Neat Image Miracle - Removing noise on Sigma SD15 ISO 1600 image

I think I am really in stressed after writing my opinion on the Sigma SD15 DSLR. I wrote another post afterward about the green noise patterns in ISO 1600 and ISO 3200 images. So after bashing one of my most awaited cameras, I have decided to make some justice with the Sigma SD15. After all, noise in high ISO can be handled with noise reductions software, can it? - So today I want to show you how well my favorite noise reduction software, Neat Image, can remove noise from a Sigma SD15 image.

So I have decided to take one Sigma SD15 ISO 1600 pretty noisy images, and try to remove the noise using Neat Image. I just want to add that Neat Image is one of my favorites and highly recommended noise reduction software. I've try them all, and this is by far the most convenient and most effective of them all (my opinion).

100% crop ISO 1600 (before Neat Image noise reduction):

ISO 1600 - Without NR

100% crop ISO 1600 (After Neat Image noise reduction):

ISO 1600 - With NR

100% crop ISO 1600 (Before Neat Image noise reduction):

ISO 1600 - Without NR

100% crop ISO 1600 (After Neat Image noise reduction):

ISO 1600 - With NR

The image was saved with Photoshop in 80% compression, so if you see minor artifacts, it is probably because of the compression. Of course I've cropped areas that have sharp edges, so you can see if the noise reduction process is damaging the sharpness of the image by making it smoother or not. As you can see, Neat Image did a fantastic job in keeping the details and removing all the noise, absolutely amazing!

The overall image looked fantastic, still very very sharp and noise free. I didn't upload the image because it is very large, but here are Neat Image attributes that I've used during the noise removal process to remove the noise from the Sigma SD15 ISO 1600 picture:

• I've clicked the "Auto profile" button
• In "Noise Filter Settings" under "Noise Levels"
  
  
  • Luminance channel: -25%
  • Chrominance channels: +5%
• In "Noise Filter Settings" under "Noise Reduction Amount"
  
  
  • Luminance channel: 100%
  • Chrominance channels: 100%

That's it, no sharpening (0%) and no smooth edges (not checked). Saved it in JPG 100% (no compression), brought it to Photoshop, cropped it  and saved it with 80% compression.

Just for the skeptic guys out there, here is a EXIF windows image:

You can view the untouched Sigma SD15 ISO 1600 image here (I have used the top most one).
BTW: You can find many other pictures taken with the Sigma SD15 in different ISO settings. I know that many of you are searching for new pictures taken with the Sigma SD15 camera, and on that page you can find plenty of them.

You can download Neat Image and try this amazing noise reduction software yourself. It really does miracles in removing noise (chroma and luminance noise) from digital images. It also has a Photoshop plugin that you can use it to remove noise within Adobe Photoshop itself or alternatively download the standalone software. 

I am sure that with a little bit more time spending on Neat Image, I could probably get better results.
After spending some time with noise removal/reduction software, I am giving Sigma SD15 another chance - The miracles of Noise Reduction Software -- Hallelujah!

credit: outliner.jp