Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: Josh-H on October 11, 2012, 06:39:37 pm

Title: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: Josh-H on October 11, 2012, 06:39:37 pm
Interesting.. (http://www.canonrumors.com/2012/10/canon-eos-1d-x-dxomark-sensor-scores/)

The 'rumoured' numbers form above link

DxO score: 90
DR: 12.8
Color depth: 24.9 bits
ISO: 3296

Do what you will with these numbers. They do show that the 1D X has the “best” technical numbers as far as sensor testing goes. This puts the 1D X above the Nikon D4, but below the D600 & D800. I know people love to debate the numbers from DXOMark.
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: Paul2660 on October 11, 2012, 07:33:35 pm
Funny they still have not updated their site.  I had wondered why it was taking so long to get the 1Dx updated from "preview" to "tested"  It will be a good thing for Canon if the score hits 90. 

Paul
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: allegretto on October 11, 2012, 08:34:12 pm
Not the only ones rating sensors;

http://home.comcast.net/~NikonD70/Charts/PDR.htm

BTW, your numbers appear almost the same as the D4

The above link thinks the DR is less at low ISO

Good thing we shoot pics with cameras and not reviews however.
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: Ellis Vener on October 11, 2012, 08:38:27 pm
I don't know about the technical numbers but the EOS-1D X is my favorite current camera to shoot with. My reasons for this go beyond the numbers and extend to how they have rethought the control layout. The one thing I do not like about it is that it is hard to see into the corners of the frame - eye relief.

As 24x36mm format DSLRs are concerned, the D800 can't be beat for sheer  technical considerations image quality but technical camera qualities are far from the end all and be all of what I look for in a camera. If you primarily shoot landscapes, still lifes, or set up portraits then the things that the D800 excels at come to the forefront. but as a "put on my shoulder and walk around camera" I really am quite fond of the 1D X.
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: BernardLanguillier on October 11, 2012, 08:57:18 pm
At least we now all seem to agree that the DxO numbers are relevant to assess the image quality of cameras.  ;)

I hope it stays the case even if these rumored numbers end up not being true.  ;D

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on October 11, 2012, 09:14:33 pm
... but as a "put on my shoulder and walk around camera" I really am quite fond of the 1D X.

You must be from the City of Big Shoulders* then?  ;)


* Chicago
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: RFPhotography on October 11, 2012, 10:40:31 pm
DxO is so far behind in their testing the next generation of cameras is nearly out before they get the current generation tested.  They shut down for a number of weeks this summer to 'rejig' their operation.  Now, rather than spend time catching up on the backlog they've announced that they're beginning to test mobile devices.  Losing relevance may be the operative phrase for DxO before long.
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: allegretto on October 11, 2012, 11:16:36 pm
You must be from the City of Big Shoulders* then?  ;)


* Chicago

you're getting soft Buddy. You need to hit the gym...   ;)
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: Glenn NK on October 11, 2012, 11:42:42 pm
Once upon a time in a forum I forget the name of, someone published a chart showing black frame noise for my first DSLR - a Canon 30D.

It seemed that the ISO values with the lowest noise were multiples of 160 (320, 640) - which I've been using.

This latest (comcast) reference indicates that these same ISO values may be the best in terms of DR for some Canon bodies.

Glenn
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: MrSmith on October 12, 2012, 04:27:49 am
I found that in the real world i got better looking files using those iOS multiples but the scientists and mathmaticians on here disagree.
I'm happy with my ignorance though, puts food on the table and clients happy but then I use a dynamically challenged inferior sensor, don't use the +exposure slider that much or shoot test charts. ;D
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: KevinA on October 12, 2012, 06:08:19 am
I don't know about the technical numbers but the EOS-1D X is my favorite current camera to shoot with. My reasons for this go beyond the numbers and extend to how they have rethought the control layout. The one thing I do not like about it is that it is hard to see into the corners of the frame - eye relief.

