Originally posted by Bolt The results displayed on DxOMark's 'Camera Sensor Ratings' scorecards are in my opinion mis-informative of the actual results shown throughout the camera's performance. While in 'perfect' conditions the Dynamic Range of the D800 WILL outperform the 1D X, the average results, standard deviation and high-to-low end loss of performance would suggest that the 1D X is a better overall performer in regards to Dynamic Range throughout the ISO spectrum.
It's a better performer by what criteria? Even you mention it averages out in the D800's favor?
"high-to-low end loss of performance" and standard deviation (which in this case seems to be the same thing?) aren't necessarily bad here...
For instance, if two cameras followed exactly the same curve except at the base ISO setting one had 5 ev better performance, it would have a higher "high-to-low end loss of performance" but few (besides, maybe you) would argue that this is a bad thing...most would say the higher peak performance gives up nothing and that would be true in this scenario.
Like someone else already said the "landscape" score reflecting the peak DR performance makes a lot of sense, but if you wanted to include "typical" usage patterns you would probably want to look at iso 100 to 6400, and I wouldn't mind seeing an average of those in their sensor reviews, in this case the average is .7 EV in the D800's favor.
The Canon does not make up for its poor peak performance at base iso (2.5 EV deficit) anywhere in its iso range, at best it beats the D800 by ~1 EV.
I think you did a great job of pointing out that the landscape score does not reflect performance across the iso range, you did a poor job of convincing me that the 1DX is a better overall performer in this context, it's just not.