Intelligent Resolution | Or just clever noise reduction?

This is a processing technology used in newer Panasonic Lumix cameras which takes a more sophisticated approach to sharpening and noise reduction by separating the image into three types of area: outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradations. Outlines are sharpened, detailed texture areas are moderately accentuated and soft gradation areas (like skies, for example), are smoothed rather than sharpened.
By separating these different types of detail and processing them differently, Panasonic hopes to achieve good detail without increasing image noise. Conversely, 'Intelligent Resolution' should provide lower noise at high ISOs without compromising on detail, particularly textured detail, which is usually the first casualty.

This is one of Panasonic's own illustrations of the results this technology achieves, but this is an demonstration of the potential benefits, not a real-world test. It's not yet clear whether Intelligent Resolution offers a better noise/definition compromise than other processing systems, but it's encouraging that manufacturers realise the issue needs addressing.

On the other hand, critics would point out that if Panasonic used APS-C sized sensors rather than the smaller Micro Four Thirds format, the issue might not arise in the first place.