So then share -- what are the problematic layout issues with the
mid-level camera? And are we certain that the software is the same as
the D200, and how do we know this?
-Aaron
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Mid-level camera: As with the DS, it looks like some controls will be
buried down in electronic menus. From the photo that was on the Russian
web site for a few hours, it looked like it will lack some of the
physical controls that the top model will have. This is to be expected.
The DS achieved some of its cost savings over the D by taking manual
controls and making them electronic. Most controls are still available,
just harder to access. This is a design feature of concern to me, since
there are some controls that I access often, and I want them to be
physical controls.
That said, the mockup of the D+ (K10D?/D successor) seemed to suggest
that even it will not have all of the external controls that the D has.
Sensor output is a matter of signal-to-noise ratio. With more pixels in
a sensor of the same size (10 mp vs. 6 mp), pixels are smaller. There
will be less signal and more noise. The Nikon D200 uses a Sony APS-C 10
mp sensor that is about the same size as the Sony 6 mp sensor in our
cameras and the Nikon 6 mp models. The 10 mp is reported to be noisier
than the 6 mp. Nikon has implemented some noise reduction software for
higher ISO settings, but it noticeably softens images.
Pentax has refused to say which sensor it will use in the D+. But a
Pentax exec said something along the lines of "You won't be surprised."
That sounds to me like it will be the Sony 10 mp sensor.
I love the nearly noise-free images I get with my D at ISO 200. But I
want shake reduction, and I want shake reduction in a camera that has
the external controls of the D. So I will probably buy the D+. Will
Pentax's programmers find a better way to reduce noise without softening
the image than Nikon's programmers did? I will be pleasantly surprised
if they do, but Nikon's employees/contractors have good brains, and I
see no reason to expect Pentax to do better.
Shake reduction seems to give about 2 EV reduction in useable shutter
speed, perhaps a bit more with wide angle lenses. I am expecting that we
will lose at least 1 EV in ISO setting due to higher noise (i.e, noise
at ISO 1600 on the D will be about like noise at ISO 800 on the D+). So
the 10 mp with SR will give us a net gain of 1 EV in shutter speed. For
$2000 or so, a net gain of one EV in shutter speed will be
disappointing. But I will probably want to buy the camera anyway.
Joe