As 24x36mm format DSLRs are concerned, the D800 can't be beat for sheer  technical considerations image quality but technical camera qualities are far from the end all and be all of what I look for in a camera. If you primarily shoot landscapes, still lifes, or set up portraits then the things that the D800 excels at come to the forefront. but as a "put on my shoulder and walk around camera" I really am quite fond of the 1D X.
The D800 lacks any kind of image quality for me because my lenses don't fit on it.
I've never been on DXO site, I have no interest in lab rat numbers.
A camera has to work for me with what I shoot and how I do it. No doubt the figures will contradict me but I think the X has far more shadow depth than the 1DsIII I had. I also think there is more in the colours. The AA filter is very weak. Right now easily the best all round camera I've ever had. 12 fps great for doing panos in a spot turning helicopter.
I'm liking it more and more. The 1DsIII was a disappointment from the start, getting it to focus was a challenge sometimes and I never felt the DR was very good and I could hit the buffer too easily when shooting a sequence. The X's high iso is a revelation, I've not used it in anger but I tried 12,800 in a dimly evenly lit room and it was very good. The real test for high iso is in scenes with uneven lighting, that bit between detail and black is what decides it for me in the shooting conditions I need high iso. And it upscales very nicely, I think the weak AA helps with upscaling.
Great camera the X.
It's all X files for me these days, no mystery as to why.

Kevin.
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: Glenn NK on October 12, 2012, 08:32:16 pm
The D800 lacks any kind of image quality for me because my lenses don't fit on it.

Kevin.

Danm, I have the same problem.  LMAO

Glenn
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: allegretto on October 12, 2012, 10:24:45 pm
you guys are too funny

in a previous life, as a young stud I was into audio equipment. There were basically two camps;

- folks who would spend nights endlessly looking at at "spec sheets" about THD, IMD, bandwidth and RMS and decide what was "best"

- and others who would sit down in a dimly lit room with some tunes (vinyl...!) and listen.

each thought the other Barbarians.... but both loved their Sound.

some things don't change.   8)
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: BernardLanguillier on November 01, 2012, 12:20:39 am
The real 1Dx DxO mark data is now available.

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors/Compare-cameras-side-by-side/(appareil1)/767%7C0/(brand)/Nikon/(appareil2)/753%7C0/(brand2)/Canon

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: Josh-H on November 01, 2012, 12:28:45 am
The real 1Dx DoX mark data is now available.

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors/Compare-cameras-side-by-side/(appareil1)/767%7C0/(brand)/Nikon/(appareil2)/753%7C0/(brand2)/Canon

Cheers,
Bernard


Was wondering how long it would take you to get that online.
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: BernardLanguillier on November 01, 2012, 12:39:20 am
Was wondering how long it would take you to get that online.

You mean... you already knew the info you had posted was fake?  ;D

But it doesn't change anything about the relevance of DxO mark results, right? ;)

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: Josh-H on November 01, 2012, 12:43:15 am
You mean... you already knew the info you had posted was fake?

But it doesn't change anything about the relevance of DxO mark results, right? ;)

Cheers,
Bernard


Dont be obtuse. I new it was a 'rumour' and there is an important distinction.

Relevance of DxO results... I'm not touching that one....

Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: kers on November 01, 2012, 07:35:45 am
The real 1Dx DxO mark data is now available.

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors/Compare-cameras-side-by-side/(appareil1)/767%7C0/(brand)/Nikon/(appareil2)/753%7C0/(brand2)/Canon

Cheers,
Bernard


well its not a fair test: the nikon was tested with the lens cap on ;)
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: hjulenissen on November 01, 2012, 07:42:38 am
in a previous life, as a young stud I was into audio equipment. There were basically two camps;

- folks who would spend nights endlessly looking at at "spec sheets" about THD, IMD, bandwidth and RMS and decide what was "best"

- and others who would sit down in a dimly lit room with some tunes (vinyl...!) and listen.

each thought the other Barbarians.... but both loved their Sound.
There is a third "camp": those who love the subjective, sensualist art and magic of sound and music, but who believe that in order to make choices based on subjective impressions ("should I purchase this $1000 cable?"), you need to use controlled experiments (i.e. blind testing) in order to eliminate human bias.

-h
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: hjulenissen on November 01, 2012, 07:44:54 am
Once upon a time in a forum I forget the name of, someone published a chart showing black frame noise for my first DSLR - a Canon 30D.

It seemed that the ISO values with the lowest noise were multiples of 160 (320, 640) - which I've been using.

This latest (comcast) reference indicates that these same ISO values may be the best in terms of DR for some Canon bodies.
That is strange. I have the impression that Canon cameras tend to have the best DR at iso100, 200,... ISO 160 may have different noise figures or different signal levels, but since all that is apparently done (?) is a digital amplification, you need to check noise and signal at the same time?

