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.
The Program mode of the PowerShot S1 IS is used for
both the wide angle and zoom shots of the still life. When
the flash is used the Program
mode always uses the widest aperture of the lens to maximize the
effect of the flash. Still, with the flash set to its default
settings, the exposure
the camera yields is a touch underexposed, so a flash compensation
of 2/3 EV is used.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/60 sec.
Resolution:
2048 x 1536
Flash:
On
Quality:
Super fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.39 MB
Focal Length:
38 mm (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.
At the equivalent of 380mm, and with the flash compensation
set to +2/3 EV, the camera captures a sharp and bright image.
We note however that
with the telephoto shot the Auto white balance is influenced by the
large red area and the cream coloured paper has a faint pink
tint which was absent
from the wide angle shot.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.5
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/60 sec.
Resolution:
2048 x 1536
Flash:
On
Quality:
Super fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.55 MB
Focal Length:
380 mm (35mm
Eq)
Aperture: f4.5, shutter speed: 1/200,
ISO 50.
MACRO PHOTO
The S1 IS does not offer a Macro mode. There is no Macro option,
nor is there the usual macro mode button on the body. Instead,
the camera offers a focusing distance that starts at 10 cm (3.9
inches) when the lens is at the wide angle end and 93 cm (36.27
inches) when the zoom is its maximum telephoto setting.
The narrowest field of view (the
greatest apparent magnification) is at the maximum telephoto.
At the equivalent of 380mm the image has no distortion
and the camera captures a 10.2 cm (4 inches) field of view from
one edge of the frame to the other, horizontally. With the lens
set to the widest angle (equivalent to 38mm) the field of view
is slightly wider at 11.6 cm (4.52 inches).
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.
With this subject and with the zoom set to wide angle, the
image captured by the PowerShot S1 IS does not show any noticeable
barrel distortion.
Moreover, the image is also as detailed as can be expected with a
3.2 megapixel CCD.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.5
Exposure:
Program
Shutter:
1/640
Resolution:
2048 x 1536
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Super fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.55 MB
Focal Lgth:
38mm (35mm Eq)
ZOOM PHOTO
The stabilizer is particularly valuable when the camera is handheld and
the zoom is used at its maximum magnification. This is when the unavoidable
slight movements of the camera are amplified and can cause a blurred image.
The stabilizer dampens the movements or vibration, allowing the camera
to record a sharp image such as the one shown here. (Notice that the small
sign on the door can be read clearly in the cropped image shown below.)
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.5
Exposure:
Program
Shutter:
1/125
Resolution:
2048 x 1536
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Super fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.23 MB
Focal Lgth:
380mm (35mm Eq)
With this telephoto shot the PowerShot
S1 IS produces a good exposure that captures detail behind the
tinted glass doors while avoiding too strong an overexposure
of the foreground.
NIGHT PHOTO
Since this camera is capable of long exposures, a photo taken at night
is included here.
Aperture: f2.8, shutter
speed: 15 sec, 50 ISO.
The S1 IS is able to produce superb
night time images. Set to 50 ISO, a low sensitivity that minimizes
noise, and with a 15 second exposure, the S1 captures an image
that only a camera can see, as it is so much brighter
than what the eyes see. The 15 second exposure at f2.8 is no
longer a night photo, but more of a dawn photo.
Helped by the S1's noise reduction system, the image is sharp and noise-free.
Interestingly, similar exposures at 100 and 200
ISO are quite acceptable — albeit that at 200 ISO it is
unnaturally bright — and show remarkably low noise. At
400 ISO however, a 15 second exposure turns out an overexposed
image, and even with an exposure time of 4 seconds is visibly
noisy.
The cropped section shown below is taken from the full size 15 second exposure
at 50 ISO. (Image above).
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Test Photos
