FS7: Sony FS7 RAW in 2020?

Zack Birlew

Zack Birlew

Veteran
Hi, everybody, I’ve seen some deals pop up for the FS7 and I was just curious if they ever fixed the RAW output issues that had been talked about some years ago? For those that don’t know or remember, Firmware 3.0 supposedly fixed some of it but I read there still had been issues, particularly in low light situations. If there are no more problems with RAW output, how does it stack up with today’s options?
 
Not sure which problem and/or if it was fixed, but FS7 RAW is rare, IMO. Too bulky, too expensive (but maybe now more worth it since the cameras are cheaper).

But FWIW, you have at least a dozen options out there that may possibly offer a better RAW for you depending on what you're looking for (format, colors, resolutions/framerates).

Per usual, it's extremely difficult to beat the Blackmagics.
 
Yes, they fixed the noise in the shadows. When I say fixed, I should say improved. You still need to overexpose a stop.

It's only 12bit, some say 11bit. I found the image was very good, but not worth the aggro of having to use the XDCA back and V-locks. Plus, I never liked the positioning of the RAW out cable on the back - I destroyed several SDI cables thanks to that poor design.

If you can pick-up a cheap FS7 it's still a great camera, but its strength is 10bit XAVC.
 
Just out of curiosity, how did you like the externally recorded raw image compared to the internal? With the FS5 (very different beast, I realize) I've found that with correct exposure the internal and external images both look great, but the external raw (or raw to ProRes) footage is much more forgiving of underexposure (and this is to say nothing of grading flexibility). But it seems to me like the FS7 already has a really great and robust internal codec to begin with.
 
You have a touch more detail in the RAW recording, fewer artefacts, edges are cleaner, but on the XAVC you have less noise and cleaner shadows.
 
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