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Nightshots Comparison (Round Two): G1 vs DP1 vs GX200 vs G10 vs LX3

R0010765 (Medium)

I love GX200 because it feels great to take pictures with a light-weight camera of a DSLR feel. It would be even better if it gives DSLR-comparable results. Is this still a wishful thinking with the coming of G1?

For its smaller size (though not by much), G1 compares flavourably to mainstream DSLRs, which many expect to be moving towards smaller sizes. With a bigger sensor that boasts better image features, it also compares flavourably to serious compacts with a 1/1.8" sensor. Proper DSLRs aside, G1 is supposed to produce much better images. Does it deliver?

sensor size

Sensor size [to proportion but actual sizes are smaller]:
Outer (blue) - Full Frame sensor 35 x 24mm
3rd inner (green) - DP1 Foveon 20.7 x 13.8mm
2nd inner (yellow) - G1 4/3 System 17.3 x 13mm
Most inner (red) - GX200, G10. LX3 1/1.8" 7.18 x 5.23mm

chi version (nightshot 2)Surely, from the many users' samples, we can safely conclude that the images are great. However, is the better quality commensurate with its better pixel density (5 MP/cm2; sensor size 17.3 x 13mm) (and a dearer price)? The following photos compare it with the higher grade DP1 (1.6 MP/cm2; sensor size 20.7 x 13.8 mm) and the most popular serious compacts [GX200 28MP; G10 34MP; LX3 24MP per cm2] (NOTE: GRD images not available, pardon me).

Comments

Anonymous said…
The images are scaled and quite heavily compressed. There are more jpeg artifacts than noise.
That way the comparison doesn't really show anything.

Plus, the exposures are not always the same. Some shots are brighter than others, which has quite an influence on noise.

And btw: The Sigma ISO800 shot doesn't work.
Nevin said…
Thank you. THe DP1 ISO800 link fixed.

I wrote in my last comparison post that "the photos are resized( and compressed), yes. But they suit the need: they give an impression of what the photos are like in a real life situation in which they are viewed not at 100% magnification but at a normal size.

Bear in mind that noise may not be a bad thing when doing the comparison. And small sensor compacts, however serious, are not endowed with a good ability to see at night. Don't judge them only by what they cannot do but more by what they can."
Anonymous said…
Canon G10 @ ISO80 ist the best compact camera ever:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong10/page17.asp

By using the RAW-Mode a DOX you can improve that quaulity! :*

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