Is the Sony Alpha 1 Pixel Binning the ProRes Raw? | 8K Internal vs 4.3K RAW

Is the Sony Alpha 1 4.3K ProRes Raw from the Atomos Ninja V downsampled or is it a result of pixel binning?

Today, we compare the Sony Alpha 1 / A1 internal codecs to the Atomos Ninja V / Ninja V+ 4.3K ProRes Raw.

The reason for this test was to see just how Sony and Atomos were achieving the full frame 4.3K image as we know the Alpha 1 / A1 has a 8.6K sensor.

As you can see the 8K and 4K S35 modes do not exhibit any moiré or aliasing in the candle graphics, yet the known pixel binned 4K FF mode and the 4.3K external ProRes RAW as well as the internal recording in RAW mode all have similar if not the same artifacts?

Please share this video in hopes that Sony and Atomos can address this as the 16-Bit RAW and Atomos Ninja V pairing is a highly touted feature and a considerable investment in cost, resources, and workflow.

What are your thoughts?

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Special Thanks

Gear Used:
Sony Alpha 1 (A1)
Atomos Ninja V
FXLION Nano One
Sigma Art 24-70mm
WD Blue SSD
Smallrig
Rode VideoMic NTG

[scottclark]

This is such a good test, thank you so much for highlighting this issue! Now that: the Ninja V+ allows 8k external raw recording, the Canon R5 records raw both internally and externally, and the Nikon Z9 plans to do both in future updates, there is no excuse for Sony not to initiate this option via firmware. MUCH MORE NOISE needs to be made until this issue is remedied!

[jamiesondean]

I'm amazed at how much confusion there is here about what RAW is, and the differences between line skipping and pixel binning.
First of all, any downsampling from 8k would no longer be Raw, which leaves us with 3 options: Cropping, Line Skipping, or Binning.
Cropping: only uses the area of pixels needed from the center region of the sensor - wastes photosites.
Line Skipping: skips as many lines of photosites as needed to get to 4k - wastes photosites.
Binning: uses ALL photosites but bins them into larger photosites in order to make full use of the sensor for lower resolution - preferred method
Downsampling: Looks the best, but has to be resampled, which means no Raw possible.

[ronbackal]

Wow that is amazing that you took the time to record this! I am quite convinced now that the Atomos is a waste. I think I'll just be better served by attaching a SmallHD 5" to get really color accurate representation

[philiplondonfilms]

According to Gerard Undone the output is downsampled? So as said below it is not technically RAW but a downsampled Prores Raw recording?

[ronbackal]

In 1:53 it's the cleanest image. What mode was used there?

[EricEsser]

I'm super confused. What in the world is "RAW INT"? Also, is 4.3k a prores raw specific mode that's available when you are recording with the Atomos? And also 4K is available for Prores (non-raw)? What exactly is the conclusion - or even contention - here?

[net]

have you tried the trick Gerald undone did, set internal to 8k and record external 4k? Fixed the alias issues.

[TECHRehab]

We can't celebrate or encourage pixel binned or line skipped raw for the sake of calling it RAW especially when it blackmagic has shown that by removing FPN (enhancing) the raw data while maintaining all the other benefits of RAW not only is clear from any infringement but helps the end user from the extra/resource heavy step of removing FPN or other natural anomalies of RAW

[Interceptor]

OK I have been watching this very carefully now. There is aliasing both in the internal 4K full frame and external 4.3K Prores RAW. In fact the only cases where there is no aliasing is 8K internal and Super35 internal. I have to also say you kept the camera on the tripod but did not zoom in for full frame so the image quality looks worse but it is not actually. I have shot side by side photos in super35 and full frame to cover the same area (100mm in super35 and 150mm in full frame) and you can't really see any difference. If at all full frame 4k is sharper (hence the aliasing issue)
I am not sure what goes on inside this camera. Normally binning takes averages of pixels covered by the same color how cam this be done with a standard bayer array is a mystery to me. I will do some tests of my own

[denizahmet]

Line skipped 8.6k to 4.3k . Not recommended for RAW shooting.