News

Sony’s latest and greatest Alpha-series models, the a7R II and a7S II, are about to get that little bit greater, with the announcement of an uncompressed 14-bit RAW image capture option. The new a7S II will ship with the feature, while the a7R II will receive it via a firmware update. In its press release, Sony suggests that the update may also become available for older models in the series.

The company states that the move was a direct response to “customer feedback” (read: complaints) regarding the non-optional lossy compression that Sony’s cameras apply to their RAW output. With the arrival of the new feature, the user will be able to select compressed or uncompressed 14-bit RAW still image capture.

Read more in the press release below.
 

PRESS RELEASE

Sony Announces Addition of Uncompressed 14-Bit RAW Still Image Capture for New α Cameras

New α7S II to Feature Selectable Compressed and Uncompressed 14 Bit RAW at Launch; Free Firmware Updates Coming for Additional Models Beginning with α7R II

NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2015 – Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has today announced user selectable Compressed and Uncompressed 14-Bit RAW image capture will be featured in the new α7S II once it arrives in stores this October.

Additionally, they have announced plans to add user selectable compressed or uncompressed 14-Bit RAW still image capture via firmware update to additional cameras beginning with the recently introduced α7R II full-frame mirrorless model.

“The voice of our α community remains the most important guiding force of our product development plans,” said Neal Manowitz, Deputy Vice President for Digital Imaging at Sony Electronics. “The addition of Uncompressed 14-Bit RAW processing is a direct result of customer feedback. Widely requested by photo and video enthusiasts, we believe the choice of RAW processing types will further elevate the performance of these extraordinary cameras.”

The α7S II and α7R II are compatible with Sony’s growing lineup of α-mount lenses, which now totals 64 different models including 13 native ‘FE’ full frame lenses. By early 2016, Sony will add an additional 8 new lenses to its FE full frame lineup, bringing the FE total to 21 lenses and the overall α -mount assortment to over 70 different models.

A variety of exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new α7S II and a7R II cameras plus other Sony α products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, Sony’s new community site built to educate, inspire and showcase all fans and customers of the Sony α brand.