Nikon D3x vs Nikon D3: Image Quality Comparison

How much of a real world difference does 24 megapixels make over 12 megapixels? For the curious, a somewhat extensive comparison has been done here at www.fotographie.fr.

A few things are pretty interesting. First the D3X obviously is bringing home the detail, but it is also doing at surprisingly high ISO. While they’ve run some noise reduction in NX, the D3x samples are still have more detail than the D3. Second, default processing in camera shows the D3 to be a bit more contrasty than the D3x, though really nothing major. What did the tester think?

Noise: based on this samples D3x is doing extremely well in relation to noise, even @ very high iso, very close or equal to D3 with more detail remaining, which is an incredible achievement by the Nikon engineering team. According to Chasseur d’Images, the stunning microcontrast, the enormous detail rendering and the outstanding performance @ high iso of a camera with a quite high pixel density like D3X is the result of revolutionary low pass filter design.

-Stany Buyle

Of course this is all for moot if you aren’t planning on printing bigger than 4×6″, so before rushing out to get that 24 megapixel camera, it’s time for a little honesty about your output intentions.

Get the comparison here.

Continue the Discussion

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1. 

   Ryan Holloway says:

   January 5, 2009 at 9:50 am

   Thanks for the link, Nikon’s looking good.

   Ryan

   http://www.ryanhollowayphotography.com

   reply
2. 

   Patrick says:

   January 5, 2009 at 6:03 pm

   Ryan,
   You’re welcome, thanks for stopping by

   reply
3. 

   TJ says:

   January 15, 2009 at 7:43 am

   Re: “Of course this is all for moot if you aren’t planning on printing bigger than 4×6″”

   I would think that no one paying the D3 or D3x premium is doing so to shoot vacation pictures lol. Seriously, anyone buying either of these cameras are likely printing at the 5×7 and/or the 8×10 level with regularity. Personally I can print up to 13×19 (and sometimes do) with files shot using my D3, without a problem, so I don’t see much need–for myself anyway–for twice the resolution, particularly when it only yields a little bit more detail. And having reviewed some comparisons between images shot with both cameras my feeling is that the detail gain is really small and the gradient quality not quite as good with the D3x. So, yes, consider what size you want to shoot at (though, even the D3 will enable you to make large prints, loaded with detail), but also consider what you’re shooting. Fashion photography definitely would benefit from D3x resolution. Just about anything else….D3 will treat you right. The D3x’s resolution will also help you to crop more aggressively but ask yourself whether that’s worth the extra 3 grand.
   Good luck!
   TJ

   reply
4. 

   Patrick says:

   January 16, 2009 at 1:49 pm

   I said 4×6 sarcastically of course, but as you said if you need the resolution of theD3x for prints etc, ( and you know who you are), then by all means get the D3x, if not the D3, or smarter still (wallet wise) the D700 will more than suit your needs.

   I have to say though that pulling 2 pictures out of one on the 5D2 can be quite cool.

   reply