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"the samsung and sony sensors have strengths and weaknesses, i don't know if the excellent qualities of both can ever be fused into one "sensor to rule them all" as far as APS-C is concerned
i've been experimenting with neat image + unsharp mask in photoshop, it has been working well, able to reduce the repulsive black grain and the blue blotches problem at 6400. I must say that the firmware amplification from ISO3200 to 6400 is really disappointing. within it's native range from ISO 100-3200, the k7 retains film-grain characteristics throughout and excellent detail preservation. at 6400, the grain becomes very destructive; aggressive NR actually "recovers" details instead.
it's true to my observation that firmware algorithm can bridge the gap. i will try to upload results to share with other k7 owners, to help relief any high ISO woes"
left - before
right - after
K7, ISO 6400, Tamron 17-50mm, 36mm, +0.7EV, f7.1, Ctr-weighted metering, 1/20s
shot in weak fluorescent lighting and with black subjects to demonstrate this key weakness in the samsung sensor: shadows/black noise.
Firstly, Neat Image (auto profiling, detail preservation). Photoshop CS4: USM, 100% radius 1 (re-sharpening only done to "after" file)
Pretty satisfied with the outcome... Managing textured surfaces @ ISO 6400 will be my next endeavor..
by the way, 50D has obnoxious NR to me, so it's mostly YMMV. the only real noise problem with k7 is blue blotches, the rest of "noise" you see is mostly "grain". there is a difference. k7 also by far has very low pattern noise.