Could Sony’s DGO Sensor Define Fujifilm’s Next Gen Cameras?

When it comes to choosing a medium format or an APS-C camera, Fujifilm is the name that often comes up. The company has a strong hold on both categories, and we don’t think that will change anytime soon. With such a niche, Fujifilm also has to figure out its future as we go forward. A question that constantly arises: Will the company introduce a new sensor, one that offers exceptional dynamic range?

In a new post, FujiRumors questions whether Sony’s DGO sensor (Dual Gain Output) could be the future sensor for Fujifilm cameras. DGO sensors are already seen with the a7R VI and the Panasonic S1 II, both of which are exceptional. But before that, we must answer what a DGO sensor is and why it matters.

The DGO technology is designed to simultaneously capture both High and Low Conversion Gain readouts and combine them. The result is exceptional dynamic range at low ISO settings, which is great for landscape photographers. Sony’s a7R VI offers a dynamic range of 12.56 stops with a 20ms readout speed, while the Sony a1 II, it achieves 3.8ms readout but tops out at 11.61 stops of dynamic range. With DGO, you have some trade-off, as one can lose up to 1.5 stops of dynamic range when shooting in electronic shutter mode.

With this, the question arises of what Fujifilm can do with its cameras. If they use the technology on APS-C models, then one can get a 30MP stacked cropped sensor that can be great for X-series. These cameras, hypothetically, could gain more benefits from DGO than full frame. In other words, one can read out at a speed of approximately 13ms, which will be faster than Sony’s own cameras. On the other hand, a GFX camera can offer a 112MP fully stacked large sensor camera, which can help studio, landscape and more such genres. GFX could also revive the 50MP cameras, since a7 V is an option.

The scenario, so far, is a potential GFX 180, which could result in a 46MP APS-C sensor. This means cameras such as the X-T6, X-Pro4, and X-H3 can become reality.

Since the news, Fuji users have been divided. Some have pushed back on base ISO, since most people may not depend on it. Then you have the readout sipped, which remains a major concern. There is also the concern about autofocus, which has been insanely slow. As one person commented, “DGO is inevitable for the future of most cameras it seems. But if you showed me a DGO and non-DGO photo you could tell me one is the other, and I’d believe you.”

Overall, this debate makes one wonder where the company will land. A 30MP DGO stacked sensor in X-H3 will be a decisive move. For a GFX sensor, it can only mean world-class performance in the large format market. The company now faces a question: to build a camera for those who won’t shoot at base ISO or define the camera for those who do?