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ILCE-7M4

Characteristics of HEIF format

In addition to recording images in the JPEG format, which comes as standard with conventional cameras, you can record images in the newly featured HEIF format.
The JPEG format has excellent compatibility. You can view and edit JPEG files in various environments. The HEIF format has high compression efficiency. The camera can record with high image quality and small file sizes in the HEIF format.
Note, however, that you may not be able to view or edit HEIF files depending on the computer or software. In addition, a HEIF-compatible environment is required to play back still images in the HEIF format. You can enjoy high-quality still images by connecting the camera and the TV via HDMI.
To connect the camera and the TV, use a Premium High Speed HDMI Cable (sold separately).

With PC software Imaging Edge Desktop, you can convert HEIF files into JPEG or TIFF files, and view and edit HEIF files.
Click here to download Imaging Edge Desktop.

Characteristics of HEIF format

  • When the camera records images in the HEIF format, they have the same image quality as JPEG images, but require a smaller file sizes since the HEIF compression efficiency is about twice higher than that of JPEG. As a result, the camera can save and transmit data very efficiently.
  • The HEIF format enables recording images with a rich 10-bit color depth gradation expression and is effective for reproducing gradations of the sky where the tones tend to change smoothly.
  • The HEIF format supports recording with 4:2:2 color sampling with a high degree of color reproducibility. Therefore, when the high image quality is required, you can use 4:2:2 color sampling.
  • When you use the [HLG Still Image] function of the camera, you can shoot still images with a wide dynamic range and a wide color gamut compatible with BT.2020 by using gamma characteristics equivalent to HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma: standard for HDR images).

Setting method

Set the Still/Movie/S&Q dial to (Still) to select the still image shooting mode.

  1. [JPEG/HEIF Switch]
    MENU → (Shooting) → [Image Quality] → [JPEG/HEIF Switch] → Select either [HEIF(4:2:0)] or [HEIF(4:2:2)].

    Notes

    • When you use the PC application Imaging Edge Desktop, you can convert the images into JPEG (8-bit) or TIFF (16-bit) format. We recommend converting the images into JPEG when you need to play back those images on various devices. For editing the images, we recommend converting them into TIFF, which utilizes gradation data recorded with 10-bit color depth.
    • If you have converted HEIF format files containing recorded HDR images into TIFF, use an image editing software that supports color management. If you use an editing software that does not support color management, the colors of the images may not be reproduced accurately.
  2. [Image Quality Settings]
    MENU→ （Shooting）→ [Image Quality] → [Image Quality Settings] → Perform the following settings.
    • [File Format] → [HEIF]
    • [HEIF Quality] → desired setting.
    • [HEIF Image Size] → desired setting.
  3. [Aspect Ratio]
    MENU → (Shooting) → [Image Quality] → [Aspect Ratio] → desired setting.

    When you want to shoot still images with a wide dynamic range and a wide color gamut compatible with BT.2020 by using gamma characteristics equivalent to HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma: standard for HDR images), use the following step to perform the settings.

  4. [HLG Still Image]
    MENU → (Shooting) → [Image Quality] → [HLG Still Image] → [On].

    Notes

    In the following situations, [HLG Still Image] is fixed to [Off].

    • When [File Format] under [Image Quality Settings] is set to [RAW & HEIF]
    • When a shooting mode other than P / A / S / M is set during still image shooting

    Hint

    We recommend setting MENU→ (Setup) → [External Output] → [HDMI Resolution] to one of the following when you display HLG still images from the camera on a TV using a Premium High Speed HDMI Cable (sold separately).

    • [Auto]
    • [2160p]
    • [1080p]
    • [1080i]

    To play back the still images shot using the [HLG Still Image] function on the camera

    When you use the [Gamma Display Assist] function, you can display images with almost the same image quality as when they are displayed on an HLG- (BT.2020-) compatible monitor. Set [Gamma Display Assist] to [On] and [Gamma Disp. Assist Typ.] to either [Auto] or [HLG(BT.2020)].

    To view the still images shot using the [HLG Still Image] function on a TV

    You can view still images on a HDR-compatible TV* connected to the camera via HDMI. You can enjoy viewing the images on a large screen with a wider range of brightness than the conventional brightness, which is difficult to perceive from printed images.

    *
    To view HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) still images with a wider range of brightness, an HDR-compatible TV is required. To properly display the images on a Sony HDR-compatible TV, set Auto for [Video signal] or [Video options] in the picture quality settings of the TV.


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