All image processors operate in four steps. Firstly, they receive data from the CCD sensor. Secondly, they create the Y-color difference signal (image processing). Thirdly, they perform JPEGcompression. Finally, they save the image data. Panasonic claims that its VENUS II processing engine performs all of these simultaneously.[citation needed]
Venus
This chip was based on UniPhier products. The image processing engine of the attached RAW image development software is made by Ichikawa Soft Laboratory and outputs images of a trend (SILKYPIX style) different from those developed by the Venus engine in the camera.
Venus – 2002
This chip was developed to achieve both high image quality and high-speed processing, Venus Engine Plus is based on this chip. Some of what it aims to achieve are:
Improvement in resolution in an oblique direction (usually 1.5 times of engine)
Concurrent processing by multitasking image processing
Venus II 2004
This chip was limited to the top range models, such as the DMC-FZ7. It was developed mainly aiming at high image quality. After this chip (excluding Venus Engine · Plus) the camera shake correction is hardware processed.
Enhanced camera shake correction (480 to 4,000 times per second)
Improvement in resolution in the vertical and horizontal directions (about 10%)
Improvement of color reproducibility (4 to 12 axis color correction)
2DNR strengthening (reduction of dark noise and beautiful skin treatment)
Magnification chromatic aberration correction
Free consecutive shooting
Production process: 130 nm
Maximum operating frequency: 50 MH
Venus Engine Plus – 2005
This chip was developed for mounting in an entry model. Reproducibility (meaning how well it is able to be reproduced)[clarification needed] was considered inferior to Venus Engine II, but it realizes power saving and high speed processing comparable to Venus Engine II.
Power saving, high speed processing, and cost reduction
Free consecutive shooting
Venus III – 2005
The Venus III engine used in the Lumix DMC-FZ8 and other cameras claims enhanced noise reduction at high ISO numbers and lower power consumption.[citation needed]
It is a chip realizing power saving based on the Venus Engine II, but they changed high sensitivity shooting. PANASONIC claims LUMIX was the most difficult to do, to hardware processing.
Energy saving, strengthening NR
High sensitivity shooting
High-speed continuous shooting mode compatible
Add some aberration correction
Production process: 65 nm
Maximum operating frequency: 100 MHz
Venus IV – 2008
Panasonic claims that the 2008 Venus Engine IV gives higher-quality images, and includes more accurate detection and better correction for its Optical Image Stabilizer and Intelligent ISO Control functions than earlier versions. It works at 10.1-megapixel resolution. Panasonic published a detailed comparison of Venus III and IV,[1] claiming better noise response by preserving detail, quick-response shutter release time-lag of around 0.008 second minimum and high power-efficiency for Venus IV.
Reviews of cameras that compare the Venus IV engine to Venus III suggest that the newer engine is better, but the issue of noise reduction techniques losing detail, though improved, remains.[citation needed]
Intelligent ISO sensitivity control is changed to hardware processing. By incorporating the ia(Intelligent Auto) function, the name is also set to Random ia.
Improvement of NR at high sensitivity shooting (separation process by filter)
Accuracy improvement of intelligent ISO sensitivity control
Available for AVCHD Lite movie shooting (compatible with MPEG 4 AVC / H.264, high sound quality of Dolby Digital)
HDMI output compatible
Highly accurate recognition possible (Advanced recognition processing including personal recognition is possible)
Increased speed of playback (Up to about four times the maximum when playing one image, up to about 8 times when playing 12 screens, up to about 17 times when playing back 32 screens)
Power saving (About 15% of Venus Engine IV)
High speed processing (about 2.4 times the Venus Engine IV ratio)
Venus V – 2009
As of February 2009 (based on all information available at official Panasonic Lumix Web pages), it appears that the LSI hardware chip-set that Panasonic Lumix refers to as the "Venus Engine V" is (substantially, if not actually) identical to the LSI hardware chip-set that Panasonic Lumix (also) refers to as the "Venus Engine HD" when describing their (released) DMC-G1, as well in all of the current Panasonic Lumix descriptions of the other (to be) released implementations of this image-processing LSI hardware chip-set.
It appears that the Panasonic Lumix marketing department has chosen to refer to this LSI hardware chip-set primarily using the phrase "Venus Engine HD" as a way to draw attention the capabilities of the included "Motion Picture" mode(s) of the upcoming camera models that will contain the LSI hardware chip-set. However, this choice of marketing phraseology does not (according to Panasonic Lumix's information as currently released) appear to indicate any identifiable difference in the LSI hardware chip-set that they have chosen to (also) identify as "Venus Engine V". This use of dual phraseology appears to have generated a degree of (understandable) confusion on the part of consumers and reviewers awaiting the release of several camera models in 2009 that will (in addition to the already released DMC-G1) feature this LSI hardware chip-set. If, in fact, there exists an identifiable difference(s) (on the level of the internal LSI hardware chip-set) between "Venus Engine HD" and "Venus Engine V", Panasonic Lumix has so far failed to identify it (or them).
