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.

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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.

 

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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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Sony announced a new impressive 200MP sensor for Mobile phones

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Sony has announced a new 200MP sensor. Some of this tech might be implemented on future larger sensor too!

Press text:

Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (Sony) today announced the upcoming release of the 1/1.12-type large-format LYTIA 901 mobile image sensor with a high resolution of approximately 200-effective megapixels.*1 This product uses a pixel array format that delivers both high resolution and high sensitivity, further incorporates an image processing circuit utilizing AI technology within the sensor. It achieves high-definition image quality even with high-powered zooming of up to 4x on monocular cameras and offers new experiential value when shooting on mobile cameras.

Main Features


■Approximately 200-effective megapixels and Quad-Quad Bayer Coding (QQBC) array deliver both high resolution and high sensitivity

  • The new sensor uses a pixel pitch of 0.7 μm for an approximately 200-effective megapixel resolution on a 1/1.12 large-format sensor. Advances in pixel structure and color filter design increase the saturation signal level, contributing to improved dynamic range.
  • To leverage the high resolution of approximately 200-effective megapixels, the new product employs a Quad-Quad Bayer Coding (QQBC) array in which 16 (4×4) adjacent pixels are clustered with filters of the same color. During normal shooting, the signals of the 16 clustered pixels are processed as a single pixel unit, allowing the camera to maintain high sensitivity even at night and in dim indoor shooting conditions. On the other hand, during zoom shooting, a form of array conversion processing known as remosaicing reverts the clustered pixels to a normal pixel array, to deliver high-resolution imaging.

■Equipped with an AI learning-based remosaicing function for high quality imaging while zooming

Array conversion processing (remosaicing), which reverts the QQBC array to a normal pixel array, requires extremely advanced calculation processes. For this product, Sony has developed a new AI learning-based remosaicing for the QQBC array and mounted the processing circuit inside the sensor, for another Sony industry-first.*2 This new technology makes it possible to process high-frequency component signals, which are generally difficult to reproduce, offering superior reproduction of details such as fine patterns and letters. Furthermore,incorporating AI learning-based remosaicing directly in the sensor enables high-speed processing and up to 30 fps high- quality video capture when shooting with up to 4x zoom in 4K resolution.

*2  Among CMOS image sensors for mobile applications. According to Sony research (as of November 27, 2025).

■High dynamic range and rich tonal expression enabled by various HDR technologies

  • DCG-HDR and Fine12bit ADC technologies deliver high dynamic range and tonal expressions across the entire zoom range up to 4x
    In addition to Dual Conversion Gain‐HDR (DCG-HDR) technology, which composites data read at different gain settings in a single frame, the new sensor is equipped with Fine12bit ADC (AD converter) technology that improves the quantization bit depth from the conventional 10 bits to 12. These features deliver a high dynamic range and rich tonal expression across the entire zoom range up to 4x.
  • HF-HDR technology delivers over 100 dB*3 high dynamic range performance
    Hybrid Frame-HDR (HF-HDR) is an HDR technology that composites frames captured in short exposures with DCG data on a post-processing application processor. HF-HDR significantly improves the dynamic range compared to conventional HDR technology, delivering performance of over 100 dB.*3 This significantly suppresses highlight blowout in bright areas, as well as blackout in dark areas, delivering images that more closely resemble what the human eye actually sees.*3  Effective in 16-pixel additive mode.

To enhance recognition of the LYTIA product brand, all future products launched under this brand, beginning with “LYTIA 901” will follow the unified naming format “LYTIA (product number).”

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