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 artefacts 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
seasonal subject is photographed in very low natural light, and is lit
almost exclusively by the camera's flash.
To capture
this photo and the next (the zoom photo), the HP 850 required the help
of its AF-assist light. The pop-up flash is reasonably powerful, and no
light falloff is visible, but the large lens casts a shadow when the camera
is at its widest angle, as can be seen in the lower part of the frame,
slightly to the left of centre.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
AE
Shutter
Speed:
1/60
sec.
Res:
2272
x 1712
Flash:
On
Quality:
Best
ISO:
100
File
Size:
2.08
MB
Focal
Lgth:
37mm
(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. The camera remains at the same
distance as with the preceding photo.
With its 8X optical zoom the HP 850 is able to fill the frame with a detail
of the scene. The image sharpness is quite high, and compression does
not create any noticeable artefacts, and the colours remain accurate.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.1
Exposure:
Program
AE
Shutter
Speed:
1/250
sec.
Res:
2272
x 1712
Flash:
On
Quality:
Best
ISO:
100
File
Size:
1.9
MB
Focal
Lgth:
296mm
(35mm Eq.)
Aperture:
f3, speed: 1/122 sec., 100 ISO.
MACRO
PHOTO
In macro
mode the HP 850 requires a minimum distance of 10 cm (3.9 in.) —
precisely — when the lens is at the wide angle setting, otherwise
it will not release the shutter. Similarly, when the camera is used in
macro mode, the zoom is limited to a 3.5X magnification. At the other
end of that range, the camera will not release the shutter unless the
image is in focus, and the subject at least (approximately) 30 cm (11.7
in.) distant.
The
macro mode images are free of distortion and a field of view of approximately
8.5 cm (3.3 in.) horizontally can be captured in wide angle.
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.
The viewfinder
image of the HP 850 gives the impression of being sharper than most other
EVFs currently in use with digital cameras. Yet, it also has some very
personal traits, such as occasionally showing false colours or turning
itself off — sometimes unexpectedly — while the camera handles
other tasks.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4
Exposure:
Program
AE
Shutter
Speed:
1/518
sec.
Res:
2272
x 1712
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Best
ISO:
100
File
Size:
1.91
MB
Focal
Lgth:
37mm
(35mm Eq.)
The
images reveal that the lens seems to have no major chromatic aberration,
and no overt barrel distortion either.
ZOOM
PHOTO
Zoomed to its maximum optical magnification of 8X, the HP has the advantage
of having a sufficiently big aperture to allow a shutter speed high enough
to avoid camera shake. In
addition, should it be required, the HP 850 can also automatically increases
the CCD's sensitivity to maintain a shake-free shutter speed.
At
the equivalent of almost 300mm, the images reveal a slight pincushion
distortion, but
also to have good sharpness.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.1
Exposure:
Program
AE
Shutter
Speed:
1/207
sec.
Res:
2272
x 1712
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Best
ISO:
200
File
Size:
1.74
MB
Focal
Lgth:
296mm
(35mm Eq.)
NIGHT
PHOTO
As
this camera is capable of long exposures, some photos taken at night and
using its two ISO settings are included.
The HP 850 provides an exposure time of up to 16 seconds in the Shutter
Priority mode.
Although the camera does not provide a manual focus mode, it is able to
focus to infinity in the dark and capture a very sharp image.
Noise reduction is obviously applied to the image — evidenced by
the time it takes the camera to process, and then save the photos. It
is also worth noting that since the HP 850 does not offer a fully manual
shooting mode — which would allow the selection of an aperture
and a shutter speed — its shutter priority mode compensates for
what it perceives to be a potential overexposure by closing down the diaphragm.
Aperture:
f3.4; speed: 16 sec, 100 ISO.
Note:
a Shutter Priority mode lets the user choose the shutter speed while the
camera automatically selects the aperture.
Although this second image is captured at a higher ISO — which,
with all other factors remaining the same, should produce a brighter image
— the Shutter Priority mode of the HP 850 tries once again to prevent
an over-exposure and selects an even smaller aperture. The result is an
image that is very similar to the one captured at 100 ISO, but with a
slight increase in noise.
The cropped sections from both the 100 and 200 ISO photos show the effectiveness
of the post capture image processing.
