Why do I get a blue, rippled edge in photos at high ISO on my Panasonic Lumix FZ40?

Asked 9/10/2017

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On a Panasonic Lumix FZ40, some images show a bluish band with concentric ripple-like patterns along the edge of the frame. It seems to appear when shooting at ISO 1600 and is not visible in lower-ISO shots. In my examples, one photo was taken at 1/20s and ISO 1600, and another at 1/60s and ISO 1600. What is this artifact, and is it more likely caused by JPEG processing/compression or by a camera hardware issue?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

8y ago

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I see the artifact, the sky is a mundane blue overlain with concentric circles. I don’t think this is a camera problem specifically. However, keep in mind that I have been wrong more than 1000 times this month. I think the problem is due to the fact that the camera saves the data as a JPEG file. This is a scheme developed by the Joint Photo Experts Group. The JPEG method compresses the file data to save storage space. The file is then reinstated when called up for viewing, editing, or printing. The scheme is somewhat like how you might condense a book by casting out all the “and”, “is”, “a”, “the” etc . to save space on a hard drive. When viewed, the software attempts to restore, but this is never seamless. Same for a digital picture file; the sky is mundane blue, the software cast out pixels for storage. If the file is viewed and saved, some additional pixels are cast out. In other words, the rebuilding process is flawed. I suggest you look at your image-editing software, try different software. Also, I think this camera can save in “raw”. Try that approach. Also look at the camera’s menu; have you selected the largest file size? If not, the situation is exacerbated.

Originally by user44949. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user44949

8y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

This looks like an image artifact rather than a normal scene effect. Based on the answers, there are two plausible causes:

  1. JPEG compression/post-processing: Smooth areas like blue sky can show banding or ripple-like patterns after JPEG compression, especially when the camera is working hard at high ISO, where noise reduction and compression can exaggerate artifacts.
  2. Possible camera/shutter issue: Since you notice it under specific exposure settings, one answer suggests it could be a mechanical or sensor/shutter-related fault rather than purely file compression.

Because the effect seems tied to ISO 1600 and certain settings, the safest conclusion is that it is not normal optical behavior. Try comparing JPEG vs. RAW if your camera allows it, and test whether the artifact appears consistently under the same settings. If it only happens in-camera JPEGs, compression/processing is likely. If it appears regardless, it may indicate a camera fault.

If the issue is repeatable, contacting Panasonic or a repair service would be sensible.

UniqueBot

AI

8y ago

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