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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 Gordon Laing, June 2007

More results : Outdoor / Resolution / Noise / Noise 2 / Corner sharpness / Fringe & macro / Distortion / Vignetting

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 wide-angle geometry comparison

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 wide-angle geometry  

To measure and compare the Panasonic Lumix FZ8's geometric distortion we photographed a test chart consisting of a grid pattern, using it and a number of rival super-zoom 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.

6-72mm at 6mm
Distortion: 2.52% barrel

 
The image above was taken with the Panasonic Lumix FZ8 zoomed-out to 6mm. Barrel distortion was measured at 2.52% which is measurably lower than the Olympus SP-550UZ and Sony H9. The real star here though is the TZ3 compact, which exhibits remarkably low geometric distortion when zoomed-out - even more impressive when you consider it's then working at an equivalent focal length of 28mm, compared to the FZ8's 36mm.

Panasonic Lumix TZ3
Olympus SP-550UZ
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9
Panasonic Lumix TZ3 wide-angle geometry
Olympus SP-550UZ wide angle geometry
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9 wide-angle geometry
4.6-46mm at 4.6mm
Distortion: 0.89% barrel
  4.7-84.2mm at 4.7mm
Distortion: 3.33% barrel
  5.2-78mm at 5.2mm
Distortion: 3.78% barrel


Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 telephoto geometry comparison

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 telephoto geometry  

To measure and compare the Panasonic Lumix FZ8's geometric distortion we photographed a test chart consisting of a grid pattern, using it and a number of rival super-zoom 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.

6-72mm at 72mm
Distortion: 0.02% barrel
 

The image above was taken with the Panasonic Lumix FZ8 zoomed-into 72mm. Barrel distortion was measured at 0.02% which may be in the opposite direction to the other three cameras here, but in terms of overall geometric distortion, is the lowest and best result. Panasonic's own TZ3 also does very well here, with both cameras delivering very low geometric distortion compared to their rivals.


Panasonic Lumix TZ3
Olympus SP-550UZ
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9
Panasonic Lumix TZ3 telephoto geometry
Olympus SP-550UZ telephoto geometry
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9 telephoto geometry
4.6-46mm at 46mm
Distortion: 0.40% pincushion
  4.7-84.2mm at 84.2mm
Distortion: 1.45% pincushion
  5.2-78mm at 78 mm
Distortion: 1.49% pincushion

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 results continued...

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


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