Quality & Size Options

The G2 offers a healthy range of options for picture quality and size. There are four aspect ratio options, each with three resolution settings. There are two compression settings for JPEG images: fine and standard. You can also shoot in RAW, either independently or with an attached fine/standard JPEG image.

Dynamic Range (6.32)

The Panasonic G2 turned in slightly above average dynamic range results for a Micro Four Thirds camera. Historically, the competition from Olympus has not done well in this test, so those low scores were no surprise. We were pleased to find that the G2 boasted an improvement over the GF1, though it did not do nearly as well as the considerably more expensive GH1. The good news is that dynamic range wasn’t severely limited until we reached ISO 800, which means that you should get sufficient detail in both shadows and highlights if you shoot at the lower ISOs. More on how we test dynamic range.

The following chart compares the dynamic range results for each of our comparison cameras at ISO 200. As you can see, the Sony NEX-5 proves the winner here, with an impressive range. The G2, however, is not far behind. (Nor, incidentally, is the G2 far behind the Canon T2i or Nikon D5000.)

Image Stabilization (0.95)

Image stabilization on the Panasonic G2 was very poor, boasting only minor improvements at a couple of shutter speeds and having a negative impact on sharpness under most conditions. Both the GF1 and the GH1 turned in superior performance in this test—as did every other Micro Four Thirds camera we’ve tested. More on how we test image stabilization.

The G2, like the other Panasonic Micro Four Thirds cameras before it, uses lens-based stabilization. The 14–42mm kit lens we used offers OIS, but there are other lenses in the G-series that do not. If you do opt to use a lens with a built-in stabilizer, you can choose from three image stabilization modes. Mode 1 employs the stabilization system at all times when the camera in in Record mode. Mode 2 only uses the system when the shutter button is pressed. Mode 3 only impacts up and down movements—allowing you to to enact a smooth horizontal pan without the stabilization system trying to interfere. While shooting video, Mode 1 is the only option available.

Our high shake test gave the camera considerable problems: sharpness was worse with the stabilization system turned on no matter which stabilization mode we used. Of course, we don’t expect most people to shoot photos under ‘high shake’ situations, so this only constitutes a small part of our final stabilization score.

Image Stabilization Comparison Table			Expand
	Low Shake IS Off	Low Shake IS On	High Shake IS Off	High Shake IS On
1/500
1/250
1/125
1/60
1/30
1/15
1/8

During the low shake test, the G2 fared better, with the stabilization improving sharpness at 1/60, 1/30, and 1/15 shutter speeds. This is exactly the performance we’ve come to expect from most DSLR stabilization systems. Unfortunately, the improvement at these thre shutter speeds was minor compared to most cameras. The Olympus E-P1, in particular, showed phenomenal improvement at lower shutter speeds. In that case, it seems that in-camera stabilization is more effective than lens-based systems.