Electronic shutter - lower quality file?

[Jackpot101]

I always thought it was commonly believed—or I may have read somewhere—that using the electronic shutter reduces image quality from 14-bit (mechanical shutter) down to 12-bit. The outcome was that files captured with the electronic shutter were of lower quality. Technically it makes sense as you'll want to prioritize sensor readout to reduce rolling effect versus ultimate file quality.

But after digging deeper, I can’t find any solid evidence to support that's the case. In fact, everything I’m seeing suggests that the electronic shutter still maintains 14-bit quality (X-T1 onwards). Fujilm manuals does not specify a different bit file for different shutter modes.

So… is this myth officially busted?

 

[ikolbyi]

I always thought it was commonly believed—or I may have read somewhere—that using the electronic shutter reduces image quality from 14-bit (mechanical shutter) down to 12-bit. The outcome was that files captured with the electronic shutter were of lower quality. Technically it makes sense as you'll want to prioritize sensor readout to reduce rolling effect versus ultimate file quality.

But after digging deeper, I can’t find any solid evidence to support that's the case. In fact, everything I’m seeing suggests that the electronic shutter still maintains 14-bit quality (X-T1 onwards). Fujilm manuals does not specify a different bit file for different shutter modes.

So… is this myth officially busted?

In the LUMIX (Panasonic) world, if you want the fastest FPS possible (even mechanical), it will drop from 14-bit to 12- bit. It is clearly stated in the manual.

There is a setting in AF priority mode: speed or normal. If you set AF to speed, 12-bit it is.

 

[Jackpot101]

When editing raw files from the X-T1 and X-S20 using electronic shutters, I always felt like they were a bit limited in latitude—but maybe that’s just in my head.

 

[ikolbyi]

When editing raw files from the X-T1 and X-S20 using electronic shutters, I always felt like they were a bit limited in latitude—but maybe that’s just in my head.

Noise difference between Electronic (12 bit) and Mechanical (14 bit) Shutter

Hi, just wanted to report on this issue. I’ve been shooting mostly with the ES lately even if I knew that noise would be a bit higher than with MS. I didn’t know that the difference is due to the fact that the bit depth changes from 14 to 12 to speed up pixel reading in ES. Here is a simple...

discuss.pixls.us

 

[Night Pixel]

I always thought it was commonly believed—or I may have read somewhere—that using the electronic shutter reduces image quality from 14-bit (mechanical shutter) down to 12-bit. The outcome was that files captured with the electronic shutter were of lower quality. Technically it makes sense as you'll want to prioritize sensor readout to reduce rolling effect versus ultimate file quality.

But after digging deeper, I can’t find any solid evidence to support that's the case. In fact, everything I’m seeing suggests that the electronic shutter still maintains 14-bit quality (X-T1 onwards). Fujilm manuals does not specify a different bit file for different shutter modes.

So… is this myth officially busted?

Not really...it depends on the generation of Fujifilm camera.

Photo to Photon shows a chart of older X-Trans bodies (e.g., X-T3 generation): shows the RAW precision drops when you use the full electronic shutter (ES). Photons to Photos published special X-T3 charts that separate 12-bit vs 14-bit behavior; the ES traces are consistent with 12-bit precision and lower dynamic range than the 14-bit mechanical shutter (MS). DPReview’s X-T3 review also noted a small DR penalty when switching to ES.

On the GFX 100 II, single-shot ES can stay high precision, but CH drops to 12-bit. You can review the data on "the last word" blog .

On the X-H2S, you can use ES at full speed without a bit-depth penalty (14-bit at 40 fps). The Sans Mirror blog says "And on the X-H2S, that's up to 40 fps with 14-bit raw, 10-bit HEIF, or 8-bit JPEG. That's using an all-electronic shutter that's due to the fast stacked sensor mechanism..."

Hope this helps.

--
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"A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know." - Diane Arbus

 

[BklynBill]

Is this also true if you use just electronic first shutter?

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

The bit depth may decrease with high speed continuous shooting (which I rarely use and haven’t checked), but my X-T2 and X-T20 ES files are 14 bit in normal single shot mode with the ES.

 

[Rightsaidfred]

Couple of years ago, I did a test with my X-T20 and could not find a huge difference in dynamic range between ES and MS. A certain difference was visible, however. It was not a scientific test, just a quick experiment.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64307905

I haven't done it with my X-T4.

Cheers,

Martin

 

[Jackpot101]

so say you are about to take a once in a lifetime landscape photo - patagonia, tuscany, Dolomites etc.......using a tripod.....will u shoot ES or mechanical.

i just realised Dpreview has a forum just for landscapes - i'll post the question there also.

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

so say you are about to take a once in a lifetime landscape photo - patagonia, tuscany, Dolomites etc.......using a tripod.....will u shoot ES or mechanical.

It depends. Even if it's 14 bit, the ES can be noisier with the newer high speed readout cameras (X-T3 and newer) so, unless I'd be at a problem SS (around 1/15' or so), I'd probably use the MS with a delay.

It's really no big deal to take a bunch of shots with both shutters. If you've gone to the trouble of lugging around a tripod and it's an important scene - take a bunch of shots, different apertures, different exposures, different focus points, do a pano sequence etc. Scrutinize them all when you get home and learn something from the experience ...and you'll have an answer for the next guy who asks the question.

 

[Jackpot101]

so say you are about to take a once in a lifetime landscape photo - patagonia, tuscany, Dolomites etc.......using a tripod.....will u shoot ES or mechanical.

It depends. Even if it's 14 bit, the ES can be noisier with the newer high speed readout cameras (X-T3 and newer) so, unless I'd be at a problem SS (around 1/15' or so), I'd probably use the MS with a delay.

It's really no big deal to take a bunch of shots with both shutters. If you've gone to the trouble of lugging around a tripod and it's an important scene - take a bunch of shots, different apertures, different exposures, different focus points, do a pano sequence etc. Scrutinize them all when you get home and learn something from the experience ...and you'll have an answer for the next guy who asks the question.

Landscape, with a tripod - of course with a delay. Preferably a wireless delay even.

I'm just curious about the decision one has to make when in front of a once in a lifetime photo opportunity. In this case - it's the choice of type of shutter to use. I use ES when i focus bracket - because it saves wear/tear on the shutter and vibration free. But do i apply the same techniques for a landscape shot (tripod, remote release - got time to frame and take the shot).

 

[Alan Hewitt Photo]

I think that if there is "technically" a difference where electronic shutters give a slightly lower bit depth compared to mechanical then yes less tonal range. But in practice, you’d only see it if you’re getting towards pixel peeping edits or maybe more so in very high-contrast scenes.

For most real-world shooting, or certainly when you’re chasing fast action, the benefits of higher frame rates, zero vibration, and silent shooting can far outweigh that technical trade-off. Sometimes “quality” is about getting the shot rather than the cleanest possible pixel