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.
With the flash set to Auto, the light it emits acts as fill-in
light, and the subject retains a lot of the colour influence
of the mixed lighting, producing a very accurate representation.
The image contains an excellent level of detail, and very
little noise can be seen in the shadow areas.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Sp:
1/60 sec.
Res:
3648 x 2736
Flash:
On
Quality:
Super Fine
ISO:
80
File Size:
3.7 MB
Focal Lgth:
35 mm (35 mm 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, the A640 yields an image that is a touch brighter
than the wide angle as the flash overcomes the smaller aperture.
With the 10-megapixel CCD of the camera, the image reveals
an excellent level of detail. And, just like the wide angle
shot, at 80 ISO there is almost no noise, even in the darker
areas of the image.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.1
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Sp:
1/60 sec.
Res:
3648 x 2736
Flash:
On
Quality:
Super Fine
ISO:
80
File Size:
4.61 MB
Focal Lgth:
140 mm (35 mm
Eq.)
Aperture: f8.0, shutter speed: 1/250 sec., 80 ISO,
Av mode.
MACRO PHOTO
The jigsaw puzzle look of the inside of some Ponderosa pine
bark provides us with a macro subject. Set to the macro mode,
the A640 is able to focus on a subject that is 1 cm (0.39
in.) from the front element of the lens when it is at the
wide angle end.
At the minimum focus distance, the A640 captures a field
of view that measures approximately 3.2 cm (1.25 inches) horizontally.
If the subject lends itself to it
— as when there are straight elements in the image —
some barrel distortion is visible at the wide angle end when
the focus is at its minimum distance. However, the sharpness
of the image and the detail the camera is able to capture are
excellent.
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.
The building is photographed on a gray but dry day with
very little direct light. The nearly white sky provides a
strong contrast with the structure of the building, and with
the bare tree branches in the background.
We can see that some of the branches have been clipped, their
detail overwhelmed by the background light.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Sp:
1/100 sec.
Res:
3648 x 2736
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Super Fine
ISO:
80
File Size:
4.1 MB
Focal Lgth:
35 mm (35 mm Eq.)
The building itself, however, is
clearly imaged and still shows a very reasonable level of detail.
At this distance, barrel distortion is invisible and there is
no major chromatic aberration.
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.
The combination of a 10-megapixel sensor and a 4X optical
zoom allows the camera to capture an excellent image that,
once more, reveals a lot of detail, such as the little sign
on the right side door (see below).
There is no chromatic aberration, nor is there any pincushion
distortion.
Photo Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.1
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Sp:
1/80 sec.
Res:
3648 x 2736
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Super Fine
ISO:
80
File Size:
4.3 MB
Focal Lgth:
140 mm (35 mm
Eq.)
NIGHT PHOTO
As this camera is capable of a long exposure, a photo
taken at night is included.
Aperture: f2.8; speed: 15 sec, 200 ISO.
The photo presented here is of a very dark area on the waterfront.
To the naked eye, only the buildings in the background, and
the outline of the bridge in the foreground can be distinguished.
Nothing below the bridge is visible.
Using the maximum exposure time the A640 is capable of, 15
seconds, and the largest aperture of the lens at the wide
angle end, f2.8, in combination with a 200 ISO sensitivity,
the camera is able to capture an image that is bright, colour
accurate, and detailed.
The A640 automatically applies
noise reduction to all images captured with shutter speeds
longer than 1.3 second, a process that effectively doubles
the amount of time required for a shot, but the results, as
can be seen below, are excellent. After noise processing,
the image is still very detailed, and even higher sensitivity
settings can be used.
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Test Photos
