Latest news with #dynamicrange
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Panasonic S1II studio scene: how does the speedy Lumix perform?
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission. With the release of the S1II, Panasonic became the second company to market a camera with a "Partially Stacked" sensor, which uses more sophisticated readout circuits to get data off the sensor faster than possible with existing BSI designs. (Though not nearly as fast as fully Stacked designs allow.) We've had the chance to put it in front of our studio test scene to see how it performs in terms of image quality and dynamic range. Our test scene is designed to simulate a variety of textures, colors, and detail types you'll encounter in the real world. It also has two illumination modes, full even light and low directional light, to see the effect of different lighting conditions. Image Comparison This widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab. The S1II performs well at shooting our test scene, providing great image quality. Looking at base ISO Raws, the S1II captures similar levels of detail as the other 24MP full-frame cameras on the market*, though Panasonic's JPEG engine doesn't seem to get rid of quite as much moiré artefacting as Nikon or Canon's. Speaking of that JPEG engine, we've been pleased with Panasonic's colors for a while now, and the S1II is no exception; like the rest of its competition and the company's previous cameras, its colors are solid. At mid ISOs to high ISOs the S1II's noise levels are competitive. Its JPEG engine does an admirable job of reducing noise while still retaining detail. * The S1II's price puts it in competition with much slower, but higher-resolution cameras like the Sony a7CR and Panasonic's own S1RII; if you care more about image quality than speed, that's worth noting. The S1II provides a good amount of dynamic range, giving you room to pull your shadows up without the detail being overwhelmed by noise. However, given the lack of chroma noise visible in our tests, it seems like there may be some noise reduction going on, either in ACR or in-camera. Either way, there's plenty to be squeezed out of the files, with no nasty surprises, though you will see the effects of a little extra read noise if you're shooting at base ISO to maximize dynamic range. Exposure Latitude | ISO Invariance This is still a relatively new sensor, but it seems like Panasonic is getting a lot out of it. The S1II's image quality is very similar to other 24MP full-frame cameras with much slower burst rates and less capable video specs. Speaking of, be sure to stay tuned: tomorrow we'll be taking a look at video stills from the S1II.
Phone Arena
03-07-2025
- Phone Arena
Is Apple building an iPhone camera to match human vision?
Apple is looking for ways to level up cameras on future iPhones. A newly filed patent shows the Cupertino tech giant's ambitions: apparently, the company wants future iPhones and other Apple devices to be able to capture photos and videos with dynamic range levels close to those of the human patent is called "Image Sensor With Stacked Pixels Having High Dynamic Range And Low Noise". The filing describes an advanced sensor architecture that uses stacked silicon and multiple levels of light capture. There are nose suppression mechanisms on the chip. And the sensor can reach up to 20 stops of dynamic range. Basically, the dynamic range of the human eye is approximately (estimated) around 20 or 30 stops. This depends on how the pupil adjusts and how light is processed, including over time. Meanwhile, cameras today capture between 10 and 13 stops. The word 'stops' here is used to describe steps or levels of brightness difference (between the darkest shadows and brightest highlights) that the sensor can detect. If Apple indeed manages to pull this off, it would surpass even many professional cinema cameras. The patent describes a stacked sensor made up of two layers. The top layer (called the sensor die) contains the parts that capture light. The other layer (the logic die) is responsible for processing, noise reduction, and exposure control. iPhone 16 Pro. | Image Credit – PhoneArena Right now, Apple uses sensors made by Sony in iPhones. These sensors also offer a two-layer design, but Apple's patent describes several original features and takes up less space. Apple's design features a system called Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor (LOFIC). Yep, this fancy name basically means that each pixel in the sensor stores different amounts of light depending on how bright the scene is. This way, the sensor can handle extreme lighting differences in one single scene: like a person in front of a bright window. And reportedly, it won't lose details in shadows or highlights. Meanwhile, image noise and grain are reduced as well in this system design. Each pixel has its own memory circuit, measuring and cancelling out electronic noise (in real time!). This is done even before the image is saved or edited by software. This patent sounds extremely fancy, even if you're not a professional photographer. But it's important to note that not every time Apple files a patent, the system comes to fruition. One is for certain, though – Apple is interested in innovating when it comes to iPhone cameras and is actively doing research. Just not in time for the iPhone 17, though. I find this incredibly cool. I'm a huge fan of cameras producing images exactly how I see them – and as such, I rarely find this in smartphone cameras. But if Apple is able to pull it off with an iPhone... oh, well, let's say this iPhone is definitely going to be worth upgrading to. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase This offer is not available in your area.
