Here are a few images that accurately reflect the abilities
of any given camera model. The images are altered only in
terms of size and sharpness after reduction and by the JPEG
compression used. Unless otherwise mentioned, assume that
any marbling or artifacts visible in the images are due to
the compression required to display them here. We feel however,
that they still faithfully represent the results we experienced.
STILL LIFE PHOTO
This subject is photographed in a room that has a mix of fluorescent and
incandescent light, but which is not brightly lit. The camera's flash is
used to add fill light. The backdrop is 1.95 m (6.5 ft) from the camera.
Set to its defaults and in Program mode, the evaluative
metering of the A620 yields an exposure that is a touch too
dark as the camera tries to retain the atmosphere and the
lighting produced by the mix of incandescent and fluorescent
lights. So, to give the light produced by the flash a greater
importance, an exposure compensation of +2/3 EV is used resulting
in a brighter image. Still, the influence of the lighting
can be seen as a slight yellow cast.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Sp:
1/60 sec.
Res:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
On
Quality:
Super Fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
2.8 MB
Focal Lgth:
35mm (35mm Eq.)
ZOOM PHOTO
Now we zoom in on a specific area. The intent is to test the sharpness
of the image at the zoom's maximum setting. The camera remains at the same
distance as with the preceding photo.
Zoomed in, an exposure compensation factor of +2/3 EV yields
an image that is a touch too bright, while +1/3 EV is sufficient
to produce a clear an detailed image. With the zoom at its
maximum telephoto setting, the ambient light's influence is
lessened a bit and as a result the image has an even more
accurate colour rendition.
The details captured by the camera is impressive. This is
visible in the crisp imaging of the weave of the drop cloth,
and of the texture of the photographic paper envelope.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.1
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Sp:
1/60 sec.
Res:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
On
Quality:
Super Fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
3.44 MB
Focal Lgth:
140mm (35mm Eq.)
Aperture: f8.0, shutter speed: 1 sec., 50 ISO, Av mode.
MACRO PHOTO
With the Macro mode the PowerShot A620 is able to focus on
a subject that is from 1 to 45 cm (0.4 to 18 in.) away when
the zoom is set to the wide angle end, and from 25 to 45 cm
(9.8 to 18 in.) at the telephoto end. The width of the field
of view, measured horizontally in the frame, is 4.5 cm (1.8
in) and 7.6 cm (3.04 in) respectively.
At the wide angle end a bit of barrel distortion can be seen,
but it dissipates quickly if the zoom is moved past the widest
angle.
Macro shots are excellent, reflecting
both the excellent image quality of the A620 and the high resolution
of the 7.1 megapixel CCD.
BUILDING PHOTO
This image is our outdoor test. The architecture
of the building, in particular the angled girders, immediately
show the presence of jaggies. The shadowed entrance can also
often reveal the quality of the exposure.
Above the 49th parallel, and in late Autumn, the sun is
quite low on the horizon and casts long and deep shadows.
Still, the evaluative metering pattern evaluates the scene
quite precisely and yields an exposure that shows some detail
in the shadow areas.
No major barrel distortion is visible with this subject,
and similarly, there is no serious chromatic aberration.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Sp:
1/320 sec.
Res:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Super Fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
3.3 MB
Focal Lgth:
35mm (35mm Eq.)
ZOOM PHOTO
Zooming in on the entrance of the building,
the shadowed entrance takes on a greater importance for the
metering and can cause an overexposure of sections that are
directly lit.
At the telephoto end of the zoom, the highly reflective
blue-green panels above the entrance area appear to be bit
overexposed, but they look the same to the naked eye, and
in fact the A620 captures the subject very faithfully.
We can also note that the photo shows no pincushion distortion
or any chromatic aberration.
Photo Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.1
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Sp:
1/160 sec.
Res:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Super Fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
2.9 MB
Focal Lgth:
140mm (35mm Eq.)
Nevertheless, a bit of blooming
can be see in the chromed door handles, and around the small
metallic sign on the right door. However, in view of the reflective
nature of these items and the sun's position, it is to be expected.
It is also worth noting that the exposure reveals a lot detail
inside the building in areas that are in deep shadows, and that
there is very little noise.
NIGHT PHOTO
As this camera is capable of a long exposure, a photo
taken at night is included.
Aperture: f4.1; speed: 8 sec, 50 ISO.
The PowerShot A620 has a maximum exposure time of 15 seconds,
sufficient for the majority of nighttime shots of subjects
that have some artificial lighting at 50 ISO, and sufficient
for some very dark subjects if the sensitivity is increased.
With this subject, a small portion of the Vancouver waterfront
as seen from a pier on the North Shore, an 8-second exposure
is enough to produce an image that is brighter than what can
be seen with the naked eye, but which still remains faithful
to what can be seen.
Nevertheless, some areas of
the frame are inevitably overexposed (see below) as
these areas are much more brightly lit than others.
The PowerShot A620 is equipped with a dark frame noise reduction
system that is automatically applied to all images captured
with a shutter speed longer than 1.3 second. The result of
the process is an image that is effectively noise-free, and
still remarkably sharp and clear.
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Test Photos
