Digital camera with 12 or 16 bit raw image capability

[tjagadish]

I am looking for a digital camera for my research. I need to take high resolution pictures which would later be analyzed using an Image Processing tool. I require a digital camera which can save the images in at least 12 bit raw format. I have been doing some research online but the specifications hardly mention number of bits the raw image is in. Is there a way to find that?

Money is not a real concern but quality of the images is. But if I can get good quality images for less, that is a real bonus. Thanks for all the help.

[Ian]

I am looking for a digital camera for my research. I need to take high resolution pictures which would later be analyzed using an Image Processing tool. I require a digital camera which can save the images in at least 12 bit raw format. I have been doing some research online but the specifications hardly mention number of bits the raw image is in. Is there a way to find that?

Money is not a real concern but quality of the images is. But if I can get good quality images for less, that is a real bonus. Thanks for all the help.

Welcome to the forum :)

All RAW formats can be exported to 16-bit TIFF files. Most serious digital cameras work to at least 12 bits when converting the analogue data from the sensor to digital. Some, like the Canon EOS-40D claim 14-bit conversion.

You don't say what type of photography you will be using the camera for. This would really be necessary to provide a good answer to your question.

Ian

[tjagadish]

Welcome to the forum :)

All RAW formats can be exported to 16-bit TIFF files. Most serious digital cameras work to at least 12 bits when converting the analogue data from the sensor to digital. Some, like the Canon EOS-40D claim 14-bit conversion.

You don't say what type of photography you will be using the camera for. This would really be necessary to provide a good answer to your question.

Ian

Ian,

Thanks for the reply. The purpose of the camera is purely research. It will be used in a laboratory to capture images of various stages of dye dispersion in a homogeneous material. Basically, you put a drop of iodine in the middle of evenly compacted sand and watch how it disperses. Sometimes, these pictures can also be taken in a dark room, so noise should be negligible. I am looking for cameras with CCD Image Sensor as CMOS is error prone. So Canon EOS-40D is not an option.

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Jagadish

[Ian]

Ian,

Thanks for the reply. The purpose of the camera is purely research. It will be used in a laboratory to capture images of various stages of dye dispersion in a homogeneous material. Basically, you put a drop of iodine in the middle of evenly compacted sand and watch how it disperses. Sometimes, these pictures can also be taken in a dark room, so noise should be negligible. I am looking for cameras with CCD Image Sensor as CMOS is error prone. So Canon EOS-40D is not an option.

-
Jagadish

The high quality CMOS sensors used in digital SLRs are just as accurate as CCD sensors. Don't compare these with the small and cheap CCD sensors in devices like webcams and mobile phones.

But, whatever, I believe that any DSLR on the market today will fulfil your requirements.

Ian

[Unregistered]

If money is no option, then go for Hasselblad (22MP or 39MP both with 16bit RGB): http://www.hasselbladusa.com/products/h-system/h3d.aspx

We use them (H1D 22MP and H2D 39MP) at work for professional aerial photography. Fantastic quality, but also fantastic price... :-)