Restrictions when using the Silent Shooting feature of my camera

IMPORTANT: This article applies only to specific products and/or operating systems. Check Applicable Products and Categories for details.

Silent Shooting is a special feature in some cameras that lets you take photos without the noise generated by the mechanical shutter. However, there are some limitations on its use. The effect on images may differ depending on your camera model and settings. Furthermore, there may be variations between photos taken in Silent Shooting mode and those captured in normal shooting mode.

Restrictions when using the Silent Shooting mode

• Silent Shooting can only be selected when the shooting mode is set to P, A, S, M (or P/A/S/M/AUTO on the ILCE-1).

• Flash can't be used (except ILCE-1).

• The minimum ISO sensitivity is ISO100 (except ILCE-1, ILCE-7SM3, ILCE-7M4, ILCE-7RM5, ILCE-7C, ILCE-7CM2, ILCE-7CR,ILCE-6700, ILME-FX3, and ILME-FX30).

• The following functions can't be used:
  • Auto HDR
  • Picture Effect
  • Picture Profile (except ILCE-1, ILCE-7RM4, ILCE-7RM4A, ILCE-7SM3, ILCE-7M4, ILCE-7RM5, ILCE-7C, ILCE-7CM2, ILCE-7CR,ILCE-6700, ILME-FX3, and ILME-FX30)
  • Long Exposure NR
  • Front Curtain Shutter Off
  • S. Auto Img. Extract.
  • BULB
  • Multi Frame NR
  • Anti-flicker shoot (except ILCE-1).
  • Mechanical Shutter
  • Shooting with remote release when an FA-WRC1M Wireless Radio Commander is attached to a Multi-Interface Shoe

• For the ILCE-7RM2 camera, continuous shooting can't be selected.

• For ILCE-6300 and ILCE-6500 cameras, only Continuous Shooting: Lo can be selected for continuous shooting.

• Silent Shooting is turned off when you shoot using apps downloaded from the PlayMemories Camera Apps™ website. Reactivate the feature by launching an application, then select MENU → Customer Settings → Silent Shooting on the shooting screen.

• Bright areas on the camera LCD may be recorded darker when shooting with low ISO settings. Shoot at a higher ISO or adjust the exposure settings to prevent this.

• The time from start-up until you can shoot, takes approximately 0.5 seconds longer than usual.

• The aperture and autofocus motor sound may still be heard when the Silent Shooting feature is on.

Other things to consider

• The effects described below are caused by the difference in exposure timing by the electronic shutter at the top and bottom of the sensor.

  • The movement of the subject and the camera body can distort the image.

    • Panning the camera quickly from side to side may cause vertical lines to appear tilted.
    • Distortion may occur when taking photos of children, pets, sporting events, or other fast-moving subjects.

  • Dark bands or yellow striping may occur in the image when shooting under flickering fluorescent lighting or if another camera's flash goes off simultaneously.

• During low-sensitivity Silent Shooting, if you shoot an overexposed image with an extremely strong light source such as sunlight, the high-brightness parts of the photograph might appear dim. To prevent this, shoot at the proper exposure, or increase the sensitivity setting.