K-5 vs Canon 600D - Do the MP's matter?

JohnBee · 07-01-2011, 10:18 PM

There was a thread that caught my eye recently over at DPReview that lead to an interesting observation. At which point the OP of the thread was questioning the overall IQ of the Imaging Resource RAW samples and detail available from them. Which questions ranging from optical to MP advantages, which seemed valid given the initial IQ between both systems.

At which point, I decided to take a closer look and see if I couldn't help get to the nitty-gritty of things.

At it was at this point that I found the DxOMark specs which showed the K-5 with larger sensor surface area, larger photosites, DR color gamut etc etc.
And so, based on past experience, I set-out to put the Marks to the test.

And so to test the theory, here are my results; - (A TEST)

EXHIBIT A:

EXHIBIT B:

HINT: One of these samples is the K-5 and the other is the Canon T3i 600D. - (Both processed at 18MP).

And the objective is(of course) to figure out which one you think is which and why.

PS. the more feedback we can get on this, the better the outcome will be.

Last edited by JohnBee; 07-01-2011 at 10:28 PM.

Eagle_Friends · 07-01-2011, 10:22 PM

1st one is K5

lammie200 · 07-01-2011, 10:23 PM

...the top one is the K-5, since that is what I own now. I'm not obsessive though.

JohnBee · 07-01-2011, 10:26 PM

Originally posted by Eagle_Friends

1st one is K5

Originally posted by lammie200

...the top one is the K-5, since that is what I own now. I'm not obsessive though.

Thanks for those fast responses guys!

Don't forget to say why(if you can).
The more feedback we can get the more meaningful this test will be.

lammie200 · 07-01-2011, 10:49 PM

...when you compare the bottom left yellow swatches you can see the most glaring differences. The top one still looks like fabric. The bottom one has lost that look.

obheng · 07-01-2011, 10:50 PM

The top one shows more details and more depth, perhaps due to the better DR of the K5 vs the 600D. Unless, of course, I am wrong in the first place.

jstevewhite · 07-01-2011, 11:01 PM

Top one is K-5, I think. I'm thinking what I see is greater dynamic range. But I'd only bet $1, not $50, if you know what I mean. Gimme, say, 14MP 16-bit TIFFs and I'll tell you, and bet $20.

These are jpgs, so both are compressed into 8 bit pixel planes, and choosing that compression can make different renderings.

dreamfoto · 07-01-2011, 11:15 PM

K-5 is the SECOND one

jp7179 · 07-01-2011, 11:55 PM

are you going to tell us the answer??

philbaum · 07-02-2011, 12:00 AM

Top one is K5 i think, because it has thread direction detail in some of the whites and darker colors, giving it the highest DR, i hope

rawr · 07-02-2011, 12:16 AM

You need to frame your question better JohnBee.
What exactly is the 'theory' you are trying to test?

twitch · 07-02-2011, 12:17 AM

I hope the top one is the K-5

Gimbal · 07-02-2011, 12:19 AM

The bottom one is mushier in the colors, especially the yellow tones. Maybe it is a bit oversaturated? The different colors in the fabric are more separated in the top one. It also lacks details compared to the first one, again most noticeable in the yellow/beige colors.

Unfortunately I think the bottom one is the K5.

But then, I'm watching on a cheap laptop now so maybe I'm fooled by the display.

Eagle_Friends · 07-02-2011, 12:21 AM

the bottom one is more saturated, and pentax usually have a duller, more natural color "look" in RAW.

rawr · 07-02-2011, 12:25 AM

If the 'theory' is that MP doesn't matter, because the extra resolution of the 18MP Canon sensor didn't always find its way into the image, especially as ISO changed, that case was closed long ago in relation to the sensor used in the Canon 550/60d/600d.

