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.
Flash photos, even with a relatively well-lit subject such
as this, are not the GE G1's strong suit. The small built-in
flash can only add a bit of light, and is best suited to providing
fill light for the subject and attenuating shadows.
Set to 80 ISO, the sensitivity that is the least prone to
noise, the camera produces a somewhat dark image that has
visible light falloff in the corners.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.5
Exposure:
Manual
Shutter Sp:
1/30 sec.
Res:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
On
Quality:
BQ
ISO:
80 (Auto ISO)
File Size:
2.1 MB
Focal Lgth:
38 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Changing the setting to Auto
ISO, and allowing the camera to increase sensitivity to augment
the effect of the flash is ineffective in this case, as the
camera resolutely maintains the 80 ISO value.
The compression is strong, even at the highest image quality,
and when the image is seen at 100% on a monitor its effect
on details can be seen easily.
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 telephoto end, the smaller aperture of the lens causes
the camera to increase the sensitivity to 200 ISO.
At this sensitivity level, noise becomes visible when the
image is seen full-size on a monitor, and when combined with
the compression causes a slight fuzziness that lowers the
overall image sharpness. The 200 ISO level, however, allows
the G1 to produce a much brighter image.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.3
Exposure:
Manual
Shutter Sp:
1/60 sec.
Res:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
On
Quality:
BQ
ISO:
200 (Auto ISO)
File Size:
1.7 MB
Focal Lgth:
114 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Aperture: f3.5, shutter speed: 1/30 sec., 80 ISO.
MACRO PHOTO
The G1 has a macro mode that provides a minimum focus distance
of 5 cm (1.95 inches). At this distance, the zoom can be used
partially, further narrowing the field of view the camera
captures so that 4 cm (1.6 inch) can be captured in a horizontal
shot with little distortion.
At the widest angle, macro photos capture approximately 5
cm (1.95 inches) horizontally, but barrel distortion is quite
noticeable.
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.
Even at the highest image quality, BQ, the JPEG compression
applied to the image is so strong that many small details
— leaves on trees in the distance, the texture of walls
— look quite fuzzy when the images are seen at full-size
on a monitor.
The exposure metering, however is quite good, and the camera
yields an image that shows good balance between bright and
dark zones.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.7
Exposure:
Manual
Shutter Sp:
1/234 sec.
Res:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
Off
Quality:
BQ
ISO:
80
File Size:
2.5 MB
Focal Lgth:
38 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Some colour noise is also detectable,
particularly in the blue-green areas of the building, and a
non-functional pixel can be seen below the beam, above the exterior
wall's cap, there does not appear to be any major 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.
At the telephoto end of the zoom, a slight amount of pincushion
distortion is detectable when the image contains verticals
near the edges of the frame. As with all other shots, the
compression is quite strong, but the minimal amount of detail
in the subject yields a better result overall.
The exposure, while acceptable since it avoids over-exposing
the areas that are directly sunlit in the foreground, is nevertheless
a touch too dark to reveal much behind the glass doors.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f7.1
Exposure:
Manual
Shutter Sp:
1/120 sec.
Res:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
Off
Quality:
BQ
ISO:
80
File Size:
2.4 MB
Focal Lgth:
114 mm (35 mm Eq.)
NIGHT PHOTO
As this camera is capable of a long exposure, a photo
taken at night is included.
Aperture: f5.7; speed:
30 sec, 80 ISO.
Set to the Manual shooting
mode, the GE G1 offers a slow shutter option, the last in
its menu. Exposure time can be set from 2 seconds to as long
as 30 seconds, supposedly making it possible to capture night
shots.
However, since the camera remains in charge of the aperture,
even a 30 second exposure results in a rather dark image as
the exposure program selects the smallest aperture to prevent
a bright, non-life-like exposure.
While the image is clearly processed
for noise, the G1 does not appear to use a dark frame noise
reduction system as once the exposure is captured and saved,
it is ready to capture another.
Worth noting, with the G1 camera tested here, we noted a
number of "stuck" pixels that were quite noticeable
with long exposures.
Test Photos
