Hey!  Wait!

My KIA 20D is as capable of generating a noisy photo as any Nikon!

<smile>

Jeff

I also think that the D2x is capable of the best overall images.

I will often find shots in camera brochures that are repeated throughout the
years. Perhaps the beta tester had both cameras side by side? Mind you Canon
had a Nikon D70 image on their digital camera website (oooppps) earlier this
year. The example was instructional and would apply to all dSLRs but was
embarrassing when the EXIF data read Nikon D70  ;)

____________________________________________

This photo is included in the genuine Nikon D200 prospectus (in p.14 of 24).
And it is the same photo, not a similar from the same place. It is a perfect
photo, showing not only the potential of D200, but also mostly the potential
of the excellent Nikkor 28-70 f/2,8D IF-ED

As for the noise, simply it is not existent. If Mark was not a known writer
in this newsgroup, I will be sure that it will be a Canon troll post. At
least I cannot understand his panic.

Let me explain some things, not to Mark, but to others not to be left with a
wrong impression by the initial Mark's post.

The photo has no noise. The only noise is luminance noise of 10% only in the
dark sky. This is an excellent result for ISO100 at 6 sec with no noise
reduction enabled. This "noise" is absolutely not visible in prints up to 33
''x21''. And it will disappear completely with post process in PS with
"noiseware pro", with absolutely no detail loss. The "bad" noise is the
colour noise, which makes pixels of different colour like coloured spots.
And such noise does not exist.

There is a myth about noise, that Canon has less noise than Nikons. The
truth is that Canon dSLRs 300D, 20D and 350D have internal hard coded noise
reduction algorithms that reduces the noise, especially in high ISO. This is
good for amateurs for point and shoot that will not post process their
photos. Nikon D70 has not, cause (I believe right) they think that photos it
will be better post processed if necessary for noise reduction, cause post
process gives better control and results. (Nikon have included in camera
algorithms for noise reduction in his entry dSLR D50).

In the beginning, I have believed this myth and I was ready to sold my D70
for a 20D. But then a good friend has buy one 20D and we begin to use both
cameras in the same conditions. First impression was that the Canon had
about 2 stops more headroom regarding to the noise. But Canon photos,
especially in low light (high ISO), were almost noiseless but flat with a
yellowish pastel cast and skin like wax. Same photos in same high ISO from
Nikon was more vivid but more noisy. But.

.surprise. When those photos pass from a post process in PS with "noiseware
pro", then the Canon photo left as it was, almost unchanged, but the Nikon
photo left with no noise but vivid and not waxed or flat.

Don't get me wrong. I love both Canons and Nikons. They are equally good but
differ in some details that make us decide the one or the other. They are so
equally good, so the critical factor to decide is the equipment (if) we
already have. To prefer the one or the other is normal, but to be fanatic is
not good.

PS: excuse me for my poor English. I hope that I have passed the idea, even
if I have use wrong words or grammar.