-h
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: BernardLanguillier on November 01, 2012, 08:05:03 am
in a previous life, as a young stud I was into audio equipment. There were basically two camps;

- folks who would spend nights endlessly looking at at "spec sheets" about THD, IMD, bandwidth and RMS and decide what was "best"

- and others who would sit down in a dimly lit room with some tunes (vinyl...!) and listen.

You may know a Swiss company called Weiss? They design and manufacture high end stuff, in particular DACs.

Mr. Weiss is a brilliant engineer and he prides himself of not using at all subjective listening sessions when designing his equipment. His view is that there is no value in doing so, engineering data is all we need since good sound can be perfectly characterized using a set of well known metrics. Predictably, his equipment is repeatedly some of the best sounding at any price.

The value of subjectivity is, simply put, marketing BS used by those unable to design equipment that measures well.

The same does apply to cameras and sensors. Beyond romantic beliefs there is no need to look beyond data, they correlate very well with the technical quality of the images coming out of the sensor. There is no magic.

36/39mp MFDB back owners used to tell us how superior the real DR of their sensor was compared to those of DSLRs (they were mostly using 5DII as base for comparison) and they were using this argument to proof that DxO data was not well correlated with actual photographic value. Now that these backs have become cheaper more people do compare them to the latest DSLR... and what do they report? That the DxO data is in fact perfectly well correlated with what they see in their files.

Now, does that relate to better images? Not the least bit.  :D

It also doesn't mean that the camera with the best DxO figures is the one that is going to satisfy a particular photographer's needs the best. There is a lot more than pure image quality and there are many people who prefer the warm sound of tube amplifiers. They can get along with engineers just fine as long as they don't claim their gear has qualities it doesn't have. ;)

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: KevinA on November 01, 2012, 11:21:26 am
You may know a Swiss company called Weiss? They design and manufacture high end stuff, in particular DACs.

Mr. Weiss is a brilliant engineer and he prides himself of not using at all subjective listening sessions when designing his equipment. His view is that there is no value in doing so, engineering data is all we need since good sound can be perfectly characterized using a set of well known metrics. Predictably, his equipment is repeatedly some of the best sounding at any price.

The value of subjectivity is, simply put, marketing BS used by those unable to design equipment that measures well.

The same does apply to cameras and sensors. Beyond romantic beliefs there is no need to look beyond data, they correlate very well with the technical quality of the images coming out of the sensor. There is no magic.

36/39mp MFDB back owners used to tell us how superior the real DR of their sensor was compared to those of DSLRs (they were mostly using 5DII as base for comparison) and they were using this argument to proof that DxO data was not well correlated with actual photographic value. Now that these backs have become cheaper more people do compare them to the latest DSLR... and what do they report? That the DxO data is in fact perfectly well correlated with what they see in their files.

Now, does that relate to better images? Not the least bit.  :D

It also doesn't mean that the camera with the best DxO figures is the one that is going to satisfy a particular photographer's needs the best. There is a lot more than pure image quality and there are many people who prefer the warm sound of tube amplifiers. They can get along with engineers just fine as long as they don't claim their gear has qualities it doesn't have. ;)

Cheers,
Bernard


The trouble is with DXO testing and most testing people do themselves is they try to remove all the variables and to do that you end up shooting in a manor few people that choose 35mm style systems shoot in.
Not much point testing on a tripod if you shoot handheld, or using a prime if you shoot mostly with a zoom etc.I was told that DXO rate the 1DsIII as higher DR at low iso than the X. I can assure as a 1DsIII owner for years and a X owner  for a few weeks, they are very wide of the mark. The X has bags more DR, shadows go very deep and hold together nicely, not the case with DsIII. Knowing this first hand, I can't take anything DXO says very seriously.
As for audio equipment, I just bought a windup gramophone off ebay and a bunch of 78's, I won't replace my Naim with it, but it has it's own set of charms and I've not seen anyone yet that hasn't listened to it with a grin on their face and enjoyed every pop and crack. Boy is it loud.
I have zero interest in DXO's findings, if they test it at night with a 24mm TS hanging out of a helicopter I might pay some attention, until then it's food for the lab rats only.

