Pros and cons of electronic shutters ?

[puttin]

What are they

 

[alcelc]

Depending on the sensor readout speed. Otherwise without a global shutter there could be rolling shutter effect and a relatively slower flash synchorized speed too.

For top end models, when they have a fast enough readout speed, no real cons but 100% shutter shock free (not every mirrorless suffers shutter shock) and no wear and tear on m-shutter curtain.

For lower end models, it would show rolling shutter effect, might not support flash (some might but at slower Synchorized speed) and some are limited to slowest 1" shutter speed too.

Some brands will limit e-shutter to silence mode so it could be a pro and con depending on the shooter. However e-shutter is not neccessary completely silence, some brand can add sound effect, e.g. AF confirmation, shutter release etc that can address the silence mode inconvenince.

There is a third shutter: the hybrid Electronic First Curtain Shutter which can address those shortages of e-shutter and m-shutter, but genreally are limit on the fast shutter speed zone. AFAIK some brands will limit EFCS to 1/320" and mine, limits to 1/2000" which is far slower from e-shutter max 1/16000"or m-shutter max 1/8000".

 

[gary0319]

Depending on the sensor readout speed. Otherwise without a global shutter there could be rolling shutter effect and a relatively slower flash synchorized speed too.

For top end models, when they have a fast enough readout speed, no real cons but 100% shutter shock free (not every mirrorless suffers shutter shock) and no wear and tear on m-shutter curtain.

For lower end models, it would show rolling shutter effect, might not support flash (some might but at slower Synchorized speed) and some are limited to slowest 1" shutter speed too.

Some brands will limit e-shutter to silence mode so it could be a pro and con depending on the shooter. However e-shutter is not neccessary completely silence, some brand can add sound effect, e.g. AF confirmation, shutter release etc that can address the silence mode inconvenince.

There is a third shutter: the hybrid Electronic First Curtain Shutter which can address those shortages of e-shutter and m-shutter, but genreally are limit on the fast shutter speed zone. AFAIK some brands will limit EFCS to 1/320" and mine, limits to 1/2000" which is far slower from e-shutter max 1/16000"or m-shutter max 1/8000".

In addition to the above, some cameras will not tolerate some types of fluorescent lighting and cause banding in the image. My OM5 is susceptible to this, particularly in some museums and art galleries, so it’s mechanical shutter for those venues.

 

[bastibe]

Some electronic shutters also reduce dynamic range by a stop or two. Though, come to think of it, I have never understood why this might be the case.

 

[All Bushs Fault]

What are they

You are a Fujifilm XT user so here is Fuji's take:

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fujifilm-x.com

Most folks (including myself) use EFCS (EF in your XT's menu) that switches automatically between electronic and mechanical shutters.

 

[Chris R-UK]

I have shot almost exclusively with electronic shutter for the last 6 years or so, firstly with an Olympus E-M1.2 and more recently with an OM-1. The two big advantages for me are much higher shooting rates and silent shooting. With the E-M1.2 I had to remember to switch to mechanical shutter for flash. I have never personally experienced banding with electronic shutter in fluorescent lights, but I rarely shoot under fluorescent lighting anyway.

For me, rolling shutter was the main problem with the E-M1.2 even though it has quite a fast sensor readout rate. Rolling shutter is most evident when panning during video - the "jello" effect. For still shooting of sports and wildlife, rolling shutter effects are most evident when fast panning across a background with vertical lines - poles, fencing, buildings, etc. It doesn't really show up against trees or bushes. Even when not panning, fast moving objects like a round soccer ball can be distorted - a soccer ball goes from round to slightly ovoid.

With my E-M1.2, I eventually decided that the benefits of the higher fps rate with electronic shutter outweighed the rolling shutter effects. When shooting soccer, for example, a very high fps rates gave more really good shots during fast action than those that were spoilt by visible rolling shutter effects. With the OM-1's stacked sensor, there are almost no rolling shutter effects anyway.

