25 cameras with the best dynamic range
Following from my post about dynamic range in cameras a few days ago, I did some further research… I give you: The 25 cameras with the best dynamic range!
Interestingly, it seems as if Nikon is generally doing quite a bit better than Canon, and that a camera launched almost 5 years ago is actually one of the ones with the very best dynamic ranges out there – And it’s not the brand you’d think, either!
Oh, and interestingly, there’s been a serious shift in the number of photographers shooting in raw – more about that in the end of this article.
The list…
1 – FujiFilm Finepix S5 Pro (13.5 ev)
2 – FujiFilm Finepix S3 Pro (13.5 ev)
3 – Nikon D90 (12.5 ev)
4 – Sony Alpha 900 (12.3 ev)
5 – Nikon D3 (12.2 ev)
6 – Nikon D700 (12.2 ev)
7 – Nikon D300 (12 ev)
8 – Canon EOS 1Ds mk III (12 ev)
9 – Canon EOS 1D mk III (11.7 ev)
10 – Pentax K10D (11.6 ev)
11 – Sony Alpha 350 (11.5 ev)
12 – Nikon D200 (11.5 ev)
13 – Nikon D40x (11.5 ev)
14 – Canon EOS 50D (11.4 ev)
15 – Konica Minolta DYNAX 5D (11.4 ev)
16 – Nikon D60 (11.4 ev)
17 – Canon EOS 1DS mk II (11.3 ev)
18 – Leica M8 (11.3 ev)
19 – Canon EOS 40D (11.3 ev)
20 – Sony Alpha 100 (11.2 ev)
21 – Samsung GX20 (11.2 ev)
22 – Nikon D80 (11.2 ev)
23 – Canon EOS 1D mk2 N (11.2 ev)
24 – Canon EOS 5D (11.1 ev)
25 – Canon EOS 1D mk2 (11.1 ev)
A huge thanks to DXOmark for the figures – check out their site for lots of more interesting uber-geekery about digital camera sensors and suchlike!
Update: Sorry, I had the D200 in there twice – the top one should have been the D300 instead. Fixed now – thanks for the heads-up!
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Insights, suggestions and comments
Thanks for this list, it’s an aspect of the cameras’ function that’s far more interesting to me than megapixels. I would love to see where the new 5D MkII fits into this list, with the new sensor design. I’d also be curious to know how many of these use the 14bit process, and if there’s any true effect on the dynamic range afforded by the greater bit-depth.
WOW. MY pentax is NO 10， IT’S great！
I see that you have the D200 listed twice.
I also assume that one of them should be the D300.
But which of them has the higher rating?
7 – Nikon D200 (12 ev)
12 – Nikon D200 (11.5 ev)
Mmmmm? Nikon D200 should be first – 12 ev + 11.5 ev = 23.5 ev!
Someone knows were i can find a similar list for film?
Why Nikon D200 2 times? Canon 1 Ds MkII (16ev) Canon 40D checked some cameras and not automatic focus incorrectly works for one. And why in the list there is no 5D MkII (21ev) it should be in this list the first under the price and quality
It’s true, the Fuji S5 is the best, I had one, I can testify.
carlo, heres the link> http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/DxOMark-Sensor
d90 is 3rd for the best dynamic range
and it ranked 5th overall (image quality output of sensor).
better than those other canon high-end dslr and some nikon.
wow, really good value for money huh?
sorry carlo, im sorry. its just a link for digital slr. not for film.
nice list, but Im very curious about where 5d mk2 would end up. Im currently using a D200 and have been drooling over the 5d mk2 for a long long time now, but I need a few more arguments to go ahead and spend alot of hard earned money on it ;)
Great list, makes me want to get that D90 more than ever now…
Hello,
I have a Fuji Finepix S5. It beats everything.
I have borrowed a Nikon D200 from a fried and between the cameras there are some worlds.
The Fuji is slower and has a horrible menu but the pictures are quite teriffic. I am still amaze how sensitive is the camera concerning tinie difference in light.
I was a proud owner of a Pentax K10D but comparing with the Fuji it’s like comparing a Canon Ixus with a DSLR.
Nevertheless it is your creativity and eye that will make the difference.
I HIGHLY DOUBT the K10D on this list is accurate. I have owned mine for 2 years, and shot many many shots. They must have concluded this list based upon the manufacturers list, not real world conditions. Don’t get me wrong I love my pentax, but this list inaccurate.
ye, i did see about the fuji’s dynamic range beats most of the cameras. i have yet to see how the d700 works, most of the time i keep it disabled. due to the type of shooting i do.
I am planning to do quite a bit of black and white work, would this mean that I should get a fuji S3 or S5 Pro instead of, say, a Nikon D200 for the better tonal range?
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