Best digital camera for mimicking the human eye?

[Jon]

I am a scientist (not a photographer) needing a DSLR Camera to take pictures that (as close as possible) mimic the Human Eye. Can you help me select a current DSLR model that fits my specification?

A) I need a similar integration time (-1/45 second)
B) Similar "Pixel" size (4.65um vs. 3um in fovea)
C) Matching focal length (25mm vs. 22mm)
D) Matching F/# (f/5.6 vs f/3-f/8)

If you said Nikon DXXX with XXX lens available at leading stores - that would be perfect.
It will only be used occasionally at work - but then again if you said a Nikon D300 (I think this is the latest Nikon nice model) then I could get it and also be able to use it for my family. - which would be very nice.

Thanks all you experts - ahead any feedback

[McQ]

Finding a digital camera that will mimic the human eye is quite a tall order!
What I find quite interesting about your request is that you do not necessarily list the perceptual outputs of vision as requirements, such as dynamic range, color gamut, resolution and depth of field. Instead you list things like pixel size, which of course influences the perceptual result, but is really more a "behind the scenes" mechanism (which we are not naturally aware of). Is there a specific reason for this in relation to your research study? More specifically, do you really care if the pixel size is different if the dynamic range, sensitivity and resolution still closely mimic the human eye?

Myself and others will definitely include a reply, but some clarification on this would be useful. Understand, however, that some categories are impossible to replicate due to fundamental differences in the way a digital camera and the human eye function. On the other hand, in other categories I think you'll be surprised how easy it is mimic the eye.

[crisscross]

Originally Posted by Jon

I am a scientist (not a photographer) needing a DSLR Camera to take pictures that (as close as possible) mimic the Human Eye. Can you help me select a current DSLR model that fits my specification?

The fact is that DSLRs do not mimic the human eye, I think because the former uses manufacturers algorithms to interpret the light data, biassed towards the more popular forms of photo with complete colour range; the latter uses the brain to interpret in quite complex manners. I nearly get to hair tearing stage on landscapes; in the end you rely on your memory of your perception to select what you saw from a greyish looking RAW file.

For what it is worth I have been ever so much happier with Nikon (D80) than had been with Canon 350D as there does seem to be the density of information in the NEF file to select from to an extent there was not in 350D's CR2 which soon starts disintegrating when worked hard. 450D no doubt better. D80 has advantage of lightweight & compactness over D200 (soon D90 over D300) without losing much of the technology. Steve may say otherwise, but there appears to be more to the information density than megapixels.

Then Nikon Capture NX also follows processing in an intuitive manner and what seems appropriate sequence in a way PS never has and far better than Canon DPP

[Allinthemind]

I'm intrigued as your request. I wonder why you would want this.
As I'm sure you know, the eye has a variable aperture and the brain "Sees" rather than the eye and is continually making composites/hdrs. What the ey actually focusses is very small and the brain "interprets" the rest.

Looking forward to hearing more. Is there anyway of putting a watch on threads in this forum?

Si

[rc53]

Originally Posted by Jon

I am a scientist (not a photographer) needing a DSLR Camera to take pictures that (as close as possible) mimic the Human Eye. Can you help me select a current DSLR model that fits my specification?

A) I need a similar integration time (-1/45 second)

What is an integration time? Humans have persistence of vision, so an 'exposure time' doesn't seem relevant. And if an image is stabilised on the retina it will disappear - the eye has micro-movements which cameras don't.

Regards

Bertie