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This camera delivers some of the best still photo quality we've seen for less than $1,000.
Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Smart image processing and the X-Trans sensor yield excellent photo quality as high as ISO 1600, with just a little detail degradation starting at ISO 1600 and limited to just the dark areas.
Noise and JPEG processing, higher ISO sensitivities
While ISO 3200 isn't clean, it's pretty good, and depending upon scene content you can even go as high as ISO 6400. There's a huge dropoff in quality in the upper expanded range, however, and because you can't shoot raw in that range I don't really suggest using ISO 12800 or 25600.
Overall, the camera does an excellent job of retaining detail in blown-out highlights, far better than most of its similarly priced competitors. The same goes for clipped shadows, which you can bring up without introducing any noise.
The only significant problem with the JPEG shot is some of the blown-out highlights because of the contrast-boost applied. Other than that, it compares pretty well to the raw.
Normally, this shot would have made a complete mush of the background grating. There's some color noise, especially on the tire spokes, but the shot is still quite usable, and the JPEG processing stands up very well.
(1/60 sec, f2.8, spot metering, AWB, ISO 6400, 27mm lens)
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