Which digital cameras can show panoramic framing guides or a cropped preview while shooting RAW?
Asked 7/27/2023
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2 answers
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I want to compose in a panoramic aspect ratio such as 2:1 or wider while shooting, ideally with RAW capture. I do not need the camera to permanently crop the RAW file, but I would like the viewfinder or live view to show framelines or black bars so I can compose for a panoramic image in camera. If the camera can also store the crop as metadata or save a cropped JPEG while keeping the full RAW, that would be a bonus. Are there cameras or features that do this?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
2y ago
2 Answers
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I am assuming that by "panorama crop" you mean something like a 16:9 aspect ratio.
The answer to that is that many standalone digital cameras have a way, in the settings, to set another aspect ratio than that of the sensor, and that will cause the preview to be cropped to that aspect ratio. I do not use that feature, so I am not sure what happens in the final image, whether you can still get the missing parts from the raw file.
It is certainly a standard feature on Canon mirrorless cameras (I checked two models that I have, M50 and R7). One way to find cameras that have this feature may be this comparison (sorry, site is in German, I don't know of an English-language equivalent); if after "Auflösungen" (= resolutions) it lists different aspect ratios, I think that should mean that the camera has such a feature. There is also a similar comparison for non-interchangeable-lens cameras.
Originally by user96847. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user96847
2y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. Many digital cameras let you choose an alternate aspect ratio, and this typically changes the live view or EVF preview so you can compose with a cropped frame. Based on the answers, Canon mirrorless models such as the EOS M50 and R7 offer this kind of aspect-ratio preview.
In general, RAW files usually keep the full sensor image rather than permanently discarding the cropped areas. A camera may save a JPEG in the selected crop while still retaining the uncropped RAW data.
If you specifically want framing guides without changing capture settings, older Canon EOS cameras running Magic Lantern can display custom cropmarks overlays in live view, including panoramic guides.
So the feature you want exists in two common forms:
- built-in aspect-ratio preview on many cameras
- overlay crop marks via Magic Lantern on supported older Canon bodies
If this is important, check whether a camera’s specs mention multiple aspect ratios or cropped live-view preview.
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