joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Here is an interesting chart I found on Thom Hogan's website. It shows sensor improvements by DX cameras.

I don't think anyone would dispute that the D800 and D300S play in different leagues.

Its based on DXOMARK data.

(Download)

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

So, the filename of the first image is thumb-1413294484427-catboat_in_boathouse_d800_cloudy_day_wm__1_of_1_.
The filename of the second image is thumb-1413294546588-cat_in_shed_w_open_door_wm__1_of_1_

And because of the obvious noise in the second image that is as we would expect - the newer generation to be a much better performer.

But we still don't know for sure.
Ed could be setting us up by putting false information there.
I still wonder what the point is and why Ed hasn't been back.
Time to unwatch I think.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

There are several things that are absolutely positively "sure".

They add up to the simple fact that nobody can tell from the images presented which could have been from which camera. It is impossible. Whatever differences that can be seen are due to processing, not the cameras!

Both the D300s and the D800 can get, with proper exposure, more dynamic range than a JPEG format can encode. Therefore all claims about more dynamic range for one image or the other are purely bogus!

One image is exposed higher up the scale, as evidenced by washed out colors on the water where the other has very blue water. That same image should then have more exposure in the shadows too, and maybe less noise. It has nothing at all to do with the camera sensor, but with post processing and the JPEG image format.

Wider angle of view is a matter of lens focal length as much as sensor size.

As for sharpness, looking at a 600 pixel wide image on a roughly 100 DPI monitor screen can only display resolution up to a maximum of 50 line pairs per inch. That is a fraction of the resolving power of either a D300s or a D800. You absolutely cannot judge resolution looking at a D300s' 4288x2848 image that has been re-sampled to less than 1/7th its original size, much less a D800's 7360x4912 image that has been reduced to less than 1/12!

Which is to say that all discussion of the image quality/characteristics has been less than astute.

brokeweb Loc: Philadelphia

Can't tell the difference... What's your point. You already bought the camera.

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

You can take care of that in-camera. Just reset the white balance default.

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

DITO!!!
Craig

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

"more dynamic range than a JPEG format can encode."

NOTE:- Dynamic range is set by the camera, jpeg is only a method of compression of the recorded data.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Not quite the case.

The scene sets the dynamic range maximum. The camera can capture only so much, and that is less at higher ISO values than at lower ISO values. Regardless, which ever of the two has less, that is what the image will have.

But, the same is then true of later methods of encoding the data. The fact is that a JPEG formatted image is purposely limited to just over 9 fstops of what is referred to as "Engineering" dynamic range. An actual scene may have 16 fstops of DN, and the D800 can capture and encode in the RAW data all of 14 fstops. But when the data is interpolated and saved to a JPEG format, it is limited to about 9.1 fstops. (And usually less than 8 of those are actually useful.)

The JPEG format was designed that way on purpose because it is a rare print (or computer monitor either) that can actually display more than about 7 fstops of dynamic range.

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

"You absolutely cannot judge resolution looking at a D300s' 4288x2848 image that has been re-sampled to less than 1/7th its original size, much less a D800's 7360x4912 image that has been reduced to less than 1/12!"

Ever heard of viewing the image at 100%?

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Do you know what that term means?

It means that you don't re-sample to a lower pixel dimension, which is a lower resolution. Instead 100% means to crop out a section that is then viewed without re-sampling as was done with the specific images being discussed.

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

100% means that the pixels described by the image are aligned to the same dimensions as the pixels size determined by the software/monitor.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Which means they do not get re-sampled.

You aren't talking about the two images posted for examination. They have been re-sampled, and it is impossible to distinguish one or the other as sharper.

If we had 100% crops that could be done, but that isn't what we have.

jack schade Loc: La Pine Oregon

Hard to tell in these photos. I own both of those camerss and the D810. If you keep the settings the same with both cameras the crop factor will immediately show up since the D300s will have a more tele effect. So the focal length or distance of subject to camera will have to be adjusted in order to have the same composition. Then if you blow the images up to 200% you will immediately see which photo was taken with a 36 mega pixel camera.
Jack

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

Good thing you come by now and then to keep all of us peasants in line.

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

If you consider yourself to be a peasant that's fine. That never crossed my mind. I had a D800 before I upgraded and I know that either camera is capable of better results. To challenge us as to which might be which by submitting two such wildly different examples is asinine.