CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The grass is always greener when captured with a mirrorless camera.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I credit the sharpness and it's depth in #2 with the f stop.

tropics68 Loc: Georgia

I have to whole heartedly agree.

tjw47 Loc: Michigan

I doubt owners of Pentax K1 MK ii would agree with you... ( I am one of them... )

balancr Loc: VA

The camera and lens manufacturer has their own highly (technically) skilled photographer who has intimate knowledge of all the tech specs and settings. They then can take many images of a given "scene" with adjustments to get the optimum raw file.
These reference images are carefully selected and tuned to make the most impact in the chosen media.
Knowing the "NEW IMPROVED" features like dynamic range allows for the setup to make most of each feature.
Of course when I then go and buy the camera I have to go through the learning curve before I can hope to duplicate the result. In the meantime I can do better with old camera I know than with new camera I am learning.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Thereis nothing wrong withte OP's question, nor the images he supplied for comparison, however, photographs like those are not suitable for precise testing. In photographs like the ones in question, somethg would have to be very wrong with any oneof the camera or lens for it to be obvious, especially when transmitted online and examined on an average monitr.

When lenses are tested for precise analysis the testing is done under laboratory condition with specialized optical and electronic equipment. Theses tests reveal sharpmess, falloff os sharpness, performance at various aperatures, exact rates of difraction, flare, any abberations sucbh as comma, curvature of field, chromatic issues and a whole lot more that is way above my payrate. Test results can be published in matamataical terms, charts, graphs and actual images of test targets.

Actial field tests and resulting photographs are relivent as well but some of that can be subjective.

Many years ago, Modenr Photograhy Magazine had a testing lab where someof theses optical tests were prefeomed and cameras were disassembled and analyzed as to mechancei functionality. Oftentmes they would issue a lees that impressive review of gear made by ther major advertisers. The reports were honest, scientin and objective.

Noadays, I am certain the are even more precise and acute testing medthololgies and equipment that go way beyond the optical bench procedures of years gone by.

Ace Paladino

Number 2 seems to me have tack sharp detail. They're all very good but number 2 reveals a very well defined reflection in the red bowl lid. The features in the face on the package in the background also appears more well defined. I don't know whether this one was taken by a "flagship" camera or not, but the glass seems to be the best. Better lenses always makes for better pictures. This series of still life shots really doesn't need the bells and whistles of a high end camera. A mid range camera with a high end lens could achieve this result. The real test might be if a flagship camera with additional shutter speed options, wider iso choices and better focusing abilities would produce superior results in a more challenging situation (low light, action, etc.) No matter how many additional options a high end camera may give you, the end result almost always depends on the quality of the lens. Nowadays most mid range cameras can give outstanding results if they are coupled with good glass.

Doc Mck Loc: Terrell,Texas

#3 has the sharpest wood grain on the table

c.creighton82 Loc: Outer Banks NC

Hmmm hairsplitting aside on my device with my glasses looking through 66 year old eyes, the first image is the sharpest. 😄

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

We keep noting sharpness. That is in part due to the f stop. f11 or f16 will increase the sharpness range and depending on the focus point what will be sharp. So spot sharpness is partly due the focus point an f stop.