Kevin.
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: Sheldon N on November 01, 2012, 11:34:13 am
In case anyone cares to see what the 1DX looks like against the top DXO camera for dynamic range (D800E) and against the top DXO camera for high ISO, here is a set of comparison images.

This is a little test that I did a month or two ago with a couple friend's cameras and my 1DX. Canon 1DX (Canon's best) vs the D800E (best DR, best overall) vs the D3S (best high ISO).  First up are full frame images then a 100% crop comparison.  All tripod mounted, live view focused, identical exposure settings, shot in RAW, processed in LR 4.2, all sharpening and luminance NR set to zero. Color NR set at 30.

First pairing is 1D X and D3S at ISO 25,600. Second pairing is the 1D X and D800E shot with underexposed foreground then with +3 exposure added in LR.


1DX ISO 25k full frame
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/sheldonnalos/1DX_0868.jpg)

D3S ISO 25k full frame
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/sheldonnalos/_D3S3283.jpg)

1DX ISO 100, 3 stop push full frame
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/sheldonnalos/1DX_0855.jpg)

D800E ISO 100, 3 stop push full frame
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/sheldonnalos/_DSC0684.jpg)

100 Percent Crops of above
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/sheldonnalos/Untitled-1-13.jpg)


I think for me the takeaway is that the image quality performance of all these cameras has crossed the point where they can all capture excellent images and the differences in the high end DXO sensor scores are less important. Given that, my preference leans towards the camera that is most capable for getting the shot in the heat of the moment, and the 1D X is darn good at that. If you need to get the shot, at the decisive moment, in focus, with accurate WB/color/exposure, the 1DX is pretty much the best game in town.
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: jeremypayne on November 01, 2012, 11:41:01 am
I have zero interest in DXO's findings

You seem to have a tremendous amount of interest in expressing your lack of interest.

Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: Bart_van_der_Wolf on November 01, 2012, 12:07:34 pm
The trouble is with DXO testing and most testing people do themselves is they try to remove all the variables and to do that you end up shooting in a manor few people that choose 35mm style systems shoot in.

Sorry Kevin, but that doesn't make sense, to me anyway. A robust testing method tries to isolate meaningful parameters from the system that is being tested. Otherwise one is not testing the parameter under investigation, or the test cannot be repeated by others unless all the other additional influentials were exactly the same. Therefore a relevant test can only be done by eliminating as many distractions/pollutions from pure data as possible and meaningful (it wouldn't make sense to eliminate factors that do not influence the outcome to a meaningful degree).

You are correct that a test does not necessarily equal real life shooting scenarios. But that's where the robust testing pays of. When the practical use gives different results than can be expected from the analytical test, then apparently there were new factors that influenced those results. Without the robust testing that would not have been possible to conclude. One can now concentrate on identifying those new factors that had such an influence, and perhaps identify a flaw in shooting technique (e.g. not using proper ETTR, or using such a low shutterspeed that mirror slap becomes an issue).

Quote
Not much point testing on a tripod if you shoot handheld,

Only if you don't want to identify whether your handheld technique is insufficient and you should have used either a faster shutterspeed, or spent some more money on an Image Stabilized version of the lens, or perhaps have used a different way of holding the camera/lens combination, or use less coffee.

Quote
I was told that DXO rate the 1DsIII as higher DR at low iso than the X. I can assure as a 1DsIII owner for years and a X owner  for a few weeks, they are very wide of the mark. The X has bags more DR, shadows go very deep and hold together nicely, not the case with DsIII. Knowing this first hand, I can't take anything DXO says very seriously.

That's what you get when you draw (the wrong) conclusions based on hearsay. The DxOmark dynamic range figures (http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors/Compare-cameras-side-by-side/(appareil1)/753%7C0/(brand)/Canon/(appareil2)/436%7C0/(brand2)/Canon) (dynamic range tab, screen version) say that the 1DX has better dynamic range than the 1Ds3 at all ISOs above 100, which probably confirms what you are experiencing, unless you underexpose which will show that the 1DX has better SNR at 18% at all ISO's. The SNR 18% metric may be a more relevant parameter for your use anyway.

