Leica Q3 43 How Does In Camera Correction of the Substantial Barrel Distortion Affect Resolution?

[BWColor]

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Published images of pre-corrected Leica Q3 43 show a substantial barrel distortion.  How does distortion correction affect the resulting resolution of the sensor and if it is reduced, how is it enhanced to provide published resolution?  The camera is listed as (B&H) Actually: 62.39 MegapixelEffective:60.3 Megapixel (9520 x 6336).  Is the Actually number pre correction and the Effective number post?

 

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Keith (M)]

If you subscribe to Reid Reviews, you will be able to study the results of his comprehensive tests of the lens, including the effect of the software distortion correction.

[BWColor]

4 minutes ago, Keith (M) said:

If you subscribe to Reid Reviews, you will be able to study the results of his comprehensive tests of the lens, including the effect of the software distortion correction.

Ah, the “I could tell you, but then I would have to kill you” answer.

[M11 for me]

I wonder as well what difference that makes.

But before we talk about thouse differences we have to understand whats the dufference between calculated and measured MTF-curves. The Leica curves are calculated.

 

[BWColor]

11 minutes ago, Al Brown said:

Do you think it makes any difference?

I haven’t any information/data to answer that question.  I think that it could make a difference and that is why I asked the question.  This certainly isn’t the first fixed lens camera and I’m sure that the others also took advantage of cost/size/weight savings possible with in camera correction.

Outside of Zeiss, don’t most manufacturers use calculated MTF?

Edited September 28, 2024 by BWColor

[SrMi]

26 minutes ago, BWColor said:

Published images of pre-corrected Leica Q3 43 show a substantial barrel distortion.  How does distortion correction affect the resulting resolution of the sensor and if it is reduced, how is it enhanced to provide published resolution?  The camera is listed as (B&H) Actually: 62.39 MegapixelEffective:60.3 Megapixel (9520 x 6336).  Is the Actually number pre correction and the Effective number post?

 

Check out DPReview's review. The reviewers were impressed with the final result. You can download and compare the Sony a7rV raw files  With Q4 43's raw files (make sure to set sharpening for Sony to 0 and lower the Q3 exposure slider a bit). In my observation, Q3 43's files are a bit less sharp, but I do not see any degradation of the corners.

In practice, you will not see any issues with Q3 43's result.

[BWColor]

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33 minutes ago, SrMi said:

In practice, you will not see any issues with Q3 43's result.

Likely true and really the bottom line.  This somewhat reminds me of selecting a new car, something that I haven’t done for awhile.  I would ask myself, should I get the one that does 170mph, or 198?  After the purchase I sit behind the car in front that’s hardly moving.

[Keith (M)]

4 hours ago, BWColor said:

Ah, the “I could tell you, but then I would have to kill you” answer.

Hardly, merely a suggestion of where you could find all the information you requested.  A subscription (a very modest amount) would also enable you to read all his other comprehensive tests of Leica cameras and lenses, plus a myriad other tests - should you be so minded.  

Edited September 28, 2024 by Keith (M)

[algrove]

Who cares about all of this if the images are acceptable.

In consideration of Sean Reid's work, it is not correct to repeat what he says and how he analyses his results. My gosh $50/year is a gift for MTF and lens correction nerds.

[JTLeica]

I wouldn’t be worried about resolution at all. The lens is said to be t least as good at the M APO lenses and a shade off the SL APO lenses… which in my opinion are the best lenses ever made. So a shade off something that better than everything else is all you need to know.

Sharp corners at F2…

[BWColor]

1 hour ago, Keith (M) said:

Hardly, merely a suggestion of where you could find all the information you requested.  A subscription (a very modest amount) would also enable you to read all his other comprehensive tests of Leica cameras and lenses, plus a myriad other tests - should you be so minded.  

I understand, but I have a full complement of lenses for my M11M and X2D.  I will no longer be in the market for such reviews.  I recently sold $15K of Sony and Canon gear and I’m currently in the process of selling a dozen camera bodies and more than a dozen lenses.  I’m old and winding things down… so to speak.

Edited September 28, 2024 by BWColor

[SrMi]

8 minutes ago, BWColor said:

I understand, but I have a full complement of lenses for my M11M and X2D.  I will no longer be in the market for such reviews.  I recently sold $15K of Sony and Canon gear and I’m currently in the process of selling a dozen camera bodies and more than a dozen lenses.  I’m old and winding things down… so to speak.

IMO, Reid’s reviews are not only useful when deciding a purchase but also to learn more about own equipment.