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.
Although it does not provide an uncompressed image format, the HP 945's Best image
quality setting does not use too strong a compression, therefore yielding
a good image quality. In addition, the flash provides enough illumination
which allows the camera to record even small details quite clearly.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/60 sec.
Res:
2608 x 1952
Flash:
On
Quality:
Best
ISO:
100
File Size:
2.43 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.
The 8X lens of the HP 945 is capable of capturing an excellent level of
detail and this is evident in this zoom photo. The lens clearly images
the texture and subtle printing of the old photo paper.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.1
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/250 sec.
Res:
2608 x 1952
Flash:
On
Quality:
Best
ISO:
100
File Size:
2.65 MB
Focal Lgth:
300 mm (35mm
Eq.)
Aperture: f2.9, speed: 1/65 sec., 100 ISO.
MACRO PHOTO
In this area, once again, the HP 945 inherits much of its
capabilities from the HP 850. The macro mode's minimum focus
distance is 10 cm (3.9 in.) at the wide angle setting.
The zoom is limited to 3.5X, and the shutter cannot be released if the
camera is indicating "Focus too close".
At the closest distance to a subject,
the zoom can be used almost to approximately 3X allowing the
HP 945 to capture a field of view (horizontally) of 6 cm (2.34
inch), and the image has very little distortion.
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 HP 945 easily captures very well exposed and sharp images. Although
the default metering pattern is Centre-Weighted, the Average pattern is
generally better able to handle mixed lighting as is the case here.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.8
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/452 sec.
Res:
2608 x 1952
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Best
ISO:
100
File Size:
2.96 MB
Focal Lgth:
37mm (35mm Eq.)
Using the Average metering, the photos
tend to have a better balance between bright and shadowed areas.
ZOOM PHOTO
At the maximum telephoto setting of the zoom, the HP 945 captures a very
sharp image, but one that also shows a bit of pin cushion distortion. Pin
cushion distortion makes straight line appear to be bowed inwards when
they are close to the edges of the frame.
As with the wide angle photo, the telephoto image is well exposed and the
metering has calculated an exposure that shows a lot of detail in the shadows
and has no overexposed areas.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.1
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/459 sec.
Res:
2608 x 1952
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Best
ISO:
200
File Size:
2.43 MB
Focal Lgth:
300mm (35mm Eq.)
NIGHT PHOTO
Since this camera is capable of long exposures,
a photo taken at night is included here.
Using the Shutter Priority mode
of the HP 945, night exposures can be captured. The brightness
of the exposure though is entirely dependent on the camera. Without
a Manual mode which would allow the user to decide precisely
how bright or dark the image should be, the HP 945 adjusts the
other parameters so that increasing the shutter speed, or the
ISO sensitivity only makes the camera use a smaller aperture
to reduce the light striking the sensor.
Aperture: f5.7; speed:
16 sec, 100 ISO.
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.
With all long exposures, the HP 949 processes the image to reduce noise.
The process requires the camera to capture a second frame that is of the
same duration as the first, but without opening the shutter. This allows
electronic noise to be recorded and then to be subtracted from the first
exposure.
Test Photos
