Sony α7 IV shutter settings: the boundaries between mechanical/electronic shutter and electronic front curtain

Choose mechanical or electronic shutter

The Shutter Type of α7 IV can be Mechanical Shutter or Electronic Shutter. The setting path is MENU > Image (Shooting) > Shutter/Silent > Shutter Type; the manual states that this menu is only available in P/A/S/M shooting modes. 〔G-ST-01〕〔G-ST-02〕

Confirm function limitations before switching to electronic shutter

Flash shooting, Long Exposure NR, e-Front Curtain Shut., and BULB shooting are not available after Electronic Shutter is set. If you need these functions, you should first check the shutter settings according to your shooting needs. 〔G-ST-02〕

Set electronic front curtain shutter

e-Front Curtain Shut. Used to shorten the time lag between pressing the shutter button and releasing the shutter; select On or Off in MENU > Image (Shooting) > Shutter/Silent > e-Front Curtain Shut. 〔G-ST-03〕

When encountering light spot clipping or abnormal exposure

Sony reminds that when a large aperture lens is used with a high shutter speed, the out-of-focus circular spot may be cut off by the shutter mechanism; if this occurs, the electronic front curtain can be closed. Sony also recommends turning it off when using third-party lenses; inaccurate exposure or uneven brightness may occur when turned on. If the brightness is uneven under high-speed shutter, turn off this function as recommended in the manual. 〔G-ST-04〕〔G-ST-05〕

Understand that silent mode is not absolutely silent

Silent Mode locks the Electronic Shutter and turns off Audio signals, but aperture and focus operations may still make sounds. Sony also warns that image distortion may occur when the subject or camera moves, and streaks may appear under flickering light sources; these are the usage boundaries listed in the model manual. 〔G-ST-06〕