Digital Camera Information

Chasseur d’images, a French Magazine has a 20 page in depth review (21st Nov 05) on the Nikon D200 (Pre-production only). Unfortunately the article is in French and is only available as a hardcopy. The preview, not review can be viewed on the Chasseur d’images website.

Below are snippets of information translated and including comments from two people (Stany Buyle and Ben) from the dpreview forum who have read the full article.

Stany Buyle translates:

“Image detail is very high, the 10 million pixels are efficient. At ISO 1600 and 3200 noise control takes away some detail but the images are perfectly useable.
The Sony 10Mp sensor is extraordinary. From ISO 100 up to 800 the results are perfect, At 1600 ISO excellent, at ISO 3200 “only” very good.
In use, the new AF module is simply amazing in focusing in low light and subjects with low contrast. With the multicam, Nikon is a mile ahead of the competition. The only camera which performs better at extremes is the…D2.
About camera response: “The D200 is very fast and the AF very accurate.”
About flash system: “The D200 is really the king of flash.”

Stany Buyle goes on to comment:

“In the Nikon D70s review they mentioned about noisy images at ISO 800 and 1600. In a couple of sidelines they also directed to noise in images from the Nikon D2X. In the Nikon D50 review they indicated a big progress in Nikon’s high ISO noise control. So if they say now that “D200 noise control at ISO 1600 is excellent” then I believe it will be excellent. Several of the latest posted D200 pictures on this site confirm this.

Opposed to many other sources, they treat image quality as their main standard for ratings. Fuji S3pro, Fuji F10 and F11 got an “outstanding” quotation. My equipment purchases are always based on Chasseur d’images reviews, no other sources, because information in other sources are too often influenced by advertisement income.”

Ben comments:

“And, indeed, it looks good. They also include the first technical tests and they measured a very low ISO noise.

I have not seen any technical tests of the D200 on the web yet. Previews I have seen plenty but technical tests with actual samples and measurements I have seen none. We have a first: a dead-tree magazine beating the web sites!”

Ben goes on to say:

“Although they don’t show the measurements side by side, they make it clear it outperforms the D70.”

Dpreview has given the 7 megapixel Canon PowerShot A620 its highest rating with a “Highly Recommended” score in its comprehensive review. This Canon A620 succeeds the highly popular Canon A95 with the following features:

7.1 Megapixel
4x optical zoom lens.
Vari-angle 2″ inch LCD screen.
Super fast DiG!C II Imaging Processor.
Print/Share* Button allows easy ‘one push’ printing of images straight from the camera.

In the review, they say “Not only does it boast a much better sensor, but the use of the latest DIGIC II processor means it’s a lot, lot faster in operation too. There is very little here to suggest a ‘budget’ model at all; image quality is excellent, it’s very well built, it handles well and it has a real wealth of photographic features that make it suitable for everyone from the absolute beginner to the more experienced photographer wanting lots of control over the picture taking process. And like the A95 it’s a great first camera for anyone wanting to learn the craft of photography, being both affordable and well-specified enough to grow with you as your knowledge and experience increases.”

For the full review from Dpreview click here

Steves Digicams says “Bottom line - Canon has struck gold with this winning combination of high-quality and low price. The A620 offers users outstanding image quality with robust performance, all in a stylish and very durable package. With its wealth of exposure modes, your entire family will love using it, and with 7-megapixels of resolution you can create endless 13×19-inch prints (just be sure you have lots of ink handy.) With an MSRP of around $399, the Canon PowerShot A620 offers an excellent value and is definitely one our pics for 2005. If you love this camera as much as we do, but don’t need the 7.1-megapixels of resolution, check out its 5-megapixel twin brother, the PowerShot A610. It is identical in features with a price tag of about $100 less”.

For the full review from Steves Digicams click here.

Below are two images, one taken previously by a pre-production Nikon D200 and the other a Nikon D50. These images were posted by “EYANDA”, a member in the dpreview forum.

The images are claimed to highlight the difference between the two cameras using them as a side by side comparison. Unfortunately there are too many variables to make a true comparison.

Nikon D200 using 18-70mm lens F5.6 1.1 ISO 100 56mm EV0.7

Nikon D50 using 18-55mm lens F5.6 1/2 ISO 200 55mm

Below are great night shots taken with the Nikon D200. These were taken using an 18 - 700mm DX Nikkor lens.

DX ED 18-70mm F3.5-4.5G
F11 9 second ISO100
46mm EV0.0

DX ED 18-70mm F3.5-4.5G
F5.6 1.1 second ISO100
56mm EV0.7

DX ED 18-70mm F3.5-4.5G
F5.6 2 second ISO100
55mm EV0.3

DX ED 18-70mm F3.5-4.5G
F11 6 second ISO100
22mm EV0.7

DX ED 18-70mm F3.5-4.5G
F5.6 3 second ISO100
55mm EV0.3

Source

Transcend Information is marketing a USB flash disk drive with an integrated VGA digital still camera (DSC). The JetFlash DSC is designed to enable users to take digital photos without the inconvenience of needing a USB cable or card reader to connect to a PC, according to the company.

