17" computer screen)
|
Details above are 50% size,
equivalent to a 45 x 30cm whole image (as seen on 17"
computer screen)
|
|
Click
here to compare 100% size details, equivalent to a 90 x 60cm whole
image (as seen on 17" computer screen) |
|
Click
here to compare 200% size details, equivalent to a 180 x 120cm whole
image (as seen on 17" computer screen)
|
RAW to JPEG
conversion
When shooting
RAW format and using equivalent
lenses, resolution of the Canon EOS 300D
and Pentax *ist D are more or less the same. However, big
enlargements taken with the Canon appear more pleasant due to a
more natural reproduction of slanted and curved lines. This can be
understood by inspecting details on screen up to 400% size. The Canon
Digital File Viewer Utility does an excellent job, while the
Pentax Photo Laboratory converts RAW files the rough way, showing
bad pixelation. Alternative RAW converters (such as the
Genzo shown above right) do justice to the image sensor in the
*ist D, getting detail and natural reproduction. On the contrary,
using Genzo with Canon RAW files brings not so much improvement, and often
does worse than original Canon RAW utility.
Below are more sample
details of
Pentax image files (400% screenshots from another picture)
Download
the Genzo (freeware) |
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Different ISO
settings (from RAW shots as seen at 100% size)
All these crops
have been brightened (+20) to show better detail in the shadows |
Unless
stated otherwise, all published shots are original and untouched. Since
image quality depends a lot on the lens used, these samples are valid for
mentioned camera+lens combination only, and don't necessarily reflect
general image quality obtainable with a given camera.
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Text
by Dario Bonazza
Pictures by Dario Bonazza and
Maurizio Marani
Copyright © 2003 by Dario Bonazza and
Maurizio Marani
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