Nikon Df Image Quality

This comparison is almost too close to call. Both perform admirably here at base ISO, as expected. The Df does pull more fine detail from the pink fabric swatch, and perhaps just a slight bit more from the mosaic tiles as well, but the default JPEG sharpening could be as much of a factor here as anything else. Note, of course, that the Df costs roughly half as much as the D4.

The 5D Mark III has 6.1 megapixels greater resolution than does the Df, and the fine detail is amazing and crisp. Note that the Df does still out-resolve it in the difficult red fabric swatch, an area Nikons are known to excel in more than any other manufacturer.

Resolutions are almost identical between these two, but the X-T1 has an APS-C sensor and the size difference is clear here, as the Df does a better job with fine detail in the mosaic tiles, and far outperforms the X-T1 in the fabric swatches.

The D800 has a monstrous 36.3 megapixel resolution, which is a pixel count of more than double that of the Df, and it very clearly out-resolves it in every detail. The tiles and pink fabric are incredibly sharp, but there is a trace of moiré in the red fabric swatch.

The A7 has 8.1 megapixels more than the Nikon Df, and is just über-sharp here at default processing settings. The mosaic tiles and the pink fabric swatch are about as sharp and clear as anything we've yet seen from any camera. Note that as with the 5D Mark III, the Df does outperform the A7 here in the red fabric swatch, and has a trace of moiré as well.

Again, a tight race here between the new Nikon on the block and the storied veteran. At half the price, the Df does produce a slightly crisper image in some areas, especially the mosaic tiles crop and pink fabric swatch.

The 5D Mark III begins to introduce signs of noise processing artifacts here, seen as mild splotches in the tile crop and pink fabric swatch. They are minor, but the Df does look a bit more natural here, and far superior in the red fabric swatch.

The X-T1 and its APS-C sensor start to lose ground here to the full-frame Df, with more noise in the bottle, less detail in the mosaic and far less detail in the fabric.

Both cameras do an excellent job for ISO 1600, and the resolution differences makes an accurate comparison somewhat difficult. The Df does hold its own though.

The A7 outperforms the Df here in every area except for the red fabric swatch. The detail in the mosaic tile is incredible for this ISO. It's odd that it misses the red fabric so badly, but most cameras other than Nikons do as ISO rises.

Interesting, as the Df has a bit less noise in the shadows behind the bottle crop. Both do exceptionally well for this ISO sensitivity, with a nod to the Df in the mosaic tiles and pink fabric swatch, and to the D4 in the red fabric swatch.

The 5D Mark III has a bit less noise in the bottle crop shadows, but exhibits more noise processing artifacts as well. The Df's rendering of the fabric swatch is far superior in all respects.

Again, the X-T1 loses a lot of ground here, with less detail in the mosaic tiles and almost no detail in the fabric swatch. Higher ISO is where the Df's full-frame sensor really dominates most-all APS-C competitors.

The Df's reasonably controlled noise levels here are interesting in comparison. The resolution differential makes an accurate comparison difficult, but again the Df certainly belongs in the same league as the highly regarded D800.

The A7 finally starts to show some noise processing artifacts here, with minor splotches in the tiles and pink fabric, bit nothing serious. It does lose out in the red fabric, while the Df appears more natural and well-rounded throughout.