Here are a few images that accurately reflect the abilities
of any given camera model. The images are altered only in
terms of size and sharpness after reduction and by the JPEG
compression used. Unless otherwise mentioned, assume that
any marbling or artifacts visible in the images are due to
the compression required to display them here. We feel however,
that they still faithfully represent the results we experienced.
STILL LIFE PHOTO
This subject is photographed in a room that has
a mix of fluorescent and incandescent light, but which is not
brightly lit. The camera's flash is used to add fill light.
The backdrop is 1.95 m (6.5 ft) from the camera.
With the exception of the Night Photo and of the Macro shot, the
photos presented in this section of the review were all captured
using the DMC-LX2's RAW image format. The RAW file was then
processed using the software Panasonic bundles with the camera:
SilkyPix Developer Studio 2.0.
Photo
Information
Format:
RAW
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/30 sec
Res.:
4224 x 2376
Flash:
On
Quality:
—
ISO:
100
File Size:
RAW: 20 MB
TIFF: 29.5 MB
Focal Length:
28 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Captured in Fine JPEG format
the LX2's images tend to show some noise and a loss of sharpness
that may well be due to the compression when they are observed
at 100% scale on a monitor. RAW format images, however, can
be converted to near perfect JPEG or TIFF images that contain
very little noise and offer excellent sharpness, making them
a more reliable basis from ascertaining the image quality of
the camera.
ZOOM PHOTO
Now we zoom in on a specific area. The intent
is to test the sharpness of the image at the zoom's maximum
setting. The camera remains at the same distance as with the
preceding photo.
At its maximum telephoto setting, the LX2 still offers a
wide filed of view thanks to it 16:9 image format. Nevertheless,
the 4X zoom is able to capture a very good level of detail,
as can be seen below.
Still, adjusting the image using Developer Studio 2.0 takes
a bit of practice, although most often, the adjustments are
very similar from one picture to the next.
Set to AF Macro using the slider switch on the left side
of the lens barrel, the LX2 is able to focus on a subject
5 cm (1.95 in.) from the front element of the lens when the
zoom is at the wide angle end. While at the telephoto end
of the zoom, the subject must be at least 30 cm (1 ft)
from the camera.
At the closest distance to a subject, which is when the lens
is at the widest angle, the LX2 captures a field of view of
9 cm (3.51 inches).
BUILDING PHOTO
This image is our outdoor test. The architecture
of the building, in particular the angled girders, immediately
show the presence of jaggies. The shadowed entrance can also
often reveal the quality of the exposure.
Set to wide angle and to use the full 16:9 aspect ratio of
the CCD, the DMC-LX2 captures a field of view equivalent to
a 28 mm focal length, allowing it to capture not only the
central portion of the building, but also large parts of its
wings.
The RAW image the LX2 records is the output of its CCD, in
addition to the camera's current settings, but which are not
applied.
Photo
Information
Format:
RAW
Aperture:
f5.6
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/200 sec
Resolution:
4224 x 2376
Flash:
Off
Quality:
—
ISO:
100
File Size:
RAW: 20 MB
TIFF: 29.5 MB
Focal Length:
28 mm (35 mm Eq.)
During "development",
the camera settings recorded with the image can either be applied
"as-is", or alternative settings can be determined.
With this shot, experimentation revealed that the best image
was arrived at using variances of the camera's settings. Colour
saturation was reduced, the white balance was set to Fine
5200K (weather) instead of Auto, contrast was
slightly increased as well as sharpness, and so was the amount
of processing for false colour noise.
ZOOM PHOTO
Zooming in on the entrance of the building, the
shadowed entrance takes on a greater importance for the metering
and can cause an overexposure of sections that are directly
lit.
Whatever the focal length in use, the LX2's Intelligent Multiple
metering regularly produces very well exposed images, and
when shooting RAW images, it is rare to have to modify the
exposure during the development process.
With this handheld telephoto shot, the value of the Mega
OIS stabilizer is obvious, as the small sign on the right
door of the building is legible.
Photo
Information
Format:
RAW
Aperture:
f5.6
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/250 sec
Resolution:
4224 x 2376
Flash:
Off
Quality:
—
ISO:
100
File Size:
RAW: 20 MB
TIFF: 29.5 MB
Focal Length:
112 mm (35 mm Eq.)
In the case of this image, the changes in development parameters
from the original camera settings are limited to noise reduction,
and sharpness, the parameters that most often need adjustments
when images are developed.
NIGHT PHOTO
This camera is capable of long exposures, and
an image captured late at night is presented to give an idea
of its capabilities.
Aperture: f5.6; shutter
speed: 8 sec, 100 ISO.
Seen at a size less than
their full 10-megapixel image size, the night shots captured
with the LX2 look quite good. But, these shots, all of them
captured using the JPEG Fine format, are much less impressive
when seen at full-scale on a monitor.
The DMC LX2 provides two long exposure modes: the Starry
Sky Scene mode and the Manual mode.
Of these the Manual mode is the only one that
offers control over the white balance and the aperture, making
it easier to obtain a brighter-than-normal photo with more
accurate colours.
Whether photographed using the RAW or the JPEG format, however,
long exposures captured with the LX2 remain visibly noisy,
especially in shadow areas. Moreover, the noise reduction
process, be it in camera or using Developer Studio 2.0, tends
to give the photos a painting-like look which only becomes
unnoticeable when their size is reduced.
Test Photos
