Dpreview Head-to-head: Adobe Super Resolution vs. ON1 Resize AI vs. Topaz Labs Gigapixel AI

Topaz released the new Photo Ai 2.1 version ($40 off now til Feb 17).

Dpreview tested compared the three major upscale software and concluded:

For my money, the clear winner here overall is Topaz Gigapixel AI. While it’s a bit prone to over-smoothing it generally gives clearly better results than its rivals. And that smoothing can easily be dialed back manually if, like me, you prefer a less-plasticky look.

The big disappointment of the trio was, surprisingly, Adobe. While there’s a more noticeable difference to be found in upsampling from higher-res source photos, in the lower-res shots where it’s potentially most useful, Super Resolution proved to be basically indistinguishable from the Preserve Details 2.0 filter.

Reminder: Topaz Gigapixel is available as standalone or within the now discounted new Photo Ai 2.1 version ($40 off now til Feb 17).

Reminder: New Kickstarter projects:

  • The new Spinn CP is now available on Kickstarter (Click here). It’s a different way to carry your camera and an update to their previous CP version. It now comes with two different base plates and a adjustable comfort strap made in five colours. From recycled raw materials.
  • The new Korin Anti-Theft bag launched on Kickstarter (Click here). No knife can cut this bag!
  • The new Power Junkie 2 is now available on Kickstarter (Click here).
  • Clever supply launched the new Camera Sling on Kickstarter (click here).

Sony A7rV review at Engadget: “Sony is once again on top of the high-resolution full-frame camera market”

Engadget reviewed the A7rV and concluded:

Sony is once again on top of the high-resolution full-frame camera market with $3,900 A7R V. Image quality and detail are outstanding, autofocus is second to none and the updated video capabilities are a great addition for hybrid shooters.
As mentioned, Sony’s main rival is the 45-megapixel Canon EOS R5, which offers lower resolution and better video capabilities, but suffers from overheating issues. The 45-megapixel Nikon Z9 is also a more capable video camera, but costs $1,500 more, and Nikon’s $3,000, 45-megapixel Z7 II is $500 less but has inferior autofocus and video.
None of those models come close to matching the A7R V’s resolution, image quality and exceptional AF, though. Given that, plus the massive video improvements, it’s now the best high-resolution full-frame camera on the market, by far.

Sony A7rV store links:
In US at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FocusCamera, BeachCamera, Buydig.
In EU at Fotokoch, Amazon EU, FotoErhardt, Calumet DE, WexUK. ParkCameras UK.
In Australia at CameraPro, Camerahouse, Sony.

Sony 20-70mm f/4 G review by SonyAlphaBlog: “a new masterpiece”

Preorders: BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FocusCamera, FotoKoch, Fotoerhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

SonyAlphaBlog tested the new Sony 20-70mm lens and concluded:

The Sony 20-70mm F4 G is a new masterpiece from Sony and create a new standard. The traditional 24-70 and 28-75 seems very limited compared to it. Its performance are excellent except on distortion and vignetting but those will be automatically corrected in software like Lightroom

 

Full Sony A7rV review by Dpreview: “results can be spectacular”

Dpreview published the full Sony A7rV review and concluded:

The Sony a7R V is a high resolution mirrorless camera, combining an excellent sensor with a powerful autofocus system in a body refined over multiple generations of improvement. It lends itself to a wide range of photography, from portraiture and landscape work to wedding and events. Its cropped, slow readout 8K video is the only real weakspot in an otherwise hugely capable camera.
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If your photography benefits from high levels of detail capture, the a7R V is a camera that will do all it can to help you get the results you want, and those results can be spectacular.

Sony A7rV store links:
In US at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FocusCamera, BeachCamera, Buydig.
In EU at Fotokoch, Amazon EU, FotoErhardt, Calumet DE, WexUK. ParkCameras UK.
In Australia at CameraPro, Camerahouse, Sony.