M8 files sharper than M9 files?

[eleskin]

I have been reading the results of some tests online, and it seems the M8 at 100% magnification, produces sharper photographs than the M9. This may be the price of having IR filter technology integrated with the sensor chip.

I find this very interesting, and it may not make the M8 a forgotten outdated camera. Indeed, the original decision to have no IR filter may still have benefits.

Those of you who have used the M8, and now have an M9, what can you tell us when comparing your files to the older M8?

How do your larger prints (17"x22") look with the M9 vs. the M8. Those of us contemplating buying the M9 are very interested in these questons, and $7k is very serious money, especially in these times.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Looking at digital camera files at 100 percent magnification is an exercise in frustration.

 

[Keith]

One day I'll understand why sharpness seems so important ... for now it escapes me though! 😕

 

[Pickett Wilson]

I've been shooting digital for a decade now and the appearance of files from modern digital cameras at 100 percent on a monitor says little about how the files actually look printed. Too many variables. ISO 400 files at 100 percent from a Canon 50D look noisy as hell, but I can't see the noise in 13"x19" prints.

 

[majid]

That's not too surprising - the finder the sensor, the more revealing it is of a lens' flaws. Smaller sensors also have more diffraction than larger ones.

 

[D&A]

Hi All,

In my opinion and with long time experience in printing large format digital prints, I personally believe there is both ligitimate reasons to exmine files at 100% but on the other hand, their relavancy to large scale printing "may" or "may not" have a direct coorilation. Too many factors to consider to make a blaket statement.

Getting back onto topic, it's always an interest to see what differences are observed with prints from similar files eminanting the M8 and M9, especially when printed at a minimum of 13x19 and even larger!

Dave (D&A)

 

[Bugleone]

See Erwin Puts comparison here;

http://www.imx.nl/photo/leica/camera/page158/page158.html

 

[ulrikft]

As ususal, comparing a lower megapixel sensor with a higher one at 100% gimps the higher megapixel sensor. I blame dpreview for the 100% comparison craze.