Nikon D7100 test report: Imatest measurements
Measurements for our Nikon D7100 review have been carried out with the aid of Imatest. For the test method and explanation of terms, see FAQ. Conclusion and sample images are shown in our Nikon D7100 review. |
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Before you read further, move your mouse over the image above. Is this 100% crop too much sharpened to your taste? | |||||||
Resolution |
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The sensor of the Nikon D7100 does not have an optical low-pass or moiré filter (OLPF). In theory this could lead to a higher resolution for the Nikon D7100 with respect to the Nikon D5200 or the D3200 Nikon, because these two cameras do have an OLPF. In our measurements we find, both for in Lightroom developed RAW files and for in-camera jpg files, no significant differences between the Nikon D7100 (RAW: 2900 LW / PH) and the Nikon D5200 (RAW: 2800 LW / PH). The Nikon D3200 scored, with 2600 LW / PH, slightly lower, but the difference is still so small that you will not see it with the naked eye. All test images were shot at f/5.6, with a very good lens. Perhaps that the differences will be larger if we repeat the measurements with the same lens at f/4 or f/2.8, because in theory for a perfect lens the MTF50 will be higher at larger apertures. Anyway, the Nikon D7100 belongs, like the Nikon D5200, in terms of resolution to the absolute top of what is for sale at the moment. |
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A disadvantage of the omission of a low-pass filter could be, that you will see some moire, an interference phenomenon that is shown to the right for illustration purposes. Both in our studio images and in our images shot outdoors we encountered no clearly visible moiré. Read the article: Do Sensors “Outresolve” Lenses? by Ruben Osuna and Efraín García on Luminous Landscape, if you want to dive deeper into this subject.
Now we come back to the 100% crop of a jpg image of a dandelion. Our measurements show that the jpg files are sharpened too much with the settings that we have chosen. Too much sharpening is identified by a “hump” at a sharp transition from black to white in the Imatest results. In the bottom left image you see the properly sharpened RAW file. The bottom right image shows a too much sharpened jpg file. |
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Dynamic range
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Noise |
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Our Imatest measurements for the signal / noise ratio (in db; the higher the better) at ISO 100 and ISO 6400, are shown here. The first thing you notice is how small the differences are at 100 ISO. Two cameras with an FX sensor, the Nikon D600 and the Nikon D700, score better than the other Nikon cameras at 100 ISO. But the differences are small. At higher ISO values, larger pixels clearly result in a better signal to noise ratio, making the Nikon D600 and Nikon D800E score better than the other cameras.
Nikon sensors also are getting better over the years. The older Nikon D700 with a FX sensor is at ISO 6400 almost equaled by more recent Nikon D7100, D5200 and Nikon D3200 cameras with a DX sensor. And the Nikon D7000, which in terms of signal / noise ratio, clearly lags behind its successor, the Nikon D7100. |
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Color accuracy @ daylight |
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The Nikon D7100 delivers RAW files and jpg files with good color rendering. The illustration shows the color errors of a 100 ISO jpg image shot in daylight. The further the ideal color (square) is removed from the color of the camera (round), the greater the color difference. Here is nothing to be desired. For the test method and explanation of terms, see FAQ |
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Color accuracy @ tungsten light |
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In artificial light you can, both for jpg and RAW files, not blindly rely on the auto white balance, as is clearly seen in the results shown for a 200 ISO jpg file. This is nothing special, this color shift is just as large at the other SLRs we’ve tested to date, such as the Nikon D3200 and Nikon D5200. When you shoot in RAW, you can easily adjust the white balance almost without loss of quality.
Conclusion and sample images are shown in our Nikon D7100 review. |