Well, I can only say, the only person I know who did handle a pre-production camera signed a contract which (in my understanding) prevents him from making any public statements comparing the camera to competitor products. And this person is an internationally acclaimed photojournalist whose name is probably familiar to many forum readers.

It's difficult for me to reconcile that this person can't make public comparisons, yet BOTH Nikon AND Canon for some oddball reason are in the habit of routinely giving ALL (!) their top-line pre-production cameras to some kids in Germany (with poor reputation for allegedly faking videos, no less) -- so they can post low-budget, highly-compressed, amateurish comparos to YouTube. Unbelievable.

And it further boggles my mind that many here want to make purchasing decisions based on said YouTube videos, and from other questionable sources.

Soon enough we'll see reputable, hands-on analyses from the likes of DxO, dpreview, Thom Hogan, Rob Galbraith and yes even our forum favorite, Ken Rockwell.

Personally, I think if you want a D800, go buy it. Same with the 5Dmk3. Their ISO vs. DR performance are going to be excellent, and more importantly, aren't going to affect your photographs one way or another.

By that standard, "Perhaps" we are a secret site for Canon shooters. Where's the proof that it is not? There seems to be the same handful of idiots (WordPress avatars don't change from site to site) who comment everywhere saying garbage that people couldn't have the cameras in hand. But yet we all know people do. That's why we are all here ;)

Ade Barkah said:
ps. I bet those NPS show-and-tells did not involve performance "comparos" vs. competitor products.

I lot of the guys did comparisons with the Canons. Those are are the guys who can afford to switch platforms or already use both.

Anything is possible. However, much of their work seem quite amateurish, even recent ones like their 5dmk3 "Photo Shoot" (the blurry camera seen might not even be a 5dmk3). I'm not certain it's in Canon's best interest to release their most highly anticipated pre-production camera for such a low-value production.

More relevant to this thread, their D4 vs. 1DX comparison has some very questionable footage, perhaps actually taken by one unknown camera then simply tweaked in post.

The new cameras are becoming available to everyone now, and pretty soon we'll see comprehensive hands-on reviews from respectable sites, photographers, etc. So why the rush to judgement based on unknown or questionable sources?

ps. I bet those NPS show-and-tells did not involve performance "comparos" vs. competitor products.

I have seen where some NPS reps have been floating around the world showing the cameras off to NPS members and after and nothing could be showed until it was announced - after that it was fair game as long as ppl qualified that it was a pre-production.

I have seen the Videos as well (F&J) - I have seen another of their sites where it appears they are a fairly big commercial video creators - Like they use dozens of cams at a time. Makes since if someone buys 10-20 rigs at a shot they get stuff to test. Their tests are done well so it would make since that Nikon and Canon would "overlook" it and see it as free hype marketing.

It takes too much time and effort to fake any of this stuff. To assume everyone is lying just because the general public don't have it yet is not very prudent.

TaoTeJared said:
Test units & pre-production models have been bouncing around for months from both companies. There are also photographers that are chosen to receive unites earlier that the public - this is nothing new. ...

It's standard industry practice for those receiving pre-production / test units to sign a contract which -- among other restrictions -- specifically prohibits publishing performance comparisons vs. competitor products (including "side-by-side" or "head-to-head" type articles).

There are exceptions no doubt, but even very large sites like dpreview will generally only publish superficial comparisons in their previews (things like size and weight, ergonomics, major announced features, etc.) and omit detailed performance comparisons.

I'm aware there's an outfit in Europe which regularly publishes detailed "comparo" type videos, which leads to accusations that many of their videos are allegedly fakes (or more kindly, "estimates") -- especially since they never show any evidence that they actually have access to those products. I'll leave it to Google for details.

lynne24 said:
Hugely impressed by the D800/D800E results! This camera is sounding more brilliant the more I hear & see of it! For half the price it matches the D4 in so many areas. Not impressed by the EOS5dMarkIII results though! Very similar to the MarkII for dynamic range. Click on the camera names to make specific comparisons.

Note at the top of the page "e" after the model denotes Estimates. No D800/e or 5dIII. Doesn't appear he has a D7000 and a few others as well (straight line data) Appears he did have a D4.

This is probably a better comparison.
http://home.comcast.net/~NikonD70/Charts/PDR.htm#D300,D3X,D700,D3,D4

If True - It confirms what Nikon's focus was for the sensor - lots more DR and better color.

I have seen his stuff before - interesting and seems to get similar results and has some merit in comparison to others so its a good indicator.

Kurve702 said:
Now what i dont understand is who made this chart and how can someone have a d800 and E, D4 and a Mark 3 already for testing. I might be a tad clueless on how this is measured exactly and comparatively. How can we know this is legit and not just fabricated for online attention?

Test units & pre-production models have been bouncing around for months from both companies. There are also photographers that are chosen to receive unites earlier that the public - this is nothing new. Ansel Adams used to receive Kodak film way before everyone else so they could use his images for advertising. Not everything is a conspiracy.

Now what i dont understand is who made this chart and how can someone have a d800 and E, D4 and a Mark 3 already for testing. I might be a tad clueless on how this is measured exactly and comparatively. How can we know this is legit and not just fabricated for online attention?

Now if this is actually true then D800 and E have the highest dynamic range in FX mode and while on DX its still high but not as high. With that said 11 stops of dynamic range is that what this graph is stating? Id be thrilled!

Very interesting comparisons on this chart of the photographic dynamic range performance of some new & old models against ISO! (Posted on NR Facebook by Francesco Spighi)

*LINK REMOVED*

Hugely impressed by the D800/D800E results! This camera is sounding more brilliant the more I hear & see of it! For half the price it matches the D4 in so many areas. Not impressed by the EOS5dMarkIII results though! Very similar to the MarkII for dynamic range. Click on the camera names to make specific comparisons.