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 obtain an acceptably bright image, the EX-V7 has to be
set to Auto ISO and the camera allowed to increase the CCD
sensitivity. Although the distance to the subject is relatively
short, the EX-V7 boosts the sensitivity to 200 ISO to compensate
for the limited output of the small built-in flash.
The resulting image is reasonably bright, and has no visible
light falloff in the corners.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/60 sec.
Res.:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
200 (Auto ISO)
File Size:
3.0 MB
Focal Length:
38 mm (35 mm Eq.)
The increase in sensitivity,
however, when combined with the compression, yields an image
that is even more soft focus than has been observed with wide
angle shots.
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.
Still using the default sharpness setting of the camera,
the telephoto end of the zoom yields images that are visibly
crisper than the wide angle end.
But, since the telephoto end of the zoom can only provide
a smaller aperture than the wide angle end, the flash, even
with the increase in sensitivity, has visibly more difficulty
lighting the scene effectively and the image is a touch too
dark.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.3
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/60 sec.
Res.:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
200 (Auto ISO)
File Size:
3.4 MB
Focal Length:
266 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Nevertheless, the image exhibits
a very good level of detail, including the printing screen of
the old photographic paper envelope, and the fact that its edges
are worn with age. While little noise is immediately visible
in the image, a close inspection of the darker areas that are
almost out of focus reveals some noise.
The Macro mode of the EX-V7 is selected in the menu, a slightly
time-consuming process. Set to Macro focus, the EX-V7 offers
a minimum focus distance of 10 cm (3.9 inches) when the zoom
is at the wide angle end, which has the smallest field of
view of 10 cm (3.9 in.) as well.
While the macro capability of the EX-V7 is not outstanding
and the images can show some barrel distortion, the images
the camera yields are crisp and quite detailed.
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.
As it is with all cameras, the EX-V7 yields its best images
when the subject is well lit, as is the case for these outdoor
shots.
The default metering pattern of the EX-V7, an averaging pattern,
is accurate and produces an exposure that is completely free
of any overexposure, even in the areas that are very brightly
and directly lit.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/400 sec.
Resolution:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
64
File Size:
3.7 MB
Focal Length:
38 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Although the image is a touch soft
focus, there is no major chromatic aberration, and with this
subject the slight barrel distortion that can sometimes be detected
in images is not noticeable.
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 telephoto end of the lens yields an image that exhibits
a bit of pincushion distortion (the inward curvature of image
elements aligned close to the edges of the frame). However,
as it was with the wide angle shot shown above, there is no
visible chromatic aberration in the image, and the sharpness
of the image is quite good, allowing the small sign on the
right side glass door to be legible.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.3
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/250 sec.
Resolution:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
64
File Size:
3.1 MB
Focal Length:
266 mm (35 mm Eq.)
NIGHT
PHOTO
This camera is capable of long exposures, and
an image captured at night is presented to give an idea of
its capabilities.
Aperture: f3.4; shutter
speed: 60 sec., 64 ISO.
Unusual for a compact camera
of this type, the Casio Exilim EX-V7 provides a full
Manual shooting mode that is capable of a maximum exposure
time of 60 seconds. In addition to offering
full control over both the aperture and the shutter speed,
the mode allows control over the white balance, and even the
dynamic range, making it possible to increase the brightness
of the shadow areas in the image.
The EX-V7 is equipped with a noise
reduction system, but it does not appear to be based on the
dark frame concept.
Instead, once the exposure
captured, the camera processes the image for a few seconds
before saving it. The result, albeit not entirely devoid of
noise, is a good exposure with a faint grain and an impressive
level of detail.
The image presented here is a good example of the EX-V7's
capabilities. After a 60 second exposure, the camera records
a bright, clear and sharp image that reveals an high level
of detail.
Test Photos
