Dynamic Range
In high-contrast landscapes, I found there is still a lot of highlight detail that can be recovered from raw images, although I tend to underexpose and lighten shadow detail post-capture using software. Thankfully, noise is controlled well enough at low ISO sensitivities that this underexposure and lightening are possible without introducing too much luminance or colour noise.
The camera has dynamic range optimisation built in, and this uses an increased ISO sensitivity to ensure that highlights aren’t burnt out before lightening shadow detail. In most circumstances the effect is quite subtle, and again, if you are shooting JPEG images, it can save a lot of editing in post-production.
While not directly affecting the dynamic range of the camera, the highlight and shadow contrast options should be mentioned here. They are simple contrast curve adjustments, but are particularly useful if the highlight strength is reduced, in combination with the dynamic range optimiser, to make sure that highlight detail is maximised in JPEG images.
