Latest sensor improvement ?

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
When we see a launch of a new model we are told the sensor has been improved, i don't doubt it has but wonder if the improvement will be of any benefit to most users.We look to be at the point where current sensors are so good that improvements are slight, are they so slight that a minor error with a slider in PP or exposure will lose that benefit.
Do we need a breakthrough in sensor technology to see some major improvements?
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Just came across this sensor test from DXO, I do wonder how many photographers with the uses they put their images to, forum posting,Flickr, Instagram would ever see the difference between the top and the bottom.

Canon-EOS-RP-sensor-tested-at-DxOMark-2.png
 

Michael J.

Senior Member
Yesterday in the camera store I ask the man why the Sony a6400 is 320 US $ more expensive than the Sony a6000, the first thing he told me it is the much better sensor. I asked him if I can see the different after I shoot RAW and PP it he told me "No" he told me in JPEG I will see the difference but after shooting in JPEG and looking the photos side by side in my preferred resolution 1200 pix long side we couldn't tell the difference on his computer. (Just for an ordinary Joe like I there is no reason paying 320 US$ more)

He was a bit confusing I asked him many questions about difference new and old models. I did the same asking him about his opinion about Nikon z50 and Sony a6400. Even he didn't have a Demo of the z50 he told me that the ergonomics are better on z50 the AF better on Sony. then he told me that the Sony has more megapixel sensor. I asked him do I see the difference in my preferred photo-size, which I discussed with him earlier, he told me confidently "No".

So I decided to wait until the z50 is available. He told me around 2-3 month cos it is a Bestseller in Thailand. BTW I was surprised that the z50 is 100 US$ more expensive than the Sony a6400.
 

Rick M

Senior Member
Yesterday in the camera store I ask the man why the Sony a6400 is 320 US $ more expensive than the Sony a6000, the first thing he told me it is the much better sensor. I asked him if I can see the different after I shoot RAW and PP it he told me "No" he told me in JPEG I will see the difference but after shooting in JPEG and looking the photos side by side in my preferred resolution 1200 pix long side we couldn't tell the difference on his computer. (Just for an ordinary Joe like I there is no reason paying 320 US$ more)

He was a bit confusing I asked him many questions about difference new and old models. I did the same asking him about his opinion about Nikon z50 and Sony a6400. Even he didn't have a Demo of the z50 he told me that the ergonomics are better on z50 the AF better on Sony. then he told me that the Sony has more megapixel sensor. I asked him do I see the difference in my preferred photo-size, which I discussed with him earlier, he told me confidently "No".

So I decided to wait until the z50 is available. He told me around 2-3 month cos it is a Bestseller in Thailand. BTW I was surprised that the z50 is 100 US$ more expensive than the Sony a6400.

I don't own a Z50, but from what I've seen and after shooting with one in a store I'd say it's the best in it's class at that price point (for a brand new model). The wider mount will also give you access to some of the best lenses made in the future. I think Nikon's move on the mount, as insignificant as some might think, is a huge benefit down the road. The other manufacturers are pretty much locked into their mirror-less mounts and I'd bet they are wishing they thought of it first. They rarely get a chance to re-invent anything without annoying a large portion of their market base, Nikon took a very smart approach albeit a bit late.
 
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pforsell

Senior Member
When we see a launch of a new model we are told the sensor has been improved, i don't doubt it has but wonder if the improvement will be of any benefit to most users.We look to be at the point where current sensors are so good that improvements are slight, are they so slight that a minor error with a slider in PP or exposure will lose that benefit.
Do we need a breakthrough in sensor technology to see some major improvements?

Often the advancements in sensor technology have been greatly exaggerated, in press and by independent reviewers. Every new camera model is always touted to have 2 stops better sensor than the predecessor, to the dismay of everybody actually trying the cameras out by themselves.

In all honesty the total improvement in noise and dynamic range is about 3-4 stops from Nikon D1 (1999) to Nikon D5 (2016), and most of it (~3 stops) happened before year 2008. The last decade has provided maybe 0.7 stops improvement all in all. This track record suggests to me that a breakthrough is required. Current tech has ran out of juice.

Then again a digital camera has 2 sides, the digital side and the camera side, and for me the camera has always been more important.
 

Rick M

Senior Member
With Nikon getting into IBIS they will probably work on High resolution imaging via sensor shift. The sensor is shifted (pixel shift) in four directions instantly to create a much larger single file with much greater detail. This is currently limited to tripod use, but handheld will be forthcoming. This doubles or triples the file size, reduces noise and creates a higher resolution image. This is not the same as image stacking (often compared and confused with), it's better. Just a tool to get more out of existing sensor technology.
 
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