Why the Panasonic Lumix marketing department (at the United Kingdom location, at least) has chosen to (in the lone case of the DMC-FX40) refer to the LSI hardware chip-set using the alternate descriptive phrase "Venus Engine V" is unclear, since the DMC-FX40 (as is the case with all the other upcoming models with the exception of the already released DMC-G1) is, indeed, advertised as featuring a "Motion Picture" mode that (it appears) will be a very similar implementation to that of all the other upcoming models to be released that will also include this LSI hardware chip-set. Perhaps the reasoning for this is that the Panasonic Lumix marketing department (at the United Kingdom location, at least) is (in part) describing the DMC-FX40 as a "digital still camera".
It is a chip whose cost reduction of Venus engine HD is planned. For that reason, it is enhanced from Venus Engine IV in terms of specifications. 2 CPU configuration, cost reduction, high-speed playback speed, high-precision recognition, power saving, high-speed processing
Venus VI, Venus Engine HD II – 2010
According to Panasonic, Venus VI adds “Intelligent Resolution”, efficient Face Recognition and an advanced noise reduction system which applies noise reduction (NR) to luminance noise and chromatic noise separately. This engine is used in DMC-ZS5 and ZS10.
There are many things in common, but in each case some functions have been added as a minor change from the previous chip.
HDMI output compatible
Available for AVCHD Lite movie shooting (Venus Engine HD II only)
Equipped with super resolution technology (such as NR at high sensitivity shooting)
Power saving
High speed processing
Accuracy improvement of new camera shake correction (POWER OIS)
Venus HD II – 2010
According to Panasonic, Venus HD II adds “Intelligent Resolution”, AVCHD Lite at a higher processing speed that utilizes twin CPUs and an advanced noise reduction system that applies noise reduction (NR) to luminance noise and chromatic noise separately. The only difference between Venus HD II and Venus VI are the AVCHD Lite improvements. This engine is used in second-generation Panasonic m43 cameras, the DMC-G2/DMC-G10 and DMC-ZS7/DMC-TZ10.
Venus FHD – 2010
This engine is used in third-generation Panasonic m43 MILC's cameras, including the DMC-G3, GF2, GF3, GX1 and the GH-2.
Based on the Venus Engine HD II, this chip was developed with the aim of strengthening the movie shooting function and achieving high-speed processing.
3 CPU configuration
Accuracy improvement of ISO sensitivity (High sensitivity shooting equivalent to ISO 10000 is possible)
3D image shooting support (mirrorless model only, optional 3D lens required)
Improvement of image processing capability by new and super resolution technology
Added intelligent D range control
HDMI output compatible
Available for AVCHD movie shooting (1080 / 30p movie shooting possible)
High speed processing
Highly accurate recognition possible (Advanced recognition processing including personal recognition is possible)
Venus VII FHD 2011
This engine is used in fourth-generation Panasonic m43 MILC's cameras, including the DMC-G5, G6, GF7, GX7, GM1, GM5 and the GH-3.
As a minor change of the previous year's chip, added several functions.
Accuracy improvement of iA (Intelligent Auto Plus installed)
Built-in creative control
Cost reduction, high speed processing
New Venus Engine – 2012
No numbering will be attached after this generation. First adopted in G 5 of Lumix G series.
Improvement of calculation processing
Enhanced ISO sensitivity installed
HDR photography compatible
AVCHD Progressive movie shooting (1080 / 60p movie shooting possible)
New Venus Engine – 2013
Suppressing large size noise that was difficult to deal with conventional chips, achieving grain-free image quality. First adopted by G6 of Lumix G series. It is mainly mounted on 4K incompatible models.
