D300s VS 7D video IQ

[PerL]

I compared stills fom frame grabs of the same scene (a landscape) between a Nikon D300s and a Canon 7D.
The difference in IQ was not as much as I had expected, compared to what i had seen from D90 and 5D.
So I am wondering if
a) Nikon D300s has improved IQ over D90?
b) the IQ of 7D is less than that from 5D?

Any thoughts/experiences?

[iHartVideo]

If you only want 24p, and you don't care about adjusting the ISO or shutter speed then D300s is great.
However, if you want manual control and higher frame rates then get a 7D.

I own a 300s, btw.

[Ruzo]

You will still find people saying that there is no improvement in IQ over the D90 no matter what proof there is of the contrary.

[Jim Klatt]

Same sensor.

[mhood]

You will still find people saying that there is no improvement in IQ over the D90 no matter what proof there is of the contrary.

I've been watching and gotta ask: What proof is there of the contrary?

[Jim Klatt]

The image looks a little bit cleaner, and a wee-bit less jello, but everything else is the same to me.

[Ruzo]

I've been watching and gotta ask: What proof is there of the contrary?

I didn't need more than to watch a few videos on the internet from it to see the difference that I (and others) talked about. These days, I have to mix the D300s clips with D90 ones and the difference is even more apparent to me. Being very new at this with no real expertise, I have no idea why I can clearly see the improvement when many others don't. It is so obvious!

[Zim]

Yes it looks better to me too.

[mhood]

You mentioned "proof" and are now describing personal observation...

[Tracey Lee]

No line skipping.

[mhood]

There ya go! No stair stepping to remove?

[Jim Klatt]

I think that the level of difference is reflected in the fact that not many people dumped their D90 for a D300s. It's the same sensor and has the same level of video control as the D90. There are limited, minor improvements, thus the s designation.

I am crossing my fingers for this D900 rumor to become a reality soon.

[Tracey Lee]

I truly hope that Nikon will make something more like a cinema camera. Until the D90, Nikon really has not done much with film since the Super 8 cams they made back in the 60s and 70s. IMHO Nikon's image has a great film like feel and motion...Nikon could really change things if they wanted to...and give us a mini cinema camera.

[Ruzo]

There ya go! No stair stepping to remove?

I thought that was a known fact...

I was not talking about scientific proof because I'm no expert. I was mentioning the obvious improvement that can be seen with the naked eye. I'm not blaming people for not seeing it, I just don't understand why they don't.

[Tracey Lee]

I thought that was a known fact...

I was not talking about scientific proof because I'm no expert. I was mentioning the obvious improvement that can be seen with the naked eye. I'm not blaming people for not seeing it, I just don't understand why they don't.

Well then, why don't you just tell us?

[mhood]

You mean with the same sensor, the same codec, framerate and 720p resolution, the D300s doesn't exhibit the stair-stepping that the D90 does? I can't help but wonder what was done to beat it and why that can't be implemented in a firmware update for the D90.

I guess we won't mention the elephant in the room when you're comparing the D300s to a 7D? Wasn't his name Manual? ;-)

[PerL]

You mean with the same sensor, the same codec, framerate and 720p resolution, the D300s doesn't exhibit the stair-stepping that the D90 does? I can't help but wonder what was done to beat it and why that can't be implemented in a firmware update for the D90.

I guess we won't mention the elephant in the room when you're comparing the D300s to a 7D? Wasn't his name Manual? ;-)

Yes, I know that the 7D has far more settings and better controls for video. I was just suprised that the output, judged by framegrabs, did not show the huge difference in IQ I expected. With the D90 and the 5D II there is no question IMO that the 5D II is much sharper and punchier in colors and contrast. I expected a similar difference between the 7D and the D300s. The D300s has a lot more processing power than the D90, that might explain the better output.

[mattsand]

You mean with the same sensor, the same codec, framerate and 720p resolution, the D300s doesn't exhibit the stair-stepping that the D90 does?
well none of these factors could possibly cause the stairstepping in the first place so it's not odd at all. the image is also clearer and sharper, which only to a slight degree depends on the factors you mention. i won't spoil the fun by letting you know the answer, but now you know you need to think outside the (your) box. the experiment of scaling down a still to the same res and compressing it to the same quality as a video grab was one of the first posted here in the d90 forum. the result will lead you on the right track.

[mhood]

Well, since you're the undisputed expert on stair-step removal, why isn't the superior D300s technique ported to the D90? It would sure be nice...

[damonb]

So the D300S doesn't ditch pixels - or as many pixels - as the D90 in video mode?

[Lammy]

The D300s is not as mushy as the D90.

The 5D is prettier than the 7d.

[Tracey Lee]

So what's the "big" difference guys? C'mon and spill them beans!

[Ruzo]

So what's the "big" difference guys? C'mon and spill them beans!

If you're after an expert analysis, I can't help you. One thing I will say is that the IQ of the D90 seems to go all mushy mushy when there are too many details (ex: trees with small leaves, grass, most wide shots, etc...). The D300s does not act this way.