Nikon D200

Nikon D70

These images were shot with same lens at same aperture focused identically. Both were resampled to the same pixel dimensions to yield a 11x17 image at 240ppi. The images were cropped and the small crops are shown here at 100% image size ( 1 image pixel for each screen pixel) and both were sharpened with CS2 Pro identically. // Notice the smoothness of the midtones with the D200 - the D70 image has a greater degree of upsampling to match the size of the D200 image and this may have created these midtone artifacts. The sharpening appears to have worked more smoothly on the D200 image- notice the odd edge effects on the D70 image. Scroll down to see the next test that puts this theory to the test. This particular test is useful, though, for predicting the results when making prints in the size vicinity of 11"x17". BACK TO D200 VS. D70 TEST #2 This version downsamples the D200 image to match the filesize of the D70 image - then both images were sharpened equally with UnSharp Mask and cropped to display a small section of the full image. Notice that the D70 image still shows a slightly mottled appearance in the midtones. Both images started life as NEF rawfiles.

D200

D70

TEST #3 Here the RawFile processor was adjusted so that Sharpening and Luminance Smoothing were turned OFF because I didn't want the images to be processed differently because of their different file sizes. They were sharpened equally in CS2 Pro. The D200 image was downsampled initially to match the file size of the D70 image. Notice the remarkable match between the two images. The lesson - watch out for the RawFile plugin - it may be adding junk to your image. Lesson 2: The D70 and D200 yield virtually identical image quality for a print size around 8x10. The next test will be to see if how much difference there is at larger sizes with the RawProcessing turned off and using Stair Interpolation to upsample the D70 file.

D200

D70

To go to Test# 4 click HERE BACK TO D200 VS. D70