Even the 12MP K-x could demonstrate that, as displayed in some charts from photoreview.com.au I assembled a while ago:

07-01-2011, 10:18 PM	#1
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	K-5 vs Canon 600D - Do the MP's matter? There was a thread that caught my eye recently over at DPReview that lead to an interesting observation. At which point the OP of the thread was questioning the overall IQ of the Imaging Resource RAW samples and detail available from them. Which questions ranging from optical to MP advantages, which seemed valid given the initial IQ between both systems. At which point, I decided to take a closer look and see if I couldn't help get to the nitty-gritty of things. At it was at this point that I found the DxOMark specs which showed the K-5 with larger sensor surface area, larger photosites, DR color gamut etc etc. And so, based on past experience, I set-out to put the Marks to the test. And so to test the theory, here are my results; - (A TEST) EXHIBIT A: EXHIBIT B: HINT: One of these samples is the K-5 and the other is the Canon T3i 600D. - (Both processed at 18MP). And the objective is(of course) to figure out which one you think is which and why. PS. the more feedback we can get on this, the better the outcome will be. Last edited by JohnBee; 07-01-2011 at 10:28 PM.

07-01-2011, 10:23 PM	#3
lammie200 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Francisco Photos: Albums Posts: 1,033	Kinda hoping that... ...the top one is the K-5, since that is what I own now. I'm not obsessive though.

07-01-2011, 10:49 PM	#5
lammie200 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Francisco Photos: Albums Posts: 1,033	I think... ...when you compare the bottom left yellow swatches you can see the most glaring differences. The top one still looks like fabric. The bottom one has lost that look.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Misc Perspective DOES matter	bombel	Post Your Photos!	10	03-21-2011 08:11 AM
Does Grade of LX Really Matter	Fractal101	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	4	03-13-2011 05:47 PM
A matter of math	wtf_cowboy	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	13	12-02-2010 01:53 AM
When does IS matter?	FHPhotographer	Pentax DSLR Discussion	14	01-13-2010 06:10 AM
a matter of distance...	FHPhotographer	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	14	09-12-2009 11:10 AM

07-01-2011, 10:22 PM	#2
Eagle_Friends Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 971	1st one is K5

07-01-2011, 10:26 PM	#4
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667 Original Poster	Originally posted by Eagle_Friends 1st one is K5 Originally posted by lammie200 ...the top one is the K-5, since that is what I own now. I'm not obsessive though. Thanks for those fast responses guys! Don't forget to say why(if you can). The more feedback we can get the more meaningful this test will be.

07-01-2011, 10:50 PM	#6
obheng Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Kuala Lumpur Posts: 30	The top one shows more details and more depth, perhaps due to the better DR of the K5 vs the 600D. Unless, of course, I am wrong in the first place.

07-01-2011, 11:01 PM	#7
jstevewhite Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Midwest Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,407	Top one is K-5, I think. I'm thinking what I see is greater dynamic range. But I'd only bet $1, not $50, if you know what I mean. Gimme, say, 14MP 16-bit TIFFs and I'll tell you, and bet $20. These are jpgs, so both are compressed into 8 bit pixel planes, and choosing that compression can make different renderings.

07-01-2011, 11:15 PM	#8
dreamfoto Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: france Photos: Albums Posts: 163	K-5 is the SECOND one

07-01-2011, 11:55 PM	#9
jp7179 New Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: WA: Seattle Posts: 1	are you going to tell us the answer??

07-02-2011, 12:00 AM	#10
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	Top one is K5 i think, because it has thread direction detail in some of the whites and darker colors, giving it the highest DR, i hope

07-02-2011, 12:16 AM	#11
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	You need to frame your question better JohnBee. What exactly is the 'theory' you are trying to test?

07-02-2011, 12:17 AM	#12
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	I hope the top one is the K-5

07-02-2011, 12:19 AM	#13
Gimbal Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,106	The bottom one is mushier in the colors, especially the yellow tones. Maybe it is a bit oversaturated? The different colors in the fabric are more separated in the top one. It also lacks details compared to the first one, again most noticeable in the yellow/beige colors. Unfortunately I think the bottom one is the K5. But then, I'm watching on a cheap laptop now so maybe I'm fooled by the display.

07-02-2011, 12:21 AM	#14
Eagle_Friends Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 971	the bottom one is more saturated, and pentax usually have a duller, more natural color "look" in RAW.

07-02-2011, 12:25 AM	#15
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	If the 'theory' is that MP doesn't matter, because the extra resolution of the 18MP Canon sensor didn't always find its way into the image, especially as ISO changed, that case was closed long ago in relation to the sensor used in the Canon 550/60d/600d. Even the 12MP K-x could demonstrate that, as displayed in some charts from photoreview.com.au I assembled a while ago: