Image parameters

Just like the DMC-L10 the DMC-G1 features a total of six pre-programmed color and three black and white modes ('Film mode' on the camera menu and the hard button on the top of the camera). These modes define the baseline color mapping, tonal appearance and sharpening of the image (for examples see Color in our Photographic tests). In addition you can also adjust contrast, saturation, sharpness and noise reduction, there are five steps of adjustment for each parameter (seven would have been ideal). There are also two customizable 'my film' modes as well as a 'multi film' bracketing mode. As with most advanced cameras / DSLRs the color space selection option is buried away on the fourth page on the record menu. As the examples below show, the differences between most modes are subtle, to say the least.

Image parameter adjustments

  • Color modes: Standard, Dynamic, Nature, Smooth, Nostalgic, Vibrant
  • B&W modes: Standard B&W, Dynamic B&W, Smooth B&W
  • User modes: My Film 1, My Film 2
  • Bracketing mode: Multi film
  • Color space: sRGB, Adobe RGB
  • Image parameter adjustments
    • Contrast: -2 to +2
    • Saturation: -2 to +2
    • Sharpness: -2 to +2
    • Noise reduction: -2 to +2

Film Mode image parameter presets

Below are samples of our test scene taken in each of the Film Mode presets, we've also included a 100% crop from each image so you can see the sharpness level of each preset.

  Thumbnail 100% crop
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Contrast adjustment

Adjusting the tone alters the shape of the 'S curve' used to map the linear image data captured by the sensor into the correct gamma. A lower contrast setting maintains more of the original data's dynamic range but leads to a flatter looking image. A higher contrast setting stretches the grayscale (dark to light) of the image and could lead to clipping of both shadow detail and highlights. We were disappointed to see that going between the two extremes of this setting (-2 to +2) has only a subtle effect on the image. From a creative point of view it would have been nice to see more adjustment steps (-3 to +3) producing a wider latitude of change.

  Thumbnail Luminosity histogram
-2
0
+2