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Introduction
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01.Product Tour
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02.Color
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03.Noise
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04.Resolution
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05.Video
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06.Sample Photos
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07.Playback
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08.Hardware
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09.Controls
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10.Design & Handling
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11.Canon SD970 Comparison
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12.Samsung HZ15W Comparison
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13.Sony T900 Comparison
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14.Conclusion
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15.Photo Gallery
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16.Comments
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580
Previous: Page 2
ColorNext: Page 4
ResolutionNoise
It has manually controllable noise reduction, and generally decent image noise, though noise does get high above ISO 400.
Noise (9.03)
The amount of image noise was one of the few areas the FX580 scored reasonably well, keeping undesirable speckles down until ISO 800. The FX580 is unusual for a point-and-shoot in that it allows the user to change the level of noise reduction. For this test, we left it on the default, but check out our sample photo section for some comparisons of the processing effectiveness at different settings. More on how we test noise.
Interestingly, the image noise was consistently a little lower under low light than bright light. Compared to the other cameras, the FX580 performed well at ISOs 800 and below (with ISO 200 an especially strong point). At ISO 1600, the camera spikes massively, and the noise level jumps remarkably quickly.
The table below shows examples of the noise levels, under both bright and low light, at four ISOs.
| Noise Comparisons | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 80 | ISO 400 | ISO 800 | ISO 1600 | |
| 60 Lux |  |
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| 3000 Lux |  |
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Compared to the other cameras, the image noise on the Panasonic was pretty low. It did have trouble at high ISOs, but in a more typical shooting range, it performed admirably.
ISO (8.00)
The ISO range on the camera is 80-1600. In High Sensitivity scene mode, the ISO can get up to ISO 6400 (at 3 megapixel resolution or below), but in this mode, you have no control over the sensitivity and it automatically sets between ISO 1600 and 6400 . As mentioned above, it does have the rare ability to alter the level of noise reduction, which is a nice addition.
Looking at the images below, you’ll see that the Panasonic’s photos have an odd blue tint to them. This was due to the automatic white balance system having trouble dealing with the LED lighting array on our still life.
| ISO Comparisons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Samsung HZ15W | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 |
| ISO Low | |||
|
ISO 80
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ISO 80
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ISO 80
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ISO 80
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| Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Samsung HZ15W | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 |
| ISO 200 | |||
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| Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Samsung HZ15W | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 |
| ISO 400 | |||
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| Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Samsung HZ15W | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 |
| ISO 800 | |||
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| Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Samsung HZ15W | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 |
| ISO 1600 | |||
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| Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Samsung HZ15W | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 |
| ISO 3200 | |||
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| Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Samsung HZ15W | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 |
NOTE: The images above are not used in our testing or scoring, but are included here to show real-world examples of the differences between cameras at the various ISO settings.
Shop for the Panasonic DMC-FX580
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