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Kodak Professional DCS-620x Images
By Tom DeRousie
Modern Imaging
The new technology incorporated into the Kodak Professional DCS-620x sounds impressive on paper, but how do the images look? I took a pre-production model around the Detroit, MI area and "grabbed" several images (most from a moving vehicle). The results were quite amazing!
 Click Here for Full Size Image (JPEG) ISO 1000 |
 Click Here for Full Size Image (JPEG) ISO 1000 |
 Click Here for Full Size Image (JPEG) ISO 1000 |
 Click Here for Full Size Image (JPEG) ISO 1000 |
 Click Here for Full Size Image (JPEG) ISO 1000 |
 Click Here for Full Size Image (JPEG) ISO 1600 |
 "Spring Breeze" ISO 1000 |
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Believe me, I have shot many more images (I will be posting them in the next few days) and they are all just as impressive. I am still in the process of doing some more "technical" comparisons of the new CMY chip vs. the standard RGB chip.
Included with my pre-production DCS-620x was a early build version of the updated Host Software. The DCS-620x images come-in with an extra punch of saturation which can be reduced in the "Preferences" of the Host Software.
In addition, the images can be acquired with the "Product" or "Portrait" look. Selecting the "Portrait" look also reduces the punch in the saturation (a bit too much when the above saturation reduction option is selected). The Noise Reduction can be turned on or off as needed. Overall, the noise reduction is perfectly acceptable in all ISO ranges.
Blue Channel @ ISO 1000 - Noise Filter OFF
Blue Channel @ ISO 1000 - Noise Filter ON
Kodak Professional also provided some image samples for comparison. These images compare the new DCS-620x CMY CCD to the standard RGB CCD (DCS-620). The third is from a "Competitor's Camera".
"Full Image"
ISO: 1600
Lens: 20mm
Aperture: f/16
Shutter Speed: 1/15th
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As you can see, the DCS-620x performs as well as the DCS-620 with a one (plus) full stop of ISO advantage. The above DCS-620x image at ISO 3200 looks as good if not better than the DCS-620 image at ISO 1600. Once the "calibrated" boundary of ISO 4000 is crossed, the image does suffer with some noticeable artifacting. Although the photographer will most certainly appreciate having the option of getting the otherwise unattainable image in low light, use of these high-end ISO speeds should be reserved accordingly.