Lab tests by DxOMmark suggest that spending the upgrade money on a premium lens can produce a significant gain in image quality. Experienced photographers often have a highly developed critical eye for photographs and the lab tests confirm their subjective impressions that the optical performance of the lens is an important factor in creating stunning digital photographs.
The best digital SLR camera’s in a manufacturer’s range offer better facilities aimed at more experienced photographers, and not necessarily better optical performance. The overall DxOMark test scores show no increase in optical performance between the entry level D5000 and the top spec D300s cameras. There is significant increase in score when each camera uses the pro level 70-200 zoom.
DxOMark Overall Score
The DxoMark overall score is a combination of the individual test scores and it gives a quick comparison. Examining the individual test results in the graphics below confirms that each leans returned similar characteristics on both camera bodies with a better score for the pro level lens.
D5000 with 55-200mm = 22 and with 70-200mm = 30
D300s with 55-200mm = 21 and with 70-200mm = 29
About The Tests
This is a comparison of two Nikon DSLRs; one is an entry level and the other a high spec model and both use APS-C size sensors. Nikon also have a good range of their Nikkor lenses from superb premium items to price conscious consumer grade lenses.
Camera Bodies
- D5000: $730
- D300s : $1,815
Lenses
- 70-200mm: $1,850
- 55-200mm: $249
(All prices are indicative only and in US dollars).
Upgrade Strategy
There are other reasons for upgrading a camera body than image quality. Higher spec cameras often offer other benefits such higher frame and controls more suited to experienced photographers.
Often greater gains come from using premium lenses than from using a higher priced model in a current range. Investing in premium lenses pays dividends in the longer term. Digital SLR technology is still rapidly advancing and over generations of camera models there are improvements in digital sensor’s image quality. When the camera body upgrade comes along quality lenses still provide a performance edge.
About DxOMark
DxO labs are a leading professional photo software producers and they share their testing and expertise with photographers on the DxoMark website. The DxO photo software features correction for inherent optical characteristics of lenses. DxO test the lenses to calibrate the optical correction for each lens model and of course, this data is now available to photographers to help with their equipment choices.
Conduct your DxOMmark Comparisons
Photographers can see the optical performance comparisons for their own DSLRs and potential lens combinations. Data is available a for wide range of lenses and cameras from the leading manufacturers.
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