What is the difference in image quality from 1 inch to Quan Huafu under the same pixel？

As for cameras, among the latest topics, people have been discussing Quan Huafu, high sensitivity and noise control, and how far is the gap between APS-C and Quan Huafu. Yes, a larger frame means a better picture quality, but how much influence does the frame have on the picture quality, what aspects will it affect, and who is more important, pixel or frame? Today we will discuss this question. In today’s article, the author selected four cameras with the same 20 million pixels, but the frames are one inch, M43, APS-C and Quan Huafu, to see how the frame will affect the image quality under the same pixel.

Frame versus frame with the same pixel determines the picture quality.

Frame is a prerequisite to determine the image quality. Under the same technical conditions, the larger the frame, the larger the area of a single pixel, the greater the light input and the better the image quality.

Frame, the biggest factor that determines the picture quality.

However, the reality is not an environment with a single variable. In fact, the technology of the sensor is very complicated. The circuit design of the sensor is traditional, back-illuminated or stacked; The filter structure is Bayer filter or X3 structure; Differences in pixel opening design types; Even how much the buried phase of the sensor is relative to the focus, these complex factors will affect the imaging of the camera. Another important factor that affects the sensor is the processor, whether the performance of the processor is strong or not, and whether the algorithm of the processor is good or not, which will also directly affect the image quality of the camera. For example, in noise control, the improvement of computing performance and algorithm will bring even more gains than the improvement of the sensor itself.

Not only the size, but also many factors that affect the sensor, such as the opening area, back illumination or surface illumination, etc., will affect the image quality.

For us, the advantages brought by the frame are inherent, but how big is the advantage of the frame? Under the same pixel, there is little intuitive display of the difference between different frames. Today, the author will show this difference in the form of images, and look at the difference of 20 million pixels under different frames.

Today’s contrast frame size

In order to ensure the relative objectivity of comparison, we set the pixel level to 20 million pixels, and all the cameras are those of colleagues around us. The cameras for comparison include:

One-inch camera is Canon G5X, with effective pixels of 20.2 million, single pixel size of 2.4μm×2.4μm, and lens equivalent focal length of 24-100mMF/1.8-2.8;

M43 camera is Panasonic GH5, with effective pixel of 20.3 million, single pixel size of 3.3μm×3.3μm, and Leica 12-60 MMF/2.8-4 lens.

The APS-C camera is Nikon D500, with an effective pixel of 20.88 million, a single pixel size of 4.2μm×4.2μm, and the matching lens is Nikon Generation I 24-70 MMF/2.8;

The full-frame camera is Canon 6D, with an effective pixel of 20.2 million, a single pixel size of 6.6μm×6.6μm, and the matching lens is Canon II 24-70mmf/2.8.

The camera used in this test

In today’s test, we chose four 20-megapixel bodies, and the lenses were basically consistent. Canon and Nikon both chose 24-70mmf/2.8, while Panasonic chose the newly released 12-60mm lens with excellent image quality, while G5X was the lens that the card machine could not choose.

For today’s article, in fact, what we want to explain is very simple: intuitively let everyone feel the difference in image quality of different frames with the same pixel through pictures; Explain what the frame will affect and what it will not. Without further ado, let’s get into today’s comparison.

The influence of high-sensitivity contrast frame on noise control is decisive.

Noise control, everyone’s favorite topic to talk about, will always move out of a topic of high feeling when talking about cameras. For noise control, the biggest factors are definitely: frame, pixel, processor and algorithm. Today, we will compare the four-format cameras directly and see the noise control differences between JPG and RAW files.

First of all, let’s take a look at the difference between the JPG straight out of the fuselage. In order to ensure fairness, we set all the high-sensitivity noise reduction of the fuselage as the standard, while Panasonic does not have the option, so the high-sensitivity noise reduction is the default. We use a uniform aperture of 50mm and f/8 for the lens to ensure that the test is as close as possible. Among them, under ISO100, the sensitivity of G5X of one-inch camera is ISO125 (the lowest sensitivity of the fuselage is ISO125), while ISO100 of GH5 is extended sensitivity.

Step-by-step sensitivity comparison under JPG, sensitivity ISO100(G5X is 125, GH5 is extended sensitivity).

Step-by-step sensitivity comparison under JPG, sensitivity ISO200.

Step-by-step sensitivity comparison under JPG, sensitivity ISO400.

Step-by-step sensitivity comparison under JPG, sensitivity ISO800.

Step-by-step sensitivity comparison under JPG, sensitivity ISO1600.

Step-by-step sensitivity comparison under JPG, sensitivity ISO3200.

Step-by-step sensitivity comparison under JPG, sensitivity ISO6400.

Step-by-step sensitivity comparison under JPG, sensitivity ISO12800.

For your convenience, please click "Bi" for specific large-size pictures.

Step-by-step sensitivity pair under JPG with the same pixel and different frames

As can be seen from the comparison of JPG, one inch is basically in the foil content in this group of tests. Starting from ISO400, 1 inch has been significantly different from other cameras. As a Quan Huafu fuselage, it has been in the lead in this link. Although the details of the picture may be reduced due to the serious smearing of the Canon fuselage itself after exceeding ISO6400, it is still the best among the four levels.

