rcarol

I recently purchased a Panasonic Lumix G9. It came with firmware version 2.5. The G9 is capable of producing high resolution 80 MPixel images using pixel shift technology. It does this by taking 8 successive images while shifting the sensor some minute amount between each exposure. The images are then combined and processed in-camera to produce an image that is higher in resolution than any single image. Pixel shift technology works well if the subject is perfectly still and the camera is mounted on a tripod. Olympus introduced a feature that allowed users to take high resolution images hand-held but at a lower 50 MPixel resolution. However, any movement of the subject during exposure was still an issue. Panasonic solved this problem when they introduced their latest firmware revision. The revision introduced “Mode 2” which minimized subject movement during the 8 exposures. So, subject movement during the 8 exposures was no longer an issue. However, Panasonic still had not introduced high resolution hand-held. However, I decided to try handholding the G9 while making a high-resolution image and to my surprise, the resulting image was tack sharp. I surmised that the only reason I was getting a sharp image was that I was using a lens that had built-in image stabilization. However, I decided to push the limits by mounting a sharp but unstabilized lens. The results were equally impressive. If you own a G9, I encourage you to try the high-resolution setting hand held rather than with a tripod. Just be sure you have the latest firmware installed and you have selected “Mode 2” in the high-resolution settings. I think you will be as impressed as I was with the 80 MPixel images.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I still lust after a G9 and maybe will never get it because I have too many cameras already.

I've always thought that the only reason for high MPixel numbers might be for landscape photography where the goal is a massive wall hanging print. Landscape subjects don't move and, since they don't, there is plenty of time to get out a tripod.

Why else would I want an 80 MPixel image file?

User ID

Thanks for the heads up. Mine is at v1.1 and I occasionally use the hi rez mode. (No urgency cuz I get 50MP EZPZ in one normal shot from another camera.) Now Im aware how dated my FW has become.

BTW, Pentax has the ultimate solution. It uses hand tremor as its "shift engine" so it does NOT need to step-shift the sensor within the camera. IOW, its FW turns the problem into the solution.

Dont know about OM being limited (!?!) to 50MP. My Pen-F does 80. Maybe 50 is from their 16MP sensors ? A Pen-F uses their 20MP sensor.

rcarol

OLy's hand held high res mode is limited to 50 MP. Tripod mounted, the Oly will produce an 80 MP image.

rcarol

An image with a higher pixel count allows for flexibility when cropping.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

So instead of a longer lens, you shoot 80 MP so that you can keep 20? That's a technique I'd not thought of. A few days ago I tried cropping a 20 MP image and "rebuilt" it with Topaz Gigapixel to make some new pixels. It worked better than I expected.

User ID

AFAIK, hand held hi rez begins with the markIII of the EM-1. My newest OM is a markII. Im unaware of any FW fix for it. Acoarst, Id love to hear that Im wrong !

rcarol

You're not wrong. Hand held high res begins with the Oly EM-1 MK III.

User ID

I got my first 50MP camera from a birder. He used it for that very reason. He could crop to avoid getting an 800mm lens.

rcarol

I somewhat disagree with your statement that landscape subjects don't move. Wind will cause grass, weeds, flowers and trees to move during the sequence of exposures. If water is included in the image, it will certainly be moving if it's a stream or river. Clouds can also move during the exposure but cloud movement most likely wouldn't be as noticeable as some of the others that I mentioned.

User ID

Such movement should be welcomed. Why should a landscape be lifeless ? Watch a few multi hour "scenic" time lapse videos. Almost everything is in motion ... whether its obvious or not.

rcarol

I agree. My comment was meant to suggest that in many cases landscapes do move. And I think movement could be a good thing.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

You are right.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The G9 firmware update probably copies the firmware strategy and tactics used in the Lumix GH6. That camera has the same feature, for 100 megapixel HAND-HELD stills. Micro 4/3 is a great format for pixel shift technology, because of the small sensor size, relatively fast readout, and 7-stop image stabilization.

It doesn't exactly give you the same resolution as a medium format Fujifilm GFX-100 (also 100 MP and capable of use with moving subjects without limitations), but it doesn't cost ten grand, either!

I'm still holding out for a GH model with phase detect hybrid autofocus. Panasonic just put it in the new full frame Lumix S5 Mark II. It does a great job, far more reliable than contrast detect AF alone.