Confirmed: Sony a7 V is employing Dual Gain Output (DGO) to achieve outstanding dynamic range!

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Reminder: Sony A7V finally available for preorder on Amazon (click here). “Arrives before Christmas” :)

The Sony A7V uses a new class leading sensor and it delivers stunning Dynamic Range at low ISO according to PhotonsToPhotos testing. We now have more details about how the camera achieves this:

As reported by Petapixel the Sony A7V uses Dual Gain Output (DGO) when using the mechanical shutter at base and low ISO settings. The good news is that the Sony does NOT use baked-in noise reduction with its RAW files. Petapixel writes:

A camera utilizing Dual Gain Output, DGO, captures two readouts of a single exposure with two different ISO settings. In the case of the S1 II, the camera at base ISO combines an image shot at ISO 100 and a second at ISO 800 and merges the results into a single RAW file. This means the camera can take advantage of the higher saturation capacity at low ISO and the improved deep shadow performance at a higher ISO.

The real limitation is that DGO does not work in electronic shutter mode which leads to about 1 stop dynamic range drop. Why?

DGO increases sensor readout times, which are not an issue when using a mechanical shutter but are problematic when using an electronic shutter, increasing the risk of rolling shutter problems.

I think Sony has found the perfect middle ground: outstanding dynamic range with the mechanical shutter (10 fps is more than enough for most users), and when you really need ultimate speed, you can push it up to 30 fps using the electronic shutter.

Sony A7V preorders:
In USA at at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Henrys.
In EU at  Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, Foto Köster, WexUK, Clifton, Park UK, Fnac FR.
In Australia at: Camera Pro, Sony Australia.

 

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Leaked Sony A1II firmware update roadmap!

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A chinese leaker claims he got to test the future 4.02 and 4.04 Sony A1II firmware. This is what he writes:

4.02 will add new white balance algorithm same as A7V
4.04 will add burst shooting mode like A9III (surpass 30fps) and maybe unlock the support for CF-A 4.0.
A1II major firmware update:
5.00? will add [4K angle of view Priority] like A7V in order to achieve over-sampled 4k60p recording with small crop (unkonw crop ratio).
Can’t guarantee that the final outcome will match, maybe all new features will come along in one major FW update.

Source: Bilibili.com

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Haters Silenced: Bill Claff reevaluates the measurements and confirms that the Sony A7V is the King of dynamic range!

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Sony A7V preorders:
In USA at at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Henrys.
In EU at  Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, Foto Köster, WexUK, Clifton, Park UK, Fnac FR.
In Australia at: Camera Pro, Sony Australia.

Bill Claff from PhotonsToPhotos re-ran the Sony A7V evaluation— and guess what? The dynamic range numbers are still jaw-dropping. At low ISO, the A7V rivals medium-format monsters like the Fujifilm GFX100 II and Hasselblad X2D II, beating the entire Sony Alpha lineup in the process.

So much for the claims that the A7V was “cheating” when the earlier results included noise reduction. 😏

Here is the Sony A7V vs the Sony A7IV (note: mechanical shutter used):

As on any camera if you use electronic shutter dynamic range drops:

And here is the comparison with the nearly 3 times more expensive medium format cameras:

This is now the PDR ranking from Bill Claff:

What can we say… this looks like a clear winner. I highly doubt the Canon R6 Mark III will come anywhere close once Bill finally tests it. 😏

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