Photography has witnessed immense transformation over the years, both in terms of technology and end-user experience. One of the most significant culprits behind these radical changes is the growth of digital photography. In the digital domain, shutter mechanisms are irrefutably a key player in determining a photo’s quality. Two types of shutter mechanisms – mechanical and electronic – are used in the majority of common digital cameras. Both of these have their own share of advantages and disadvantages, and as such, it becomes imperative for photographers to understand the primary differences between these two.
Definition of Rolling Shutter
A rolling shutter refers to the mechanism by which video is captured. Unlike a global shutter, which captures the entire image all at once, a rolling shutter captures each frame line by line. From a still photo photography perspective, however, this phenomenon presents a unique problem when using an electronic shutter. This is because the process causes objects in motion to appear skewed or distorted in the resultant image.
Mechanical and Electronic Shutter: A Comparison
While mechanical shutters have been the default type of shutter in the past, digital cameras nowadays offers the option to capture images using electronic shutters. High-end cameras also allow users to switch between mechanical and electronic shutters. Essentially, a mechanical shutter blocks light from hitting the image sensor for a certain duration, known as the ‘shutter speed’. On the other hand, an electronic shutter doesn’t block light. Rather, if an electronic shutter is used, the image sensor is electronically turned off for a defined duration.
One of the biggest advantages that users will find when using an electronic shutter is the availability of a silent shooting mode. With a mechanical shutter, capturing images at maximum frame rates can be quite noisy. An electronic shutter, on the other hand, produces a barely discernible sound that is virtually imperceptible. This feature is particularly useful when shooting wildlife and sports.
Moreover, electronic shutters generally offer faster burst rates and faster maximum shutter speeds compared to mechanical shutters. With an electronic shutter, some ultra high-speed burst modes can exceed 30 or even 60 frames per second. Conversely, most mechanical shutters are limited to a maximum of 8 to 14 frames per second. Some cameras even have electronic shutters capable of achieving shutter speeds as high as 1/32,000 of a second, a level of speed that is simply unattainable with mechanical shutters.
The Impact of Rolling Shutters on Photography
While electronic shutters have a lot of advantages, the main disadvantage is the aforementioned rolling shutter. When capturing still images, all the lines of an image can be read very quickly, especially at faster shutter speeds. However, this process also leads to ‘jello’ effects when photographing objects in motion – the top of the object will appear sharp while the bottom appears distorted or skewed. These artifacts are even more pronounced when using electronic shutters at high frame rates or shutter speeds.
Professional photographers who makes use of electronic shutters need to remember that any subjects in motion should be captured using a slower shutter speed in order to prevent the appearance of distortion and it may not even be an issue for some photographs.
Conclusion
Selecting between mechanical and electronic shutters is ultimately dependent on the requirements of the photographer. When it comes to affordability, mechanical shutters are cheaper and offer a wide range of shutter speeds. On the other hand, electronic shutters offer higher bursts and faster shutter speeds, as well as an impressive silent mode, all at the expense of the rolling shutter. Both mechanical and electronic shutters have their own unique advantages and trade-offs that every photographer should consider before making a decision.