Though photographers don’t really take DXOMark all that seriously anymore, but in terms of lab tests, they’re very thorough. Crazy enough, the Sony a7r III is still considered by the company to be the best camera in terms of sensor output. It even beats the Sony a7r V. I encourage you to go look this up for yourself if you’re in disbelief. In my mind, it’s saying something about the camera industry.
When it comes to several pieces of tech, cameras haven’t majorly improved at all for photographers and for photography. Let’s think about some of the ways they’ve changed:
- High ISO at 24MP is really good above 12,800 to the point where it can be printed large
- Autofocus has evolved with scene detection. But autofocus without scene detection hasn’t improved all that much at all except from Hasselblad using LiDAR.
- Cameras can now take LUTs that give them unique looks and image profiles
- In Sony’s case, there is a global shutter that completely breaks the rules of photography
- Content Authenticity
Let’s be frank here, lots of these features might not be used by many photographers. And more importantly, the tech isn’t being used in such a way that many photographers are truly able to realize their creativity. They’re instead making images meant for social media likes and comments.
This is my way of saying so many things. First off, you don’t need the latest and most expensive camera. Instead, we should be pushing all of these brands to actually innovatve and to stop using all the same components.
Second, are you using all the tools available to you with your camera? Sony’s are pretty bland in that department, but older Canon cameras gave you RAW multiple exposure options. Modern LUMIX cameras are doing that now.
And how many of you are using flash because you understand what it does that LEDs can’t do?
Just always remember: the more important part of the image taking process is the photographer behind the camera. And if said photographer is outsourcing all that effort to the camera, then all you’re doing is pressing a button.