> > . . . if results from my $400.00 Sony (not even one of the "big" brands)
Actually Sony *are* the big brand when it comes to digital cameras and technology. Not only do they sell a lot under their own name, they also make the sensors used in a lot of cameras sold under very different, but well-known brand names. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if the Sony software & firmware to convert from raw sensor input to full-colour images was better than that of many of their competitors.
