Full-Size Files: GXR versus GF-1

Yesterday, we discussed the rationale behind the birth of the GXR system, namely, in short, optimising optical performance, creating a system covering both the compact camera and SLR markets, catering for the needs of a new generation of camera users and giving unlimited expandability to the system.

While these mission statements are somewhat philosophically distant, there is one basic and practical issue which lots of fellow photographers are musing: How does the GXR compare to the direct competitors? Pending the sale of Samsung's NX10, the direct competitor now is the MFT system.

GXR A12 vs GF-1 kit zoom lens

While I am penning my thoughts about the issue, hopefully to be published in the next post, let the images speak for themselves. No, we are not following the beaten track to pixel-peep the images for you. The meaning of tediously comparing these two systems for the IQ is not obvious to me. With the larger sensors, both systems can shot photos of a quality good enough to most users. Moreover, as different cameras have their own image characteristics, you will somehow prefer this camera's images to another's. It is more a matter of taste. So, no pixel-peeping for you.

That said, looking at the images at full-size or screen size gives you an impression of how you'd like them. And comparing them for the high ISO results, you know what to anticipate and whether you can use the camera to suit your photographic styles. Unless you are absolutely concerned about how the IQ of "the third leaf on the forth branch of the fifth tree in the grove at the hilly background some 200 metres away from the subject in the image" compare, check out the following photos to get an overall impression.

So, for that matter, the images are

- shot at ISO800 for the same scenes at roughly the same location; and - with roughly the same exposure combo (you can't use a standard combo anyway) and focal lengths.

Don't be fooled by the colour presented by the Jpegs because in-camera colour teawking is possible. RAW files offer you a truer IQ performance of the cameras.

Click here for full-size JPEGs --- Click here for full-size RAWs

This GXR field report is to be continued.

Comments

A Real Hero

(Grip On Reality: This photo was taken on my way to work. I was walking past trucks parking on a cul-de-sac when the ropes caught my attention. The light was right, the colour was right and the criss-crossing pattern was perfect and I held up my GX200. People passing by checked me out and wondered what could be made out of such a boring scene. To me, the fun in photography is that the photographer makes something interesting out of what is not obvious to most at the scene. The ropes tied in knots somehow reminded people I know who are in the grip of the recession) You must have also known a friend or two, or even yourself, being baffled by the spiral downturn of the economy. Bank went bankrupt and the rich was faced with a shrinking wealth. A friend of mine has just had his salary cut by over 10% and some of his colleagues started to be shed. But, wait. Was this done really for the sake of continuing the business? Or is there a factor or greed in it? I wonder whether the

New Low Prices

The window shopping some hours ago has almost provoked my AgIDS illness. Just in case you’re in Hong Kong or are coming here, and have the money to burn (All in HK$/ body only): GX200 = $3,280 GRD2 = $3,380 LX3 = $3,180 G10 = $3,280 Prices are available form a gear shop on the 1st floor of the Mongkok Computer Centre. Besides these new low prices, I found that Wing Shing Photo (55-57Sai Yeung Choi St., MK Tel: 2396 6886/ 91-95 Fa Yuen St., MK Tel: 2396 6885) is offering a Sony A700 + Carl Zeiss Lens package for HK$9,980 (hopefully, a bargain will make it some hundreds cheaper).

Eye Contact

(Leica D-lux 5) The digital era may make it easier to end up with fave shots. Even lousy photos may be turned likable after a few clicks in the post-processing workflow. But if digital advancement or amendments have any bearing on the cultivation of personal style, no photographers will need to discover his or her own photographer’s eye. Undoutedly, this is out of the question. Only with a trained photographer’s eye can we give a thinking gaze and capture an eternal moment, in our unique style. Style is the soul of a great photo. A few posts have been written in GXG to touch on the topic of photographer’s eye. Instead of finding an answer, which would require academic discussions, the posts are intended to give my general reflections and spark interests in moving towards further exploration of the topic. The posts can be viewed after the links: 1) Photographer's Eye: Storytelling 2) Photographer's Eye: Little Show of Observing 3) Photographer's Eye: Sight-Worthy 4

GX GARNERINGS

Search This Blog