What are the restrictions on using the Electronic Shutter?

Restrictions When Using the Electronic Shutter

This article explains which functions are unavailable or limited when Shutter Type is set to Electronic Shutter on Sony interchangeable-lens cameras.

Model-specific notes are included. Functions may vary depending on your camera.

1. Restrictions for Cameras Other Than ILCE-9M3

When the Electronic Shutter is enabled, the following functions may not be available:

Unavailable Functions

• Flash shooting
  (Flash is not available with the Electronic Shutter, except on ILCE-1 and ILCE-1M2.
  Note: Even on those models, flash shooting through a sync terminal is not available.)
• Long Exposure Noise Reduction
• Bulb shooting
• Shooting with a remote release when an FA-WRC1M Wireless Radio Commander is attached to the Multi Interface Shoe
• Anti-flicker Shooting
  (Unavailable on most models except ILCE-1 and ILCE-1M2.)

Model-Specific Restrictions

For ILCE-9 and ILCE-9M2 only:

• Continuous shooting is unavailable with shutter speeds slower than 1/8 s.
• ISO values above ISO 25600 cannot be used.
• Smart Zoom, Clear Image Zoom, and Digital Zoom are disabled during continuous shooting.
• Maximum electronic shutter speed limits apply (see section 3).

For ILCE-1 and ILCE-1M2 only:

• Continuous shooting is unavailable with shutter speeds slower than 1/2 s.

For ILCE-7M5 only:

• Continuous shooting at 30 fps is unavailable when the shutter speed is slower than 1/30 s.

2. Maximum Shutter Speed Limitations (Electronic Shutter)

For ILCE-9 and ILCE-9M2 only

• Maximum shutter speed is 1/16000 s when:
  • Shooting mode is anything other than S (Shutter Priority) or M (Manual Exposure), or
  • Using bracket shooting (except WB Bracket or DRO Bracket).
• When shooting mode is S or M, the next available shutter speed above 1/16000 is 1/32000 s.

3. Shooting Characteristics and Possible Image Effects

When using the Electronic Shutter, specific lighting or subject movement may cause visible artifacts.

Possible Effects

• Belt-like contrast bands may appear when shooting under:
  • Flash from another camera
  • Flickering lights (e.g., fluorescent lighting)

For ILCE-9M3 excluded

• Micro rolling shutter distortion (slight bending or aliasing) may occur when:
  • Subjects move very quickly within the frame
  • Another photographer's flash triggers during exposure
  • Spotlights or fast-moving light sources sweep across the frame

For ILCE-9M3 only

Due to the ILCE-9M3's sensor characteristics, banding or grid-like noise may appear in fine gradations or at out-of-focus edges when shooting at very high shutter speeds.