Silent photography

To enable the electronic shutter and eliminate the noise and vibration caused by operation of the mechanical shutter, select [On] for [Silent photography] in the photo shooting menu.

  • An icon is displayed while silent photography is in effect.
  • There is no limit to the number of photos that can be taken in a single burst, regardless of the option chosen for Custom Setting d2 [Maximum shots per burst].
  • The electronic shutter is used, regardless of the option selected for Custom Setting d4 [Shutter type].
  • If a release mode other than [Continuous H (extended)] is selected, the display will briefly go dark when the shutter is released. This signals that a photo has been taken.
  • Regardless of the settings selected for [Beep options] in the setup menu, beeps will not sound when the camera focuses or while the self-timer is in operation.
  • Enabling silent photography disables some features, including:
    • the flash,
    • long exposure noise reduction,
    • flicker reduction, and
    • high ISO sensitivities (Hi 1, Hi 2).

Silent photography

  • Selecting [On] for [Silent photography] does not completely silence the camera. Camera sounds may still be audible, for example during autofocus or aperture adjustment, in the latter case most noticeably at apertures smaller (i.e., at f-numbers higher) than f/5.6.
  • You may notice the following in photographs and in the shooting display:
    • Flicker or banding in scenes lit by such sources as fluorescent, mercury vapor, or sodium lamps
    • Distortion associated with motion (moving subjects may be distorted, or the entire frame may appear distorted if the camera is moved during shooting)
    • Jagged edges, color fringing, moiré, and bright spots in the display
    • Bright regions or bands in scenes lit by flashing signs and other intermittent light sources or when the subject is briefly illuminated by a strobe or other bright, momentary light source
  • The frame advance rate for burst photography changes when [On] is selected for [Silent photography] (Frame advance rate).
  • Silent photography mutes the shutter, but this does not absolve photographers of the need to respect their subjects’ privacy and image rights.