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 pop-up flash of the S5100 provides an even and homogeneous light for
this wide angle image, while the automatic white balance produces accurate
colours.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/60 sec.
Resolution:
2272 x 1704
Flash:
On
Quality:
4M F
ISO:
64
File Size:
1.8 MB
Focal Length:
37 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, with the camera remaining at
the same distance as in the preceding photo.
The power of the 10X zoom is well-illustrated by this image. Set to the
maximum magnification, the camera is able to capture a small section of
the entire subject and yield a superb level of detail. Moreover, the colours
remain faithful to those of the wide angel shot presented above, indicating
a very reliable auto white balance.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/125 sec.
Resolution:
2272 x 1704
Flash:
On
Quality:
4M F
ISO:
64
File Size:
1.8 MB
Focal Length:
370 mm (35mm
Eq.)
Aperture: f4; shutter speed: 1/60 sec., 64 ISO.
MACRO PHOTO
Set to the Macro mode, the S5100 is able to focus on a subject
10 cm (3.9 in) distant when the zoom is set to the wide angle
end, and 90 cm (3 feet) when at its maximum telephoto setting.
At the wide angle end the camera captures a field of view of 7.8 cm (3.04
in), while at the telephoto end the field of view is 9.5 cm (3.7 in) when
measured horizontally.
The difference in width captured
at both extremities of the zoom is relatively minimal. Therefore,
using the zoom slightly provides a real advantage as it avoids
the barrel distortion of the wide angle, an effect that can
become noticeable when there are straight image elements aligned
with 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 also provides real-life information on the quality of the exposure
and reveals any noise that might be present.
Under a clear blue sky, the S5100's Multi metering pattern, which divides
the frame into 64 segments and evaluates each, yields an excellent exposure.
The colour of the building is accurately reproduced as are the light and
dark areas.
Photo
Information
Format:
CCD RAW
Aperture:
f5.6
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/210 sec.
Resolution:
2272 x 1704
Flash:
Off
Quality:
No compression
ISO:
100
File Size:
RAW: 8.3 MB
TIFF: 11.1 MB
Focal Length:
37 mm (35mm Eq.)
A chromatic aberration which can
occasionally become visible as a purple line on the edge of dark
image elements when there are strong contrast — in this
case underneath the main curved support beam of the canopy — is
minimal with this shot.
However, jaggies — a step-like artifact — can be observed readily
along the upper edge of the curved beam.
ZOOM PHOTO
The powerful 10X zoom of the S5100 allows us to capture an image that encompasses
part of the entrance. In turn, the level of detail behind the glass doors
revealed by the photo is impressive.
As can be seen the image shows no pincushion distortion, and similarly
the slight chromatic aberration is well-controlled. Likewise, noise is
minimal.
Still, it is worth noting that this photo is captured using a tripod to
minimize camera shake, and ensure as sharp an image as the camera can yield.
Photo
Information
Format:
CCD RAW
Aperture:
f4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/160 sec.
Resolution:
2272 x 1704
Flash:
Off
Quality:
No compression
ISO:
100
File Size:
RAW: 8.3 MB
TIFF: 11.1 MB
Focal Length:
370 mm (35mm.)
NIGHT PHOTO
As
this camera is capable of long exposures, a couple of photos taken at
night are included.
Set to Manual mode the
S5100 allows a maximum exposure time of 15 seconds, while the
Night Scene mode is limited to 3 seconds as it is intended to
capture a subject with a slow synch flash and an exposure time
sufficiently long to also record the background.
With the camera set to 15 seconds, a sensitivity setting of 64 ISO and
the maximum aperture (f2.8), the S5100 yields a bright and well-exposed
image that reveals a lot of detail.
Aperture: f2.8; shutter speed: 15 sec., 64 ISO, 37 mm.
Zooming in, the exposure the
camera yields has similar characteristics to the wide angle shot.
Noise is quite well-controlled and the photo reveals a high level
of detail.
The S5100 is equipped with a standard dark frame noise reduction system.
The system captures an image with the same parameters as the main image
but without opening the shutter. The noise captured during this second
exposure is then used to eliminate noise from the first exposure.
Aperture: f3.4; shutter speed: 15 sec., 64 ISO, 370 mm.
As can be seen in the image shown
below, cropped from the full-size 4-megapixel frame, the S5100
produces an image that clearly shows the artwork hanging on the
wall of the restaurant across the water, and captures the movements
of the patrons.
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Test Photos
