Our Take
While we began with exploring the impact of Noiseware on Sigma Foveon images, we found this program was also very effective with Pentax K20D and Sony A350 high ISO images. The greatest improvements seem to be in those images that have the lowest amount of in-camera noise processing.
The image improvement is pronounced in Sigma SD14 images that are reported to have little or no noise reduction applied in the Sigma Photo Pro software. Noiseware was also quite effective in processing Pentax K20D images from their Samsung 14.6MP sensor. Pentax applies smaller amounts of noise reduction in their image processing so the addition of Noiseware can have a substantial impact on the quality of high ISO images.
The Sony A350 is already employing a substantial amount of noise reduction in its in-camera processing of high ISO images. Noiseware can also improve these images, but the results are more subtle than those seen with less processed JPEGs. Improvements are certainly visible but they are not the night day results sometimes seen with Sigma SD14 and Pentax K20D images.
Canon and Nikon JPEG images processed with Noiseware behave much like the Sony A350 images. You will see improvements, but they are not as dramatic as some other images. This would certainly imply that both Canon and Nikon are employing large amounts of in-camera noise reduction, just as Sony does, which is contrary to what many assume. While Nikon and Canon seem to employ a similar amount of noise-reduction, this is not to say they all process noise in the same manner. A book could be written on the "noise reduction philosophies" of the three companies because they appear to be making different choices with their noise-reduction processing. However, many incorrectly criticize Sony, for instance, on their "heavy" image processing in the A350. Canon and Nikon also heavily process images in-camera; they just make slightly different choices in their processing algorithms.
The "selective" processing we saw with Noiseware certainly supports their claim that Noiseware is not "median-based" like most other noise reduction software. The program seems most effective where noise is the highest and it has the admirable trait of not over-processing images that need subtle noise fixes. In processing images for this review, Noiseware did live up to their claim of reducing noise without overly reducing sharpness in the image. All of this was with the free Community Edition. You can expect the licensed AI editions of the standalone and plug-in editions of Noiseware to be even better at selective processing, and to actually improve in effectiveness with extended use.
Noiseware only works with files that have been processed in-camera or with another software program like Photoshop. The standalone requires JPEG, PNG, BMP, or TIFF files for processing. The plug-in version can process any file format the native program supports, but Camera RAW is also a Photoshop plug-in. That means you can't use Noiseware with a RAW image as it is designed for post-processing.
With Noiseware used for post-processing images, the Sigma SD14 becomes a completely different camera. You will no longer be afraid to shoot at ISO 800 and even ISO 1600 is usable in a pinch, though it is not the same low-noise as ISO 1600 on competing cameras. Noiseware is also extremely effective in post-processing of Pentax K20D high ISO images.
The impact of Noiseware on cameras that already employ heavy noise reduction in-camera is not as dramatic. Sony A350 images are improved, but the effect is more subtle. The same is true of Canon and Nikon images which have been processed in-camera as JPEG images. These images are improved but changes are more subtle.
This selective behavior of Noiseware makes it an extremely useful noise reduction program. It works best where it is needed most in high ISO noise images such as those found with the Sigma SD14 and Pentax K20D. Noiseware does much less to images that have already experienced substantial noise reduction such as Sony A350, Nikon, and Canon images. It also seems to have little impact on the sharpness of these previously processed images, which is certainly a good thing.
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mharris - Monday, July 28, 2008 - link
If you look at the photos, you'll notice that the unfiltered photos are nearly 10x bigger than the filtered photos. So the loss of details is due to a ridiculously low JPEG compression, not the noise filter.B3an - Friday, August 1, 2008 - link
"If you look at the photos, you'll notice that the unfiltered photos are nearly 10x bigger than the filtered photos. So the loss of details is due to a ridiculously low JPEG compression, not the noise filter."Not it's not. Would have thought this was obvious... the file size is lower because of the lower detail in the noise reduction filtered images. This is because of how JPEG compression works. It's the same with any image after noise reduction has been used, it nearly always produces smaller files sizes 'cause of the resulting lower detail.
Baviaan - Monday, July 28, 2008 - link
Are you actually serious? You can't be, look at the amount of detail lost in the photos done by Noiseware. You lose all the detail and the photos look very, very smeared.And compare the 3D to a 1DMK3 or 5D, this comparison is useless.
Wesley Fink - Monday, July 28, 2008 - link
There is no doubt the Nikon D3 is the low-noise champion, but we weren't comparing it to other PRO cameras like the ID Mark III. The comments were comparing relative photosire size across the spectrum of digital SLR sensors.We do agree the ID Mk III at 10 megaixel with a 1.3X (APS-H) crop factor is more directly comparable in photosite size to the D3. The 5D at full-frame 12.8 megapixels is certainly comparable in photosite size if not speed or high ISO performance.
strikeback03 - Monday, July 28, 2008 - link
The 5D is only enabled on-camera to ISO 3200, but plenty of users use effectively higher ISOs by deliberately underexposing then pushing the exposure in post-process with decent results.michal1980 - Monday, July 28, 2008 - link
I agree with others.Are you guys blind? some of thos vacation shots are terrible after the noise reduction. I'd rather stick with the noise in some of them. The beach shot looks ok in the foreground, but as soon as you hit the water its all water paiting.
the sail boat on the water is one of the worst, in the original shot you see waves breaking, and caps. The after processing shot destroy's the feel of the water.
IMHO, alot of the pictures looks better just shrunk (which filter the nose by itself), then they did after noise removal.
Jedi2155 - Monday, July 28, 2008 - link
Same here, there noise reduction seriously destroys the detail present in the images. A lot of the areas of high contrast is destroyed after the noise reduction resulting in smearing.I'm neither a professional or even a prosumer, but it was quite noticeable to me that the details were significantly reduced with the noise reduction where I definitely would not consider this software.
I also could not tell the difference in the low ISO shots for the noise reduction although I am on a 6-bit TN LCD panel so that could probably be the reason. Did anyone else see a difference in the low-ISO shots?
B3an - Monday, July 28, 2008 - link
From the images it's hardly any better than Photoshops noise reduction filter. Messing around with the settings i can get very nearly as good results.And like all noise reduction filters it makes the image lose detail, messes up some colours, and sometimes over sharpens the edges.
I dont think this is good software or worth the money.
eetnoyer - Monday, July 28, 2008 - link
Noiseware on images from any of the superzooms? I often find myself to be a little tentative of taking higher ISO setting shots on my superzoom because of the pronounced noise levels. I would be interested to see some results from some of the different brands' superzoom models.Thanks
guitargeek27 - Monday, July 28, 2008 - link
All in all, I've been pretty disappointed in the Anandtech articles about cameras and image manipulation, the articles gives just a rough idea what noise reduction software does, but does not go into settings, original noise levels, or RAW vs JPEG noise levels (lens, apeture, shutter speed, post processing software).If you're a beginner photographer, or just care about software please read. But if you are seriously interested in photography please try a different site or get your hands on a real book.
I think I'm just disappointed about having an amateur write a review as opposed to a pro.