Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with Dual Pixel RAW

Dual Pixel RAW

What is Dual Pixel RAW?

Dual Pixel RAW is a Canon innovation utilising both photodiodes on the EOS 5D Mark IV’s 30.4 Megapixel Dual Pixel CMOS AF sensor.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV sensor with Dual Pixel RAW

How it works

The Dual Pixel sensor’s pixels have a dual photodiode construction. This sensor design means the sensor can receive an A and B signals from the subject and to detect any phase differences between the two signals, allowing them to attain focus as part of the Dual Pixel AF system. When capturing the image, the sensor obtains the picture info from the combined A and B image signals. This technology making both focusing and image shooting possible with the same sensor. 


During Dual Pixel RAW shooting, a single RAW file saves two images into the file. One image consists of the A+B combined image data and the other only the A image data. This means the Dual Pixel RAW files contains both the normal image and also any parallax information, which can be measured and subject distance information extrapolated. As Dual Pixel RAW images contain two images they are therefore double the file size of normal RAW images. 


Using the Dual Pixel RAW Optimizer in Digital Photo Professional software, users can make use of the Dual Pixel data recorded with the Dual Pixel RAW image for microadjustments of the position of maximum sharpness using the depth information contained within the file.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV sensor Dual Pixel RAW

Image Microadjustment

When an image isn’t quite sharp enough in a specific area, such as on a subject’s eyes for example, it’s possible to adjust the image and bring sharpness back to a desired area.

Bokeh Shift

With Dual Pixel RAW it is possible to adjust the position of out of focus areas, or ‘bokeh’ to enhance composition, for example moving an out of focus object that is obscuring the subject.

Ghosting Reduction

Unlike lens flare, which can sometimes be used creatively in making an image appear low in contrast and atmospherically ‘hazy’, ghosting is not desirable and shows internal lens reflections. This can be controlled with Dual Pixel RAW and minimized with careful adjustment.

For best results

Getting the most from Dual Pixel RAW requires careful adjustments of the EOS 5D Mark IV's shooting values. For the best results, shoot at a lens focal length of at least 50mm and an aperture of f/5.6 or lower, ensuring the ISO value is 1600 or lower.

Effects may differ between shooting portrait or vertical format, and for best results ensure that you shoot within the following parameters:

Focal length

Subject distance

50mm

1 - 10m (3.3 - 32.8ft)

100mm

2 - 20m (6.6 - 65.6ft)

200mm

4 - 40m (13.1 - 131.2ft)