ISO Experiment

[Garth Herrick]

Dear Mike and Jean,

I think what we are finding in your comparisons between cameras, is that ISO 200 on the Nikon D70 (or my D100) yields a similar picture quality to ISO 50 on the Nikon Coolpix 5400, and along the same scale, ISO 1600 on the D70/D100 is about the equivalent picture noise quality as ISO 400 on the Coolpix. This has everything to do with the actual size of each pixel on the sensor. The sensor is much, much larger on the SLR type digital, and therefore each pixel is relatively larger too. When the pixels are larger they work cleaner and generate less noise at the equivalent ISO rating. This gives the Nikon D70/ D100 vastly increased sensitivity in low light without much sacrifice in quality. On the other hand, the Nikon Coolpix 5400 has the great advantage of being lightweight, handy and portable all day in a pocket, with no bulky long lenses knocking into everything. There is a good reason for liking each camera.

Garth

[Mike McCarty]

Jean and Garth,

This digital equipment is still pretty new to me and I'm learning a lot as we go. I think your analysis, Garth, is accurate. Nikon has all but told us so in the way they have configured the different ISO selections between the two cameras. One 50-400 the other 200-1600.

Having a better understanding of the individuals equipment can give us a better insight into how we might advise them through different situations.

In those ancient film days photography was film specific. No matter how clunky your equipment, you could shoot state of the art film. With digital, it's all equipment specific.

I've learned a great deal here.

[Jean Kelly]

Thank you both. Being the real novice here, I really feel I've gained the most from this experiment, and had fun too (and gotten some great flood pics)!

Jean