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.
With the camera set to 50 ISO, the pop-up flash of the DiMAGE
Z2 is able to light a subject up to 3m (10.2 ft); however, things
at near that limit tend to be quite dark. The flash performs
better when the subject is closer, or when the ISO is set to
Auto.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/40
Resolution:
2272 x 1704
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.21 MB
Focal Lgth:
38 mm (35mm Eq.)
The Auto ISO setting lets the camera
increase the CCD sensitivity up to 200 ISO, and this gain makes
for brighter flash photos. But, with this subject, which is only
about 1.5m (5ft) distant, the 50 ISO setting of the Z2 captures
a bright and evenly lit image.
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 the zoom set to its maximum magnification, the Z2 is able to capture
a small section of the subject. The level of detail the image reveals is
excellent, and the photo even shows the fibres that make up the paper.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.7
Expo:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/400
Res:
2272 x 1704
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.24 MB
Focal Lgth:
380 mm (35mm
Eq.)
Aperture: f3.2; shutter:
1/2 sec., incandescent white balance, 100 ISO.
MACRO PHOTO
The DiMAGE Z2 has 2 Macro modes, the standard macro mode,
and the Super Macro mode. The minimum distance to any subject
varies greatly with each macro mode. The Super Macro mode allows
the lens to come as close as 10cm (3.9 in.) when measured from
the CCD plane, while the Standard Macro setting which allows
the use of the zoom, has a minimum distance of 14cm (5.46 in.).
The CCD of the Z2 is positioned internally
approximately 7cm (2.73 in.) from the front lens element, so
effectively, the Super Macro Mode can focus on a subject 3cm
(1.17 in.) from the front of the lens, while the Standard Macro
mode requires a distance of 7cm (2.73 in.) between the subject
and the lens at the wide angle setting, to focus.
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 4 megapixel Dimage Z2 shares much in common with the 3 megapixel Z1,
and this is obvious. Photographing this subject on a sunny day,
the Z2 automatically settles on the same shooting parameters
as the Z1 had selected 2 months earlier under similar conditions.
This image is sharp, and shows no chromatic aberration.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.6
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/200
Resolution:
2272 x 1704
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.17 MB
Focal Lgth:
38 mm (35mm
Eq.)
ZOOM PHOTO
Centre-weighted metering is used with the telephoto shot to ensure that
the metering gives the shadowed area of the entrance greater importance
than the rest of the image. While this results in some overexposure of
the scene's elements that are directly lit by the sun, the image captures
a high level of detail in the area behind the blue-green tinted glass doors.
The image — shot with the camera stabilized on a tripod to prevent
camera shake — shows very little noise and very good sharpness.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.5
Expo:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/160
Res:
2272 x 1704
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.28 MB
Focal Lgth:
380 mm (35mm
Eq.)
However, while the wide angle shot
showed no purple fringing, a faint fringe can be observed on
the edges of the overexposed areas. It is worth noting that with
a more balanced exposure, one that avoids overexposing the brightest
areas, the purple fringe is much more difficult to detect.
NIGHT PHOTO
Since this camera is capable of long exposures,
a photo taken at night is included here.
Aperture: f2.8; shutter
speed: 15 sec, 50 ISO
Although a T mode (similar
to a Bulb mode) is available in the Manual mode,
providing a maximum exposure time of 30 seconds, even at 50 ISO,
a 30 second exposure of this fairly bright subject would result
in an overexposure. Indeed, even a 30 second exposure at f2.8
and 50 ISO already shows some signs of over exposure.
By increasing both ISO sensitivity and exposure time, it is possible to
capture images which turn night into day.
However, noise becomes quite
obvious at higher ISO settings, even after noise reduction, and
blooming lowers the level of detail.
The noise reduction system of the Z2 is quite effective. It works as so
many other such systems do, by capturing a second exposure of the same
duration as the first but without opening the shutter. Noise, which appears
as random colour dots in the frame, gathered by the second exposure is
then used by the camera's internal processor to eliminate noise from the
first exposure before it is saved to the memory card.
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Test Photos
