X30 "RAW shooter mode"

grain_frame wrote:

Erik Baumgartner wrote:

grain_frame wrote:

I've seen several reviews mention some sort of "RAW shooter mode" setting which enables a neutral image in the EVF, rather than an image with all of the JPG conversions applied. I've dug through the menus and the manual, and I can't find any way to enable it, nor even any mention of this setting. Is this something that actually exists?

Turning PIC PREVIEW off will do that (the same as NATURAL LIVE VIEW on in newer cameras), but I don’t really recommend that as (at least in newer cameras) as it doesn’t show a useful exposure preview. The best way to go is highlight warning blinkies in the EVF for RAW highlight exposure, but I’m pretty sure the X30 doesn’t have that.
Personally, I’d go with the Provia/Standard sim with default jpeg settings and eyeball it. Adjusting EC/exposure for the brightest important highlights “just” holding detail in the EVF should get you well exposed RAW files. I highly recommend RawDigger for looking at the actual RAW histograms to see if you’re leaving any highlight headroom on the table, but I don’t expect you will be.

Thanks! I somehow skipped over the "Screen Set-Up" sub-menu where the setting is buried.

Can you explain what you mean by not getting a useful exposure preview, though? Exposure compensation input still affects the live view, as far as I can tell.

I haven't shot with an X30, but if it's like all the newer cameras, NATURAL LIVE VIEW on/PIC PREVIEW off might look like they will work indoors in lower light, but outside on a bright day and you'll be blowing highlights left and right. EC will have an effect, but not an accurate one. Those modes are far from processing-free and are attempting to show what you'd see using an OVF, not so much an accurate exposure preview (the highlight blinkies won't work properly on newer models either). Try it, but I think you'll find that better (and more consistent) results can be obtained with PIC PREVIEW on.