Nice comparisons.
It's amazing to compare the difference between the results that the typical DSLR can offer when outputting
an image as a high quality jpeg file, and then running that resulting jpeg image through DXO for reprocessing.
I have not upgraded my DSLR or lenses in the last 5 years (a Canon 20D with Canon 17-40L, 70-200L, 10-22,
Tamron 28-75, ). 3 years ago I started shooting 100% in RAW format and processed with DXO
and noticed an immediate increase in detail and sharpness with these lenses. Reprocessing jpeg images
with DXO can also make a big difference in quality though not starting with RAW files removes a lot of
potential quality that can never be recovered when starting from original jpeg images.
I recently took a lot of pictures at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and was reviewing the resulting jpegs
after DXO had processed from the RAW originals. Everything sharp and proper. I started looking at Arboretum
pictures I had taken in 2005 with the same camera and lenses but before DXO and when I just let the 20D
process to the highest quality jpegs available. The pictures were not very sharp, the contrast was constricted,
and the overall images were blah. I ran these jpegs through DXO and just set the DXO Lighting to "medium".
The resulting jpegs were much sharper and the lighting and contrast were much improved so that there was
no longer the glaring difference between the RAW processed photos and the older ones originally taken as jpegs
with the Canon in-camera processing. It's as if a veil has been lifted from the photos.