Nikon D800E nabs top ranking from D800

Color Depth

Color sensitivity is the best image quality metric to determine color depth. Above, you can see the D800E and D800 perform almost identically in DxOMark’s color sensitivity tests.

The D800E’s portrait score, which measures the sensor’s color depth, was 25.6 bits. The score is just 0.3 bits better than the D800, and this small gap between the two models was noted at ISO 100 and lower. This difference is so slight that it is not distinguishable to the human eye. Both cameras are capable of capturing images with rich and diverse color quality, an important attribute for all photographers, especially those that specialize in portraitures.

Dynamic Range

Dynamic range, which corresponds to the ratio between the maximum and minimum brightness a camera can capture, was best in the D800. But just barely. The D800E, scoring 14.3 EVs (exposure value), lagged the D800 by an insignificant 0.1 EV. Both cameras would do a great job for landscape photographers who so frequently rely on a camera to preserve details in high contrast images.

Low-Light ISO

Like the D800, the D800E pushed the limits of good image quality when shooting at high ISO settings. The D800E reached its threshold at around 2979 ISO versus the D800’s 2853 ISO. This ISO gain by the D800E is so small that it is within measurement tolerances. Both cameras would easily satisfy the most scrupulous sports or entertainment photographers who so frequently depend on high ISOs to freeze fast action in dark settings.