05-14-2026
04:33 AM
- last edited on
05-14-2026
09:42 AM
by
Danny
Hi all, I usually shoot electronic shutter, just because it's easy, fast and quiet. I didn't realise there is a difference in dynamic range between the different shutter modes. Obviously I understand rolling shutter and vibration, but I'd like to ask anyone with real experience who manages this setting on a regular basis for their opinion between Electronic / Electronic First Curtain / Mechanical.
05-14-2026 05:32 AM
My own preference is usually electronic first curtain.
If you are processing the raw data, then sometimes 2 extra bits will make a small difference in recovering some highlights and shadows. Often, depending upon ISO, those 2 bits will have no useful information.
This web page lists the advantages and disadvantages for each shutter mode.
https://www.canon-europe.com/pro/infobank/electronic-vs-mechanical-shutter/
It's also worth noting that, on all Canon EOS DSLRs and mirrorless cameras except for the EOS R3, the maximum bit depth drops from 14-bit with mechanical shutter to 12-bit with electronic shutter – meaning that when you shoot RAW using the electronic shutter, the camera is saving images with a slightly narrower range of colours and tones. This doesn't apply when you shoot JPEGs or HEIF files, because these file types already have a lower bit depth.
https://cam.start.canon/en/C010/manual/html/UG-03_Shooting-1_0310.html
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