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 SD20 captures a well-lit image, with only the slightest bit of light
falloff discernible in the extreme corners of the frame. The single focal
length lens of the camera is quite sharp and this translates into a detailed
image, as can be seen below.
The
Macro mode of the SD20 is accessed as one of the shooting
modes, which are themselves selected in the first option of
the Function menu.
The macro mode allows the camera to focus on a subject placed
3 cm (1.17 in.) from the lens.
At the closest distance, the SD20 captures a field of view of 2.5 cm (1
inch) when measured horizontally.
The SD20 is capable of capturing
excellent macro shots, but in macro mode and at the closest distance,
images tend to be sharper at the centre than on the edges of
the frame.
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 Evaluative metering pattern of the SD20 is very reliable when
the subject is evenly lit. This is the case here and the building is perfectly
exposed, including the moon hanging directly above it.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.6
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Sp:
1/200 sec.
Res:
2592 x 1944
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Super fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
2.3 MB
Focal Lgth:
39mm (35mm Eq.)
Normally, photos show no major chromatic
aberration as can be seen here, but occasionally, when there
are very strong contrasts in the scene such as a shadowed foreground
and a bright white sky behind, a purple fringe can be observed
on the edges of objects adjacent to the bright areas.
NIGHT PHOTO
As this camera is capable of a long exposure, a photo
taken at night is included.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Sp:
15 sec.
Res:
2592 x 1944
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Super fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
2.21 MB
Focal Lgth:
39mm (35mm Eq.)
The SD20, just as many other Canon
compact cameras, is able to capture an exposure up to 15 seconds
long, sufficient for night photography.
Capturing a long exposure requires that the camera be used in Manual mode,
and that the Long Shutter option be enabled in the Rec. menu.
The precise exposure time is then selected through a sub option of the exposure
compensation option of the Function menu, by pressing the Menu button.
Once the exposure time is set,
the camera retains it until it is changed again, or the camera
is returned to the standard Manual mode.
The SD20 is equipped with noise reduction, and any image captured with
an exposure time of 1.3 seconds or longer is automatically processed for
noise. The resulting image is sharp, devoid of noise and quite bright.
(Note: in the exposure shown here the blue light streak is caused
by a passing boat.)
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Test Photos
