Still photos, revised opinion at DVinfo.net

Steven Digges · December 20th, 2013, 01:11 AM

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

Chris Harding · December 20th, 2013, 03:45 AM

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

Robert Moran · December 23rd, 2013, 12:01 AM

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

Craig Marshall · January 20th, 2014, 02:05 PM

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.

Steven Digges · January 20th, 2014, 03:33 PM

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

Craig Marshall · January 20th, 2014, 03:40 PM

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.

Gabe Strong · January 22nd, 2014, 03:17 AM

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.

December 20th, 2013, 01:11 AM	#1
Steven Digges Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,828	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 __________________ www.CorporateShow.com Been at this so long I'm rounding my years of experience down...not up!

December 20th, 2013, 03:45 AM	#2
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	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

December 23rd, 2013, 12:01 AM	#3
Robert Moran Regular Crew Join Date: May 2011 Location: Redding, CT Posts: 71	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.

January 20th, 2014, 02:05 PM	#4
Craig Marshall Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Blue Mountains, Australia Posts: 170	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. Last edited by Craig Marshall; January 20th, 2014 at 03:49 PM.

January 20th, 2014, 03:33 PM	#5
Steven Digges Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,828	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 __________________ www.CorporateShow.com Been at this so long I'm rounding my years of experience down...not up!

January 20th, 2014, 03:40 PM	#6
Craig Marshall Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Blue Mountains, Australia Posts: 170	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.

January 22nd, 2014, 03:17 AM	#7
Gabe Strong Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Juneau, AK Posts: 814	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.