[stevebrot]

What is the different between providing 100% of RGB and 16 bit?

2 bits. I know that sounds rude, but that is the short answer. For what its worth, the industry standard is 14-bit color. As for the difference between 100% RGB and the Bayer Filtered version, I lifted this set of images from the Ricoh K-1 features page:

Pixel-Shift (merged) 100% RGB


Each of the pixels in the merged image represent a full dose of native RGB data

Bayer Filtered Mosaic (unprocessed single image)


Notice the alarming white grid. Those are pixels without values for that color.

Demosiaced Bayer (interpolated values)


The pixels in the previously white grid have been assigned values based on those of their near neighbors or the processor's best guess of what they should be. This approximation method has potential for artifact and poor recording of what is termed "color detail". Nuance may quite literally be thrown away, millions of pixels at a time, and replaced with filler.

Note that both the pixel-shifted and Bayer demosiaced versions are full 14-bit color at all stages, but only the pixel-shifted version records the full color data from the subject. In general, the Bayer demosiac process works well and is a reasonable compromise. Doing a work-around such as pixel shift may be significantly better for many subjects.

See: http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/k-1/feature/


Steve

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Last edited by stevebrot; 02-24-2016 at 09:38 PM.