Sony A7S II: Real-World ISO 100 to ISO 410000 with and without Chroma Noise Reduction (Campfire)
Related: chroma noise, digital sensor, exposure, histogram, noise, Sony, Sony A7S II, Sony mirrorless
Get Sony mirrorless digital camera at B&H Photo.
UPDATE 1: I’ve corrected an error in the RawDigger histogram. The corrected histogram shows the full 16-bit range as expected. Also updated are my thoughts in the conclusions on the merits of 12 vs 42 megapixels full frame sensors.
UPDATE 2: I’ve added RawDigger histograms showing gapping behavior not just in dark tones but in mid tones, which suggests “raw cooking”.
he 12- megapixel full frame sensor in the Sony A7S II brings with it expectations of ultra-clean imagery. This outdoors scene is a mashup of real world performance challenges into one “how well does it actually work” test, shot with uncompressed raw.
- A mix of cyan-tinted lighting (LED source) which has been corrected in raw conversion to neutral (this makes the fire look magenta).
- Contrast control in raw conversion: +100 shadow boost with some highlight reduction to tame the contrast range (contrast boost added to restore some contrast).
- ISO series from ISO 100 to ISO 410000 both without and with chroma noise reduction.
- Ambient temperature was 19°F / -7°C. This reduces certain types of sensor noise, and so this low temperature favors the camera greatly versus room temperature.
- Frames were shot one after another, so if the camera has a heat buildup issue with continued use (just as it would with video), then this is highly relevant to some types of real-world use.
All frames are EV-matched (same exposure value).
Sony A7S II: ISO 100 to 410000: Campfire
Presented without and with chroma noise reductionf rom ISO 10
0 to ISO 410000 with large entire frame series and an UltraHD actual pixels crop series.
Sony A7s II + Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2
[low-res image for bot]
