Dynamic range of digital v film cameras?

Question

Hi! I was reading on wikipedia's 'Digital Photography' page and read that the dynamic range of digital pictures is usually worse than on film, except for if you use Fuji's new 4th generation Super CCD cameras, which seem quite cheap.

I have a Canon Ixus 60, and I can't find any information on if this camera is 4th generation/super CCD too - it was a lot more expensive.

I want to get as good quality as film photos on a digital camera. Should I buy one of these Fuji cameras to get this?

I'm very confused. Thanks! :)

Answer 1

Actually, the Canon IXUS 60, also named “SD600 Digital ELPH”, uses a CCD (Charged Coupled Device), not a CMOS. It says so in several photography sites, as well as in the manufacturer's specifications page for that camera, and in its user manual. The only thing they don't specifically say, is that these sensors are usually made by Sony.

But it's a CCD, that much I'm sure of. What it's not, is a Fujifilm SuperCCD HR, or SuperCCD SR, or any Fujifilm SuperCCD at all: it doesn't have hexagonal photosites, nor does it have a honeycomb array (but a standard grid one), and for that matter it's not even as large as Fujifilm's sensors usually are: the one used in the IXUS 60 / SD600 is your typical 1/2.5 inches sized sensor, while Fuji usually (though not always) uses larger sensors, in the 1/1.6 - 1/1.7 inches range. So there's no particular advantage to the IXUS 60's sensor: it has typical sensitivity, typical dynamic range, and typical noise profile.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_sd600.asp
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=12913

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Fuji-Super-CCD-SR--HR-FAQ-1

None of that means that the IXUS 60's is a bad sensor; it certainly isn't. It's just not in the Fuji SuperCCD HR, 1/1.6” - 1/1.7” league; if you want a camera with that kind of sensor, look for the Fujifilm FinePix F30, F31fd, F40fd, or the newer (and still a bit of a mistery, regarding image quality) F50fd.

Answer 2

fPhotoAce:

You've mixed up dynamic latitude with exposure latitude.
Slide film is typically very intolerant of any exposure errors, but typically offers a far higher dynamic latitude than most print films and far far higher than any electronic sensor.

Anyway, meanwhile back at the question....

The word 'worse' carries quite negative conatations.

The contrast range from most digital cameras is fine, given that they will be printed on fairly basic home printers or uncallibrated high street printers. To the eye you will find a bit more detail in highlights & shadows with film.....

....If you were going to use decent quality film, correctly exposed, and scan it at decent colour depth and with a decent scanner with good density factor then the results shall be higher than with digital.

In short a slide of film being stored or manipulated digitally is only as good as the scan.

If you don't want the hassle of all this then buy a digital camera that supports either TIFF, RAW or DNG as these file types give you a better colour depth and more subtle colour gradiations than JPEGS.

The best camera at the moment for colour depth subtlety is the Pentax d10 (aka Samsung gx10)

A bigger disparity is that of resolution, but it all depends on your intended end use.

If you want the quality of film in a compact shell then buy an Olympus MJU II 35mm camera or a Ricoh GR1 35mm.

The IXUS is a decent solid wee camera. If you have the option to shoot RAW or TIFF then use it. Don't replace it for the sake of it.

Any fuji's I've used have been pretty mushy in JPEG mode.

Answer 3

To be honest, if you don't notice the difference then don't bother. If you are going to print the photos I'd print them on photo paper, but being realistic... you may some people do... how many photos do you print. Otherwise, there isn't much of a noticable difference on your pc screen. If you do want this super ccd, then I think you will need a fuji camera, but otherwise your ixus is a great camera, don't be conned by fujis marketing advice. (which is probably where its from)

Answer 4

Modern digital cameras give excellent results. I should forget talk about the "dynamic range", are you satisfied with the results you get from your camera? I have seen tests by professional photographers that show that digital gave better results than film. (Yes it was an expensinve camera.) You should be able to rely on all the better known makes such as Canon, Nikon, and Fuji.

Answer 5

I believe you've confused "dynamic range" with "exposure latitude" which is somewhat like comparing apples to oranges. Film is judged by its "exposure latitude" - the number of stops it can be over or under exposed by and still yield a printable negative. As previously stated, slide film has the least and print film has the most.

The term "dynamic range" is more applicable to digital cameras and a fuller explanation can be found elsewhere. It refers to the amount of shadow and highlight the sensor can capture.

For the very best results when shooting scenics with your digital camera you should use a low ISO (100 or 200) and shoot in RAW. Using a tripod is also recommended. Use your camera's self-timer or a cable release to further minimize camera movement - even if your camera has Image Stabilization or Anti-Shake. A HAZE/UV filter or a Skylight 1A (uncoated) or 1B (coated) filter will also improve image quality. (The HAZE/UV filter removes the hazy look often seen in scenics; the Skylight filter removes the bluish tint seen in shaded mountains and/or snow and in photos taken in open shade.) Plus, either of these filters protects the front element of your lens. No lens should ever face the world naked - it should have a filter protecting it. One scratch or acidic smudge and your lens is ruined. Filters are much cheaper to replace.

A circular polarizer can be used to darken blue skys to make white puffy clouds really "pop" or just for appeal of a deep blue sky. It also removes glare/reflections from glass, water, sand, snow and painted metal - but not polished metal.

Answer 6

If you are happy with your camera stick with it.
I use both Canon and Fuji cameras and both are excellent.
Better to invest in a photoprinter and good quality paper and make super prints.

Answer 7

1

Answer 8

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