Lumix GX1 vs Pentax K10 vs Lumix ZS7

This is a simple DIY test of 3 very different cameras, which I did to get a rough idea on how practically noticeable are differences between camera generations and sensor types/sizes.

Cameras

Test

Test was done from "point-and-shooter" perspective, so both Lumix cameras where set to "iAuto" mode and Pentax K10D was in aperture priority mode, with all other settings set to auto. Lumix GX1 and Pentax K10D where shooting RAW and Lumix ZS7 - JPG (can't shoot RAW). Files were imported in Lightroom 4 with default settings, and then exported into JPEG. No additional processing in Lightroom was done, except white balance correction in Low ISO test only. I made 4 different shots with every camera. Shots were made at the same time, from the same position:

• 1. Outdoors / Perfect light. Perfect morning light coming from behind and slightly to the right of the camera.

  2. Outdoors / High contrast. Sunny morning with sun quite high, shot in the direction of bright sky. There is some deep shade area and super bright sky area

  3. Outdoors / Rainy day. Dim blend outside light, typical rainy day in Seattle.

  4. Indoors / High ISO. Super low light indoors, shot without flash.

I. Outdoors / Perfect light.

Perfect morning light coming from behind and slightly to the right of the camera. Picture light is well balanced.

II. Outdoors / High contrast.

III. Outdoors / Rainy Day.

Raining. Dim blend outside light, typical rainy day in Seattle.

IV. Indoors / Low Light / High ISO.

Conclusions

1. Last generation sensors made great progress in low ISO performance, noise and resolution.

   1. GX1 has noticeable better resolution than K10D, and low ISO performance is amazing.

   2. Physical sensor size still matters.

   3. Lumix ZS1 is clearly the worst performer with less resolution and color degradation in all tests, while technically having higher resolution than Pentax K10D. Lumix GX1, while having best resolution in all tests shows a bit less color depth and saturation than Pentax K10D.

   4. Relative results from shooting in auto modes happened to be consistent with lab sensor results from DXOMark.

   5. Latest generation "advanced enthusiast" compacts with roughly 1/2 of APS-C sensor size are comparable and sometimes better than previous generations enthusiast DSLRs with APS-C sensor. For sensor sizes see wikipedia.