Question on Nikon RAW Files

[Gdad]

These quoted are from an unrelated thread a while ago but since I just ordered a D50 as a backup it got me wondering...

Just RAW on an empty 2GB card should say about 270 images. Realistically you should get closer to if not over 300. IIRC with a 1GB you'll get 135 (which would make sence if my D50 is telling me an empty 2GB card in RAW is 270)

D50 and D70 have the same sensor so I assume the files are the same also. I took a look at the 2GB card still in my card reader right now- 364 RAW files on it and 1.88GB used.

According to DP Review the D50 uses an 'Uncompressed NEF' as a RAW format, while the D70s uses a 'Compressed NEF'. Anyone know aside from the apparent file size difference what exactly is the difference? I know with compression in jpg for example you can loose image quality.

Just wondering.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Compressed NEF is not lossless. Whether the difference is material is the subject of debate.

 

[Groucho]

The sensors aren't the same between the two cameras, according to info here... the D50 sensor is apparently a bit newer, and for some reason "medium" resolution is different - strange, maybe just a software thing they chose?

 

[Gdad]

The sensors aren't the same between the two cameras, according to info here... the D50 sensor is apparently a bit newer, and for some reason "medium" resolution is different - strange, maybe just a software thing they chose?

Thats a good point- I had thought they were since they are MOL the same MP.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

The complaint that I've seen is that their "lossy" RAW compression sacrifices highlight detail which can show up when you make significant downward exposure corrections. Maybe. Probably more of a measurebator obsession thing rather than a realworld photographic difference.