Nikon D3x vs Nikon D3 on Noise

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but a bit ago, PBase put up a quick comparison between the Nikon D3x noise and the D3’s noise.

Apparently, the D3 is the low-noise Emperor while the D3x does a respectable job, especially given its megapixel count.

From quickly looking at the shots from the D3x, you produce (what looks to me) like a much sharper shot at a NR setting of “Low” than you’d get without any NR. But that might just be their setup.

Canon 5D MarkII vs Nikon D700

Photography Bay has a really quick noise comparison between the Nikon D700 and the Canon 5D Mark II.

No huge surprise, the Nikon does better all around in my view, but this is clearly meant as a cheeseball comparison.

(Hat-tip to Leonardo)

Nikon D3x Noise / Sample Shots / Review

Imaging Resources has some great test shots with the Nikon D3x here.

Lots of difference shutter / aperture combo’s, include standard color charts, etc, gray background this time instead of blue.

ISO 3200 on the D3x in these shots (for example) still looks like a “only when required’ setup and I’m sure it’s meant to be- who’s shooting a high-res camera meant for the studio at 3200? Even the landscape guys don’t need to go that high (I’m thinking).

3200 seems like ~800 on the d2x and something closer to 6400 on the D3 (I rarely shoot that high, I’m likely wrong on this guess)?

Nikon D3x Noise / Sample Shots / Review

iZyz has some still-life studio shots of a doll at all of the Nikon D3x’s ISO speeds.

No noise reduction claimed, no post.

Impressions- without NR, you won’t want to go above 200 iso if you don’t have to. Expose to the right. 3200 iso is only if you can’t get the shop any other way- but you’d be silly to use the D3x at 3200- that’s what the D3’s for.