Mastering camera basics helps you get your first photo, but there is so much more a professional digital camera has to offer. Capturing as much detail as possible is any photographer’s aim, so you should know about pixel shift multi-shot and if your camera has it. Continue reading to see how it can improve your photography, learn when to use it, and make a note of which camera models offer this feature. Then, nothing will stand between you and taking photographs of outstanding clarity and accuracy.
What is Pixel Shift Multi-Shot?
Pixel shift multi-shot enables a camera to take higher-resolution photos than normal. It is a compositing mode that uses image stabilization technology to gather more pixels, and then combines them into a higher resolution final image compared to the sensor’s native capabilities.
The technology is based on the image stabilization system. To keep the sensor from moving, cameras have a cushioning magnetic field around the sensor that makes it stay perfectly steady. Pixel shift multi-shot uses the same field to move the sensor one pixel at a time. Within one second, the camera captures between eight and 16 different frames (sometimes even more)—gathering many more pixels than it would normally do. Then the frames are stacked into a high-resolution RAW image file, either in the camera or using a photo editor.
Why is Pixel Shift Multi-Shot Helpful?
Pixel shift multi-shot can quadruple your photo’s resolution. In the case of Canon EOS R5, it multiplies the resolution by ten. As a result, you get high-quality images without the need for a new camera with a larger sensor. A higher resolution means improved clarity, a higher level of detail, better sharpness, and more accurate colors. Furthermore, higher-resolution images offer a broader spectrum of editing options and produce high-quality prints.
How to Make the Most Out of Pixel Shift Multi-Shot
Like any other camera setting, you need to know when and how to use pixel shift multi-shot. First of all, you need a static subject. In the pixel shift multi-shot mode, the camera needs a second or two to move the sensor and process the gathered data. If the subject moves while the camera captures the frames, the subject will appear to be a ghost. Therefore, you need a stationary subject. Avoid using the pixel shift multi-shot on a windy day, for example.
You need to keep the camera steady. In pixel shift multi-shot mode, the camera uses the magnetic field normally used for image stabilization to move the sensor and acquire multiple frames. Therefore, the image stabilization system is unavailable. To avoid blurry images, you need to stabilize the camera.
Pixel shift multi-shot is helpful when photographing static subjects with a tripod-mounted camera, such as product and real estate photography setups. You can also try when photographing landscapes or cityscapes, creating fine art still-life photos, or taking studio portraits.
Don’t forget that high-resolution images take more space on your memory card and be prepared with one or two extra cards.
Cameras with Pixel Shift
Some camera brands have been offering pixel shift for years, while others just started. However, it’s not the launching date that’s important but what it can do. Here are our best camera choices when it
Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera
The Canon EOS R5 is the first Canon camera body to feature pixel shift multi-shot— calling it “IBIS High-Resolution Shot.” Unlike other camera models, Canon EOS R5 can increase the native resolution by ten times. Considering its large 45MP full-frame sensor, it means you’ll get 400MP images. And because it’s a Canon camera, you get to choose from a broad range of lenses to complete your photo setup.
Besides pixel shift multi-shot and its impressive sensor, the Canon EOS R5 features an advanced DIGIC X image processor, powerful Dual Pixel CMOS AF system that covers approximately 100% of the frame, and includes deep-learning based animal and people tracking, eight-stop shake correction, in-body image stabilization, 8K video recording, and two memory card slots that support CFexpress and SD UHS-II cards. It provides a wide ISO range of 100-51,200, expandable to 102,400.
Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Camera
The Fujifilm X-T5 is the newest Fujifilm camera model to feature pixel shift multi-shot. You can also find this feature in previous models, such as GFX 100S, GFX 100, GFX 50S, and X-H2. Fujifilm camera models with the pixel shift multi-shot feature can increase the native resolution four times. The X-T5 has a 40MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR BSI, which means you’ll get 160MP images when using the pixel shift.
The camera also features a seven-stop in-body image stabilization system, wide dynamic range (ISO 125-12,800), 6.2K video recording, three-way tilting LCD, and plenty of customizable options.
OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mirrorless Camera
OM System has been producing camera models with pixel shift multi-shot for years, but the OM-1 offers improved technology and astonishing 50MP and 80MP images even when shooting handheld. You’ll find that OM System calls pixel shift multi-shot High-Resolution Modes and that you can use them only in the basic Picture Modes.
The OM-1 has a 20MP stacked BSI Live MOS sensor, TruePic X image processing engine, advanced Cross Quad Pixel AF system that covers approximately 100% of the frame, 4K video recording, and a dust-proof and splash-proof construction. It’s compact and lightweight, allowing you to carry it around and use it to record all kinds of creative content.
Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Camera
The Alpha 1 is Sony’s flagship series. By applying this compositing mode to the camera’s 50.1MP full-frame sensor, you get 200MP images of extreme clarity and detail.
In addition, the Sony Alpha 1 brings the world’s first viewfinder with a 240 fps refresh rate, the world’s first anti-flicker mechanical and electronic shutter, an 8x more powerful image processing engine, five-axis in-body image stabilization, real-time Eye AF for people and animals, 8K video recording, and an impressive ISO 100–32,000 sensitivity range, expandable to ISO 50–102400. It also includes 17 custom keys that you can use to assign 164 functions and speed up your workflow.
Panasonic LUMIX S5 II Mirrorless Camera
The 24.2MP hybrid full-frame sensor of the LUMIX S5 II produces 96MP images when used in the High-Resolution mode (Panasonic’s pixel shift multi-shot feature). The feature was first used for the G9 camera and then included in all S-series cameras.
The LUMIX S5 II is an on-budget full-frame mirrorless camera that offers one of the best Panasonic AF systems (phase detection autofocus), five-axis Dual I.S. II image stabilization, faster image processing engine, dual SD slots, 6K video recording, and cooling fan that supports unlimited video recording. The camera is lightweight, compact, and portable, provides a good grip, and has a weather-sealed body to ensure it works perfectly well in the harshest environments.
Nikon Z f Mirrorless Camera
The Nikon Z f has a 24.5MP BSI full-frame sensor that ensures a native 24MP resolution. However, by using the pixel shift technology, you can create 96MP images. Furthermore, unlike other camera models, the Z f provides four pixel shift options: four, eight, 16, and 32-shot sensor-shift photos. This means you get to decide how many frames you want to combine to increase the native resolution provided by the camera. Keep in mind that you’ll need Nikon’s NX Studio software to stack the images and produce a RAW file.
Alongside pixel shift multi-shot, the Z f features the EXPEED 7 image processing engine, eight-stop five-axis image stabilization, 4K video recording, eye-detection for photos and videos, pre-release capture, and a wide dynamic range (ISO 100-64,000 for photos and ISO 100-51,200 for videos).
Conclusion
Pixel shift multi-shot produces images with higher resolution than the sensor’s native capabilities. It is useful for capturing details and producing images that can easily be edited, enlarged, and printed. Although it isn’t suitable for all subjects or photo setups, having a pixel shift mode in your camera comes in handy when shooting static subjects. As for camera models with pixel shift multi-shot features, you don’t have to worry. All major brands provide an option in the mirrorless camera category, and you can even find medium format cameras that include this feature. There is no excuse for low-resolution photos anymore!
