Xing-A-Ling Speak

How does a 5D MKII stack up against the 2.5x more expensive Nikon D3x that was just announced?  Here, because the Nikon uses a Sony sensor that has very similar parameters to the one inside the Alpha A900, the technical comparisons will be based on the Sony sensor data available when it comes to the technical measurements of lines of resolution, noise level, etc.   Test data taken from various sites including Popphoto.com.  So here it is:

• Image Size
  • D3x – ~25 mpixels
  • 5D MKII – 21.1 mpixels
• Sensor Resolution at ISO 100
  • D3x – 3230  (Might be slightly higher as it has more pixels than the A900)
  • 5D MKII — 2850
• Noise level at ISO 6400 – lower is better
  • D3x – 3.2
  • 5D MKII — 2.0  (same as the D700/D3, but with twice the resolution)
• ISO range
  • D3x – ISO 100-25600  (if the Sony A900 is any indication, the boost modes are unusable)
  • 5D MKII – ISO 50-25600
• DxOMark Raw image quality – higher=better
  • D3x – 78.9 (likely lower due to higher density than A900)
  • 5D MKII – 79.0
• Color Accuracy - lower=better
  • D3x – 9.0  (can probably be lowered through in camera compensation)
  • 5D MKII – 6.2
• Focus System
  • D3x – 51 point 3D Matrix, reaction time 0.31sec
  • 5D MKII – 9 point + 6 assist, reaction time 0.5 sec
• Shooting Buffer
  • D3x - Varies depending on area of sensor used, on average faster than canon.
  • 5D MKII – 3.9fps, up to 76 frames in jpeg.
• Video Capability
  • D3x – None
  • 5D MKII – 1080p full resolution at 30fps.
• Flash Control
  • D3x – trigger for off camera Nikon flashes
  • 5D MKII – hotshoe/external trigger
• Ruggedness
  • D3x - full weather seal
  • 5D MKII – partial weather seal
• Storage
  • D3x - 2 CF slots
  • 5D MKII – 1 CF slot
• Price
  • D3x – $7999
  • 5D MKII – $2799

Clearly, the major assumption here is that Sony did not drastically improve the performance of the FF sensor for Nikon compare to the one for its own A900.  I feel this is the more likely assumption.

Furthermore, several of the characteristics were deems less important in my comparison.  Frame rate/buffer – neither of these cameras are designed for sports photography, and they have unnecessarily resolution for that market.  Flash Control – nifty feature, however, more precise lighting require better syncing mechnism.

So where are we at the end of this comparison?  the D3x has a better and faster focusing system and it is significantly more rugged than the 5D MKII.  On the other hand, the 5D MKII has significantly lower noise at higher ISO, more accurate color rendition, HD Video capabilities, and priced at 1/3rd of the D3x.

If you need absolute ruggedness and fast focusing system, i.e., photojournalists, the D3x is the way to go.  However, the question then becomes why would they chose the D3x over the D3?  In this case, the doubled resolution means little to the targeted market.  Furthermore, since the color accuracy seems lacking, D3x might alienate the fashion/fine arts photography market.

The 5D performs better in most of the important aspects, comes with additional useful features, and when combined with a significantly lower price then, is a significantly better value proposition for the majority of customers.

And after you vote, bring your “I voted” sticker to a Starbucks for a free cup of coffee or Ben and Jerry for a free cone.

My guess for the battle ground states:

For Obama:         Colorado, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Nevada (this will bite me)

For McCain:        Missouri, Florida, North Carolina (this might bite too), Indiana

Too close to guess:      Ohio (Obama if a gun is at my head)

Conclusion: Vote for Obama if you want to feel like a winner. 

I really ought to have found out more about that guy’s performance art piece before agreeing to be in it.  Nudity, fine.  Lobsters, fine.  But believe me, friend, nudity and lobsters is just asking for trouble.

I now see that biting that panda again to avenge my Henanese co-provincial was going too far.  For the record, neither he nor I had any business being in the panda enclosure at the zoo that drunk

To contrast himself against his “fellow conservative” during an NPR interview, Scalia said, “I’m an originalist and a textualist, not a nut.”

Is Thomas really crazy?

Adobe just announced an online version of their photoshop software today. It features some of the basic functionalities of Photoshop CS3, you can sign up for free HERE.

Looks like its geared toward basic touchups for the consumer market rather than professional photographers.  By signing up, you also get 2GB of free storage space online. After the failure of Adobe Stockphoto, is this Adobe’s new strategy into the photo hosting/selling business? The Adobe Gallery have options like displaying photos on the surface of a 3d cube or on a grid, but doesn’t sound like they have a public API ala Flickr.

Just saw this story on ESPN about Roger Federer having mononucleosis since before the Australian Open.

Mononucleosis cause severe fatigue in most people. For Federer to make it to the semi final of a grand slam while going through the viral infection, he is a tennis god. Kevin *hearts* Federer even more.

Patriotism is about supporting our elected officials. Even more importantly, we show our patriotism by voicing what we believe is right and wrong for the country when the elected officials forget their duty to serve this country as a whole.

Kudos to Brattleboro’s bravery.

This is completely simple and yet mind bogglingly cool.

With the possible acquisition of Yahoo by Microsoft increasingly likely as the institutional investors presses on. I am looking to move my photos elsewhere. There are a few requirements: good community features, support for full res photos, easy uploading, no network blocking (flickr is blocked by china and some other countries), reasonably priced storage cost.

I am not aware of too many alternatives, and each have its own limitations:

Zooomr — flickr on steroid, but its unstable, and with limited funding, its survivability is in question.
Picasa — nice editing tools and it handles raw files, but there are limited community features, and its pricing limit total storage, prevents me from using it as a backup storage.

Any suggestions would be great!