These three Panasonics make great 4k video cameras but how good are they at taking photos? My previous test only looked at the video performance, so here’s a quick test comparing the photo quality of the Panasonic Fz82, Fz330 and the G7.
All of the examples in this video show jpegs straight from the camera. I also shot raw images but choose not to show these because the results are more dependent on the software and settings used to convert them. All of the cameras were set on standard profile and the same white balance.
The Fz82 and the Fz330 has the same sized 1/2.3”sensor but the FZ82 is 18Mpx whereas the FZ330 is 12Mpx. The G7 has a larger 4/3” sensor which is 16Mpx. All shots we taken on a tripod to minimise camera movement and one area focusing used to ensure that the cameras were focused on the same object. The test is split in to two with the first section shot in good sun light and the latter shot in dull low light. The aim was to see how well the bridge cameras coped with poorer light.
The findings were very similar to my earlier video test. The Fz82 had poor results, compared to the other two, when shooting wide-angle but good sharpness throughout the rest of the range. The G7 appeared to have the most accurate colour balance, with the Fz82 achieving similar results. The Fz330 was less accurate but it still had pleasing results that gave foliage a brighter, fresher appearance.
When viewing photos at full frame there was little to choose between these cameras, however if you plan to crop an image then the G7 has a much cleaner, more detailed image; as you will see in the enlargements. The last shots are a bit extreme but shows the difference in low light. Because the G7 is less affected by using a higher ISO it should allow you to shoot at faster shutter speeds which is particularly important if hand holding or freezing motion. The Fz330 also allows faster shutter speeds to be used with its ability to use f2.8 at all focal lengths. The Fz82 can use f2.8 at wide-angle but this reduces to f5.9 at maximum zoom. The Fz82 has a minimum ISO of 80 and the other two 100.
I appreciate that there are a lot of areas that I haven’t covered in this test and I expect a photographer would have approached this differently but I hope it will still be of interest.
23 авг 2024