Cheers,
Bart
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: RFPhotography on November 01, 2012, 12:34:56 pm
There was an article in Digital Photo Pro (http://www.digitalphotopro.com/gear/cameras/the-truth-about-digital-iso.html) about this very thing. 
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: risedal on January 30, 2013, 09:45:22 am
DXO shows that the Nikon cameras is much better at base iso and DR. 14 stops compared to 11-11,5 stops in Canon
Take a shoot with 1dx and d800 and expose after the high light and then compare the results in the shadows , and lift now the shadows so it visual suits you. The Canons is noisy and also shows banding in the lowest levels compare to Nikon.
Canon 1DX has 14 times higher read out noise than D800 at base iso.
This means that you have a freedom to expose the D800 regarding a contrasty motive, summer day half the street in sun, half the street in shadows.
Expose after the high lights= no clipping and then adjust the motive in the other areas with for example curves tools, or select a area and make adjustments in the selected area.
Second, you can easily make a HDR picture, Expose after high light= no clipping , develop two copies in your raw converter , one after the high lights and one after shadows/middle tones and put them together, no need of tripod, you make one exposure, you can take moving subjects

Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: risedal on January 30, 2013, 10:09:31 am
This is 1DX and D800 same exposure time F-stop and base iso, the motive are very contrasty from high lights down to shadows
I have then with same procedure lifted the lower levels to show the difference between Sonys/nikons  sensor and Canons
The high read out noise in Canon , pattern noise banding compare to Nikons reproduction of  the same lower levels. click on the image
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: risedal on January 30, 2013, 10:30:26 am
This is another example with D800 and one of mine 5dmk2
same exposure time/f-stop ,base iso
The motive exposed after high light  to avoid to much clipping in the sky and then the two rawfiles are hanled exactley the same regarding the lower levels/shadows. Large DR  and clean lower levels means that I can even more under exposure a contrasty motive, maintain the high lights and adjust the other parts in the motive, as lifting the lower levels
It not only the DR  who are inferior in Canon because of the high read out noise , the Canon cameras has  also problem with pattern noise and banding, how much depends on chosen camera model, the 6d has less pattern noise banding then for example 5dmk3 5dmk3
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: BernardLanguillier on January 31, 2013, 12:00:24 am
This is another example with D800 and one of mine 5dmk2
same exposure time/f-stop ,base iso

The D800 seems to also handle the transition around the sun a bit better.

Anyway, the truth here is that the D800 is the first DSLR that can be deliver results similar to those once available with negative film.

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: ErikKaffehr on January 31, 2013, 01:02:00 am
Hi,

Thanks for interesting demo!

Could you post the raw files, please. Would be interesting to see them in "raw digger".

Best regards
Erik

This is another example with D800 and one of mine 5dmk2
same exposure time/f-stop ,base iso
The motive exposed after high light  to avoid to much clipping in the sky and then the two rawfiles are hanled exactley the same regarding the lower levels/shadows. Large DR  and clean lower levels means that I can even more under exposure a contrasty motive, maintain the high lights and adjust the other parts in the motive, as lifting the lower levels
It not only the DR  who are inferior in Canon because of the high read out noise , the Canon cameras has  also problem with pattern noise and banding, how much depends on chosen camera model, the 6d has less pattern noise banding then for example 5dmk3 5dmk3
Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: DaveCurtis on January 31, 2013, 02:35:41 am
It will be interesting to see if and when Canon brings  their rumored new fab process online.

Us Canon shooter want wait for ever!

Title: Re: Canon EOS1DX DXO Sensor Scores
Post by: risedal on January 31, 2013, 12:45:13 pm
Hi,

Thanks for interesting demo!

Could you post the raw files, please. Would be interesting to see them in "raw digger".

Best regards
Erik


I will try to look them up, they are from last summer.

This is  a 3 years old comparison between one of my 5dmk2 and  a D7000, and some more cameras. Same here, the motive exposed after the high light , same exposure time/f-stop  from the cameras and  digging down in the lower levels.
PS this is the first time all have been answering me in a polite way when I'm showing above results. Many have been screaming about "it is not a proper exposure etc" by that they mean that a Canon must be exposed richer, longer  etc etc than the Nikon.
Anyway here is a old comparison regarding pattern noise/banding and signal/noise in the lowest levels from two SLR cameras identical exposed, one APS sensor size  and my 5dmk2  https://picasaweb.google.com/106266083120070292876/DR5dmk2VsD7000