Sharpening

[Norfindel]

I was doing a search, and found that the need to sharpen digital images comes from the manufacturing of the digital sensors.
It seems that the pixel sensors are disposed in a RGB pattern, and as such, the R sensor does not know what the G or B information is exactly at that spot, and it must be interpolated.
The question is: the Foveon X3 sensor wouldn't need less or no sharpening? Someone used a camera with this sensor, such as the Sigma SD9 or SD10?

[Michael Fanelli]

I was doing a search, and found that the need to sharpen digital images comes from the manufacturing of the digital sensors.
It seems that the pixel sensors are disposed in a RGB pattern, and as such, the R sensor does not know what the G or B information is exactly at that spot, and it must be interpolated.
The question is: the Foveon X3 sensor wouldn't need less or no sharpening? Someone used a camera with this sensor, such as the Sigma SD9 or SD10?

In theory, the Fovean design has some qualities that make it better than the traditional Bayer sensors. In reality, it is the end product that counts and Fovean is OK but not the best. It will take at least a few years to improve this, if not more. Fovean holds the patents and is the only company doing the R&D. They are extremely slow in making progress. Give the technology to Sony, for example, and you'd see great strides more quickly.

Decide on cameras by the end result, not the sensor type.

[another view]

I'll add to what Michael said - Sharpening in Photoshop is very effective. Some really nice big prints come out of small-sensor DSLR's like the Canons and Nikons. It just takes the right work in Photoshop to do it. I've had great luck following Scott Kelby's advice in his book Photoshop CS for Digital Photographers. There are several techniques, and sample settings to try. It's probably even easier and quicker to use Nik Sharpener Pro, which is a Photoshop plug-in.

In theory, the Foveon may be the way to go - but it'll be a long time before it will be a serious contender. Of course, a "long time" in digital can be a couple of weeks!

[Norfindel]

Ok, thank you. Just been curious about the foveon, because never seen one in action.