Tuesday February 3
17:27
G1 Review: RAW Magnification
With the D60 I’m used to being able to shoot RAW and still get a decent preview image in the LCD. With the G1 though, that’s not the case.
Shoot in RAW only, and anything past 4x magnification appears blocky, like this:
The only way to get clear magnification when shooting raw is to shoot with RAW+JPEG. The image will then stay clear upto 16x playback magnification:
The reason for the difference is this: When playing back a RAW+JPEG image, the G1 uses the JPEG image for preview. When playing back a RAW image, the G1 uses the embedded JPEG image which is in the RAW file. Unlike the D60, the G1 stores only a 2.7 megapixel JPEG in the RAW file, not a full resolution images.
This is something I hope that Panasonic fix, though I doubt they will. I don’t like having to delete all the JPEG images after uploading to Lightroom – it introduces risk that I’ll accidentally delete the wrong thing.
This isn’t exactly something unique to the G1, but it’s something I think Panasonic should fix.
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Review
1. Introduction
2. EVF, LCD, and Focus
3. RAW Magnification
4. RAW vs JPEG
5. High ISO
6. Kit lens – Barrel Distortion
7. Kit lens – Purple Fringing
8. Miscellaneous Observations
9. Conclusion
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 – Main Page
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It’s the same with my e510, as was with my previous e300. I think that’s because on the RAW, alogn with the metadata, there’s a “tiny” 1600×1200 thumbnail of the image, which is used to review the RAWs on playback mode, that way you don’t get more information beyond a 4-5x zoom. How are you liking the G1? I’m about to go on a trip to Japan and I want to get a second body, but it has cross my mind to get the double zoom G1 kit…
Hi Provi. You’re right. As I said in my review, the G1 doesn’t store a full resolution image in the RAW file. So unless you shoot RAW+JPEG, you wont see detail beyond 4x zoom.
G1 is nice. It doesn’t have quite as good high ISO or dynamic range as my Nikon’s but the flexibility of the screen is great for tripod work, and it’s small to carry about.
If you buy the G1 in Japan, there will be no English language on the camera. Panasonic specifically disable the language menu for newer cameras sold in Japan.
Also, it’s worth checking that all your current lenses work with the G1. Unless your current lenses work, you wont be able to be used as a backup body, just as a second camera.
Give me a shout before you come to Japan and I’ll tell you where the cheapest reliable places are.