You can get rolling shutter effects with mechanical shutters as well but nowadays only with much faster moving objects. There is a famous shot of an automobile taken in the early 1900's which shows extreme rolling shutter distortion of the wheels and bodywork.

--
Chris R

 

[tbcass]

Depending on the sensor readout speed. Otherwise without a global shutter there could be rolling shutter effect and a relatively slower flash synchorized speed too.

For top end models, when they have a fast enough readout speed, no real cons but 100% shutter shock free (not every mirrorless suffers shutter shock) and no wear and tear on m-shutter curtain.

For lower end models, it would show rolling shutter effect, might not support flash (some might but at slower Synchorized speed) and some are limited to slowest 1" shutter speed too.

Some brands will limit e-shutter to silence mode so it could be a pro and con depending on the shooter. However e-shutter is not neccessary completely silence, some brand can add sound effect, e.g. AF confirmation, shutter release etc that can address the silence mode inconvenince.

There is a third shutter: the hybrid Electronic First Curtain Shutter which can address those shortages of e-shutter and m-shutter, but genreally are limit on the fast shutter speed zone. AFAIK some brands will limit EFCS to 1/320" and mine, limits to 1/2000" which is far slower from e-shutter max 1/16000"or m-shutter max 1/8000".

The EFCS shutter on my Sony A99ii and the A77ii before that can shoot a maximum of 1/8000 sec. This is true of other cameras with EFCS as well. In other words no difference between full mechanical and EFCS shutter speeds.

 

[Nusratty]

I also think you will find a slight increase in noise using an electronic shutter over a mechanical one

 

[tbcass]

I also think you will find a slight increase in noise using an electronic shutter over a mechanical one

Why do you think that?

 

[sybersitizen]

I also think you will find a slight increase in noise using an electronic shutter over a mechanical one

Why do you think that?

More noise and less dynamic range have been shown to be a consequence of the electronic shutter in some cameras. Different implementations might have a significant impact or none at all. Read the first post on this page for some details.

 

[tbcass]

I also think you will find a slight increase in noise using an electronic shutter over a mechanical one

Notice he said "will", present tense.

Why do you think that?

More noise and less dynamic range have been shown to be a consequence of the electronic shutter in some cameras. Different implementations might have a significant impact or none at all. Read the first post on this page for some details.

That person was talking about early implementations pre Stacked Sensors. His last sentence said, "From what I know of recent sensor designs this is likely a thing of the past (but was real a decade ago)."

 

[gary0319]

I also think you will find a slight increase in noise using an electronic shutter over a mechanical one

Notice he said "will", present tense.

Why do you think that?

More noise and less dynamic range have been shown to be a consequence of the electronic shutter in some cameras. Different implementations might have a significant impact or none at all. Read the first post on this page for some details.

That person was talking about early implementations pre Stacked Sensors. His last sentence said, "From what I know of recent sensor designs this is likely a thing of the past (but was real a decade ago)."

I noticed that as well. I think that often statements are made without consideration of the latest advancements in sensor/camera/lens technology. Of course if one is using or considering buying a camera that is not making use of these advancements then there is some value, but they should be not taken as current.

 

[sybersitizen]

I also think you will find a slight increase in noise using an electronic shutter over a mechanical one

Notice he said "will", present tense.

He said '... think you will.' It is an opinion, and a definite possibility, considering the OP didn't specify any camera in his question.

Why do you think that?

More noise and less dynamic range have been shown to be a consequence of the electronic shutter in some cameras. Different implementations might have a significant impact or none at all. Read the first post on this page for some details.

That person was talking about early implementations pre Stacked Sensors. His last sentence said, "From what I know of recent sensor designs this is likely a thing of the past (but was real a decade ago)."

Some electronic shutter cameras have this issue and some don't. One person's forum comment doesn't represent everything that's known about a subject, so to think that this can't be an issue with some recent cameras would only be an opinion as well.

