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.
To capture the wide angle image, the camera sensitivity was
set to 80 ISO to minimize any possible noise. However, the resulting
image was a touch dark, and an exposure compensation of +1 EV
was used to capture a sufficiently bright image. Still, some
light falloff in the corners of the image is visible in the
frame.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Sp:
1/60 sec.
Res:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
On
Quality:
Superfine
ISO:
80
File Size:
2.2 MB
Focal Lgth:
35 mm (35 mm Eq.)
The image, however, is effectively
noise-free, even in the shadow areas; and is quite detailed.
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 maximum telephoto setting of the zoom, the equivalent
of 140 mm, the maximum aperture of the zoom is f5.5, and even
with strong exposure compensation, the image remains a bit
dark. Therefore, to capture this image, the CCD sensitivity
is set to Auto, allowing the camera to increase the sensitivity
as necessary to maximize the light from the flash.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.5
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Sp:
1/60 sec.
Res:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
On
Quality:
Superfine
ISO:
Auto
File Size:
3.0 MB
Focal Lgth:
140 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Regrettably, the EXIF
data recorded by the camera contains no indication of the sensitivity
setting, listing the ISO value simply as “Auto”.
Still, from the fact that the image is almost noise-free —
only deep shadows show a trace of noise — we can conclude
that the ISO increase is most likely modest.
As with other recent Canon cameras, the SD700 IS offers two
macro modes: the Standard macro mode and the Digital
Macro mode.
The Standard macro mode allows the camera to focus on a subject
that is as close as 2 cm (0.8 inch) from the front element
of the lens when the zoom is at the wide-angle end, capturing
a field of view of approximately 3.1 cm (1.24 inches). While
at the telephoto end of the zoom, the camera is able to focus
on a subject that is 40 cm (1.3 ft), capturing a field of
view of 9.7 cm ( 3.88 inches).
The Digital Macro mode on the other
hand locks the zoom at the wide-angle end to allow for the shortest
focusing distance, and uses the digital zoom to amplify the
magnification effect. However, based on an interpolation of
the central part of the image, the more the digital zoom is
used to increase the magnification, the more noticeable the
deterioration of the image sharpness becomes.
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.
Set to its default settings, the SD700 IS yields excellent
and natural colours. The exposure the camera captures is well
balanced, in part due to the sunlight bathing the building
uniformly. There are no overexposed areas, and details can
be seen in the deeper shadows.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.6
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Sp:
1/200 sec.
Res:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Superfine
ISO:
80
File Size:
2.8 MB
Focal Lgth:
35 mm (35 mm Eq.)
At the wide-angle end of the zoom,
no barrel distortion is detectable, and there is no trace of
any 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.
Zoomed in, the Evaluative metering has to deal with a more
complex subject which contains a mix of a dark area —
the shadowed entrance — and directly lit and reflective
areas in the foreground. Nevertheless, the exposure is perfect
and the foreground is perfectly exposed while the shadow areas
still reveal a reasonable amount of detail. Moreover, the
stabilizer is so effective that the sign on the right hand
door is perfectly legible.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.5
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Sp:
1/200 sec.
Res:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Superfine
ISO:
80
File Size:
2.4 MB
Focal Lgth:
140 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Similarly, it can be seen that there
is neither pincushion distortion, nor any chromatic aberration
although the image contains some strong contrasts.
NIGHT PHOTO
As this camera is capable of a long exposure, a photo
taken at night is included.
Aperture: f3.5; shutter
speed: 10 sec, 80 ISO.
To be able to capture night
time exposures the PowerShot SD700 IS must be used in the
Manual mode and have the Long Shutter option enabled in the
menu. Then an exposure time can be set in the Manual mode’s
Function menu, a 15-second exposure being the maximum.
In addition, the Manual mode offers control over the white
balance and the sensitivity, and with this subject, a Tungsten
white balance and a sensitivity setting of 80 ISO produce
the best results.
With a 10-second exposure, the
camera is able to record an excellent and detailed image that
is considerably brighter than what can be seen with the naked
eye. To capture this image, the camera was mounted on a tripod
and the image stabilization was turned off.
The noise reduction system is quite effective and the image
it yields is almost noise-free while retaining a very good
level of sharpness.
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Test Photos
