Blind test: K-3 vs K-5 IIs

Brew1brew · 11-05-2013, 08:47 AM

Originally posted by Adam

In retrospect it would probably be better to stick to in-camera JPEGs for a comparison like this (as long as all settings are the same), as there are so many variables in RAW files these days that you can goof even if you go way out of your way to try to get two files to look the same. And yes, I agree that ACR should be avoided.

The reason these two photos look different is that the tripod plate on the K-5 IIs was misaligned. Aw well- I can take it out again tomorrow! Test charts would also work, of course, but that's not what it's about IMO. Been trying to avoid those as much as possible!

Adam, I would suggest using the Silkypix based camera utility that came with the K3, SilkyPix should handle both photos equally.

regor · 11-05-2013, 09:23 AM

Brew1brew I agree with you, Silkypix should be the best RAW processor for image comparisons, and I'd rather see the images in their native format as well as scaled to a common resolution that isn't either of the images size so both images would be re-sampled.

ElJamoquio · 11-05-2013, 10:43 AM

The first thing I would try in this instance is to upsample both, using the same algorithm... to, say, 48 MP.

Then do a comparison.

bossa · 11-05-2013, 06:06 PM

Originally posted by jaad75

Maybe yours. My screens have typically much higher res.

It seems you're correct. I decided to test my screen and mine is running at 109dpi.

**agkchang** · 11-05-2013, 06:40 PM

File 1 is from K-3; resolution looks sharper.

Racerdew · 11-05-2013, 11:18 PM

Okay already

kh1234567890 · 11-06-2013, 04:53 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Brew1brew

Adam, I would suggest using the Silkypix based camera utility that came with the K3, SilkyPix should handle both photos equally.

Or the real thing - Silkypix Pro 5 :

[Release history]

[NOV/05/2013 Ver.5.0.49.0]
- New support: Pentax K-3

Brew1brew · 11-06-2013, 08:42 AM

Originally posted by kh1234567890

Or the real thing - Silkypix Pro 5 :

[Release history]

[NOV/05/2013 Ver.5.0.49.0]
- New support: Pentax K-3

I've already upgraded

Now all I need is to place my K3 order

imtheguy · 11-07-2013, 09:59 AM

K-3 is pic #2

50% chance of looking like I actually know.

D1N0 · 11-07-2013, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by imtheguy

K-3 is pic #2

50% chance of looking like I actually know.

I would have gone with the majority ↑

stevebrot · 11-07-2013, 12:05 PM

Originally posted by bossa

When you remember that the screen res' is 72dpi

Sorry about your ancient monitor. We could take up a collection, I suppose.

Steve

PALADIN85020 · 11-07-2013, 02:03 PM

It doesn't make sense to me to compare a down-sampled image with one that isn't. In my experience (admittedly only with PS Elements 10), downsampling noticeably softens the image; I invariably have to sharpen a downsampled image somewhat to approximate the apparent resolution of the original picture. Adam, I think you were comparing apples and oranges, and trying to make the apple equivalent to an orange. In my mind, that just isn't possible.

Best,
John

Gregs · 12-25-2013, 05:38 PM

There is 1 duck missing from the second pic. (next to a fence

so to me is obvious that the second pic. was taken with a K3

Also the second pic. is not as sharp as the first one, on top of that there is moire on the fence in the first one so to me is obvious that the second pic was taken with a K3 (filter on) and the first one either with K5IIs or K3 (with filter off)
PS: the DUCK !!! near the FENCE is the clue...... obviously

slip · 12-29-2013, 10:35 AM

If people have that much trouble choosing between the two, then that tells me that the k3 isn't worth an upgrade from the k5iis

maybe next generation.....

thanks

randy

ElJamoquio · 12-29-2013, 06:36 PM

Originally posted by slip

If people have that much trouble choosing between the two, then that tells me that the k3 isn't worth an upgrade from the k5iis

maybe next generation.....

thanks

randy

I'll probably never know... but all reports say AF has been improved.

I don't think the sensor is all that much better but it's definitely an improvement.

