How Sony Is Rewriting Dynamic Range Sensor Performance (DGO vs DCG) — And the Hidden Drawbacks You Need to Know

Share

Dual Conversion Gain (DCG) – The “Old” Tech

First things first: what exactly is Dual Conversion Gain?
Modern camera sensors — Fujifilm included — operate in two modes:

  • Low conversion gain: used at lower ISO values
  • High conversion gain: activated automatically at higher ISO values (for example, ISO 500 on the GFX100 II)

Let’s look at the Fujifilm GFX100 II dynamic range data using Photons to Photos data:

  • ISO 400 → 10.49 stops DR
  • ISO 500 → 10.91 stops DR
  • ISO 640 → 10.62 stops DR

Why does dynamic range increase at ISO 500 and ISO 640 compared to ISO 400?

Because that’s the point where the camera switches into high-gain mode, which reduces read noise and produces a DR “bump.”

For years, this dual conversion gain jump was the key method to maximize sensor performance.

But that changed—recently, and dramatically—with the launch of the Panasonic S1II first, and now also with the Sony A7V.

Dual Gain Output (DGO) – The New Tech

With the Panasonic S1 II (Sony-made, partially stacked sensor) and now the Sony A7 V, something unusual appeared in the data:

Share
** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

The Fujifilm 1” Compact Camera That 91% of You Rejected – But I Want it… and Here’s Why

Share

→ In Short: I want a 1″ Successor to this camera

1″ Compact is Coming

We shared the rumor that Fujifilm will launch a compact camera with 1″ sensor.

Of course this triggered speculations and wishes on what camera it would or should be.

So I thought I jump in and tell you what camera I personally would like to get.

But…

and read carefully…

again…

the rumor just says there is a 1″ compact camera coming.

The rumor does not tell us if it will be a successor to a Fujifilm 2/3rd camera or if it will be a new model.

With that said, here is the camera I want.

And I am afraid it will be an unpopular opinion, considering that 91% of FR-reader voted against it.

What I’d Like

The last 2/3rd inch Fujifilm camera I personally owned was this one.

Sadly it did not survive a close encounter with my son (who by the way shows signs of superior intelligence), when he found it and decided to stress test it 😅. Now the lens cover blades are stuck.

But while it lasted, it was the perfect little companion. It lived permanently in my everyday bag, took up no space at all, and was always ready whenever a photo opportunity popped up and I had no APS-C or GFX gear with me.

And actually I bought it because of something that happened in late 2014.

I was on the bus to work, looking out at a breathtaking valley completely blanketed in clouds (taken from the Road of Wine – which you can see here – on the way to school).

All I had with me was my iPhone, and as I tried capturing the scene, I told myself: I need a truly pocketable everyday camera — one I can always carry. Not long after, Fujifilm announced the XQ2, and it didn’t take me long to realize it was exactly the camera I’d been waiting for.

Sure, Smartphone cameras have gotten better since back in 2014, but a 1″ sensor Fujifilm XQ3 could revive also my interest for ultra compact cameras.

I know I am unpopular with my opinion. In fact, our survey shows that 91% of you want either another camera – or no 1″compact camera at all.

But that’s what I’d go for.

And yet, if it was an X40, I’d not be disappointed either. ;)

Which camera would you like to get revived with a 1" sensor

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...
Share

Sony Tricked You: The Sony A7V Does Not Match the Fujifilm GFX100II in Dynamic Range – UPDATED

Share

The Sony Trick

UPDATES: Bill Claff made an error an apologised. Here are the true results and findings

Original Article:

Photons to Photos has published their dynamic range measurements for the Sony A7V.

As soon as the chart dropped, several Fujifilm GFX shooters in our group started wondering: is it time to ditch the GFX100 series and move to Sony?

Why the sudden doubt?

Because at low ISO values, the Sony A7V appears to match the Fujifilm GFX100II in dynamic range — at least according to the Photons to Photos graph here.

But there’s a trick. 😉

As Bill Claff (the mind behind Photons to Photos) explained over on DPReview here:

Note the triangles point down which indicated Noise Reduction (NR) baked into the raw files.

Also note, no Dual Conversion Gain (DCG) was detected.

Noise Reduction (NR) makes comparisons less reliable. Unfortunately it’s hard to gauge how much of an impact NR has on the results. Note there’s even stronger NR at the very high ISO settings.

That’s why the GFX100II shows simple dots, while the Sony A7V shows downward arrows: those arrows are a warning that NR is being applied to Sony’s RAW data — meaning the “true,” NR-free performance would be worse.

The real question now becomes: how strong is Sony’s NR, and how would the A7V fare against a GFX100II if both had the same amount of noise reduction?

Also a pity there is no dual gain conversion on the Sony A7V, because that helps to improve ISO performance at higher ISO. All modern (and even older) Fujifilm cameras have dual gain. This explains why the GFX100II jumps ahead to the Sony A7V at some point – even if the Sony is agressive with noise reduction – because dual gain kicks in on the GFX100II.

UPDATE: Bill Claff says “There will be ES results shortly at PhotonsToPhotos.net. And it does look like there’s High Conversion Gain (HCG) at ISO 1000 that is obscured by the NR with Mechanical shutter.”

The Fuji Trick

And because here on FujiRumors we take pride in being 100% honest and bias-free, let’s remember something before anyone starts yelling “SONY IS CHEATING!”

Fujifilm has played its own tricks, too.

With the Fujifilm X-Pro3, Fujifilm used a different method to make the camera appear to have better dynamic range than it actually did. And yes — we called it out immediately when the results came out.

So… hopefully this little reminder will help prevent the incoming sh*tstorm from Sony fanboys in the comments. 😉

The Best Deal on the Best Dynamic Range

Share
** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

The Spectacular Fujinon GF32-64mmF4 is Now $500 Off plus New Unofficial XF Lens Deals

Share

The Unofficial Fujifilm XF Lens Deal

Earlier today we reported that mainly BHphoto (but in some cases also Amazon and Adorama) offer unofficial Fujifilm deals.

Unofficial because they are not part of the official Fujiilm X deals (full list below), and hence we don’t know how long they will last.

The New Official GF Lens Deal

Fujifilm just added the spectacular Fujinon GF32-64mm F4 lens to the list of their officially rebate GF lenses.

And I don’t call the GF32-64mm “spectacular” just randomly.

I actually own it, took tons of images with it, and it’s out of this world in terms of image quality and flexibility.

For example, it was the only lens I used on my multi-day Dolomites hiking trip… and you can also see me in action with it on this Dolomite video.

And guess what? After I published an image I took with it, the SonyAlphaRumors guy wrote me asking how I edited the colors in that image, because he loved them so much. It was an easy answer, as I just said “I did not edit at all… it’s Astia out of the box“. I guess that’s something hard to comprehend if you are not a Fujifilm shooter ;).

Official GFX Gear Deals

* freebies at BHphoto include a free CFexpress Type B Card and a camera bag

XF Lens and X Camera Deals

Unofficial XF Lens Deals

Official XF Lens Deals

Official X Camera Deals

Share