Here’s a quick comparison of picture profiles as shown in my review (S-Log3 is only available on the a7S II, click to enlarge, all images 3840×2160):
Note: This was daylight balanced, and there’s a warm light right above her – as well as an LCD TV. The blinds on the back are blue.
What should you look for?
Glad you asked! You should look for:
Dynamic range – Study the blinds on the back, which profile has the most dynamic range? Answer: S-Log2 and S-Log3 – they both have equal dynamic range.
Study the skin tones – Which one looks most natural to you? For Indian skin I love the way Cine1 looks. There is no right or wrong here, only subjective taste.
Do you see any resemblance between Rec. 709 and PP Off? That’s because I’m using the Standard Creative Style with PP set to off, and Rec. 709 is close to that if using the Pro color space. That’s what I used.
Do you think Cine2 looks better than Cine1? In fact, both are the same, except Cine2 has slightly better shadow levels and the signal is within legal levels (0-100 IRE). Cine1 has more dynamic range, it’s not apparent in the still, but when you grade both, you’ll see the difference.
The only profile that you should avoid is 800% Rec. 709, because that has been relegated, even by Sony, to be an aid to expose S-Log2/S-Log3.
To know the differences in picture profiles according to Sony, click here.
Thoughts
My favorite? For straight shooting, with minimal grading, I like Cine1, as explained elsewhere. Believe it or not I conducted blind tests on myself with both the a7S and now the a7S II and a7R II, and I always pick Cine1.
For Log, I prefer S-Log3 on the a7S II, though S-Log2 on the a7R II is also great because you can shoot at ISO 800.
My personal preference, from first to last:
- S-Log3 with S-Gamut3.Cine – the wolfcrow system
- S-Log2 with S-Gamut – the wolfcrow system
- Cine1 with Cinema – underexpose by one stop
- Cine2 with Cinema (for low light, as a complement to Cine1) – underexpose by one stop
- Cine4
- PP Off/Rec.709+Pro – perfect exposure
- Movie – – perfect exposure
- Cine3
- Still
- Rec. 709+709
- 800% – forget this one!
