Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Color & Noise Performance

The Panasonic G2 registered a color error of 4.3 in our video testing and a saturation level of 90.1%. These numbers were obtained using the camera's standard color mode, but all of the G2's alternate color settings are also available in video mode. This color performance is good, but we've definitely seen much better color accuracy from high-end consumer camcorders as well as a number of other video-capable DSLRs. Click here to read our full color performance review, including color swatches and crops.

Color Accuracy Performance
Color Test Chart (above), Color Error Map (right)
The Panasonic G2 produced a color error of 4.3 and a saturation level of 90.1% in our bright light color testing. (The map on the right is a diagram of the color error. The length and direction of each line indicates how the camcorder processed each particular color.)

The G2 did extremely well in our bright light noise test, with the camera averaging just under 0.2% noise (0.195%). While most video-capable DSLRs do a good job in this test, the G2's numbers were the best of the cameras we compared it to. Click here to read our full noise performance review, including crops and comparative analysis.
 

Motion & Sharpness

The Panasonic G2 captured motion reasonably well in our testing, but we ran into some problems when we imported certain clips onto a computer. The AVCHD Lite compression system has some compatibility problems that caused clips shot in that mode to play back at double speed. Click here to read our full motion performance review, including video clips.

The highest resolution for recording video on the G2 is 1280 x 720, which means the camera is incapable of capturing Full HD video (1920 x 1080 resolution). Still, the camera put up decent numbers in this test that stood up well to the other 720p models we compared it to. Click here to read our full sharpness performance review.

Low Light Performance

Low light sensitivity was a problem for the Panasonic G2, as the camera required 24 lux of light to hit 50 IRE on our waveform monitor. While this is not a very good score, it is similar to the light levels required by the other cameras we compared with the G2. Click here to read our full low light sensitivity performance review.

Required Illumination *

* the lower the lux required, the better the performance

While the G2 did produce a saturated, pleasing image in low light, it's colors were not very accurate according to our image software. The camera measured a color error of 6.71, which is much higher than the camera's color error in our bright light test. Click here to read our full low light color performance review, including comparative images and analysis.

Auto Low Light Color Performance
Color Test Chart (above), Color Error Map (right)
The Panasonic G2 produced a color error of 6.71 and a saturation level of 102.5% in our low light color testing. (The map on the right is a diagram of the color error. The length and direction of each line indicates how the camcorder processed each particular color.)

The G2 did a good job in our low light noise test, which is usually an area where video-capable DSLRs do quite well. The camera averaged 0.7525% noise in this test. Click here to read our full low light noise performance review, including crops and comparative images.

Conclusion

While the Panasonic G2's video mode is easy to use, it doesn't have that many manual controls or features. Instead of offering full aperture control, the camera implements a strange 'peripheral defocus' option that is a simplified form of depth of field control. The camera also lacks manual ISO and shutter speed control in video mode, which leaves white balance and exposure as the only other manual options in video mode (along with color adjustment settings). One big advantage of the G2 is the camera's rotatable LCD, which is just as good as the LCDs you usually find on consumer camcorders. The flexibility of this screen is hugely beneficial when shooting video because it means you don't have to contort your body when shooting at high or low angles (something a stationary LCD forces you to do). In terms of performance, the G2 didn't show us anything we haven't seen before from a video-capable DSLR. The camera is essentially the Panasonic GF1 in a slightly different body, as the two models have similar features, the same compression options, and put up nearly identical numbers in our testing. Since the G2 tops out with a 1280 x 720 recording resolution, you're likely going to get superior video quality with a high-end or mid-range HD camcorder—or with one of the more expensive video-capable DSLRs on the market that can capture Full HD. Our point is, don't go purchase the G2 if you're planning on doing professional videography with the camera. It's movie mode is limited and there are far better options out there for capturing high-quality video images. If you just want a simple video mode to play around with on your camera, however, the G2 fits that bill rather well.

Exclusive - Read the full review of the Panasonic G2 at DigitalCameraInfo.com, including complete, comprehensive video testing and analysis by CamcorderInfo.com.