Initial look at Lumix DMC-G1 high ISO performance

[Four Thirds User editorial team]

Our review Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 arrived today, so what better than to get going with a rough and ready examination of its high ISO performance compared to the DMC-L10 and the Olympus E-3?

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[Ian]

Based on this very crude experiment (I admit it! ) it does look like the G1 loses highlight detail more easily than the L10 and E-3.

But what do you think?

Ian

[fluffy]

That's sort of what it looks like. Indeed, the difference is striking. To just see it so readily is odd. wonder why. For me it doesn't much matter as I can't ever see myself using anything over 800 and that once a year or so. But I know a lot of people like low-light work. Be interesting see others reactions.

Thanks, Ian. I certainly do have my eyes on the G-1.

Steve

[Bear]

To my eye it doesn't appear that the G1 offers better high ISO performance than the E3. In fact possibly worse as it loses highlight detail. I shoot quite a lot of low light and high ISO and don't have a problem with the E3 performance. Unless the Olympus implementation of this sensor does something that Panasonic's doesn't then I can't see an improvement. Admittedly it is a crude test and I wnat to see the RAW test before coming to any conlusions.

[rogerioi]

Well, everything you all say is true, but... to my eyes the G1 performs better in the curtain shadows.

For now, I'll whait for more results and for the E30's performance.

[Ian]

Sorry everyone - the links to the camera originals were messed up - all fixed now.

Ian

[Ian]

One good thing though, in the dark area of the drapes in the E-3 3200 ISO shot I can see banding, but it's well suppressed in the G1 3200 ISO shot.

Ian

[f22]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for posting the examples, I notice you said that noise suppression was turned off on the E-3 - was that also the case for the G1?

[Stuttaton]

I wouldn't use the E-3 with noise filter off. Noise filter LOW seems to be the best compromise between noise and sharpness, with NORMAL as runner up. Wrotniak says so too.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by f22

Hi Ian,

Thanks for posting the examples, I notice you said that noise suppression was turned off on the E-3 - was that also the case for the G1?

No, there is no noise filter mode on the G1 unless you use Film Mode.

I will be able to assess noise better by looking at the RAW files.

Ian