Hello, it’s KA-TASU.
The GR III has a reputation for having a quality lens. We also work hard on the image processing to maximize the lens performance. This time, we have the image processing engineer to talk about it.
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Hello everyone. My name is Miyata and I designed the image processing of the GR III. I am writing this hoping to convey some positive aspects of the GR III’s picture making.
People who test-shot with the prototype of GR III and those who have been using it have given us nice comments like “it’s got high resolution” and “it’s very sharp.” The GR lens performs great and the number of sensor pixels has been increased from about 16M of the GR II to about 24M, so the resolution has been improved. But that’s only a GR II with more sensor pixels. For the GR III, we redesigned the processing in order to make the best use of the high performance GR lens and the 24M pixel sensor, and achieve higher definition and resolution. So every time I hear such a comment, I do a gesture of triumph in my heart.
Giving it mere sharpness and resolution would just end up making bold and less delicate images. But the newly developed GR ENGINE 6 has more delicate depiction than ever before and is capable of fine and elegant detail reproduction.
In addition to lower ISO rates, the GR III is designed to provide good resolution at such higher rates as ISO 3200 and 6400. That’s because, as a result of our sensory evaluation, we have intentionally designed to leave some noise in the picture to a comfortable degree and keep a balance between picture quality and resolution.
What we did in the sensory evaluation is accumulation of corrections and adjustments in details by hiding a prototype in the pocket everyday, taking pictures on various occasions on the way to work and home and on weekends, and examining the picures. As a photo lover and camera lover, I love doing it because I can work daily with my own hands to experience the evolution of image quality of the latest cameras that no one in the world have ever touched (despite a lot of difficulties).
The photos I’m posting here were taken during the development period that were actually used for image quality adjustment and evaluation.
Honestly, it took us so long to develop and we have kept you waiting, but we have completed this wonderful camera called GR III with confidence in image quality. It is a camera into which many engineers and developers have devoted their passion in other areas than image processing. I hope you enjoy your photography life using the GR III!
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What was important for the image processing of the GR III is not application of technology but “matching.” I can imagine how thoroughly they have test-shot at various scenes.
The GR III's “delicate lines that look natural” and “a good balance between noise and resolution” have been created by the accumulation of each small work. It’s difficult to make them by RAW development with a general photographic software. It may have little to do with pictures you take, but you can have more fun with the camera if you know it, right?
(KA-TSU)