In this comparison, the competition between M43 and APS-C is the fiercest. Before ISO3200, there was no significant difference between M43 and APS-C. Although GH5 is an alternative in M43 at present, noise control is outstanding in M43, D500 represents the top noise control of APS-C after all, so this difference is actually somewhat surprising.

Step-by-step sensitivity comparison under RAW, sensitivity ISO100(G5X is 125, GH5 is extended sensitivity)

Step-by-step sensitivity comparison under RAW, sensitivity ISO200

Step-by-step sensitivity comparison under RAW, sensitivity ISO400.

Step-by-step sensitivity comparison under RAW, sensitivity ISO800

Step-by-step sensitivity comparison under RAW, sensitivity ISO1600

Step-by-step sensitivity comparison under RAW, sensitivity ISO3200

Step-by-step sensitivity comparison under RAW, sensitivity ISO6400

Step-by-step sensitivity comparison under RAW, sensitivity ISO12800.

Step-by-step sensitivity pair of RAW format under the same pixel and different frames

If the APS-C frame still tends to pursue Quan Huafu in JPG comparison due to smearing, then the difference between the four frames is maintained from beginning to end in RAW file. It can be said that as a professional user, the influence of the size of the frame on noise control is actually far greater than other factors. The size of the frame is one level larger, and the noise control of the RAW file is undoubtedly won.

For this kind of daytime, it is not too harsh to shoot, one is one inch and the other is Quan Huafu, so it is difficult to tell directly.

In fact, the results of this group of comparisons have already been in everyone’s mind, but the gap is still unclear. In fact, whether for JPG or RAW files, we can see that the one-inch camera has been rubbing on the ground in this round of competition, and ISO3200 is another dividing line. From ISO3200, M43 began to enter a serious decline stage, while D500 can still hold on.

The more extreme the environment, the greater the difference. For example, when shooting in the starry sky, the noise control advantage brought by the frame is rolling.

But can the test be so simple? In fact, I think the difference between the three cameras in daily shooting is smaller than the test in terms of actual use. In fact, under ISO1600, as long as it is not a particularly dark environment, the differences among the three cameras will not be too big. But in the dark environment, the advantage of Quan Huafu is incomparable to other frames. Therefore, in terms of noise control, there is little difference between the four frames for daily use; Harsh use, the advantage of a larger frame is rolling.

Tolerance frame size does not represent tolerance.

In terms of latitude, the frame has an advantage, but for latitude, the frame is no longer the decisive factor. Because for the tolerance, it depends more on the technology of the sensor than the size of the sensor. However, the larger the size of the sensor, the better the technology and the better the algorithm, but this advantage is not absolute.

First of all, let’s take a look at the tolerance performance at the lowest sensitivity. The tolerance at the lowest native sensitivity is the best tolerance performance of the fuselage. In this test, ISO125 is used for the one-inch model, ISO200 is used for the M43, and ISO100 is used for APS-C and Quan Huafu.

Tolerance test at the lowest native sensitivity, highlighting 1EV.

Tolerance test at the lowest native sensitivity, brightening 2EV.

Tolerance test at the lowest native sensitivity, brightening 3EV.

Tolerance test at the lowest native sensitivity, brightening 4EV.

Tolerance test at the lowest native sensitivity, brightening 5EV.

For your convenience, please click on "Bi" for specific large-size pictures, which is a pair of low-sensitivity tolerance in different frames with the same pixel.

In the tolerance test, although everyone said that D500 sacrificed tolerance, D500 tolerance was still the best in the test, and there was no significant gap between M43 and one inch. It can be said that the frame size has little influence on the tolerance, but more depends on the design process of the sensor.

However, the performance of tolerance depends not only on direct comparison, but also on the performance of tolerance under high ISO. Under ISO3200, the performance of noise control and tolerance are actually intertwined. At this time, not only tolerance but also noise control should be considered.

Tolerance test under ISO3200 sensitivity, brightening 1EV.

Tolerance test under ISO3200, brightening 2EV.

Tolerance test under ISO3200, brightening 3EV.

It can be seen that under ISO3200, D500 in APS-C format is similar to 6D in Quan Huafu in terms of tolerance, which is not because 6D has good tolerance, but because with the improvement of high sensitivity, the influence of basic noise control on tolerance increases. It can be said that we always say high sense, because the sensitivity performance almost affects most of the image quality performance, while the low sense of purity affects the details, while the high sense affects more content.

We chose Quan Huafu, in fact, the fundamental purpose is that the image quality of Quan Huafu is more pure. It can be said that the size of the frame determines the imaging basis of image quality, and the proportion of this condition is difficult to make up for the other two. Many users are obsessed with tolerance, and low-sense tolerance accounts for the majority, but high-sense tolerance is also a large part. For example, many APS-C frames are excellent in low-sensitivity tolerance, but in high-sensitivity shooting, such as shooting the starry sky, the high-sensitivity tolerance performance is far better than that of small-format models.

