Lossless telephoto function in the GH5

4 years 6 months ago #659032 by Chester Foster
I've heard about turning this on in the GH5 and would like to know what exactly is it doing?  I get that it adds reach with no loss in quality.  But is this an additional crop or digital zoom of some sort.  How is this even possible? 


,
4 years 6 months ago #659043 by Ozzie_Traveller
G'day Chester

Panny - like many other camera makers - offers a digital zoom arrangement internally that works with the JPG algorithm to produce a very fine image somewhat larger than before. They call it 'Ezy-zoom' and it magnifies the optical image by a factor of 1,4x

I have used it on many occasions and -yes- it does produce images that are more than acceptable for all but the most discerning viewers ~ but then we get into the arguments of best image quality via prime lenses vs zoom lenses vs in-computer cropping vs all the other bitz 'n pieces

For my money - in camera digital zoom before the JPG algorithm gets to the image will / does produce a slightly better result than in-computer cropping of an image after it has been saved to disk.

RAW users will tell you that via their use of RAW there is no image degradation anyway - but this Ezy-zoom & similar stuff is for JPG users ... ie: the vast majority of digital camera users

Hope this helps
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

,
4 years 6 months ago #659046 by Piechura
If it's anything like the GH2, which I still use, then it's a video function, not a photo one (called ex-teleconverter). As I understand it, because video doesn't need to use the whole sensor, what cameras usually do is convert the data that the sensor captures into a smaller file by deleting some of what is captured. What this feature does is only use enough of the sensor to make up the file size needed, so it deletes the data by cropping rather than deleting lines. Hence why you can digitally zoom more in 1080p (2.7x) than you can with 4K (1.4x).

What I can tell you is that on the GH2, and it's unlikely to have got worse on newer models, it definitely does work without any noticeable difference in quality. But as I said, it's only a video feature.


,
4 years 6 months ago #659172 by Ozzie_Traveller
G'day Chester

Our colleague Piechura is pretty close to the mark above ... the Ezy-Zoom feature I have used for the last 10 yrs or so has been 'updated' into the "4K photo" system. My earlier G2 body along with other Panny cameras all had the Ezy-Zoom when you chose to downsize pixel recording from "L" to "M" or "S" - with "M" giving you a 1,4x digital zoom and "S" giving a 2x digital zoom

Now with the 4K / 6K video plus 4K single / multi photo image shooting regime, [as Piechura also says] via the usage of a reduced pixel area, the apparent image size is increased, therefore appearing to be a longer zoom at the same time.

Hope this helps
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

,
4 years 6 months ago #659195 by Roger Lang
A buddy has a GH5, amazing that camera is 2 years old and still kicking hard in 2019. 


Photo Comments
,
4 years 5 months ago #660698 by Chester Foster
Cheers peeps, all good.  Your help was appreciated and I'm up to snuff now.  


,

817.3K

241K

  • Facebook

    817,251 / Likes

  • Twitter

    241,000 / Followers

  • Google+

    1,620,816 / Followers

Latest Reviews

The Leica SL2-S is an attractive, premium mirrorless camera with photo and video specs that are sure to impress. And with the legendary Leica name, you know this camera exudes quality!

Mar 26, 2024

The Sigma fp L is a compact full-frame camera with a 61-megapixel sensor, 4K video capabilities, in-body image stabilization, and weather-sealed construction. What’s not to like?!

Mar 19, 2024

The Canon 1DX Mark III is a big, burly professional camera packed with top-end features. Is it worth the investment in 2024? Find out in this detailed review!

Mar 04, 2024

In the OM-1 vs OM-5 debate, which camera comes out on top? Though they’re different cameras for different purposes, comparing them head to head clarifies which is best for your needs.

Mar 01, 2024

Forum Top Posters

Latest Articles

Time management is a critical skill to master when you’re a photographer. But how do you get the most out of the limited time you have? Check out this guide to learn a few tricks!

Mar 27, 2024

The Leica SL2-S is an attractive, premium mirrorless camera with photo and video specs that are sure to impress. And with the legendary Leica name, you know this camera exudes quality!

Mar 26, 2024

Opening a photography business means undertaking various photography marketing strategies to promote your work. But you don’t want to do the same old thing - try these unique ideas!

Mar 22, 2024

The Canon EOS 80D might be a few years old, but it’s nevertheless a quality camera to invest in as a beginner or enthusiast looking for a mid-range DSLR with tons of lens options.

Mar 22, 2024

Wedding consultations are a critical part of a wedding photography gig. It’s when you learn about the couple and their wants, and present them with how you will meet those desires.

Mar 22, 2024

If you're looking for the best metal print of 2023, you'll find it from Artbeat Studios. After months of testing, Artbeat Studios beat out the competition!

Mar 21, 2024

Getting the best video shots on your camera or smartphone requires you to understand the fundamentals of composition and video editing. It helps to have the appropriate gear, too!

Mar 20, 2024

It’s easy to lose your inspiration behind the lens, especially as a beginner. These creative photography projects can help inspire you to try new techniques and improve your photos.

Mar 20, 2024