photo:sensor_readout_speed
sensor read out speed and silent shutter mode
Introduction
digital camera sensors currently read from one side to the opposite side and how long this takes is the sensor read out “speed” (actually, the transit time as the speed would refer to the scan rate or how many rows per second are read) and this can have major ramifications on many aspects of the camera's performance.
larger photosites take longer to read out
the higher the bit rate, the longer it takes to read out - hence some full frame cameras will reduce the bit depth of your raw files from 14 to 12 bit resulting in slightly lower dynamic range
more rows of photosites takes longer to read out
some cameras are designed to prolong photosite readout at higher ISOs (eg. Panasonic GH5 above ISO 800)
thus, readout transit time can be expected to be longer with larger sensors
eventually sensors will have a global readout whereby all the pixels are read simultaneously which will resolve this problem, and these are available in some cameras but these sensors are more complex and tend to have more image noise at present.
How can you test sensor read out speed?
What happens with slow sensor readout?
when shooting in electronic shutter mode
if the camera pans or the subject is moving quickly, the subject will become distorted depending upon the direction of movement but usually by creating slanted lines which is called rolling shutter and things get even worse when you shoot propeller blades!
when shooting in artificial light you may get banding due to the AC frequency of the light's output
this can be minimised by choosing a shutter speed which reduces it (slow shutter speeds increase the number of bands but reduces the intensity of them such that shutter speeds longer than the flicker rate should largely eradicate the banding), or turning on the “Anti-Flicker” mode which most modern digital cameras now have
when shooting with electronic flash, only part of the image may have flash exposure unless the shutter speed is slower than the readout speed
a slow readout speed may limit the burst rate and the fastest shutter speed in electronic shutter mode
a slow readout speed will also contribute to EVF blackout during burst mode
on these cameras, even using electronic first (or front) curtain shutter can cause issues such as slanting lines
1)
slow or no AF during burst shots
Comparison of sensor readout speeds
traditional film movie cameras with a rotating mechanical shutter have a rolling shutter of only 5ms for 24fps 180 degree shutter (equates to 1/200th sec)
most mechanical shutters in modern cameras have a flash sync of 1/250th sec or 4msec (ie. only at shutter speeds slower than this is the whole film or sensor area exposed to a burst of light)
modern digital cameras with fast sensor read outs
Arri Alexa Mini is 3msec
2)
-
around 6-7msec or 1/152nd sec; fastest shutter 1/32,000th sec; fastest burst rate
scan rate appears to 640,000 rows/sec
3)
this is the only full frame camera with a stacked sensor design to allow such a fast sensor read out
Canon C300 II is 6msec
4)
modern cameras with medium sensor read out speeds and minimal rolling shutter
modern cameras with slow sensor read outs and thus problematic rolling shutter
photo/sensor_readout_speed.txt · Last modified: 2019/07/07 07:30 by gary1