Sony Mirrorless Cameras Really Intrigue Me, But...

Olympus E-M1, Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO lens @ 40mm; 1/750th sec. @ f/8; ISO 200

With great interest, I've been following the mirrorless cameras that Sony has been producing.  I've been tempted to buy one, but up to this point, I've held off because a) Sony has shown a propensity to create an interesting camera with a new lens mount system only to quickly abandon it and create something else, and b) there haven't been enough high quality lenses that fit my needs available from Sony.  However, item b is quickly changing from what I read.

So, will I now consider a Sony mirrorless camera?  Not so fast.  Why?  Many don't realize it but I've now read in several places about Sony compressing their RAW files in a lossy fashion with no option to turn that off.  Lossy means that data is lost.  Lossless compression means the file becomes smaller but no data is lost.  JPEGs are lossy.  With the Sony cameras, that means that one cannot achieve the full potential of the camera/ sensor/lens system since they apply this lossy compression technology with no option to disable it.  I'm not aware of any other manufacturer who does this.  There may be some, but as I said, I'm not aware of any.

Not only is data being lost, but dynamic range as well, if I understand the article correctly.  Sony reduces a 14-bit file to 11-bit which also reduces quality.  I haven't seen an explanation of why they are doing this.

If this topic interests you, I suggest you read a DPReview article that can be found here, which will give you a better explanation of what Sony is doing and how, I feel, Sony is robbing its customers of full potential in their cameras.

The bottom line for me is, "Do I want to spend potentially $3000 US or more (+ additional $$$ for lenses) for a full frame Sony camera only to get RAW files in which Sony decides they will, without any option for me, reduce image quality, both in data and dynamic range?"  You will have to ask yourself the same.

My point is that according to this article, you may not notice any loss in image quality in some images, but let me—the buyer—decide if I want to use or not use compression. Nikon gives me that choice.  In fact, Nikon allows me to compress RAW files in either a lossy format or a lossless format.  That is MY option.  Don't force it on me against my will.

I still am intrigued by what Sony is producing.  Sony seems to be leading all other camera manufacturers in producing innovative and very high quality gear.  I'm not ready to try a Sony just yet, but I'll keep following the company and its products and continue weighing the positives and negatives.  Who knows, one day, I may decide to buy one and try it out for myself.

UPDATE:  Sony just announced today, the same day I had published this post, that they will now provide a choice of compressed and uncompressed files in the A7sII when released as well as a firmware update allowing the same in the A7rII.  How about that! Good for Sony.

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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