Panasonic Lumix G80 (G85): Review

The camera has a 4/3" Live MOS sensor with 16MPx resolution. We tested it with various ISO values in order to show noise levels. RAW samples were converted using Camera Raw with the noise reduction turned off. In order to open these files, a small RAW hack has to be used.

 

 JPEG sample

 

In the images above, the noise reduction was set to -5 in the camera (we will examine this setting later). As you can see, the noise is extremely low up to ISO 800. ISO 1600 shows a small degradation of details and colours, but the result is still impressive for a 4/3" sensor. ISO 3200 is still relatively usable. Higher ISO speeds show a large degradation of details and colours.

 

 

The same is visible in RAW images. Until ISO 800, the image quality is very good. You can relatively safely use ISO 1600 and if it is needed, even ISO 3200 can provide an acceptable image quality. On the other hand, I would not recommend to use ISO 6400 and higher.

 

 

We will present a few more tests showing the detail levels, colour noise reduction and others. Here, you can see the detail levels. When ISO 800 is reached, fine details start to be a little bit blurred but even ISO 1600 is still OK. ISO 3200 sensitivity brings several artifacts but it is usable. Using the RAW files, you can utilize a better noise reduction if a good photo editor software is used.

 

 JPEG (on the left) / RAW (on the right)

 

Colour noise is totally suppressed even when ISO 25600 is used. In the RAW files, colour noise starts to be more visible at ISO 1600.

 

 JPEG (on the left) / RAW (on the right)

 

Here, 1:1 crops from night images are presented. Quite good results are achieved up to ISO 800. ISO 1600 is not too bad either and, again, ISO 3200 is also acceptable.

 

 ISO 200 (noise reduction -5 / +0 / +5 from the top), click to enlarge

 

Noise reduction can be set from -5 to +5. As you can see, the best option is clearly the lowest reduction possible (-5). The image is sharp, has very good details and a minimal smudging. Even the basic setting (+0) is quite strong and I would not recommend it. The maximal setting is quite bad, the smudging is very strong; it seems that the image was taken with a smartphone and not a camera that costs $1000.

 

 ISO 1600 (noise reduction -5 / +0 / +5 from the top), click to enlarge

 

It is more visible when ISO 1600 was used. Whereas -5 setting is a little bit noisy but still contains quite good details, even the standard setting (+0) is heavily smudged in some areas. The maximal setting (+5) is better not to comment.