Comparing gear is always a bit of sensitive issue as it easily can come across as being critical of someones new toy or raining on their parade.
Thats certainly not the intention here, just a friendly discussion about technical merits of sensors and cameras.
I think D800 and 5D3 are in fact in the same market segment and what most would compare when choosing a high end full frame camera. Both Nikon and Canon would regard them that way, so do the bulk of their customers. Someone thinking about buying a 5D3 would naturally consider a D800. They have similar capabilities and accessories. Similar autofocus, similar metering, similar weather sealing, similar LCD display, controls, 2 memory card slots, same sized sensor, similar price bracket, similar frames per second, similar low light performance. So when you step back from it there isn't a lot of difference between them. A few more fps here, more mp there, great low light performance from both, nice HDR feature on 5D3, nice time lapse feature on D800 etc etc.
The big difference is the sensor hence the importance of the DXo mark.
For weddings I think 5D3 would be my choice from reading the users reports. Smaller file sizes, quiet mode shutter that actually works, great lens choices, softer video but no moire, better low light video performance, better jpeg low light performance.
I agree with you about DPreview sites. They are terrible. But you do pick up some interesting data, especially for me as someone wanting to improve my knowledge of photography.
I am not sure about your comment about more mp means greater dynamic range and lower noise. Its the opposite. Larger pixels perform better than smaller pixels and would have lower noise because they accumulate more signal per pixel for a similar level of read noise, dark noise.
Dynamic range is defined by the read noise and the well depth. Larger pixels almost always have much larger well depth.
So for a sensor maker to increase dynamic range, lower noise, increase megapixels is an impressive feat that few seem to be able do. These are conflicting goals. Look at the specs of the Kodak chips and you'll see their larger chips all have much lower QE and tend to be slightly lower dynamic range.
So hat's off to Sony.
Also when measuring a sensor the fact of identical sensors is only part of the equation. The surrounding electronics can make a large difference.
STL 11 and FLI Proline 11002 use identical chips. But the surrounding electronics makes a huge difference. Look at 2 darks one from each camera. They certainly don't look like the same chip. One is almost noise free, the other very snowy. Same with download speeds, cooling. Same with cameras. So the DXO mark there would be completely valid in my opinion iwth different scores for 2 different cameras with the same sensor. To exaggerate the differences, imagine 2 cameras one with a 12 bit analogue to digital converter and the other a 16 bit.
Sony sensors for a long time seemed small little planetary chips that dominate in their area. Most are quite small. Obviously they are pushing ahead in the CMOS arena bigtime. The quest in the electronic sensor game is to get smaller and smaller circuitry and advance the architecture. You may not know but Nikon also make printing gear these chip manufacturers use to print the circuits on the chips. Not sure if Sony use Nikon stuff. Canon make them too but only for themselves. Perhaps that is limiting cashflow as these machines are worth many many millions and a plant in the billion dollar bracket.
On another note there's an interesting video comparing D800 to Hassalblad HD40. HD40 uses Kodak KAF40000 which is a true sense chip (not Bayer matrix). Its also 16 bit and its interesting to see how subtle skin tones are rendered by Hassy over the D800. It wasn't a professional comparison as it has flaws but you can see where DSLRs will have to go eventually. 16 bit, larger sensors to medium format.
As far as Nex 7 and another Hassy it would depend on the criteria. These Hassys bomb out past ISO400. D800 beat the Latest Hassy HD0 in this regard. I am sure 5D3 would also. Dynamic Range is better in the D800 which is Sony Exmor chip. The Nex 7 is Sony Exmor chip just the "smaller" 24mp one. But in a fashion shoot of course you'd reach for the Hassy. All the other aspects make it rule. But as far as chip performance goes I don't know that Kodak are the king anymore, Sony is. Kodak's a long gone company unfortunately so I don't expect a comeback unless the new owner of the chip company is on the ball. No indications are there to think that that is the case (they are still using the old Kodak website - what's a new website cost at the quality of the old Kodak one - $10,000?
I am expecting a D800E possibly as early as next week. I'd love to go on a photo shoot somewhere and learn from you. You could have a go with it and slum it with a Nikon for a while
. I've got a few nice lenses.
Enjoy your 5D3, I agree its a great camera and I would have gotten one for sure if the D800E hadn't've come out that was more seductive to me.For me its all about the sensor. I think the 5D3 is probably the more refined all round camera. Its just 36mp man, whoa - can't resist it!!
I have my eye on a Fji Xpro 1 (AA less 16mp). The images from those are stunning and its so compact. Lousy autofocus though.
Greg.
