Anyone have any idea what the R-D1 dynamic range is like?

[Garfink]

Does any one know if there have been any objective comparisons with other cameras of the R-D1's dynamic range. Say at iso 100-800. I heard that the R-D1's sensor is similar to the sensor of the 2003 Nikon D100, but that camera is so old that I can't find any tests or detail reviews of it.

Anyone here in the know? Is the R-D1's dynamic range comparable to the M8? E-P1?

 

[nobbylon]

as far as i'm aware it's the same sensor as the D70
try here http://www.dxomark.com/

CORRECTION,
I always thought it was but I just found this so seems you are correct, D100
http://www.richcutler.co.uk/r-d1/r-d1_14.htm

 

[Ezzie]

Googling the DPreview forums would suggest that user´s own tests are in agreement that 6,5 to 7 stops is a safe bet for the D100. These a rather conservative estimates, depending on the noise floor you are willing to accept. These figures can´t be directly transfered to the R-D1, as different image processing will have an effect, but gives you an idea of what to expect.

 

[Bugleone]

The sensor is a 6mp Sony item that was also used in quite a few DSLR's,...the Minolta 7D & 5D,....Nikon D70 and D50,..and, Pentax Ist (3 models?) K100D & K110D, to name but a few.

However, my experiences with Nikon D70 and Pentax K100D suggest that the sensor behaves differently according to the way it is set up and also the particular electronics used, so you will probably need someone to examine the dynamic range as used in R-D1 to get the full low down.

 

[Ezzie]

Also, the D100 figures were at 100 ISO. The R-D1 being its best at ISO 200 would make things slightly worse.

 

[Sam N]

I was under the impression that the "base" ISO for that sensor was ISO200, so DR should be best at ISO200. The R-D1 doesn't even offer an ISO100 setting. Some cameras actually have worse DR at low ISOs like 50 or 100 because they're essentially overexposing and then lowering the exposure in-camera.

I haven't done any calculations and the R-D1 is the only CCD large-sensor camera I've used extensively (others have been Canon CMOS) but it seems to have excellent dynamic range. I've consistently been impressed by what I can pull out of the R-D1's RAW files. There is some color cast if you pull back highlights too far, but generally I haven't had any real issues with the camera's DR.

 

[bellyface]

the D100/D70/D50 base iso is 200

 

[Ezzie]

Sorry, I stand corrected, the base ISO is 200. And yes, you are probably right about noise being more intrusive also if you operate outside the calibrated ISO range at the lower end. Pushing and pulling the chip outside it's intended operational band. Some camera's offer "lo" and "hi" settings, but not the D100 as I thought. These are uncalibrated (my D2X has two stops Hi in 0.3 EV steps, and are junk - as can be expected at the higher end). Lower ISO settings will be more susceptible to long exposure noise, if nothing else.

 

[aldobonnard]

based on D70's comparisons with, I'd say that the R-D1's DR also is 8 stops typically in JPEG (ISO 200-800). Much broader would be the DR when shooting RAW and playing with curves and levels in PSP or PhotoRaw, as you may expect.