With a 36 megapixel sensor, it is only inevitable that someone would test the Nikon D800 and D800e cameras against a medium format cameras. The D800, of course, has the Anti-Aliasing filter, which puts it at a disadvantage in regards to sharpness because none of the current medium format cameras uses AA filter.
The Nikon D800e, however does have its AA filter neutralized, effectively increasing its sharpness at the risk of moire and color shift.
Ming Thein at blog.mingthein.com is an incredible photographer who specializes in watches and jewelry photography, as well as architectural photography.
Being the “official partner and brand ambassador by Leica Camera in Asia” (Lucky!) and owner of the Leica S2-P medium format camera (same camera as the S2 except for the sapphire cover over the screen and professional service), Ming decided to see how his Leica S2-P will compare to the new Nikon D800e.
So the contenders here are the 36.3MP Nikon D800E vs the 37.5MP Leica S2-P. He used are the Zeiss ZF.2 2/28 Distagon and Nikon 85/2.8 PCE Micro-Nikkor lenses on the D800E and the Leica 35/2.8 Summarit-S and 120/2.5 APO-Macro-Summarit-S lenses on the S2.
Here is an example of one of the tests he put both cameras through: Dynamic Range and Resolution Test
And his assessment:
The D800E’s file looks quite natural but is a touch too warm; the S2 is very blue-green biased and would make for great landscapes, however it doesn’t get the color right either. Both cameras could be corrected to be accurate (as their sensors’ tonal response is broad enough) however neither gets it right out of the box. The S2 has slightly better dynamic range – perhaps half a stop or so – but there isn’t a lot in it. Neither camera has blown areas or blocked up shadows.
And here are a couple 100% crops at f8:
Be sure to read the rest of his test comparison between the Nikon D800e and the Leica S2-P!
Stay creative!
