D800E's power to resolve.

[aroy]

I've posted this link several times before with regard to DX vs. FX and how it relates both to resolution and other IQ factors, but it bears coming back to when these discussions go this way and that. There are many factors to take into account when discussing the differences between the two sensor types and how pixel density impacts IQ. Resolution, which is what we are discussing, is one, and the D7100 wins that battle - it's purely a pixel count thing. But as good as that sensor is, there are disadvantages that come with the DX crop factor that make the D800 operating at 16MP's a potential winner in many other IQ arguments, including high ISO, low light, under/over exposed image correction, etc. A pixel's job is to capture light, and the smaller it is the more difficult it is to do it in extreme circumstances. That's why it's important to get the right tool for the right job.

DX or FX for Sports and Wildlife Photography

I agree. If you want better quality (DR, Colour Depth, etc) fatter pixels are better, here D800 will be better than D7100, and the D600 should be even better. If you want better resolution, then D7100 wins as it crams more pixels in a given sensor real estate. The qualifier is that for D7100 to give excellent quality you need to shoot at lower ISO and in better light. Given proper light and sensor (even my cell phone:kiwi-fruit gives excellent quality with no noise. It is only when the light is iffy for the shot that quality difference starts showing. I would prefer smaller cleaner animals to larger noisy ones.:friendly_wink:

 

[nmccamy]

I've used, in the past, the same camera\lens combination, but my results are significantly sharper images. Why? 99% of the time I use a tripod. No amount of VR and steady hand holding can match a tripod, and the D800E needs this extra attention to show off its capabilities. Otherwise, you might as well have been shooting with a much lesser camera.

I find that the Nikons are not good enough for the D800E, resolution wise, and use Zeiss whenever possible.

 

[jrleo33]

Considering noise, ISO, sensor resolution, and actual lens resolution, the noise reduction in the Sony 36.3MP sensor used in the D800, even at ISO 100 will began to degrade the image. Using a Tripod, allows for much slower shutter speeds, and smaller apertures, which will indeed achieve sharper images at lower ISOs. In simple language, the 36.3MP sensor provides too much fire-power for FX photography.

 

[nmccamy]

My first point was much more general than that. The original poster (showing the bear shot) was blown away by resolution. I was simply pointing out to him that if he had used a tripod, he would have been exponentially blown away.

My second point was that I have evaluated several Nikon and Zeiss lenses, and much prefer the resolution, and quite frankly, the bokeh of the Zeiss lenses. Totally subjective.