This is a result with DxO set to a more neutral process, removing the DxO Lighting (it makes the overall picture rather too dark); removing the Lens Softness correction, which just seemed to make edges less smooth; reducing NR to 25 Luminance and 50 Chroma, and enabling the 'Kill Dead Pixels' option to remove the 'pepper' pixels appearing in the conversion.

It is easy to see why Sony Europe has apparently adopted DxO as an in-box RAW processor for the Alpha 850. I feel, from samples I have seen of the A500/550 files, that DxO has also been consulted on the internal processing and the 'enhanced BIONZ' may have some input from this company. It is also possible they have helped Sony refine the IDC conversion program. I imagine that the 'old' BIONZ of the Alpha 850 (same as the 900) could not be changed, and that's why the DxO Optics Pro Elite software is to be bundled with the camera in some - sensitive? - markets.