View Poll Results: Which is which?
File one = K-3, File two = K-5 IIs	272	64.00%
File one = K-5 IIs, File two = K-3	153	36.00%
Voters: 425. You may not vote on this poll

11-07-2013, 02:03 PM	#192
PALADIN85020 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 442	Tilt! It doesn't make sense to me to compare a down-sampled image with one that isn't. In my experience (admittedly only with PS Elements 10), downsampling noticeably softens the image; I invariably have to sharpen a downsampled image somewhat to approximate the apparent resolution of the original picture. Adam, I think you were comparing apples and oranges, and trying to make the apple equivalent to an orange. In my mind, that just isn't possible. Best, John

12-25-2013, 05:38 PM	#193
Gregs Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 52	There is 1 duck missing from the second pic. (next to a fence so to me is obvious that the second pic. was taken with a K3 Also the second pic. is not as sharp as the first one, on top of that there is moire on the fence in the first one so to me is obvious that the second pic was taken with a K3 (filter on) and the first one either with K5IIs or K3 (with filter off) PS: the DUCK !!! near the FENCE is the clue...... obviously Last edited by Gregs; 12-26-2013 at 07:24 PM.

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11-05-2013, 08:47 AM	#181
Brew1brew Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Plano Texas USA Posts: 121	Originally posted by Adam In retrospect it would probably be better to stick to in-camera JPEGs for a comparison like this (as long as all settings are the same), as there are so many variables in RAW files these days that you can goof even if you go way out of your way to try to get two files to look the same. And yes, I agree that ACR should be avoided. The reason these two photos look different is that the tripod plate on the K-5 IIs was misaligned. Aw well- I can take it out again tomorrow! Test charts would also work, of course, but that's not what it's about IMO. Been trying to avoid those as much as possible! Adam, I would suggest using the Silkypix based camera utility that came with the K3, SilkyPix should handle both photos equally.

11-05-2013, 09:23 AM	#182
regor Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Victoria, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 356	Brew1brew I agree with you, Silkypix should be the best RAW processor for image comparisons, and I'd rather see the images in their native format as well as scaled to a common resolution that isn't either of the images size so both images would be re-sampled.

11-05-2013, 10:43 AM	#183
ElJamoquio Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,873	The first thing I would try in this instance is to upsample both, using the same algorithm... to, say, 48 MP. Then do a comparison.

11-05-2013, 06:06 PM	#184
bossa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Adelaide Posts: 4,546	Originally posted by jaad75 Maybe yours. My screens have typically much higher res. It seems you're correct. I decided to test my screen and mine is running at 109dpi.

11-05-2013, 06:40 PM	#185
agkchang Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Glendale, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 103	File 1 is from K-3; resolution looks sharper.

11-05-2013, 11:18 PM	#186
Racerdew Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 285	Okay already

11-06-2013, 04:53 AM - 1 Like	#187
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by Brew1brew Adam, I would suggest using the Silkypix based camera utility that came with the K3, SilkyPix should handle both photos equally. Or the real thing - Silkypix Pro 5 : [Release history] [NOV/05/2013 Ver.5.0.49.0] - New support: Pentax K-3

11-06-2013, 08:42 AM	#188
Brew1brew Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Plano Texas USA Posts: 121	Originally posted by kh1234567890 Or the real thing - Silkypix Pro 5 : [Release history] [NOV/05/2013 Ver.5.0.49.0] - New support: Pentax K-3 I've already upgraded Now all I need is to place my K3 order

11-07-2013, 09:59 AM	#189
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	K-3 is pic #2 50% chance of looking like I actually know.

11-07-2013, 10:50 AM	#190
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	Originally posted by imtheguy K-3 is pic #2 50% chance of looking like I actually know. I would have gone with the majority ↑

11-07-2013, 12:05 PM	#191
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by bossa When you remember that the screen res' is 72dpi Sorry about your ancient monitor. We could take up a collection, I suppose. Steve

12-29-2013, 10:35 AM	#194
slip Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,535	If people have that much trouble choosing between the two, then that tells me that the k3 isn't worth an upgrade from the k5iis maybe next generation..... thanks randy

12-29-2013, 06:36 PM	#195
ElJamoquio Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,873	Originally posted by slip If people have that much trouble choosing between the two, then that tells me that the k3 isn't worth an upgrade from the k5iis maybe next generation..... thanks randy I'll probably never know... but all reports say AF has been improved. I don't think the sensor is all that much better but it's definitely an improvement.