A-Series RAW – Dynamic Range Test

[oluv]

there is much more in it. i thought i would give it a try, so here is my attempt on your raw-file. converted and processed with ACR

your jpeg processed:



RAW:



look how much more detail can be brought back from the hightlights. of course one or more color-channels can be clipped, but there is still some data to play with.

 

[gkl]

It's a strong counterexample to Canon's stated reasons for dropping
RAW on the G7

Well, I would say that Canon is half right. There's another thread
in which I perform tests for image detail, and found that RAW gave
no improvement at all in image detail. But there certainly does
seem to be quite a bit that can be done with extending the dynamic
range of an image and recovering detail.

Thanks, I did see the other thread. RAW processing can only improve detail where something (i.e. jpeg compression or noise reduction) is destroying detail. This happens primarily in highlights (compression in the upper part of the tone curve) and shadows (where there is noise and compression). Occasionally RAW processing can restore detail where noise reduction kicks in "accidentally" (e.g. low contrast areas).

Canon's claim that RAW would offer "no discernible improvement in image quality compared to that which the camera already achieves in its Superfine JPEG mode" is more or less justifiable for images with restricted dynamic range and plenty of contrast, but ignores the benefits of RAW for problem images. cheers, gkl

 

[Robert Hoffman]

there is much more in it. i thought i would give it a try, so here
is my attempt on your raw-file. converted and processed with ACR

RAW:



look how much more detail can be brought back from the hightlights.
of course one or more color-channels can be clipped, but there is
still some data to play with.

--
'Don't sneak up on it - surround it'