Nikon D3200 Hands-on Preview

**Deimos** · 04-28-2012, 09:54 AM

People over at dpreview seem to be pretty much tearing it apart

causey · 04-28-2012, 01:39 PM

Originally posted by Unsinkable II

Lens release: Pentax kicks both in the teeth.

What do you mean? Are your referring to the recently released roadmap?

JinDesu · 04-28-2012, 01:49 PM

Originally posted by causey

What do you mean? Are your referring to the recently released roadmap?

Lens release button location he means

causey · 04-28-2012, 02:10 PM

Originally posted by JinDesu

Lens release button location he means

Ah, ok

The discussion on dpreview led me to compare D3200 and Nex-7. The Nex beats the Nikon by a mile. I can't wait to see what Pentax's going to make of this sensor.

JohnBee · 04-28-2012, 02:43 PM

Originally posted by causey

Retracting... Looking at the raw files--the D3200 is clearly noisier than the K-5, but there seems to be enough additional detail (given the D3200 is 24mp) to make up for the noise.

Originally posted by Jasvox

I compared the the D3200 to the K-7, k-5 and NEX-5n and found the K-5 and NEX-5n to have much better quality at 1600 and 3200 when viewing raw files.

Jason

Originally posted by causey

I had the same impression for ISO 3200, and I assumed the same conclusion applied to higher ISO, but now I think even at 3200 the D3200 is better. Much more detail...

Originally posted by JinDesu

Are we looking at JPEG comparisons, or RAW? Because in RAW, the k-5 is trumping the D3200 once you reach 1600 ISO.

Even in RAW, the k-x is beating the D3200 at ISO 3200+. At 12,800, it's laughable - I can do noise reduction on the k-x file (some luminance, barely any color) and recover it nicely. The D3200 file looks like it needs a lot more color denoising.

I wanted to play with the RAW files for denoising, but my Photoshop and Lightroom doesn't recognize the D3200 files =\

Originally posted by Deimos

I see a lot more noise (and chroma noise) in the d3200 files (RAW or jpeg). there seems to be a touch more detail in some areas, but most look noisier, less contrasty and with worse colour than the K-5.

I still prefer the K-5 output myself. But clearly a nice sensor for an entry level camera!

Originally posted by JinDesu

Comparing the JPEG high ISO shots is straight from camera, and the k-5 version has NR turned on. My understanding is that the k-5's jpeg output at high ISO isn't so great - and a lot of review sites gave it flak because they never bothered to look at the RAW.

In fact, if you look at the RAW processed ISO 3200 shot of the k-x, it beats the out-of-body jpeg from the k-5. But once we talk about RAW files, the k-5 is king of this bunch (of course), and the k-x still beats the D3200. The D3200 just has a larger resolution - it has so much more noise than the k-x.

At ISO 100, the D3200 looks lovely. So yes - it's a great sensor. But even at ISO 800, you are getting quite a bit more chroma noise. And chroma always looks uglier than luminance noise.

Originally posted by ihasa

Chroma noise is readily dealt with. The D3200 is resolving a LOT more detail - look at the hour makings on the clock! Downsample the images to K5 resolution, and I reckon they'll be decisively better. The question for me is, is such high image quality really necessary? Probably not, but it's still nice to have!

Originally posted by causey

It surprising how good the K-x is compared to both K-5 and D3200 at ISO 800; but I still think the D3200 has enough detail to make up for the noise. Another thing: Canon T3i doesn't look bad at all. All these cameras are great. They aren't going to make a definitive photographic difference.

I took the liberty of processing RAW files from the D3200 and D3200 in LR4 RC2 then downsampled to match. And the obvious thing is where the added resolution from the D3200 easilly makes-up for the added chroma noise against the K-5, however... what I found particularly interesting is how much detail I was able to retain at ISO6400 using Topaz denoise with the D3200 at 1:1 - (very impressive imo).

Having said that, I think this model gives us a very good preview of what's to come. And though the D3200 doesn't exceed the NEX-7 at base ISO, it does however get the edge at higher ISO by suffering slightly less noise destruction. Though I wouldn't spend much time obsessing on anything passed ISO6400 myself.

Hope this helps.

jogiba · 04-28-2012, 02:47 PM

Originally posted by causey

Ah, ok

The discussion on dpreview led me to compare D3200 and Nex-7. The Nex beats the Nikon by a mile. I can't wait to see what Pentax's going to make of this sensor.

And the 5N beats the 7 by a mile @ 12800 iso.

JinDesu · 04-28-2012, 02:52 PM

Thank you John Bee. It looks like it keeps up well on the RAW up to a point. Quite interesting.

Jasvox · 04-30-2012, 04:55 AM

Is iso 6400 the new 1600?

Jason

JohnBee · 04-30-2012, 07:02 PM

Originally posted by Jasvox

Is iso 6400 the new 1600?

I'm going to go ahead and say yes.

I've noticed 6400 has become the threshold in most circumstances. Though in many cases(indoors), I've noticed 12800 coming-up on my dial too. - tbh, I'd like to see such things as ISO go away altogether so we could place more of our focus on the capturing than the technical limitations of the equipment. Maybe in a few more years.

**Ash** · 04-30-2012, 07:20 PM

A few good points there Unsinkable. I suppose that's why focus assist appeared in the K-r.
As for the second e-dial, there have to be some things to discriminate flagship models from entry level ones. Adding one certainly wouldn't cost much but then why stop there? How about the number of other features that would only take slight software/hardware tweaks to implement? Anyway, we expect there to be some lag in the advance of Pentax cameras compared with the Canons and Nikons (as has existed throughout), so Photokina this year might just be something to look forward to in this regard.

