RAW image resolution question? S50

[todapark]

I'm very frustrated, when shooting in RAW format, either in program or custom mode on my S50, I am getting terrible image resolution (mainly focus) compared to shooting in large fine jpg format with the same program or custom settings. I've posted 3 shots of the same image at the site below, one in program mode large jpg, 2nd in RAW converted with no post process and the 3rd in RAW with post process all 3 shot from a tripod on self timer and using the same settings except for the RAW or jpg format and no flash, please someone tell me what I'm doing wrong as I prefer to shoot in RAW but can't accept focus degradation? Thanks, todapark

http://www.geocities.com/todapark2/index3.html

[Jon]

Are you sure that the images are poorly focussed? The exact same data that's captured in a RAW file is processed by the DiGiC chip to give you the JPEG in-camera. In converting from the raw sensor data to a JPEG the camera does a certain amount of sharpening and contrast enhancement. If you didn't apply the same sharpening and contrast enhancement, your converted RAW images will look softer.

[todapark]

Thanks, yes I understand that the camera's firmware will process the RAW image when shooting in jpg mode (including sharpening) however I can never get the same focus resolution when shooting and post processing in RAW format as I do when shooting in jpg utylizing all the same camera settings. I've tried it with a varity of shots using both Canons RAW processing program and also with Pixmantecs Rawshooter program. Also the preview image on the cameras LCD I believe is a jpeg thumb of the RAW image just shot and is also out of focus when shooting in RAW. But if I simply change to jpg format then the images are crisp and well focused. I'm puzzled as the shots I'm taking are only 10 feet away and with a 5 meg pixel camera I believe even without shapening (when shooting in RAW format) the images should show a better focus resolution than what I'm seeing. I'm going to try shooting in RAW and use manual focus to see if any better results are obtained. Any other suggestions will be appreciated. Once again here is a link to 3 comparison pics, 1 in jpg large fine, 1 RAW no post process, and 1 RAW with post process

http://www.geocities.com/todapark2/index3.html

[Jon]

The thing is that focus is completely unrelated to the shooting mode. The focussing mechanism doesn't care whether you shoot JPEG or RAW.

Are the images you posted 100% crops or resized full-frame images? Because I don't see a difference in focussing point between the first and third pictures, but I do see a lot of slightly tilted lines, which show "stair-stepping" or "jaggies" when looked at closely, and which might lead you to believe that an image is out of focus.

[todapark]

OK maybe it's me and not the camera, I did some outside comparison shots between RAW and JPG format using both auto (center point) and also manual focus. I then used Pixmantec and performed some post processing on the RAW shots and got the resolution about equal to that of the JPG shots. Perhaps my original problem was that I was initialy doing comparisons indoors with poor lighting but once out in the sun my results changed for the better. In regard to your questions, all the shots (in the link) were 100% crops with no resizing done. Regarding the difference between shots 1 and 3, why would I have more jaggies in the RAW shot vs the JPG shot and what can I do to eliminate or reduce them, (I did use some sharpening on shot 3), thanks for all the help. todapark2

[Jon]

Looking more closely at your crops, I almost think you might have oversharpened the 3rd. Am I correct in remembering that the S50 doesn't take a cable release? You may introduce some camera shake using the shutter button, even with a tripod; you'll get best results if you take advantage of your self-timer to allow the camera and tripod to damp down after you press the shutter release. Pressing the shutter button could also shift the camera's orientation slightly betweeen frames, amplifying the jaggies.