Still photos, revised opinion
 

A couple weeks ago I shot about 30 stills with the EA50 at the same time as I was shooting the same subject with mt EOS 1D MK11. Obviously I would not expect ANY video camera to compete with a true DSLR when shooting stills. However, it did provide me with a good comparison. I have said on this board that I think the photo mode on the EA50 is pretty good, or at least usable.

For example, if you are covering an event and need a few stills for a DVD jacket I would not lug around a DSLR all day just for those few shots. I stand by that, I would use it for that purpose.

But, having compared it in a real setting against a top quality (be it a few generations old) DSLR I would not use it for anything that required true photo quality, no surprise, I did not intend to. The issue was sharpness and contrast. The sharpness was a huge difference. I was shooting with Canon "L" series lenses on both cameras, not the kit lens.

So....I consider the stills mode a valuable function when you need to grab a shot and can't get it otherwise. It is far better than a frame grab. But please do not consider a replacement for your DSLR.

Steve

Re: Still photos, revised opinion
 

Hey Steve

I agree too. However I still lug around both my Nikon kits to weddings. Apart from the fact that I use the lenses on my EA-50's I still prefer to shoot my jacket shots on my Nikons ... sharper and better dynamic range!

For the same reason I don't shoot video on my still cameras ... it's all about using the best tools for the job!!

Then again the still function is very handy if you realise that your still camera is in the car and you are down on the beach after sliding down a very steep sand dune with all your video gear.

Chris

Re: Still photos, revised opinion
 

I've used the 50 and the 20 stills for high end 4/c print without issue. Excellent output without question.

Re: Still photos, revised opinion
 

EDIT: Unfortunately, the EA 50 does not have a RAW stills option as does the VG20/30 'Handycam' series. I'm currently shooting .ARW stills with the NEX VG20 as a time-lapse sequence then converting them to a 4K Tiff image sequence for subsequent video editing. The quality is excellent and would stand up in any 'cinema' test.

Re: Still photos, revised opinion
 

Craig,

The EA50 does not have a RAW option. It is .jpg only. The only change you can make at all is to select an aspect ratio.

The harsh contrast and exposure latitude is not good. I have shot stills since 1985. I know what I like to see in a photograph. These do not impress me. I expected more out of it because Sony was smart enough to use a mechanical shutter when in still mode.

Steve

Re: Still photos, revised opinion
 

Steve, thanks for the correction. I naturally assumed the EA50 would have the RAW option as do it's lesser brothers. Unfortunately, with only a JPG option, still images would suffer some 'in camera' compression.

Re: Still photos, revised opinion
 

VG20 stills are pretty good in my opinion. I recently did a senior portrait session with my VG20,
a Sigma 18-35 F1.8 and 50-150 F2.8. Came out great, and client loved them. WIth all the
photographers trying to offer 'motion imaging' with their DSLR cameras, I thought it only 'fair' that
I jump into their domain with my 'still shooting' video camera. My VG20 may not be a 5D Mark II,
but their 5D Mark II isn't a Sony FS700 either. 'Good enough' can work both ways.