Nikon D850 mRaw and sRaw Experiences?

[TennesseJones]

Has anyone any experience with using the reduced raw files on the Nikon D850?

With mRaw are you really getting a sort of D750 thrown into the same body? And I guess a D700 with the sRaw files?

I guess the answer's the same for anyone using the new Z7....

Many thanks!

P.s. I've read a couple of articles like this, but I think they're just too clever for me.

http://www.dslrbodies.com/cameras/the-d850-blog/mraw-and-sraw-are-raw-but.html

 

[willie_901]

In some ways yes, but not really.

D850
raw 8288 x 5520 pixels, 14 bits per channel, lossy, lossless or no compression
m-raw 6192 x 4128, only 12 bits, only lossless compression
s-raw 4128 x 2752, only 12 bits, only lossless compression

D750
raw 6016 x 4016, 12 or 14 bits, lossy, lossless or no compression

D700
raw 4256 x 2832, 12 or 14 bits, lossy, lossless or no compression

The D850 does not support 14 bit raw files with m-raw or s-raw.

This means the bit depth (number of discreet values available to render subtle differences in color or monotone rendering) is limited to 4095 steps with D850 m-raw and s-raw compared to 16383 steps with D850 or D700 raw.

So, the D850 in e or m-raw modes is more likely to render images with posterization artifacts such as banding and color reproduction errors in cases where the image brightness is pushed or pulled.

How or when we will notice the limitations of a 4 X reduction in bit depth is difficult to predict. But it can make a difference.

The primary utility of m and s-raw with the D850 is to reduce data buffering delays when making long shutter bursts. This is useful for action photography. Otherwise, minimizing the risk of posterization artifacts could be more important than the convenience of smaller file sizes. It depends on the person.

The signal-to-noise ratios and analog dynamic range for the D850 and D800 are much better than the D700.

dynamic range data

sensor analog noise levels

The D850 offers the best highlight region retention and perceived shadow region image quality (with 14 bits and lossy or no compression).

 

[TennesseJones]

Thanks for this Willie!

In some ways yes, but not really.

D850
raw 8288 x 5520 pixels, 14 bits per channel, lossy, lossless or no compression
m-raw 6192 x 4128, only 12 bits, only lossless compression
s-raw 4128 x 2752, only 12 bits, only lossless compression

D750
raw 6016 x 4016, 12 or 14 bits, lossy, lossless or no compression

D700
raw 4256 x 2832, 12 or 14 bits, lossy, lossless or no compression

The D850 does not support 14 bit raw files with m-raw or s-raw.

This means the bit depth (number of discreet values available to render subtle differences in color or monotone rendering) is limited to 4095 steps with D850 m-raw and s-raw compared to 16383 steps with D850 or D700 raw.

So, the D850 in e or m-raw modes is more likely to render images with posterization artifacts such as banding and color reproduction errors in cases where the image brightness is pushed or pulled.

How or when we will notice the limitations of a 4 X reduction in bit depth is difficult to predict. But it can make a difference.

The primary utility of m and s-raw with the D850 is to reduce data buffering delays when making long shutter bursts. This is useful for action photography. Otherwise, minimizing the risk of posterization artifacts could be more important than the convenience of smaller file sizes. It depends on the person.

The signal-to-noise ratios and analog dynamic range for the D850 and D800 are much better than the D700.

dynamic range data

sensor analog noise levels

The D850 offers the best highlight region retention and perceived shadow region image quality (with 14 bits and lossy or no compression).