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.
To capture flash photos with the R817, it is best to set
the sensitivity to Auto ISO, and allow the camera to
boost sensitivity as necessary to capture a bright image.
Generally, unless the subject is quite distant and the ambient
light very low, the camera does not increase sensitivity much
past 100 ISO.
In this case, the camera increases sensitivity fractionally
above the lowest setting (53 ISO) and captures a bright and
detailed image.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/60 sec.
Res:
2592 x 1936
Flash:
On
Quality:
4-stars
ISO:
53
File Size:
2.14 MB
Focal Lgth:
36 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. The camera remains at the same distance as with the
preceding photo.
At its maximum magnification the Pentax 5X zoom is able to capture
a large quantity of detail, and at the 4-star image quality,
the detail is retained quite clearly in the images. With this
shot it is possible to see the weave of the material surfacing
the wooden exposure holder, and the worn texture of the old
photographic paper envelope in the foreground.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.7
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/180 sec.
Res:
2592 x 1936
Flash:
On
Quality:
4-stars
ISO:
50
File Size:
2.23 MB
Focal Lgth:
180 mm (35mm Eq.)
Aperture: f2.8, speed: 1/40 sec., 100 ISO, Super Macro
mode.
MACRO PHOTO
The HP R817 provides the user with 2 macro modes. The
first is a standard mode that allows the lens to focus on
a subject that is positioned between 12 and 100 cm (4.7 to
39.4 in.) from the camera. With this mode, the zoom can be
used up to 13mm (approx. 90mm) and offers the greatest magnification
at that focal length, capturing a field of view of 6 cm (2.34
inches) without any distortion.
The second mode is a Super Macro mode which has a focus range
3 to 20 cm (1.2 to 7.9 inches) but which locks the zoom at
the wide end.
The Super Macro mode captures a
field of view of 4.2 cm (1.63 inch) but barrel distortion is
easily visible.
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.
A sunny late Autumn day provides bright but low light, and long
shadows. Nevertheless the R817's exposure metering yields a
very good image. Details are visible in the highlights, as well
as in the shadows and noise is minimal. For this shot and the
telephoto shot shown below, the 3-star image quality is used.
And, although the compression is quite strong, the images are
quite detailed.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.2
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/637 sec.
Res:
2592 x 1936
Flash:
Off
Quality:
3-stars
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.7 MB
Focal Lgth:
36 mm (35mm Eq.)
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.
The 5X zoom of the R817 produces a sharp image and the pincushion
distortion that can affect the telephoto end of a zoom is
nearly undetectable.
The metering produces a good exposure and detail is visible
in both the shadowed part behind the green glass doors, and
in the areas receiving direct sunlight. But, even at 50 ISO,
some noise can be observed in the shadows.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.7
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/202 sec.
Res:
2592 x 1936
Flash:
Off
Quality:
3-stars
ISO:
50
File
Size:
1.25 MB
Focal Lgth:
180 mm (35mm Eq.)
NIGHT PHOTO
Since this camera is capable of long exposures,
a photo taken at night is included here.
Set to the Manual mode, the
HP R817 is able to capture an exposure of up to 15 seconds.
With the sensitivity set to 50 ISO, which minimizes the noise
gathered over the course of the exposure, and an aperture
of f2.8 the R817 is able to capture a bright image.
As the manual mode provides full control over all camera
settings, the white balance is set to Incandescent since it
is the dominant light source in this image, allowing the camera
to yield colours that are closer to what can be seen.
Aperture: f4; speed: 15
sec, 50 ISO.
In such a dark environment, the
auto focus has difficulty focusing and therefore the camera
is set to infinity focus. Regrettably, the infinity setting
yields an image that is sharp only to about 15 to 20 m (approximately
50 to 60 feet), a bit of a disappointment.
A dark frame noise reduction system
is employed to process noise out of exposures longer than 1
second. Since this type of noise reduction captures a dark frame
of the same duration as the first image to identify noise and
eliminate it from the actual exposure, long exposures take twice
as long as their exposure time to be recorded.
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Test Photos
