Nikon D3 or D3X ?

[BelaMolnar]

<p>Q; Presently own a D700. Planing to by a D3 or ??? D3X. Recently I played with my friend D3X, and figured out, the camera smaller then my D700+ battery pack. I like the solid build D3/D3X as I had previously a D2X, F5, F3, F2, F backwards. As a semi pro, mostly landscape photographer, not doing bigger then 14x18 or such, prints, do I benefit of the D3X, or, the D3 just enough for me? I don't care about the extra MP, 24 vers, 12. The 12 MP just enough for me, I guess. It is not only money, it is a question of logic. I always had, at list 2 camera bodies, as I have now, the D700 and D300, plus film bodies, witch is FF and high megpaixels, depend on the scanning. I like to hear your expert opinion on this mater. The most important Q is, do I gain mach more dynamic range with the D3X or the D3 just enough for my type of work.</p>

[elliot1]

<p>You can check the differences here:</p>

<p>http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/DxOMark-Sensor/Camera-rankings</p>

<p>IQ between the D3 dn D700 is identical.</p>

<p>You can compare photos from the various cameras here:</p>

<p>http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/DxOMark-Sensor/Camera-rankings</p>

<p>I assume you shoot RAW. How do you currently process your images?</p>

[BelaMolnar]

<p>Thank you Elliot. It vas a very useful information. Off cause RAW. Using "Aperture" and Photoshop CS3.</p>

[arthuryeo]

<p>Wow, Elliot, what % of that website's revenue comes from Nikon? The Canon 1DsMk3 ranked lower than the D700? I think they misplaced the D300 --- it should have been #4. :)<br /> The website said that "DxOMark Sensor is <strong>NOT </strong> an evaluation of overall camera image quality (IQ) or performance." Hmmm, if IQ is *not* so important, I wonder what is? I am confused.</p>

<p>Whatever it is, I feel very proud of myself after reading it. :P</p>

[ellis_vener_photography]

<p>As far as I know DxO gets the same amount of money from Nikon as they do from Canon, HAsselblad, Pentax and Phase One: meaning zero, zilch, nada.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>The website said that "DxOMark Sensor is <strong>NOT </strong> an evaluation of overall camera image quality (IQ) or performance."</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>You are quoting selectively. All they claim to be doing is evaluating the sensor/processor combination. IQ will also include factors like lens selection, technique, handling, metering, Autofocus and other non sensor/processor issues.</p>

[arthuryeo]

<p>Ellis, I was just pulling Elliot's socks. It's an interesting webiste.</p>

[ilkka_nissila]

<p>The DXO evaluation method is described on their website. They don't consider resolution at all; that's a lens-dependent factor.</p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>Bela, if you have access to that friend's D3X, it is best to carry out some comparison yourself. The D3 (not D3X) should give you essentially identical image quality as the D700 as they use identical electronics, and my experience with both confirms it.</p>

<p>Otherwise, the best qualified person in this thread is problably Ellis, as he has actually used both the D3 and D3X quite a bit. I have never even seen a D3X, and photo.net is still waiting for a test sample from Nikon.</p>

[kuryan_thomas]

<p>Another possible information source: Lloyd Chambers at diglloyd.com. Some of the D3 vs. D3x comparisons are in his free blog, but mouse-over comparisons and various resizing comparisons are in his subscription-based Advanced Photography site.</p>

[bill_chiarchiaro]

<p>And another D3 vs. D3X comparison that might be helpful:<br>

<a href="http://www.fotografie.fr/n3-test4-e.htm"><strong>http://www.fotografie.fr/n3-test4-e.htm</strong> </a></p>

 

[ShunCheung]

<p>Bill, thanks a lot for the link. I was about to ask why they tested high ISO under day light, and then I realized that they have a second page on high ISO results: <a href="http://www.fotografie.fr/n3-test4-ll-e.htm">http://www.fotografie.fr/n3-test4-ll-e.htm</a></p>