first S3 impressions from a d2x user
For anybody who is interested here are my observations:
I shot quit some images with both, d2x and S3pro in raw.
Conclusions:
Body:
S3pro feels good in my hands, the viewfinder is smaller but acceptable IMO.
While the d2x feels much more robust overall the S3 is ok IMO.
Images:
Its hard to compare since there are many settings/parameters which are different between these cameras.
When playing with the parameters when converting the raw files you can make the images look pretty much alike regading tonality and color.
Of course the S3 has the advantage regarding holding the highlights - but for me it seems you can just expose the d2x a little lower and then boost the midtones and get the same look.
The D2x images are more detailed, but the difference is smaller than I expected. Overall I am impressed by the S3 image detail.
The d2x shows a little more noise.
I think the S3 has a tendancy for a little too cyan skies and a little to pink skins.
Forget about F2-mode. I was surprized about the different S3 look between srgb and adobe.
The d2x color seems more accurate to me, except the greens look slightly to warm/yellow IMO.
Both tendancys can be removed easily in post processing or setting parameters.
Software:; NikonCapture is slow but much better than the FUJI hyper.... Software. Better options, better to use,...
Overall Cocnlusion:
IMO the d2x is more camera. It has nearly no weak sides besdies maybe that you have to watch the highlights abd expose accurate.
The S3 has some weak sides (small buffer, not that accurate (but pleasing?)colors, not as clear user interface as d2x) but I am sure if you know the camer you can get the same image quality you can get with the d2x up to A3 size prints. It also might be easier to get pretty good images with pleasing color from the S3 pro.
I know everybody here says that S3 is the "ultimate" jpg camera. I agree regarding exposure (doesnt have to be exposed that precise) but for me (maybe because I know the d2x better) it has been easier to get consistent results with the d2x. More reliable WB, not that big diffrences between srgb, adobe,...color modes, smaller/finer steps for the settings, better user interface.
So far I could not find an advantage of those "14-bit tones" vs the 12 bit of my d2x. However there has been one or the other S3 shot which had a very good look to me and I am kind of interested to fnd out more about this camera. I dont know yet if this should be reason enough to keep/buy the S3.
If I compare prices between d2x and S3 then I would say the S3pro is a bargain for those who want really good image quality and dont need big buffer and speed (meaning for people who dont shoot a lot of sports and action)
Sorry for the long post.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1020&message=14353124