# What is the difference between 8-bit and 10-bit video? > The difference is the number of color levels each channel can represent. 8-bit records 256 brightness levels per color channel (16.7 million colors total). URL: https://camerashop.com.eg/what-is-the-difference-between-8-bit-and-10-bit-video/ Language: en ## The difference is the number of **color levels** each channel can represent. 8-bit records 256 brightness levels per color channel (16.7 million colors total). 10-bit records 1,024 levels per channel (**1.07 billion colors**). This 4x increase makes a dramatic difference when color grading. ## **Why 10-bit matters for color grading** When you apply a color grade or exposure adjustment, you are stretching and remapping tonal values. With only 256 levels (8-bit), even moderate adjustments create visible **banding** — step-like transitions in skies, skin tones, and backgrounds. 10-bit gives you 1,024 levels — 4x more data. Heavy color grading that would destroy 8-bit footage remains smooth and natural in 10-bit. This is especially critical for **Log footage**. Log profiles compress dynamic range into a flat curve that needs aggressive grading. Without 10-bit, the grading introduces artifacts. ## **When 8-bit is fine** For content going **straight to YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok** with minimal color adjustment, 8-bit is perfectly adequate. If you use in-camera picture profiles (not Log) and keep grading minimal, 8-bit delivers great results. 8-bit files are also **smaller** and easier to edit on less powerful computers — a practical advantage for creators on laptops. ## **10-bit cameras at Camera Shop Egypt** [ -40% Hot ![](https://camerashop.com.eg/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/canon_5077c002_eos_r5_c_full_frame_1642574759_1684244-removebg-preview.png) ](https://camerashop.com.eg/product/canon-eos-r5-c-mirrorless-cinema-camera/) [ Compare ](https://camerashop.com.eg/compare/?product_id=31469) [ Quick view ](https://camerashop.com.eg/product/canon-eos-r5-c-mirrorless-cinema-camera/) [ Add to wishlist ](https://camerashop.com.eg/wishlist/) ### [Canon EOS R5 C Mirrorless Cinema Camera](https://camerashop.com.eg/product/canon-eos-r5-c-mirrorless-cinema-camera/) [Cameras](https://camerashop.com.eg/product-category/cameras/), [Cinema & Video](https://camerashop.com.eg/product-category/cameras/cinema-video/) Available on backorder 288,750 EGP Original price was: 288,750 EGP.173,250 EGPCurrent price is: 173,250 EGP. [Add to cart](https://camerashop.com.eg/product/canon-eos-r5-c-mirrorless-cinema-camera/?add-to-cart=31469) SKU: 1707 SensorFull-Frame 45MP CMOSMegapixels45 MPVideo Resolution8K60 RAW / 4K120Video Format12-Bit Cinema RAW Light, JPEG, C-RAWAutofocusDual Pixel CMOS AF II with Eye, Face, Head & Animal Detection, 1053 AF ZonesContinuous ShootingUp to 20 fpsMountCanon RF (EF compatible via adapter)Memory SlotsCFexpress Type-B + SD UHS-II Dual SlotRecording TimeUnlimited Internal RecordingConnectivityWi-Fi (5GHz / 2.4GHz), Bluetooth, Timecode DIN Port, Multi-Function Shoe, HDMI RAW Output [](#) [ -8% ![](https://camerashop.com.eg/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Sony-a7S-III-Mirrorless-Camera-1.webp) ](https://camerashop.com.eg/product/sony-a7s-iii-mirrorless-camera/) [ Compare ](https://camerashop.com.eg/compare/?product_id=13911) [ Quick view ](https://camerashop.com.eg/product/sony-a7s-iii-mirrorless-camera/) [ Add to wishlist ](https://camerashop.com.eg/wishlist/) ### [Sony a7S III Mirrorless Camera](https://camerashop.com.eg/product/sony-a7s-iii-mirrorless-camera/) [Cameras](https://camerashop.com.eg/product-category/cameras/), [Mirrorless](https://camerashop.com.eg/product-category/cameras/mirrorless/) In stock 157,500 EGP Original price was: 157,500 EGP.145,000 EGPCurrent price is: 145,000 EGP. [Add to cart](https://camerashop.com.eg/product/sony-a7s-iii-mirrorless-camera/?add-to-cart=13911) SKU: 1509 Sensor12.1MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS (Back-Illuminated)Megapixels12.1 MPVideoUHD 4K 120p, 10-Bit 4:2:2 Internal, 16-Bit RAW Output, up to 600 Mb/sISO Range80-102400 (Extended: 40-409600)Autofocus759-Point Fast Hybrid AF (Phase + Contrast Detection), covers 92% of frame, down to -6 EVImage Stabilization5-Axis SteadyShot In-Body Image StabilizationViewfinder9.44m-Dot QXGA OLED Electronic ViewfinderScreen3.0-inch 1.44m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCDContinuous Shooting10 fps, up to 1000 Uncompressed RAW FilesStorageDual CFexpress Type A / SD Card Slots [](#) [ -12% ![](https://camerashop.com.eg/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Alpha-7-IV-Full-frame-Interchangeable-Lens-Camera-33MP-10FPS-4K-60p-Front-.webp) ](https://camerashop.com.eg/product/sony-a7-iv-mirrorless-camera/) [ Compare ](https://camerashop.com.eg/compare/?product_id=13517) [ Quick view ](https://camerashop.com.eg/product/sony-a7-iv-mirrorless-camera/) [ Add to wishlist ](https://camerashop.com.eg/wishlist/) ### [Sony a7 IV Mirrorless Camera](https://camerashop.com.eg/product/sony-a7-iv-mirrorless-camera/) [Cameras](https://camerashop.com.eg/product-category/cameras/), [Mirrorless](https://camerashop.com.eg/product-category/cameras/mirrorless/) In stock 108,000 EGP Original price was: 108,000 EGP.95,000 EGPCurrent price is: 95,000 EGP. [Add to cart](https://camerashop.com.eg/product/sony-a7-iv-mirrorless-camera/?add-to-cart=13517) SKU: 1567 Sensor33MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOSMegapixels33 MPProcessorBIONZ XRVideo4K 60p 10-Bit, S-Cinetone, S-Log3, XAVC HS / XAVC S-I up to 600 Mb/sISO RangeISO 100–51200Autofocus759-Point Fast Hybrid AF, Real-Time Eye AF, -4 EV sensitivity, ~94% coverageImage Stabilization5-Axis SteadyShot In-BodyContinuous ShootingUp to 10 fps (mechanical or electronic shutter, AF/AE on)Viewfinder3.68m-Dot EVF, 120 fps Refresh RateScreen3-inch 1.03m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCDMountSony E-Mount (Full-Frame)Connectivity4K 15p UVC/UAC Live Streaming via USB Type-C [](#) ## **10-bit internal vs external** **10-bit internal** means the camera records 10-bit directly to its memory card. Most convenient and now standard on cameras above entry level. **10-bit external** means the camera outputs 10-bit via HDMI to an external recorder. Some older or budget cameras only support 10-bit externally. Always check whether your camera does 10-bit **internally** — external recording adds cost, bulk, and complexity. ## If you plan to color grade your video at all — even basic white balance or exposure tweaks — 10-bit internal recording should be a requirement when choosing your next camera. [Browse Cameras available in Egypt →](https://camerashop.com.eg/product-category/cameras/)