Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 - Test Shots

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 - Test Shots - ISO Performance

Over the next few pages we show a range of test shots. On this page the full size image at the minimum and maximum ISO settings have been reduced to let you see the full image, and a series of full resolution crops have taken from original images at a range of ISO settings to show the overall image quality.

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This is the full frame at minimum ISO.

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This was shot hand-held at 1/25th of a second at 100 ISO. The G1's optical image stabilisation is very effective, and the shot is pin-sharp and noise-free.

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200 ISO and still no noise.

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Image quality is still superb at 400 ISO.

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There is some colour noise visible at 800 ISO, but not enough to cause a problem.

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1600 ISO ant the image quality is still very good.

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Only at 3200 ISO does image noise become a real problem, but even here the image is still usable.

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This is the full frame at 3200 ISO

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25 comments

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PeterIH

2:05 PM on 17 January, 2009

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The camera may be a (fine) first example of the micro four thirds, but what about the lenses?

I gathered that the number of Panasonic lenses currently available for the G1 is very limited. (just not to mention the dismal 5,6 max aperture at an eff FOV of 90 mm of the kit lens).

Lenses of other brands are possible via an adapter. Only...then comes into account the FOV crop factor of 2. So if you want to use a real wide angle like 20mm Eff FOV you need a 10 mm lens. The only 4/3 lens that comes to mind is the Olympus Zuiko 7-14 mm f/4,0. I don't know whether this fits on the G1 but I presume it will, (although maybe via an adapter with loss of some functionaly).

And the limited max aperture (5,6) of the kit lens ensure you to use rather quickly higher ISO's. And already on my screen can I see from your ISO shots a significant loss of detail at 400 ISO.

So, just combining everything I think that, although a major technical accomplishment, as a camera the G1 is very limited in its use, mainly through the lack of good high performance lenses and its crop factor of 2. That added with an in my eyes mediocre (compared with other mid range SLR's) ISO performance makes me wonder how you came to your high score of 9, recommended.

Cheers,

Peter.

Score:

CliffSmith

2:50 PM on 17 January, 2009

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Before the howls of derisive laughter, I made a slight mistake in the voice-over for the video review. The G1 weighs 385g body-only, not 195g, which is the weight of the 14-45mm lens. My apologies for the confusion, I should have spotted that when I wrote the script.

HomerWat

10:40 AM on 19 January, 2009

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Just in budget mind or a shutterbag, I will not choose Leica nor Lunix. They are alway too expensive. But comparing to what I have paid and the outcome, they are always my favourite. People always complain that four third is too small and too noise. If I take this comparison with mid-format camera and 135 full frame, than we will get a even higher different. For most of consumer that will only view photo on screen or print to as big as A4 size, what G1 produce is excellent and good enough for day to day use. If I really need a big picture, I would rather switch back to 4x5 or larger film camera, which will garantee me to have a noise free picture that 135 or 120 format can compare.

With the reasonable price that Lumix offer, I take it. I am looking forward to wait for the Leica len adapters so that I can use M-lens also.

Quidam

4:17 PM on 19 January, 2009

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At 1600 ISO "the image quality is still very good", you say. I think you better should have said: "the image quality starts suffering from visible noise". Don't you agree. But overall I think this camera has a very pretty balance between portabilty and quality.

YousufVadachia

8:45 PM on 19 January, 2009

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This camera does not seem to make sense. It is more expensive than a budget DSLR yet offers marginally worse image quality and much less flexibilty in terms of lens choices and accessories. The other thing that was a bit concerning is the bare sensor when the lens is taken off to change lenses. SLR's have the reflex mirror offering a primary barrier to dirt and grit whereas this does not. Most of the built in "self-cleaning" functions (just vibrating mechanisms really) do not do a great job so I don't think that this will help much on this camera. Puzzling product in Panasonic's range, I wonder who will buy one.

Ardjuna

9:43 AM on 21 January, 2009

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@ Yousuf: Well, I for one would already own this camera - IF it had video functionality. It handles wonderfully, and the articulate 3in screen alone is worth a large premium for me (I've been using Canon's Powershot S range till now and don't ever want to go back to fixed screen). It's also smaller than anything else out there. The exposed sensor might be a bit of a worry, but I guess one will just have to be more careful when changing lenses. Speaking of which, more of these will become available over time.

Clovis

11:09 AM on 22 January, 2009

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This was a good start. About time the whole concept of welding a new electronic technology to an old mechanical mirror-flip system (due mainly to economic concerns, no less) got challenged; and with an image quality that is quite competitive.

However: the price range is (at least for now) unrealistic, Panasonic did not go the ful Monty (no film mode?! on a ful-time live view camera?!), and the total lack of sensor protection is a major discouragement for those that are "kinda klutzy" (like me), as well as for those that are routinely in less-than-vanilla shooting conditions (dusty, gritty,camera-dangerous environments - also my case).

Guess I'll cool my heels a tad and see what Mark 2 will bring - and at what price.

AndrewAlanCameron

7:05 PM on 23 January, 2009

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I was quite impressed at first but it doesn't encourage system building. My humble Sony R1 with all its (so called) faults takes a lot of beating and I'm afraid the G1 doesn't (beat it) and one US reviewer called it a 'Soccer Mom's camera'.I feel more enthusiastic about the Oly E30. I will only think seriously about changing any of my lenses or my cameras when a client complains...Cameras are a tool to do a job not some sort of strange cult icon to be discussed ad. nauseum. I'm getting rather sick of it, clients and agencies buy pics. on their quality and wouldn't know the difference between actuance and resolution if it bit them in the advertising budget. Yes I know that not everyone is a pro.photog. but surely it's 'horses for courses'... peer at 100% crops if you wish but how often do you need a 20"x30" print to view from 8" away? Please do not wish me wiped off the face of the earth, it's just my opinion however dated it may be.

Ian Porter

7:16 PM on 23 January, 2009

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Thanks for the review Cliff. I for one am extremely glad that I trusted your 10/10 review on the less-than-half-this-price, FZ28. The pictures are very nice but so are my amateur fumblings with the itsy bitsy teeny weeny FZ28's CCD, so at first sight this offering is way over priced for no extra quality, which no doubt explains your 7/10 for value. Thanks again!

LeonB

7:25 PM on 24 January, 2009

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I find it amusing how many people can complain and moan about a camera (not only this one) without having first used it...I for one have for a long time now, used this website as a reliable guide for new gear. I for one have every faith in this reviewer that the G1 is a superb camera, a view shared by my other source DC Resource. Both rate the G1 glowingly so as an owner of the DMC-LX3 (one of the highest ever rated cameras on this site) I will be purchasing into this new micro 4/3 system. I have compared noise with the Sony DSLRs and the G1 is better equiped, only the Canon's are better from the examples I have seen, so I guess as always, its the Canon/Nikon officionado's that are doing the complaining, jealousy I guess as Canon, good as they are, are hardly known for their revolutionalry approach, safe and simple is their way......Well done Panasonic for designing somthing whilst not revolutionary, certainly different.........

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