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 S700/S5700 produces a very good image that has a uniform
sharpness and shows a very good level of detail. The default
metering, Multi, calculates the exposure by dividing the frame
into 256 segments, and then applying scene recognition to
further adjust the camera settings. The result is an image
that faithfully reproduces the colour and illumination of
the scene, the camera's flash adding just enough light to
fill in the shadows.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.5
Exposure:
Program
Shutter speed:
1/45 sec.
Res:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
On
Quality:
7M Fine
ISO:
64 (Auto)
File Size:
2.73 MB
Focal Lgth:
38 mm (35 mm 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.
Zoomed in, although the colour composition of the frame
changes considerably from the wide angle shot, the S700/S5700
yields an image that has colours that are very consistent
with the wide angle shot.
With the camera mounted on a tripod, the powerful 10X zoom
is able to capture a very detail-rich image.
The S700/S5700 has two macro modes. The first is a standard
mode that allows the use of the zoom, and has a minimum focus
distance of 4 cm (1.6 inches) from the front element of the
lens when it is at the wide angle end, and 60 cm to (2 ft)
when it is at the telephoto end. At the closest distance of
4 cm the zoom can be used partially (up to 10 mm focal length)
allowing the the S700/S5700 to capture a field of view that
measures 4.3 cm (1.67 inches) as opposed to 5.7 cm (2.22 inches).
The Super Macro mode automatically
moves the zoom to the wide angle end, and allows the camera
to focus on a subject that is 1 cm (0.4 inch) from the front
element of the lens. At this distance the camera captures a
field of view that is 4 cm (1.5 inches) wide, making it possible
to get some excellent macro shots, particularly if the Aperture
Priority mode and the smallest aperture of f13.6 are used to
increase the depth of field.
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.
At the wide end of the zoom, the S700/S5700 has a focal
length that is equivalent to a 38 mm lens on a 35 mm camera,
a "small" wide angle. That end of the zoom is generally
free of barrel distortion, but some purple fringing —
a chromatic aberration — can be detected on the edges
of strong contrasts, such as where the underside of the beams
meet the sky in the image below.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/280 sec.
Resolution:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
Off
Quality:
7M Fine
ISO:
64
File Size:
2.57 MB
Focal Length:
38 mm (35 mm Eq.)
The sharpness of images captured
at the wide end of the lens is quite reasonable, and very uniform
throughout the frame.
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 10X optical zoom of the S700/S5700 is able
to capture a section of the entrance area. The image shows
no pincushion distortion — the inward curving of vertical
image elements aligned on the edges of the frame — but
a slight chromatic aberration can be seen on the edge of the
stainless steel top of the concrete garbage bin.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/340 sec.
Resolution:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
Off
Quality:
7M Fine
ISO:
64
File Size:
2.49 MB
Focal Length:
380 mm (35 mm)
At this focal length, the S700/S5700
needs a lot of light to have a shutter speed that is sufficiently
fast to prevent camera shake from affecting the image. Alternatively,
the camera must be steadied, either by placing it on a solid
surface, or a tripod.
NIGHT PHOTO
As
this camera is capable of long exposures, a couple of photos taken at
night are included.
Although the FinePix S700/S5700
is limited to a maximum exposure time of 4 seconds, it is
quite capable of capturing excellent images of night scenery.
The Manual mode is best for this type of image since it provides
control over both the shutter speed and the aperture, as well
as control over sensitivity and white balance, both important
elements to minimize noise and optimize colour.
The Fujifilm S700/S5700 is equipped with a standard black
frame noise reduction system that doubles the time required
to capture an exposure.
As can be seen with this sample
shot, the 10X zoom allows capturing this shot of the city,
2 kilometres (1.25 mi) distant, a subject that is bright enough
for a 4 second exposure at 64 ISO. The noise reduction process
is effective and does not appear to lower image detail noticeably,
and we can only wish the camera was allowed to capture longer
exposures.
Test Photos
