Fight! GXR A12 28/2.5 vs. GF2 14/2.5 vs. DP1x 28/4

[odklizec]

Traditional Japanese source of many interesting previews, reviews and comparisons dc.watch.impress.co.jp has posted a very interesting comparison of GXR, GF2 and DP1x at 28mm. Although the article is in Japanese, it's worth to see...
http://translate.google.com/translate?j ... 21355.html

The comparison is somewhat unfair to DP1x but the part of the problem lies on Sigma who constantly tries to persuade journalists and customers that the DP1/2 Foveon sensor delivers 14MP files. dc.watch folks took them seriously and developed the DP1x RAW in Sigma photo pro with 14MP resolution. The result is, in my humble opinion, a clear disaster. I'm pretty sure that if the DP1x files would be developed with LR3 or Silkypix to just 10MP, the files would be perfectly on pair with GXR and GF2.

Another somewhat unfair point is that the GXR RAW files were developed with Photoshop CS5 while the GF2 files were developed with Silkypix (delivered with the camera) and DP1x with Sigma Photo Pro. This gave the GXR a very good advantage in low light test, where the GXR files look superb up to ISO3200. No matter how I like the Silkypix, latest ACR does outstanding color noise reduction work and detail extraction. Neither Silkypix nor Sigma Photo Pro are serious competitors here. On the other hand, I don't think that processing the GF2 files (and most probably DP1x files too) with Photoshop would make them comparable with GXR output. Ricoh engineers did a very good job in fine-tuning the Sony ASPC sensor for best signal to noise performance.

[andrewteee]

IME the Sigma RAW files should only be processed in SPP. I have never had good luck with PS or LR or any other program and X3F files. And there seems to be something wrong with focus or something on the DP1x files in that test. Frustrating camera, but files are consistently sharper for me than the GRX A12 files, unless there is camera shake.

But the GXR does come across impressively.

[CHICHORNIO]

My personal experiencie with the Sigma Dp2s it´s that the files, properly exposed at 50 ISO and using manual focus, deliver the most sharper and 3D-transparency film-look-files that I´ve ever seen in a compact package. I usually develop the X3F files in LR 3.3 and mostly I don´t have to to anything, just playing a little with color balance and contrast. Noise at 50 ISO it´s absent. I always leave the sharpenning step ONLY if I´m printing the file. Regarding the MP race, I don´t care if the X3F files are 4,7 or 15 MP files. My prints up to 60 x 80 cm look superb, amazing for a little us$ 600 camera.

[silvio]

I use SP-pro for the Sigma-Files. It is a lot better and much much more usable then the Sigma-Software.

[odklizec]

Andrew, I too (like Tim) found Silkypix Pro better for Sigma DP file. It's crazy, but it really delivers better results, especially for photos taken at ISO400 and higher.

As for unsharp DP1x results in this comparison, the problem really lies in the interpolation of 4.7MP or so DP1x files to the Sigma claimed 15MP. In other words, DP1/2 deliver superb results at their base resolution and on carefully upsized photo up to 12MP. But SPP upsize algorithm is hardly ideal and cannot really compete with native 15MP bayer cameras. Not even 12MP in my humble opinion. The diagonal jaggies are pretty evident and pretty awful. But yes, I agree that DP1/2 deliver superb images at their base resolution.

[kanzlr]

and, most importantly, print.

but the (sad) reality is, that 99% of all people nowadays produce photographs to post them on the web. They don't examine prints.

me? from the money my DSLR and Leica sale got me, I bought a colormunki an A3+ printer and a CIS *g*

[andrewteee]

Hmmm... I'll have to try Silkypix pro. Yet another processing app to manage But I just checked it out online and its Windows only. I'm a Mac guy

[CHICHORNIO]

I just checked it out online and its Windows only. I'm a Mac guy

I´m using SP 4.0 in Mac 10.5.8 You should be able to use SP Pro also.

[thelps]

Hmmm... I'll have to try Silkypix pro. Yet another processing app to manage But I just checked it out online and its Windows only. I'm a Mac guy

Hi Andrew, have a look here and you will find the Mac versions of Silkypix, the trial versions are full versions I believe and only need a purchased key to run beyond the 30 day trial. Mac and Win download here -- http://www.isl.co.jp/SILKYPIX/english/download.html

[deejjjaaaa]

Andrew, I too (like Tim) found Silkypix Pro better for Sigma DP file. It's crazy, but it really delivers better results, especially for photos taken at ISO400 and higher.

nothing crazy here, I personally also see that SilkyPix does better NR for high ISO foveon raw files (DP2 in my case) than ACR/LR... completely different story for bayer raws, there ACR/LR simply put SIlkyPix to the ground... so with .X3Fs I am almost always using SilkyPix, a less resolving demosaicking that SilkyPix uses does not matter for foveon by design.