I have also been looking at the S5, but keep in mind it is not a true 12Mp
camera. It is only 6.1Mp. The 12Mp is an interpolated image.
There are 12 million photoreceptors, but each site combines two of them to
create one pixel (one S-pixel and one R-pixel).
Similar to the S3 Pro,
<from DPReview: S3 Pro>
The S3 Pro utilizes Fujifilm's "extended dynamic range" SuperCCD SR sensor
which features two photodiodes at each photosite (a single 'input pixel').
The 'S' pixel has normal sensitivity and captures the same range of light as
a conventional CCD photosite, the 'R' pixel is smaller and has a lower
sensitivity and is designed to capture detail above the saturation point of
the 'S' pixel, the camera can then combine the information from the 'S' and
'R' pixels to produce an extended dynamic range and avoid the loss of detail
due to over-exposure.
</DPReview>
Read more about the SuperCCD SR sensor here:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0301/03012202fujisuperccdsr.asp
This is how it gets the extended dynamic range, by having the less-sensitive
R-pixel capture more details in the highlights.
So, while there are 12.3 million photodiodes, it is truly only a 6.1Mp
camera. The recorded image is then interpolated to 12Mp. Since there is so
much more information _per pixel_, the increase in quality is worth the
decrease in true pixels.
Just something to keep in mind if you're truly focused on the megapixel
race. Personally I agree, the S5 Pro would be a great upgrade, and am
looking to upgrade myself from a Canon 20D to the S5. Colour depth, dynamic
range, and tone are much more important to me at this point than megapixels.
As long as you're just doing it for the web, this sort of resolution with
any of the fisheye lenses we use today are more than adequate for
full-screen web delivery, and if you want higher resolution you can always
put a 15mm fisheye or regular wide-angle lens on it.
John
http://housser.ca/
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Keith Martin [mailto:email@hidden]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 5:54 AM
> To: WPS; email@hidden
> Subject: Re: Camera Recommendations - Nikon D80 or D200 for VR's
>
> Sometime around 26/3/07 (at 17:26 -0700) WPS said:
>
> >I'm looking at fully upgrading my VR equipment and am trying to
> >choose between the Nikon D80 and D200 with the Nikkor 10.5mm lense
> >(and the 360Precision panohead).
>
> I've been going through more or less this precise question myself.
> I'm using a D70 with a Nikkor 10.5mm lens and 360Precision (now named
> 360Precision Absolute) pano head.
>
> Both the lens and 360P head are superb, and the D70 is a really nice
> camera to use... but I've been wanting a little more than the camera
> can deliver in terms of resolution. I was virtually convinced by the
> D200, but after some research and also discussion with someone who's
> opinion I rate pretty highly, I chose the Fujifilm S5 Pro.
>
> It took me a little while to come around to it so I'd better explain
> my reasons:
>
> The S5 Pro is essentially Fuji's technology built into the D200 body.
> Other than the Fuji-chipped battery it uses D200 peripherals, right
> through to the lenses. It has a slight edge in resolution, no chance
> of that occasional 'corduroy' effect appearing at certain settings**,
> better noise handling in high ISO settings, and - what sold it for me
> - it has an excellent dynamic range. And settings that mimic
> different film stock? Cake, meet icing!
>
> A professional photographer (who shoots panoramas as well) told me he
> rates the S5 Pro so highly that he's just sold his 6-month-old D200
> and uses the S5 Pro instead. And a MacUser reviewer who's opinion I
> rate gave it a definite thumbs-up for all the factors that matter to
> me - which are the ones above, primarily.
>
> The only downsides I've been able to figure out are relatively slow
> performance (max 3fps full-res into the buffer, multiple seconds to
> write a full buffer to card), although that doesn't bother me at all
> as I don't do lots of high-speed sequential shooting... and the fact
> that my CF cards will run out of room that much faster because of
> going from a 6mp camera to a 12mp one. Dang.
>
> However - I haven't yet bought one. Probably later today so I'll be
> set, practised and ready for the California trip in April. Watch this
> space!
>
> k
>
> ** (Google the words 'corduroy' and 'D200', although don't panic when
> you read the results. Personally, I'd never heard of it before
> finding these web sites.)
> _______________________________________________
> Do not post admin requests to the list. They will be ignored.
> QuickTime-VR mailing list (email@hidden)
> Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription:
> http://lists.apple.com/mailman/options/quicktime-vr/email@hidden
>
> This email sent to email@hidden
_______________________________________________
Do not post admin requests to the list. They will be ignored.
QuickTime-VR mailing list (email@hidden)
Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription:
http://lists.apple.com/mailman/options/quicktime-vr/email@hidden
This email sent to email@hidden