Analyze the difference of power, look at the picture and look at the performance of the lens.

Under the same pixel, the resolution of low sensitivity depends more on the lens than on the fuselage, and the resolution of high sensitivity depends on the noise control of the fuselage and the lens.

In fact, for the camera, the pixel level determines the resolution, but for the lowest sensitivity, the purity of each sensor is actually very small, and the details depend more on the quality of the lens. The same 20 million pixels, APS-C frame and Quan Huafu with the same lens, the difference in imaging effect is very small, we feel that the image quality is not good, many times because APS-C or smaller frame models, the lens is often a cheap camera lens, the resolution performance will naturally be crushed by Quan Huafu fuselage lens.

At the lowest native sensitivity, the contrast of resolution difference is irregular and basically depends on the lens.

However, for high ISO, the resolution performance is a part, while the basic image quality performance accounts for a higher proportion. As seen in the sensitivity test on the second page, the models with high sensitivity will be richer in the details of the picture, and the picture resolution is naturally higher than that of the models with poor sensitivity.

For a camera, the sensor, the processor and the lens are three core elements, and the sensor is only one of them, and any one of them can have a decisive impact on the image quality.

For a camera, sensor, processor and lens are the three cores.

As far as noise control is concerned, the influence of frame is decisive, so even if the full-frame many years ago and the latest APS-C frame are replaced, it is difficult for D500 to surpass the full-frame products under CMOS sensors. However, at this stage, the progress of sensors is slow, but the progress of algorithms is obvious. The improvement of the same series, processors and algorithms of the same manufacturer is faster than the improvement of sensors.

As far as latitude is concerned, the influence of frame is very small, and the sensors produced by Sony have natural advantages, so the models based on Sony sensors, such as Nikon, Fuji, and many one-inch models, have very good latitude performance, and Nikon is one of the best. But for high ISO, the noise control advantage brought by Quan Huafu is also an important link to improve tolerance. Therefore, under low sensitivity, such as Nikon D810 and D7200, Sony A7RII’s high tolerance advantage is very obvious, while under high sensitivity, such as Canon 1DX2, the tolerance will catch up with the low-sensitivity models.

Finally, for resolution, high sensitivity and noise control is one aspect, and the lens is a more important factor. Therefore, in order to improve the resolution, it is actually more practical to change a good lens.

Even if you zoom in to 100%, can you tell which one is Quan Huafu and which one is M43 in a not particularly complicated environment?

In fact, for most environments, the image quality can’t be displayed by using the resolution alone. For example, the author shows these two photos, which were taken by hand in daylight, namely GH5 and 6D. Can you see who took the 6D shot at first sight? (The picture above shows 6D) If you are a daily user, the quality of resolution is more reflected in the lens than in the fuselage. Only in harsh environment will Quan Huafu’s resolution advantage be reflected, but you don’t have to worry about it in daily shooting.

Frame myth, which is more important, frame, pixel or lens?

Finally, do we need a larger frame, a higher pixel or a better lens? There is no absolute answer to this question, but I want to talk about my own views here.

If the pixel problem can be put aside, after all, only Quan Huafu has higher pixels at this stage, so how to weigh the frame and the lens? When money is tight, do you choose Quan Huafu+dog head or APS-C plus cow head? In fact, if you are looking for shooting quality, Quan Huafu has the biggest room for upgrading, so Quan Huafu is a long-term choice, while APS-C is a temporary solution. Under normal circumstances, we will constantly add lenses, but the replacement frequency of the fuselage is relatively low. Quan Huafu fuselage means that you will choose Quan Huafu lens, which will ensure the quality of the lens and avoid the trouble of adding lens groups again in the future. However, the camera is a whole system. For example, it is not wise to match the D810 with 50mmf/1.8 or the D7200 with 24-70mm when the budget is tight.

The camera is a whole, which needs to take into account the body and lens.

But on another level, how to choose pixels under the same frame? This is like between 5DSR and 5D4, A7RII and A9, who is more suitable. The answer is simple. High pixel is like a sports car, which is faster, but more complicated and requires higher road conditions. A balanced camera is like a car, more comfortable and versatile, but also more moderate. If you pursue pixel output, then high pixels are the best choice, otherwise, the current pixels can basically meet the output, and high pixels are not suitable for most daily consumers.

Work choice and daily choice are completely different ways. Work should pursue the ultimate performance, while daily life should pursue balance.

For pixels and frames, there is no doubt that the higher the pixel, the bigger the frame, and the worse the noise control. Noise control is actually the core factor of image quality, which affects tolerance and resolution at the same time, so lower pixels and larger frames definitely mean better picture purity. However, the advantage of high pixels lies in the resolution of details. The resolution of 50 million pixels definitely exceeds the resolution of 20 million pixels, so the choice of pixels is an extreme consideration, while the choice of frames is a very objective choice.

For today’s article, perhaps the picture description is more beneficial than the text, so I hope that after reading today’s article, you can intuitively feel the influence of the frame on the image quality. Larger frames will definitely be better than small soles in terms of image quality, but how to measure between frames, pixels and lenses needs many measures from consumers.