Dynamic range
Image: At its highest setting (Level 5), the DRO produces HDR-like results
The Alpha 99 is able to capture a wide range of tones in a single frame. There are additional settings that can be used to extend the dynamic range or to boost highlight and shadow detail in-camera rather than in post-production.
Sony users will be familiar with DRO, which is designed to make detail over a wide range of tones more obvious, and is usually most noticeable in the brightening of shadow areas. Most camera systems offer this feature, but this does not extend the dynamic range. Instead, it merely makes the information that is already there more obvious.
DRO can be adjusted for up to five levels of strength, with the strongest setting (Level 5) producing HDR-type effects, where the tones are boosted too much and the end result is flat. I find leaving DRO in its auto setting to be acceptable. The HDR mode is designed to extend the dynamic range up to 6EV. Given that the dynamic range is in the region of 13EV, a total range of 19EV is possible.
