seoulman

How big is the picture quality difference between 12 bit processing (Nikon D90) and 14 bit processing (Canon 50D)? I've read in reviews that in 'real world' performance, there isn't a noticeable difference. Is this the case?

KnIgHtCoM

Awesome shots Ron. Are those all straight from the camera? Or did you tweak some RAW settings?

UUronL

Thanks! the first two have global and local adjustments, the rest are pretty close to as they were shot except for the one with the stairs and green door. That also has global and local adjustments.

UUronL

12 vs. 14 bit isn't that huge, but I have had issues with the Nikon RAW compression used on lower-end DSLRs. It would be interesting to see the quality of NEF compression these days. I have a Nikon D70 (older camera) that uses a "visually lossless" compression that cannot be turned off. In other words, RAW NEF capture is always lossy. I don't know for sure, but I think many of the consumer-level Nikon DSLRs make use of the same or similar compression technology.

When I did any serious Photoshop processing, the images would tend to fall apart - due more to the compression than anything else. If you're just snapping photos you'll never notice, but if you want to really do some manipulation, you could run some risk.

14 bit is just more added insurance for cases when you might have to do major manipulation to an image. It should hold up better.

seoulman

Thanks for the explanation Ron! I was searching through the internet on differences between cameras and ran across a very brief about 14 bit processing and 12 bit processing and wondered if it would be an issue. I don't do major surgery type manipulation on Photoshop, in fact I don't use Photoshop at all! I use Aperture 2.0~ But I do processing on the higher side of moderate.

C5driver

Good point. With State Farm, it's called a personal articles policy that piggybacks off your homeowners. If you didn't have this, the homeowners policy will cover your loss, even if your gear was stolen from the car. The problem is the deductible, which is generally high. The personal articles policy covers loss, theft, damage, anything. If my kit dropped in the ocean, it would be covered 100% at the replacement cost.

Cheap peace of mind.

C5driver

Nice captures! B&H has the 5DMkII with a 24-105 f/4L IS as a kit lens for only $800 more. Thanks for the nudge

seoulman

I'm more of a Canon fan than Nikon for digital, but the question I'm struggling with is, "Do I need the MP and speed of the 50D or is the D90 more than enough for my needs?" The spec greedy side of me is saying go for the 15 MP, 6.3 FPS continuous shooting, 16 shot RAW buffer, 14 bit processing and a few other tidbits aimed at the advanced amateur and pro (50D) VS 12 MP, 4.5 FPS, 9 shot RAW buffer, 12 bit processing and HD video targeting the intermediate to advanced amateur (D90)... I don't know what to make of the whole video thing on an SLR. It is a cool function to have, but I'm wondering how often I will use it. I would gladly give up the HD video recording for higher continuous FPS, larger buffer and 14 bit processing. Most of the photography I do can be broken down as follows:

Portraits (people, friends, family, events, still cars/motorcycles) - 50%
Sports/Action (motorsports, soccer, baseball, basketball) - 25%
Landscape (buildings, scenery) - 20%
Miscellaneous - 5%

Most of the pictures I take go through some level of post production (probably because I'm still an amateur) on Aperture 2.0 and a very few of my pictures are printed to about half poster size to frame and put on my wall.

This is what I thought of the 40D... Very fast! 6.5 FPS with 17 (?) shot RAW buffer, and 14 bit processing. I wish it had slightly less noise at higher ISOs, better focusing in low light, a bit higher MP and a better LCD screen. However, it still was an awesome camera.

The 50D addresses all the concerns of the 40D I had and retains all the speed and the 14 bit processing! However, so does the D90... except that the speed drops and it only has 12 bit processing. Hmmm.... so I'm still left with the question...

Do I need the MP and speed of the 50D or is the D90 more than enough for my needs?

seoulman

I know that Nikon still calls RAW files NEF, but I don't know if they still use the "visually lossless" compression that can't be turned off. Does this have anything to do with the sensor (the D90 has a new sensor that is similar to the D300) or does it have to do with the processor (Nikon is using their new Expeed processor)?

seoulman

Never realized that picking a DSLR could be so daunting! This whole balancing $$$$ with performance and requirements is stressful!