In the game of professional and serious amateur photography, the oldest debate is Nikon vs. Canon. Although Nikon has had a larger percentage of the market share for years with their universal mount system, many of these customers switched to Canon as the two brands transitioned to digital to take advantage of Canon's larger sensor and higher megapixel options in its camera bodies. However, with the Nikon D3, Nikon is regaining some of that market share.
Noise about Noise
According to press releases put out by Nikon, the Nikon D3 offers lower noise at higher ISO settings than other digital cameras. Noise is the digital camera equivalent of film grain. Noise looks like color speckles, and it tends to be higher when the ISO settings are higher. Most photographers set the ISO setting higher when lighting conditions are lower.
Newer Sensor Image
The reason for the Nikon's lack of noise is that the company has introduced a new image sensor in the D3. Prior to the D3, Nikon's digital cameras contained a Fuji-made sensor. This new sensor, which was developed by Nikon, uses new technology for the cleanest photo yet. However, this new sensor still has a smaller aspect ratio than a 35mm frame of film. By contrast, the Canon line of digital cameras offers a full-frame sensor.
ISO and Resolution
In terms of shooting ISO, a direct comparison is difficult to make. The Canon 1D Mark III can only shoot as high as 1600 ISO at full quality. At higher ISO settings, the photo's resolution is much lower. By contrast, the Nikon D3 can make photos at an ISO of 6400 with no loss in resolution size.
The World of Megapixels
On the other hand, according to photographers who post on forums like those at Shutterbug magazine, DP Review and Pro Photo Home, adherents to the Canon 1D Mark III prefer it because it has the highest megapixel capability on the market (21 megapixels). By comparison, the Nikon D3 can only offer a 12-megapixel-sized photograph.
Direct Comparison
When comparing the two cameras in a direct shoot-off, the differences are readily apparent. The Nikon produces clearer images, provided those images are 12-megapixel. Should the photographer be willing to trade off a full-frame image for one with a lower aspect ratio, the Nikon D3 is the camera for him. By contrast, if a photographer is looking for a higher megapixel camera that can make images from what is fully seen through the lens with no clipping on the border, and that photographer does not mind the extra noise, then the Canon 1D Mark III is the obvious choice.
Tags: Canon Mark, digital cameras, aspect ratio, higher megapixel, higher settings, higher when