HDR (high dynamic range)

  1. G button
  2. C photo shooting menu

Used with high contrast subjects, High Dynamic Range (HDR) preserves details in highlights and shadows by combining two shots taken at different exposures. Use with high-contrast scenes and other subjects to preserve a wide range of details, from highlights to shadows.

OptionDescription
[HDR mode]
  • [On (series)]: Take a series of HDR photographs. To end HDR photography, select [HDR mode] again and choose [Off].
  • [On (single photo)]: End HDR photography after recording a single HDR photograph.
  • [Off]: End HDR photography.
[Exposure differential]Choose the difference in exposure between the two shots. The higher the value, the greater the dynamic range. If [Auto] is selected, the camera will automatically adjust the exposure differential to suit the scene.
[Smoothing]Choose how much the boundaries between the two images are smoothed.
[Save individual pictures (RAW)]Choose [On] to save each of the individual shots used to create the HDR image; the shots are saved in RAW format.

Taking HDR photographs

We recommend that you use the matrix metering option when shooting with HDR.

  1. Highlight [HDR (high dynamic range)] in the photo shooting menu and press 2.
  2. Select an [HDR mode].
    • Highlight [HDR mode] and press 2.
    • Highlight one of the following options using 1 or 3 and press J.
      OptionDescription
      0[On (series)]Take a series of HDR photographs. HDR shooting will continue until you select [Off] for [HDR mode].
      [On (single photo)]Normal shooting will resume after you have taken a single HDR photograph.
      [Off]Proceed without taking additional HDR photographs.
    • If [On (series)] or [On (single photo)] is selected, an icon will appear in the display.
  3. Choose a value for [Exposure differential].
    • Highlight [Exposure differential] and press 2.
    • Highlight an option using 1 or 3 and press J.
    • Choose higher values for high-contrast subjects.
    • Note, however, that choosing a higher value than required may not produce the desired results. Match your choice to the level of contrast in the scene.
    • If [Auto] is selected, the camera will automatically adjust the exposure differential to suit the scene.
  4. Adjust [Smoothing].
    • Highlight [Smoothing] and press 2.
    • Highlight an option using 1 or 3 and press J; the selected option represents the amount the boundaries between the two images are smoothed.
    • Higher values produce a smoother composite image.
  5. Choose a setting for [Save individual pictures (RAW)].
    • Highlight [Save individual pictures (RAW)] and press 2.
    • Highlight an option using 1 or 3 and press J.
    • Choose [On] to save each of the individual shots used to create the HDR image; the shots are saved in RAW format.
  6. Frame the photograph, focus, and shoot.
    • The camera takes two exposures when the shutter-release button is pressed all the way down.
    • If [On (series)] is selected for [HDR mode], you can continue to take HDR photographs until [Off] is selected.
    • If [On (single photo)] is selected, HDR will turn off automatically after a single shot.
    • HDR photographs are recorded in JPEG format regardless of the option selected for image quality.

HDR photography

  • The edges of the image will be cropped out.
  • The desired results may not be achieved if the camera or subject moves during shooting. Use of a tripod is recommended.
  • Depending on the scene, you may notice shadows around bright objects or halos around dark objects. This can be mitigated using [Smoothing].
  • Uneven shading may be visible with some subjects.
  • With spot or center-weighted metering, an [Exposure differential] of [Auto] is equivalent to [2 EV].
  • Optional flash units will not fire.
  • In continuous release modes, only one photograph will be taken each time the shutter-release button is pressed all the way down.
  • Shutter speeds of “Bulb” and “Time” are not available.

HDR restrictions

HDR cannot be combined with some camera features, including:

  • modes other than P, S, A, and M,
  • flicker reduction,
  • bracketing,
  • multiple exposures,
  • interval-timer photography,
  • time-lapse video recording, and
  • focus shift.