GH13: Who's says what ZERO processing actually is?

M

mikecazzx

Well-known member
I am question the posts that suggested -1 or even -2 for all the film mode settings on the camera. Is there word from Panasonic that -2 means no processing is occurring? I would "guess" the ZERO means ZERO and that -2 is processing the image to the negative side as much as +2 would to the positive side.

Any opinions or tests to prove this one way or the other?
 
If it works like other panny cameras, -2 might mean zero or it might simply mean, minimal. The actual "0" definitely doesn't mean no "processing." For instance, on the HPX, -7 on sharpening meant no electronic sharpening (or very little) "0" was the middle road.
 
You can't have negative Sharpness or negative Noise Reduction. Well, you COULD, but that would mean the camera is adding blur and adding noise when set below zero, which would be silly. This is just simple logic given the definitions of Sharpness and Noise Reduction in terms of cameras. However, we don't know for certain if "-2" means "none" or "very little" as Woodcarver says. My guess is that "-2" means "very little", because the "Color" setting is just slightly less saturated at "-2" and not anywhere near monochrome. Also, "-2" Sharpness doesn't look nearly as soft as video cameras I've shot with Detail turned off.
 
The only type of image the camera produces with zero processing is the RAW stills image, which is not affected by the color balance or Film Mode settings. All other types, JPEG, MJPEG, and AVCHD, must be converted from the 12-bit RGBG Bayer Filter output into 8-bit RGB pixels. This process involves averaging the 12-bit RAW data from the sensor, weighted by image resolution, color balance and Film Mode settings.

The final step of this process uses a sharpening filter to restore image details that would otherwise be suppressed by the mathematical pixel averaging. Exactly how much sharpening should be applied is a matter of both engineering judgment and personal taste. The "0" Sharpness setting is what Panasonic believes most purchasers of the camera will prefer. The other settings allow you to adjust it to your own preference.

The 8-bit RGB image is then compressed using the JPEG, MJPEG, or AVCHD encoders. While compression does not alter the color balance or film mode, the reduction in color precision can have a noticeable effect on both the sharpness and color tones of the image.
 
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