Improvement of calculation processing
Accompanied with extended ISO 25600 by improving accuracy of extended ISO sensitivity
Focus peaking function supported
New Venus Engine – 2014
Venus Engine IX is a quad-core processor first introduced in Panasonic's fifth-generation m43 MILC, the GH4, and later used in the FZ1000, LX100 and DMC-G7. In the GH4 the IX processor allows 4K video, 12 fps continuous shooting and 1080p shooting at bit rates as high as 200Mbit/s.[3]
Space recognition technology (DFD * technology) installed
On May 18, 2015 Panasonic introduced the G7, which shoots 4K Ultra HD (3840*2160, 24/25/30p) and uses the Venus IX ISP.[4]
New Venus Engine – 2022
A new Venus Engine image processor is featured on the Lumix GH6, which allows shooting at 14 frames per second with autofocus locked. Panasonic claims the latest Venus Engine is nearly twice as powerful as previous generations.[5][6]
Lumix is Panasonic's brand of digital cameras, ranging from pocket point-and-shoot models to digital SLRs.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 is a superzoom bridge digital camera by Panasonic.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 is a 7 megapixel superzoom bridge digital camera made by Panasonic. As with most Panasonic Lumix cameras, it uses a Venus Engine, in this case, the Venus Engine III. It supports the Raw image format and has the same sensor size and zoom level as its predecessor, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 is a superzoom bridge digital camera, replacing the similar Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18. It was announced in 2008 and released for sale in the United Kingdom in August of that year. Like the FZ18 it has a Leica lens with an 18x optical zoom ratio. It has a slightly larger sensor than the FZ18, a 10.1-megapixel image resolution, and the newer Venus IV image processing engine.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the Olympus and Panasonic developed Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) system design standard. Panasonic classified the GH1 as a hybrid stills/video camera and the GH1 was introduced and marketed as a higher end camera than Panasonic's first MFT camera, the stills only, non-video capable Lumix DMC-G1.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3, or LX3, is a high-end compact "point and shoot" camera launched by Panasonic in late 2008 to succeed the Lumix LX2.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10 is a compact "Travel Zoom" digital camera released in 2010. It is equipped with a 12x zoom lens, a GPS receiver for geotagging, has 12 Megapixels, and can film at up to 720p resolution at 30 frames per second in MJPEG and AVCHD formats. The camera can be connected to a USB port for file transfer and weighs 218 grams.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5, or LX5, is a high-end compact "point and shoot" camera launched by Panasonic in 2010 to succeed the LX3.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 is a digital camera with HD video recording capability that is part of the Micro Four Thirds system. Though commonly referred to as a DSLR camera, it has no mirror or optical viewfinder, but has instead both a fold-out LCD screen and a electronic viewfinder.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the joint Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) system design standard. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 is the eighth Panasonic MFT camera introduced under the standard and the thirteenth model MFT camera introduced by either Olympus or Panasonic, as of the G3 product announcement date.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) manufactured by Panasonic. It is the successor to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 and was announced in September 2012 at photokina. It was available from November 2012.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that adheres to the joint Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds System design standard. It is identified as the twelfth Panasonic MFT camera introduced under the standard and the nineteenth model MFT camera introduced by either Olympus or Panasonic.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7, or LX7, is a high-end compact "point and shoot" camera launched by Panasonic in 2012 to succeed the LX5.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 announced in August 2013, is a Micro Four Thirds compact mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. It was Panasonic's first Micro Four Thirds camera with a built-in in-body stabilization system (IBIS) and has a built-in EVF. Panasonic uses 2-axis in-body stabilization allowing the use of shutter speeds 1 to 2 stops slower than without stabilization, compared to the 4 to 5 stops of improvement offered by Olympus' 5-axis stabilization.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 is a Micro Four Thirds system camera made by Panasonic Lumix. The model was announced in April 2013. The highest-resolution pictures it can record is 16.05 megapixels and the sensor is a Live MOS The camera is not a direct replacement of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5, but set in between the G5 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 is a Micro Four Thirds System digital still and video camera originally released in May 2014. At the time of its release, the GH4 was notable for being the world's first Mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera with 4K Video recording capability.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 is a digital superzoom bridge camera by Panasonic. It went on sale in June 2014. It has a 20 megapixel 3:2 BSI-CMOS sensor and Leica-branded 25–400 mm equivalent focal length lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 to f/4. It has a 1-inch CMOS sensor and supports ISO film speeds from 80 to 25600, shutter speeds from 1/16000 s to 60 s and RAW capture, while the lowest physical shutter speed is 1/4000 s. The unit is equipped with five "Fn" function buttons which can be allocated to custom shortcuts.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 is an entry-level mirrorless camera announced on May 18, 2015, by Panasonic. The camera features a 16 MP Live MOS Sensor in combination with a Venus Engine 9 Image Processor. The camera can shoot continuously at up to 8 fps, shooting with AF and ISO 25,600. The Panasonic G7 also supports 4K video recording at 30 or 24 fps, and has built-In Wi-Fi connectivity.
The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S is a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless interchangeable lens camera body announced and released by Panasonic in January 2018.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 is a 20 MP 1" sensor compact camera in the Lumix range, announced by Panasonic on September 19, 2016. LX10 features an F1.4–2.8 equivalent Leica-branded zoom lens, 3" 1040k dot LCD, built-in flash, built-in wireless, and it can record 4K video at 30p or Full HD at 60p. The LX10 is more compact than the Panasonic LX100 or GX8 series by not having an electronic viewfinder, interchangeable lenses, or hot shoe. The camera is typically compared to the Sony RX100 series.
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