Difference between electronic shutter and mechanical shutter
Apr 27, 2019 09:23:59 #
I just purchased a new Fuji X-T30; trading in my Nikon D7100. I was looking for something smaller and lighter for travel since I am not as young as I used to be!
I know the Fuji has both a mechanical and electronic shutter, and I understand, in a broad sense, the mechanics involved. I am also aware that electronic shutters can create some distortion when taking pictures of moving objects. Beyond that, I need someone to explain to me the real difference to my photography and how best to utilize the two shutters.
I know the Fuji has both a mechanical and electronic shutter, and I understand, in a broad sense, the mechanics involved. I am also aware that electronic shutters can create some distortion when taking pictures of moving objects. Beyond that, I need someone to explain to me the real difference to my photography and how best to utilize the two shutters.
Apr 27, 2019 09:42:21 #
Nikon's explaination:
Some cameras have an option to select an electronic or mechanical shutter release. An electronic shutter operates by turning the cameras imaging sensor on and off to control exposure. A mechanical shutter uses conventional front and rear shutter curtains located in front of the sensor which open and close to produce the exposure.
Electronic Shutter:
Silent operation
A key difference is that an electronic shutter is silent, as there is no physical movement of internal parts during exposure. This is useful when the sound of a mechanical shutter being released could affect the subject being photographed i.e. when photographing wildlife close-up, during sports events where you are close to a subject, or somewhere that you want avoid drawing attention to yourself.
Faster frame rate
An electronic shutter has no mechanical parts, which allows it to achieve faster frame rates than a mechanical shutter. i.e. the Nikon 1 V3 camera can shoot 20 fps with an electronic shutter as opposed to 6 fps with a mechanical shutter.
Reduced shake/blur
The movement of a mechanical shutters front curtain or mirror bounce can cause slight vibrations which can display in high resolution cameras as camera shake or blur. When photographing on a tripod with an electronic shutter camera shake or blur are reduced as there is no physical movement inside the camera.
Mechanical Shutter
Rolling shutter distortion reduced
Rolling shutter distortion can be produced with CMOS sensors when recording fast moving subjects with fast shutter speeds or when panning rapidly. With electronic shutters the CMOS sensor is turned On and the sensor scans line by line sequentially and with fast moving subjects rolling shutter distortion can be seen in the image. i.e. the downswing of a golf club in motion. With a mechanical shutter at fast shutter speeds the front and rear shutter curtains are often so close together that essentially only a slit of the image sensor is exposed at once which helps to reduce the effect of rolling shutter distortion.
Faster flash synchronisation speeds
Flash synchronisation is often faster with mechanical shutters than with electronic shutters. This is due to the characteristics of the electronic shutter and the scan rate of the image sensor. If you are shooting outdoors in bright conditions and you want to use the fastest flash synchronisation speed possible then the mechanical shutter is often the best option. i.e. Nikon 1 V3 mechanical shutter maximum flash sync speed is 1/250 sec., whereas the electronic shutters maximum flash sync speed is 1/60 sec.
Some cameras have an option to select an electronic or mechanical shutter release. An electronic shutter operates by turning the cameras imaging sensor on and off to control exposure. A mechanical shutter uses conventional front and rear shutter curtains located in front of the sensor which open and close to produce the exposure.
Electronic Shutter:
Silent operation
A key difference is that an electronic shutter is silent, as there is no physical movement of internal parts during exposure. This is useful when the sound of a mechanical shutter being released could affect the subject being photographed i.e. when photographing wildlife close-up, during sports events where you are close to a subject, or somewhere that you want avoid drawing attention to yourself.
Faster frame rate
An electronic shutter has no mechanical parts, which allows it to achieve faster frame rates than a mechanical shutter. i.e. the Nikon 1 V3 camera can shoot 20 fps with an electronic shutter as opposed to 6 fps with a mechanical shutter.
Reduced shake/blur
The movement of a mechanical shutters front curtain or mirror bounce can cause slight vibrations which can display in high resolution cameras as camera shake or blur. When photographing on a tripod with an electronic shutter camera shake or blur are reduced as there is no physical movement inside the camera.
Mechanical Shutter
Rolling shutter distortion reduced
Rolling shutter distortion can be produced with CMOS sensors when recording fast moving subjects with fast shutter speeds or when panning rapidly. With electronic shutters the CMOS sensor is turned On and the sensor scans line by line sequentially and with fast moving subjects rolling shutter distortion can be seen in the image. i.e. the downswing of a golf club in motion. With a mechanical shutter at fast shutter speeds the front and rear shutter curtains are often so close together that essentially only a slit of the image sensor is exposed at once which helps to reduce the effect of rolling shutter distortion.
Faster flash synchronisation speeds
Flash synchronisation is often faster with mechanical shutters than with electronic shutters. This is due to the characteristics of the electronic shutter and the scan rate of the image sensor. If you are shooting outdoors in bright conditions and you want to use the fastest flash synchronisation speed possible then the mechanical shutter is often the best option. i.e. Nikon 1 V3 mechanical shutter maximum flash sync speed is 1/250 sec., whereas the electronic shutters maximum flash sync speed is 1/60 sec.
Apr 27, 2019 10:14:27 #
Apr 27, 2019 11:33:25 #
sabfish wrote:
I just purchased a new Fuji X-T30; trading in my N... (show quote)
Here is an example of using the electronic shutter incorrectly - one of the few problems with using it especially under some artificial lighting, it will create banding, as you can see here. Switching to mechanical, you may miss more shots but won't have this effect. I used the Fuji X-T2 w/ my 18-55mm (using a faster lens may eliminate this problem with the ES though) I think this is the "rolling shutter" issue. Most of the time though I prefer to use the ES - especially in a wedding or concert venue where silence is golden ;)
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