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 these still life shots, the Kodak Z740's sensitivity
has been set to 80 ISO, the level at which the camera is the
least sensitive to noise.
The pop-up flash provides good coverage for the widest angle,
and the Auto white balance yields natural-looking colours.
The compression, however, is quite strong, especially as
this is the highest image quality, and the image is not very
sharp when seen at full scale on a monitor.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f 2.8
Exposure:
Multi-segment
Shutter Speed:
1/60 sec
Resolution:
2576 x 1932
Flash:
On
Quality:
5MP
ISO:
80
File Size:
875.2 KB
Focal Length:
38 mm (eq.
35mm)
ZOOM PHOTO
Now we zoom in on the centre of the image above to gauge the sharpness
of the image at the zoom's maximum setting. The camera remains at the same
distance as in the preceding photo.
At its maximum magnification the zoom is equivalent to a
380mm focal length, making it possible to close in on a small
section of the subject.
The flash is here again quite effective, and the camera
captures colours that are comparable to those captured with
the wide angle shot.
The magnification of the zoom allows the image to contain
a lot of detail, and the compression is less noticeable.
Photo Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.7
Exp:
Multi-segment
Shutter Spd:
1/350 sec.
Res:
2576 x 1932
Flash:
On
Quality:
5MP
ISO:
80
File Size:
1,018 KB
Focal Lgth:
380mm (eq. 35mm)
CLOSE-UP PHOTO
With the Macro mode, be it using the Close-up mode,
or the Flower mode, or pressing the Macro button
while the camera is set to any of the P/A/S/M modes, the Z740
is capable of focusing on a subject that is between 12 and
70 cm (4.7 to 27.6 inches) from the CCD when the zoom is at
the wide angle end; and between 1.2 and 2.1 m (3.9 to 6.9
ft) at the maximum telephoto setting.
At the wide angle end, the camera captures a horizontal field
of view of approximately 6 cm (2.34 inches) while at
the telephoto end, the field of view is 20.3 cm (7.9 inches).
For macro shots, the most effective
mode is Aperture Priority. It makes it possible to use the smallest
aperture which will maximize the depth of field, and use 80
ISO which minimizes noise.
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.
With a wide angle equivalent to 38mm, the field of view
is relatively narrow, and only the central portion of the
building and parts of its wings are in the frame.
The Multi-pattern metering produces a good exposure, but
a bit of noise is discernible in some uniformly coloured areas.
Seen on a monitor at full-scale, the image is a touch soft-focus,
and a slight chromatic aberration can be seen on the edges
of the building's beams.
Photo Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Multi-segment
Shutter Speed:
1/1000 s.
Resolution:
2576 x 1932
Flash:
Off
Quality:
5MP
ISO:
80
File Size:
1.2 MB
Focal Length:
38mm (eq. 35mm)
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.
When using the zoom, it is important to ensure that the camera
is stable, either on a tripod or some other stable platform,
or that the shutter speed is sufficiently fast to avoid any
camera shake.
The image presented here reveals that the exposure was able
to capture a great deal of detail inside the building, and
outside, including the text on the little sign on the right
hand door.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.7
Exp:
Multi-segment
Shutter Spd:
1/180 s.
Res:
2576 x 1932
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
80
File Size:
956.4 KB
Focal Lgth:
380mm (eq. 35mm)
But, the exposure also reveals a
slight overexposure of the large cement garbage can outside,
and that the strong contrast between it and the darker background
has engendered a chromatic aberration which can be seen as a
purple halo around it.
NIGHT PHOTO
Since this camera is capable of long exposures, a photo taken at night
is included here.
Aperture: f2.8; shutter
speed: 8 sec., 80 ISO.
When the Kodak Z740 is set to
Manual mode, a maximum exposure time of 8 seconds is available.
This, combined with the maximum aperture of f2.8, a sensitivity
setting of 80 ISO to minimize noise, and a white balance set
to Tungsten makes it possible to capture relatively bright
nighttime scenery photos.
The Z740 automatically applies noise reduction to any long
exposure image. The system uses a second exposure of the same
duration as the first without opening the shutter to capture
noise, and then uses that information to delete it from the
first; which doubles the time required to capture an image.
Still, even after processing
and at the least sensitivity, some noise remains discernible
in the image, and the noise reduction process clearly reduces
the overall image sharpness.
Worth noting, although a brighter image can be obtained by
increasing the sensitivity to 100 ISO, noise also increases.
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Test Photos
