Nex 7 Megapixel Madness?

[eleskin]

There are some reports circulating online that the image quality of the NEX 5n trumps the NEX 7 all because Sony overwhelmed the APS C sensor with too many megapixels. I really hope this is not the case. The size and form factor of the NEX 7 is much better than the NEX 5n, especially those of us who use Leica M mount lenses, screw mount, SLR, etc,, My big beef with the M8 and M9 is the lousy high ISO and not having alternative ways to focus various lenses, especially high speed lenses at f1.0, f1.2, and f1.4.

I am always more impressed with better image quality than more megapixels. I also am into astronomy and many lousy telescopes are marketed by how much they can magnify. What is more important is telescope aperture and quality optics not magnification. In digital cameras, pixel quality and lenses are way more important than how many megapixels are in a camera sensor. My fear is the NEX 7 may be more about megapixels than image quality, especially at higher ISO's.

Leica from recent comments realizes more megapixels do not matter anymore, rather better dynamic range and quality high ISO capability. Other camera manufacturers are also realizing this as well. I hope Sony is one of them!

 

[gavinlg]

the 5d mkII is better at high ISO and with dynamic range than my 5d mkI, despite being almost twice the pixels. I wouldn't worry about it.

Sonys JPEG processing is usually rubbish too - wait till RAW processed samples come out.

 

[porktaco]

apparently you can turn the MP down to 16, 12 or 6, presumably with increased noise performance

 

[DamenS]

Early days, but certainly the High ISO 24 mpx images thus far have been VERY poor compared to the Nex 5n (which is a mature sensor design) ... Look to Sony marketing a "Nex8" next year with the 5n's sensor and for only $1,000 more than the Nex7 ... oh wait - that would be a Leica thing to do (but who says Sony aren't learning from the best) ...

 

[douglasf13]

When outputting to the same size, I'm sure the 24mp sensor won't be far away from the 16mp sensor at high iso. I'm not too worried.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I'm mostly excited about the form factor...IQ will certainly be more than adequate. But I may bump down to 16.

 

[bwcolor]

There are now preview NEX-7 images taken with decent lenses. The NEX line of lenses, excepting the Zeiss are rather poor quality. I don't get lusting after 24Mpix with poor glass in front of the sensor.

When looking on the pixel level, some of the DPreview shots are looking promising. Add a good RAW converter and I'm thinking the results will best my X100. High ISO might not be ideal, but certainly up to 1600 will be reasonable, especially with downsizing. I suspect that I will downsize the files up front. It will be interesting to see how a good RAW converter and downsizing to 16Mpix will compare to M9 images. I suspect that M9 will slightly outperform the NEX-7 at low ISO, but the reverse might be true at higher ISO. If true, the NEX-7 will be rather impressive. We will see.

 

[kbg32]

No matter how many megapixels ya got, if the glass is poor, all ya get is a lotta crap.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I suspect that M9 will slightly outperform the NEX-7 at low ISO, but the reverse might be true at higher ISO. If true, the NEX-7 will be rather impressive. We will see.

I'm pretty sure the NEX will smoke the M9 above 1600. But the images will just be...different at low ISO. That's my guess anyway. Am hoping they complement one another well.

Shooting with the M9 and 100mm and 135mm lenses today, I must say I wished I could focus them on a camera like the NEX-7. But an M is just without peer in feel between 28 and 75.

 

[Athos6]

Hmmm... I've been kicking around the idea of getting the Nex-7 and the VC 28mm f2 Ultron. I would be comparing it to my D7000 and Nikon 28mm f2.8. I realize that I may not see a huge difference in my prints but I kinda like the idea of smaller size, the use of any type of lens with adapters, and the focus peaking. I wonder if the VC lenses will be good enough for the 24mp??