04-28-2012, 02:43 PM	#20
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	Originally posted by causey Retracting... Looking at the raw files--the D3200 is clearly noisier than the K-5, but there seems to be enough additional detail (given the D3200 is 24mp) to make up for the noise. Originally posted by Jasvox I compared the the D3200 to the K-7, k-5 and NEX-5n and found the K-5 and NEX-5n to have much better quality at 1600 and 3200 when viewing raw files. Jason Originally posted by causey I had the same impression for ISO 3200, and I assumed the same conclusion applied to higher ISO, but now I think even at 3200 the D3200 is better. Much more detail... Originally posted by JinDesu Are we looking at JPEG comparisons, or RAW? Because in RAW, the k-5 is trumping the D3200 once you reach 1600 ISO. Even in RAW, the k-x is beating the D3200 at ISO 3200+. At 12,800, it's laughable - I can do noise reduction on the k-x file (some luminance, barely any color) and recover it nicely. The D3200 file looks like it needs a lot more color denoising. I wanted to play with the RAW files for denoising, but my Photoshop and Lightroom doesn't recognize the D3200 files =\ Originally posted by Deimos I see a lot more noise (and chroma noise) in the d3200 files (RAW or jpeg). there seems to be a touch more detail in some areas, but most look noisier, less contrasty and with worse colour than the K-5. I still prefer the K-5 output myself. But clearly a nice sensor for an entry level camera! Originally posted by JinDesu Comparing the JPEG high ISO shots is straight from camera, and the k-5 version has NR turned on. My understanding is that the k-5's jpeg output at high ISO isn't so great - and a lot of review sites gave it flak because they never bothered to look at the RAW. In fact, if you look at the RAW processed ISO 3200 shot of the k-x, it beats the out-of-body jpeg from the k-5. But once we talk about RAW files, the k-5 is king of this bunch (of course), and the k-x still beats the D3200. The D3200 just has a larger resolution - it has so much more noise than the k-x. At ISO 100, the D3200 looks lovely. So yes - it's a great sensor. But even at ISO 800, you are getting quite a bit more chroma noise. And chroma always looks uglier than luminance noise. Originally posted by ihasa Chroma noise is readily dealt with. The D3200 is resolving a LOT more detail - look at the hour makings on the clock! Downsample the images to K5 resolution, and I reckon they'll be decisively better. The question for me is, is such high image quality really necessary? Probably not, but it's still nice to have! Originally posted by causey It surprising how good the K-x is compared to both K-5 and D3200 at ISO 800; but I still think the D3200 has enough detail to make up for the noise. Another thing: Canon T3i doesn't look bad at all. All these cameras are great. They aren't going to make a definitive photographic difference. I took the liberty of processing RAW files from the D3200 and D3200 in LR4 RC2 then downsampled to match. And the obvious thing is where the added resolution from the D3200 easilly makes-up for the added chroma noise against the K-5, however... what I found particularly interesting is how much detail I was able to retain at ISO6400 using Topaz denoise with the D3200 at 1:1 - (very impressive imo). Having said that, I think this model gives us a very good preview of what's to come. And though the D3200 doesn't exceed the NEX-7 at base ISO, it does however get the edge at higher ISO by suffering slightly less noise destruction. Though I wouldn't spend much time obsessing on anything passed ISO6400 myself. Hope this helps. Last edited by JohnBee; 04-28-2012 at 03:00 PM.

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04-28-2012, 09:54 AM	#16
Deimos Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kingdom of Wonder Posts: 1,777	People over at dpreview seem to be pretty much tearing it apart

04-28-2012, 01:39 PM	#17
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	Originally posted by Unsinkable II Lens release: Pentax kicks both in the teeth. What do you mean? Are your referring to the recently released roadmap?

04-28-2012, 01:49 PM	#18
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by causey What do you mean? Are your referring to the recently released roadmap? Lens release button location he means

04-28-2012, 02:10 PM	#19
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	Originally posted by JinDesu Lens release button location he means Ah, ok The discussion on dpreview led me to compare D3200 and Nex-7. The Nex beats the Nikon by a mile. I can't wait to see what Pentax's going to make of this sensor.

04-28-2012, 02:47 PM	#21
jogiba Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Millstone,NJ Posts: 6,491 Original Poster	Originally posted by causey Ah, ok The discussion on dpreview led me to compare D3200 and Nex-7. The Nex beats the Nikon by a mile. I can't wait to see what Pentax's going to make of this sensor. And the 5N beats the 7 by a mile @ 12800 iso.

04-28-2012, 02:52 PM	#22
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Thank you John Bee. It looks like it keeps up well on the RAW up to a point. Quite interesting.

04-30-2012, 04:55 AM	#23
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	Is iso 6400 the new 1600? Jason

04-30-2012, 07:02 PM	#24
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	Originally posted by Jasvox Is iso 6400 the new 1600? I'm going to go ahead and say yes. I've noticed 6400 has become the threshold in most circumstances. Though in many cases(indoors), I've noticed 12800 coming-up on my dial too. - tbh, I'd like to see such things as ISO go away altogether so we could place more of our focus on the capturing than the technical limitations of the equipment. Maybe in a few more years.

04-30-2012, 07:20 PM	#25
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	A few good points there Unsinkable. I suppose that's why focus assist appeared in the K-r. As for the second e-dial, there have to be some things to discriminate flagship models from entry level ones. Adding one certainly wouldn't cost much but then why stop there? How about the number of other features that would only take slight software/hardware tweaks to implement? Anyway, we expect there to be some lag in the advance of Pentax cameras compared with the Canons and Nikons (as has existed throughout), so Photokina this year might just be something to look forward to in this regard.