Equipped with a 0.25-inch CMOS image sensor, the JetFlash stores pictures in a 640×480 JPG file (VGA), sized at 55KB. Once the pictures are transferred to a PC, the bundled software can be used to edit or enhance the photos.

The USB flash disk drive also includes a built-in rechargeable lithium battery that is recharged via the USB port. The JetFlash is USB 1.1 compliant and does not require any additional drivers for installation (except for Windows 98).

The JetFlash DSC comes in 128MB and 256MB densities, with the 128MB version priced at NT$1,550 (US$46). The products are currently shipping.

Transcend JetFlash DSC specifications

Interface
USB 1.1

Storage capacity
128MB, 256MB

Dimension
80×29×6mm

Weight
26g

Sensor resolution
640×480 pixels (VGA)

Optical lens
Fixed focus length

Lens specification
F2.8, view angles 53

Focus range
45cm-infinity

Source

Here is a Japanese a website that has plenty of images using the Nikon D200 with the noise reduction turned on and off.

Below is a 100%crop of the images taken at ISO 3200 with noise reduction turned on and turned off. The image is a bit underexposed.With the settings the same, that is pixel size = 3,872×2,592, program = automatic, shutter speed = 1/250 seconds, F8, 0EV/Hi1.0 (ISO 3200)/38mm and the noise reduction turned ON and OFF, it allows you to see differences and the effects the noise reduction has on the image. When viewing the full “uncropped” image, it’s actually quite good at the high ISO level.

Noise Reduction turned ON - Settings are the same as shown above

Noise Reduction turned OFF - Settings are the same as shown above

Below are two beautiful pictures of Korean models during a catwalk. The images were sourced from www.slrclub.com forum. These two pictures were taken with the Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, no flash, matrix metering, manual exposure, white balance at 3000K, AF-C, Hue -6 and at ISO 320.

Here is an interesting picture of a white Nikon lens on a pre-production Nikon D200. Some say its a limited edition lens that cost a few hundred dollars more than the black model. Some say its because you can mix in with the Canon crowd. Others say the white colour has a purpose and that is, to reflect heat during outdoor shots.

You see, Nikon lenses contains fluoride and heat from the sun gets abosrbed more readily in black models causing abberations. That is why high-end refractor telescope tubes with flourite lenses have white tubes.

One thing for sure, I love the lens and I definately would not leave the camera and the lens on the ground!

There are numerous talks about the quality of noise on the Nikon D200 at the high ISO end of the range and whether it will match the low noise level of the Canon 20D or even the Canon 5D. With a few pictures circulating around, the high ISO at 3200 taken at the Sinjuku Nikon Center using the Nikon D200 seems impressive. The only problem is the camera has not been released yet.

The Canon 5D on the otherhand has been released and is already out in the market. Below are images taken using the Canon 5D at the high ISO 3200 range using a 17-40L @ 17mm lens at f4. 1/13 second. The picture used for the test was shot in RAW and converted using Canon DPP… resized to fit.

Below is a pictures of the Canon 5D shot at ISO 3200 and for all purposes it seems very impressive as well. Judge for yourself.

The picture is unprocessed and further below are 7 pictures of the same image shown above at 100% crop.

Crop 1: Canon 5D - ISO 3200

Crop 2: Canon 5D - ISO 3200

Crop 3: Canon 5D - ISO 3200

Crop 4: Canon 5D - ISO 3200

Crop 5: Canon 5D - ISO 3200

Crop 6: Canon 5D - ISO 3200

Crop 7: Canon 5D - ISO 3200

Below are more great pictures from the Sinjuku Nikon Center using the Nikon D200 that ranges from ISO 100 to a whooping 3200!. To my eyes, the images from ISO 100 to 400 looks perfect. Great sharpness, good colors and also almost zero noise level even at ISO 400. At ISO 800 its not bad either.

As you move into the higher iso images, it looks like Nikon really hit the nail on the head with the Hi-iso noise performance on this camera. At ISO 3200, it has a very impressive lack of chroma noise, the details remains fairly sharp, no blotchiness or clumping. Although it is a bit grainy, it is usable.

Nikon D200 + AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor ED 18-200mm F3.5-5.6G + (0.7 ISO 100/exposure correction + EV:1/10sec) Click here for larger picture

Nikon D200 + AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor ED 18-200mm F3.5-5.6G + (0.7 ISO 200/exposure correction + EV:1/15sec) Click here for larger picture

Nikon D200 + AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor ED 18-200mm F3.5-5.6G + (0.7 ISO 400/exposure correction + EV:1/45sec) Click here for larger picture

Nikon D200 + AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor ED 18-200mm F3.5-5.6G + (0.7 ISO 800/exposure correction + EV:1/80sec) Click here for larger picture

Nikon D200 + AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor ED 18-200mm F3.5-5.6G + (0.7 ISO 1600/exposure correction + EV:1/100sec) Click here for larger picture

Nikon D200 + AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor ED 18-200mm F3.5-5.6G + (0.7 ISO 3200 corresponding/exposure correction + EV:1/180sec) Click here for larger picture