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Perceived image sharpness in high pixel-count cameras.
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Dec 22, 2018 08:53:59   #
univac1103
 
I don’t recall reading forum discussions about the differences in perceived sharpness between full frame cameras having pixel-count between 20 and about 24 MP and those with pixel-count above 40 MP. I’m specifically interested in learning from the users of the high pixel-count cameras how much of an improvement in the perceived sharpness you may have noted in your cameras’ images compared to the lower pixel-count versions. I’m thinking about the non-processed, SOOC perceived image sharpness comparisons. Thank you, and Happy Holidays!

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Dec 22, 2018 09:12:13   #
aflundi Loc: Albuquerque, NM
 
univac1103 wrote:
...the differences in perceived sharpness ...

Perhaps you could elaborate on what "perceived sharpness" in this context means to you.

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Dec 22, 2018 09:16:51   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
aflundi wrote:
Perhaps you could elaborate on what "perceived sharpness" in this context means to you.


I bet removing "perceived" wouldn't hurt the question at all. "Do high pixel cameras produce sharper images than low pixel cameras?"

https://northrup.photo/gear-basics/camera-body-features/megapixels/
https://photographylife.com/the-benefits-of-a-high-resolution-sensor
http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/333/do-more-megapixels-mean-better-photo-quality/

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Dec 22, 2018 09:23:32   #
univac1103
 
Re. "perceived sharpness", I'm thinking of the (instantaneous) appearance and impact of how sharp the images appear to be.

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Dec 22, 2018 09:34:33   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
aflundi wrote:
Perhaps you could elaborate on what "perceived sharpness" in this context means to you.


Agree - I’d like that as well. Perhaps the OP is referring to accutance, the perceived sharpness referring to edge contrast which is influenced by resolution and contrast.

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Dec 22, 2018 10:28:35   #
Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida
 
Jerry said it simply "Do high pixel cameras produce sharper images than low pixel cameras?"

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Dec 22, 2018 10:50:55   #
richandtd Loc: Virginia
 
It’s night and day between my D70 and D810 haha and it should be. Merry Christmas

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Dec 22, 2018 10:58:58   #
aflundi Loc: Albuquerque, NM
 
univac1103 wrote:
Re. "perceived sharpness", I'm thinking of the (instantaneous) appearance and impact of how sharp the images appear to be.

In that case, the answer is probably none. That would in most cases have more to do with the lens and/or the post processing (local contrast and/or wide radius sharpening).

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Dec 22, 2018 11:12:11   #
Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio
 
It's not a matter of sharpness as much as it is detail. The sharpness of a lens doesn't change when the sensor behind it does. What does change is the camera's ability to show you that detail. With good glass, higher resolution sensors can show you detail in a scene that was simply not resolvable with lower MP sensors. It's like watching the same movie on a regular TV and then going to a 4K TV. It's the same move, but the 4K TV is showing you detail that was too fine for the ordinary TV to display.

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Dec 22, 2018 12:35:44   #
PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA
 
I'm sure it depends on how you look at it. My computer can only display 1152 X 864, or about 1 MP, so on it I'll never even see the difference between my old 8 MP camera and my newer 24 MP camera UNTIL I blow a photo up for cropping.

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Dec 22, 2018 13:14:02   #
ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca
 
Hope this helps in answering the question ------
I've recently been re-post-processing Raw images taken from my 5DMkII & 5Ds cameras both using the same lenses - Now there is a 29 million pixel count difference between these cameras --
My old tired eyes see no / zero difference in sharpness but do often see a substantial difference in overall detail.

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Dec 22, 2018 13:29:25   #
CO
 
I have noticed a difference between cameras that have an anti-aliasing filter in front of the sensor and ones that don't. Cameras that don't have an AA filter seem to have a slight edge in sharpness.

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Dec 22, 2018 19:23:00   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
CO wrote:
I have noticed a difference between cameras that have an anti-aliasing filter in front of the sensor and ones that don't. Cameras that don't have an AA filter seem to have a slight edge in sharpness.


My observation as well. My D7100 is much better in low light conditions than my wife's D3200. The only upgrade for us will be to FF line, but it's not in the cards financially. My advice? Even in DX/Canon equivalent, get ye to the stage where you are past the AA filter if you have any thoughts at all of shooting in low light.

Just my opinion, YMMV...

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Dec 22, 2018 20:05:55   #
Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC
 
Perceived sharpness is all about edge contrast... and exactly what PS sharping tools are used for...
That said, resolution is a another animal entirely... and like Steve Perry said.... want "high resolution"? then use high end glass... Might start with DxOmark they are authoritative (provided you take the time to understand HOW they conduct their tests)... sadly few if any on UHH actually the time to comprehend the algorithms they use...

btw, most here don't have a clue how to obtain high resolution... a.k.a. shooting on a heavy tripod with mirror lockup... etc.

Have a great holiday with family and friends :)

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Dec 22, 2018 20:11:56   #
repleo Loc: Boston
 
univac1103 wrote:
I don’t recall reading forum discussions about the differences in perceived sharpness between full frame cameras having pixel-count between 20 and about 24 MP and those with pixel-count above 40 MP. I’m specifically interested in learning from the users of the high pixel-count cameras how much of an improvement in the perceived sharpness you may have noted in your cameras’ images compared to the lower pixel-count versions. I’m thinking about the non-processed, SOOC perceived image sharpness comparisons. Thank you, and Happy Holidays!
I don’t recall reading forum discussions about the... (show quote)


Here are some shots that I took re the question of crop lenses on FF cameras which may answer some of your question. Note the names on the pics. They were all taken on a tripod at 90mm equivalent focal length, same (mixed ambiant kitchen) lighting and aperture and exposure. No PP. Note that using a crop lens on a FF body only uses about 40% of the sensor.

The Sony E 18-105 F4.0 G OSS is an APS-C lens. The Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS is a full frame lens. Sony A6000 is 24 mp APS-C. Sony A7Rii is a 42 mp Full Frame.

Decide for yourself if there is any significant difference. I won't try to influence you by repeating what others have said. Feel free to download and enlarge or zoom in. Suggest you compare the small printing on the wine bottle and the scratches on the soup ladle .

I am convinced that my A7Rii and the FE lenses produce higher IQ than my crop A6000 and crop lenses. However, I think there are other aspects besides sharpness that contribute to the improvement. I think sharpness is overrated. I am usually more concerned with mood or atmosphere than sharpness in my pics. I can't substantiate this, but the FF RAW captures just seem to have more information which allows me to explore more possibilities in PP. Nevertheless, the A6000 is my favorite for travel or when I am just wandering about with no specific objective in mind.

18-105mm on A6000
18-105mm on A6000...
(Download)

18-105mm on A7Rii
18-105mm on A7Rii...
(Download)

90 mm Macro on A7Rii
90 mm Macro on A7Rii...
(Download)

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