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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 Gordon Laing, October 2006

Outdoor
/ Resolution / Noise / Noise 2 / Corner sharpness / Fringe & macro / Geometry / Vignetting

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Click here for the FZ50 video tour



Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ50 wide-angle geometry comparison

Panasonic FZ50 wide angle geometry test  

To measure and compare the Panasonic Lumix FZ50's geometric distortion we photographed a test chart consisting of a grid pattern, using it and a number of rival models.

Here are the results for each camera with their built-in lenses at their widest focal length; where possible, the aperture was closed.

The images were analysed with Imatest using 5th Order line calculation and the full areas presented here at a reduced resolution.

7.4-88.8mm at 7.4mm f8
Distortion: 2.56% barrel

 
The image above was taken with the Panasonic Lumix FZ50 zoomed-out to 7.4mm. Barrel distortion was measured at 2.56% which is roughly equivalent to the Fujifilm S9500 / S9000 and below that of the Canon DSLR kit lens. It's also interesting to note the Lumix TZ1's low distortion result despite its 10x optical range.

Canon 400D / XTi 18-55mm
Fujfifilm FinePix S9500 / S9000 Zoom
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1
Canon 400D with 18-55mm wide angle geometry test
Fujfifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom wide angle geometry test
Panasonic TZ1 wide-angle geometry test
18-55mm EF-S at 18mm f8
Distortion: 3.35% barrel
  6.2-66.7mm at 6.2mm f8
Distortion: 2.38% barrel
  5.2-52mm at 5mm
Distortion: 0.98% barrel


Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ50 telephoto geometry comparison

Panasonic FZ50 telephoto geometry test  

To measure and compare the Panasonic Lumix FZ50's geometric distortion we photographed a test chart consisting of a grid pattern, using it and a number of rival models.

Here are the results for each camera with their built-in lenses at their longest focal length; where possible, the aperture was closed.

The images were analysed with Imatest using 5th Order line calculation and the full areas presented here at a reduced resolution.

7.4-88.8mm at 88.8mm f8
Distortion: 0.34% barrel
 
The image above was taken with the Panasonic Lumix FZ50 zoomed-in to 88.8mm. Interestingly while most lenses suffer from pincushion distortion when zoomed-in, the FZ50 (and the FZ30 before it) exhibits slight barrelling. The extent of this is roughly equivalent to the pincushion distortion of the Canon DSLR's kit lens, although more pronounced than that of the Fujifilm S9500 / S9000.

Canon 400D / XTi 18-55mm
Fujfifilm FinePix S9500 / S9000 Zoom
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1
Canon 400D with 18-55mm telephoto geometry test
Fujfifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom telephoto geometry test
Panasonic TZ1 telephoto geometry test
18-55mm EF-S at 55mm f8
Distortion: 0.389% pincushion
  6.2-66.7mm at 66.7mm f8
Distortion: 0.237% pincushion
  5.2-52mm at 52mm
Distortion: 0.12% pincushion

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 results continued...

Outdoor / Resolution / Noise / Noise 2 / Corner sharpness / Fringe & macro / Geometry / Vignetting


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