Sony to Release a7R II Firmware Adding Uncompressed 14-Bit RAW on October 19th

[netsupport]

NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world's largest image sensor manufacturer, will release a firmware update on October 19th that adds uncompressed  14-Bit RAW image capture to the acclaimed a7R II full frame interchangeable lens camera. 

The new firmware, version 2.0, will be available for download through Sony's e-support site http://www.esupport.sony.com on the product page for model "ILCE-7RM2". In addition to uncompressed RAW capture, which will become a selectable feature (uncompressed/compressed RAW) within the menu system for updated cameras, the firmware also adds the ability for the a7R II to output video via HDMI during use of the Remote Camera Control software, that enables remote capture from a connected computer.

The a7S II and a7R II are compatible with Sony's growing lineup of a-mount lenses, which now totals 64 different models including 13 native 'FE' full frame lenses. In 2016, Sony aims to build the native FE lens lineup to over 20 different models.

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

[weinhous]

But not lossless-compressed — why not?

[ch.esperado]

And all the other customers of other A7 models, including MK1 forgotten ?

One more sign of the lack of consideration from Sony to their customers.

We asked, since A7 was put on the marker for 15 feature requests: no one was satisfied.

http://community.sony.com/t5/Alpha-NEX-Cameras/Alpha-7-r-15-Feature-requests/m-p/277231#M2863

I decided to boycott al the Sony product forever.

[Guest all8]

But not lossless-compressed — why not?

 

People got what they wanted!!!

 

I think the concept of lossless compression would be lost on most people <ouch>, much easier to just give them unambiguous Uncompressed Raw 14 bits. Take a look at the other response ... its not exactly easy to manage peoples expectations - I read the list of 15 items ... sorry but thats how the camera is, get a Fuji or Leica if that's what you want. This is Sony, the A7ii is an improvement over the A7, the next one should be an improvement again ...

 

Perhaps there is a nice tool to convert Uncompressed Raw to Compressed Lossless Raw? I think it can be a workflow problem to be honest. Sony menu already stupid enough, need less options, not more IMO.

 

 

The Uncompressed RAW should compress fairly well even with ZIP, at least thats helpful for archiving perhaps?

[netsupport]

you just can't have an absolute perfect cameras that satisfy everyone.  We have asked for a true 14 bit uncompressed raw for a long time and now Sony responded.

[weinhous]

you just can't have an absolute perfect cameras that satisfy everyone.  We have asked for a true 14 bit uncompressed raw for a long time and now Sony responded.

Lossless-compressed returns 14-bit uncompressed. It's a more sophisticated way of delivering the goods in smaller files.

 

That said, it's a nicety, not a necessity.

[MickDK]

But not lossless-compressed — why not?

Limitation of the BionZ processor would be my guess. No big deal - save .arw files on a drive with compression enabled - or convert to .dng (if your software can handle that format).

[tiltshift]

my own mini rant incoming, you have been warned... 

 

I think some people just focus on a feature that a camera doesn't have as a way to justify not buying it. or if they have bought it to justify the results they are seeing or rather aren't seeing. a camera is at its core a tool, is it not the responsibility of the user to understand it and use it in a way to get the best results; not just do whatever they dam well please and get upset that the camera didn't do its job? I think that if camera technology was actually going backwards this would be a valid argument but we have cameras with more capabilities than ever before.  

 

besides if it gets to the point where that "nice camera takes good pictures" and the honest truth is it had nothing to do with the photographer then haven't we become the replaceable tool?

[ch.esperado]

you just can't have an absolute perfect cameras that satisfy everyone.

At least, a minimal effort to build cameras for the photographer, and not only playing with technology..

What the benefit of all those features, marketing oriented, if you miss your shoots because poor ergonomic ?

[xkc890711]

more interested in seeing some of 7RM2 and 7SM2 being compatible with 7M2..disappointed about not seeing Sony having updated 7M2's firmware since early this year.

[tamas970]

I would appreciate a FW fix for the FF 4k video quality. It is weird, that using more pixels produces lesser video quality than the S35 crop...