 

[puttin]

Thanks all for all the info

 

[jxh]

.. I have never personally experienced banding with electronic shutter in fluorescent lights, but I rarely shoot under fluorescent lighting anyway.

Additionally traditional fluorescent tubes are rapidly being replaced by LED based lighting (often compatible with the same fixtures). These seem to be much better behaved.

 

[sybersitizen]

.. I have never personally experienced banding with electronic shutter in fluorescent lights, but I rarely shoot under fluorescent lighting anyway.

Additionally traditional fluorescent tubes are rapidly being replaced by LED based lighting (often compatible with the same fixtures). These seem to be much better behaved.

Some LEDs might be better behaved; others are not.

This is an evenly lit door in my garage, illuminated by LED and shot with electronic shutter:



Another example under the LED fixture in my pantry:

 

[gary0319]

.. I have never personally experienced banding with electronic shutter in fluorescent lights, but I rarely shoot under fluorescent lighting anyway.

Additionally traditional fluorescent tubes are rapidly being replaced by LED based lighting (often compatible with the same fixtures). These seem to be much better behaved.

Some LEDs might be better behaved; others are not.

This is an evenly lit door in my garage, illuminated by LED and shot with electronic shutter:



Another example under the LED fixture in my pantry:

Similar results with my OM-5 at a newly opened art gallery, presumably with LED lighting. Test before committing to electronic shutter indoors..... lesson learned.

 

[1cb]

before I read up on it. Rolling Shutter is a thing and makes the image look weird.

example:





Although friends said it makes the image look "fast"

when I'm at the track, i use first curtain mech/elect shutter. no more rolling shutter for me.



--
Thanks!
Chris

Chris B

Explore Chris B’s 205 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

 

[John Sheehy]

Some electronic shutters also reduce dynamic range by a stop or two. Though, come to think of it, I have never understood why this might be the case.

Electronic shutter modes have more post-gain read noise at lower bit depths, if they use lower bit depths for speed's sake. If you have a camera with a 1/30s rolling shutter speed at 12 bits, the rolling shutter speed would drop to 1/7.5s if the camera tried to use 14 bits for e-shutter mode. That would be problematic off-tripod for narrow angles of view, even with a static subject that isn't moving.

The sensor could be read out at 10 bits, too, for a 1/120s rolling shutter, but this is a bit noisy in the shadows for stills, and is more suitable for video where the noise dithers over time.

 

[John Sheehy]

Depending on the sensor readout speed. Otherwise without a global shutter there could be rolling shutter effect and a relatively slower flash synchorized speed too.

For top end models, when they have a fast enough readout speed, no real cons but 100% shutter shock free (not every mirrorless suffers shutter shock) and no wear and tear on m-shutter curtain.

For lower end models, it would show rolling shutter effect, might not support flash (some might but at slower Synchorized speed) and some are limited to slowest 1" shutter speed too.

Some brands will limit e-shutter to silence mode so it could be a pro and con depending on the shooter. However e-shutter is not neccessary completely silence, some brand can add sound effect, e.g. AF confirmation, shutter release etc that can address the silence mode inconvenince.

There is a third shutter: the hybrid Electronic First Curtain Shutter which can address those shortages of e-shutter and m-shutter, but genreally are limit on the fast shutter speed zone. AFAIK some brands will limit EFCS to 1/320" and mine, limits to 1/2000" which is far slower from e-shutter max 1/16000"or m-shutter max 1/8000".

The EFCS shutter on my Sony A99ii and the A77ii before that can shoot a maximum of 1/8000 sec. This is true of other cameras with EFCS as well. In other words no difference between full mechanical and EFCS shutter speeds.

Maybe this is supposed to be about e-shutter vs both EFCS and full-mechanical? E-shutters top off at double the shutter-speed on some cameras.

My Casio bridge camera from years ago had a 1/40,000 exposure in a special e-shutter mode.