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We've recently released our Test Bench 0.13 update! Read the Video Dynamic Range R&D Article to learn more.
  1. Home
  2. Camera
  3. Test Bench 0.13
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Intro
  3. What's Changed?
  4. New Tests
    1. Video Dynamic Range
    2. Luminosity Patch Detection
  5. Usage Scores
  6. Let Us Know What You Think!
  7. Completed Updates
  8. Planned Updates
  9. Comments

Test Bench 0.13
Changelog

Updated

See the previous 0.12.1 changelog.

What's Changed?

This test bench adds a new 'Video Image Quality' section to our camera reviews, consisting of two new tests: Video Dynamic Range and Luminosity Patch Detection. Additionally, we've converted the 'Raw Photo Performance' usage box into the newer Performance Usage format in the 'Our Verdict' section of the review under the name 'Raw Photo.'

Test GroupDescription
Our Verdict
  • Converted 'Raw Photo Performance' into 'Raw Photo' performance usage
  • Updated scores for 'Vlogging' and 'Studio Video' to include the new video image quality tests
Video Dynamic Range
  • Added this test to measure dynamic range in video, with strict, lenient, and background floor noise thresholds
Luminosity Patch Detection
  • Added this test to measure the range of luminosity above and below middle gray at every available ISO setting

New Tests

Video Dynamic Range

Our Video Dynamic Range test adds a new objective metric to evaluate one of the most important aspects of video quality. While we already test Photo RAW Dynamic Range, we built this new test from the ground up to measure a camera's dynamic range in video.

Screenshot of the new video dynamic range test, showing a waveform and three dynamic range values based on different noise thresholds

The test consists of a waveform showing the full dynamic range of a camera, a slideshow to show the dynamic range at every ISO setting, and three dynamic range values based on different noise thresholds. You can read our R&D article to learn more about our testing and how sensor hardware, noise, and Log gamma curves all play a role in getting the most video dynamic range out of a camera.

Luminosity Patch Detection

The Luminosity Patch Detection test complements the Video Dynamic Range test. This test measures the maximum number of stops the camera can capture in the highlights (above middle gray) and the shadows (below middle gray) across its entire ISO range. While the Video Dynamic Range test takes noise into account, the Luminosity Patch Detection test does not.

Screenshot of the Luminosity Patch Detection test, with a luminosity patch chart and stop values for Above Middle Gray and Below Middle Gray

Usage Scores

In the Our Verdict section of the review, we've added the above tests to the score breakdown in the Vlogging and Studio Video usages. Luminosity Patch Detection makes up 5% of the usage score for Vlogging. For Studio Video, Video Dynamic Range is weighted at 14%, while Luminosity Patch Detection is weighted at 3%.

Vlogging 0.12.1Vlogging 0.13
Vlogging score components as seen on Test Bench 0.12.1
Vlogging score components as seen on Test Bench 0.13
Studio Video 0.12.1Studio Video 0.13
Studio Video score components as seen on Test Bench 0.12.1
Studio Video score components as seen on Test Bench 0.13

The previous 'Raw Photo Performance' verdict box has also been converted to a Performance Usage, which scores a single performance aspect—in this case, RAW image quality—rather than a broader usage.

Test Bench 0.12.1Test Bench 0.13
Scores as seen on Test Bench 0.12.1
Scores as seen on Test Bench 0.13

Let Us Know What You Think!

Your feedback is instrumental in making improvements to our testing. If you have comments, questions, or suggestions about this or any future updates, let us know in the comments.

22 Cameras Updated So Far

We are retesting popular models first. So far, the test results for the following models have been converted to the new testing methodology. However, the text might be inconsistent with the new results.

40 Cameras Planned To Be Updated

We are also planning to retest the following products over the course of the next few weeks: