Is N-RAW real RAW? Nikon Z9 under the spotlight at EOSHD

It is time for a good old fashioned EOSHD article. Everything you’ve seen so far on YouTube is meaningless – yes it is. Comparing one shot to another this way is no longer representative of the camera. Our camera’s capabilities far outstrips what you can see via YouTube. At best it’s a comparison of grading styles.

Back in the days before LOG recording, your camera’s colour science was baked in and you were reliant on it. Since then, most footage looks very similar in LOG before it’s graded, and the main difference you’ll see on YouTube is how two cameras have been graded to match, or how the default picture profile and white balance compares. Then, on top of that it will all be converted to H.265 at a very low bitrate for streaming, even in 8K. In fact 8K looks dreadful on YouTube if you really examine it. So how can we really judge what a camera and codec as powerful as 12bit N-RAW is doing?

The answer is to have a good pixel peep. Freeze a frame, and look at it up-close at full resolution, without adding noticeable compression. This is what I set out to do here, to examine the texture and look of the image in 8K N-RAW on the Nikon Z9. Does it really have an advantage over the Sony A1 in H.265? Does N-RAW as a “film stock” really LOOK like RAW if we compare it to the Sigma Fp-L in uncompressed Cinema DNG? It’s time to find out.

Read moreIs N-RAW real RAW? Nikon Z9 under the spotlight at EOSHD

iPhone 12 Pro Max marches into enthusiast and pro photography territory with new Apple ProRAW, LIDAR, Dolby Vision and large sensor

With the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, Cupertino has shifted up a gear and are marching into enthusiast camera, and even professional territory with the new technology. 5 axis IBIS, 10bit Hybrid LOG Gamma (Dolby Vision HDR) and even a new RAW format for photography dubbed ProRAW (not to be confused with ProRes RAW). There’s also now an improved optical zoom and 47% larger main sensor with 26mm lens – at least 13 stops dynamic range in ProRAW mode, which brings the sensor closer and closer to the important 1″ mark where low light performance and image quality takes a huge step up from small chip sensors.

Read moreiPhone 12 Pro Max marches into enthusiast and pro photography territory with new Apple ProRAW, LIDAR, Dolby Vision and large sensor

Panasonic S1H to Atomos Ninja V 6K ProRes RAW update now available to download

Panasonic S1H owners today can start recording in high-end cinema camera standard 6K 12bit ProRes RAW via HDMI to the Atomos Ninja V.

Unlike many ProRes RAW HDMI outputs this one is a full pixel readout from a native 6K sensor, with dual gain circuitry and incredible low light performance.

Most cameras have to pixel bin to achieve 12 bit colour depth in their 4K RAW outputs from a higher resolution sensor, but not the Panasonic S1H. This should result in the cleanest and best ProRes RAW output on the market.

Read morePanasonic S1H to Atomos Ninja V 6K ProRes RAW update now available to download

My thoughts on the Canon EOS R5 8K monstrosity – 1TB footage per 50 minutes

EOS R5 rear egonomics

Canon have finally admitted that their approach to video in the past has been wrong and maybe – just maybe – EOSHD was right! With the EOS R5 apparently video users are important again, even outside of the Cinema EOS range.

But are the flagship 8K RAW and 4K/120p modes of the EOS R5 actually practical to shoot with on a day to day basis?

Read moreMy thoughts on the Canon EOS R5 8K monstrosity – 1TB footage per 50 minutes

Sony A7S III (Or will it be A7H?) and Canon EOS R5 both set for July launch as Sony officially hint at video specs

Sony has confirmed that the A7S III is finally on the way this Summer, likely in July to coincide with the big Canon rivals – EOS R5 and R6.

I have some more information on what we can expect from the new flagship full frame mirrorless cameras.

Read moreSony A7S III (Or will it be A7H?) and Canon EOS R5 both set for July launch as Sony officially hint at video specs