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.
The pop-up flash of the DiMAGE Z3 provides good illumination,
even when the CCD sensitivity is set to 50 ISO. No light fall-off
is discernible on the periphery of the frame, and colours are
reproduced quite faithfully using the Auto white balance setting.
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:
1.64 MB
Focal Lgth:
35 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.
The powerful zoom of the Z3 allows the camera to capture a small part of
the subject. Indeed, with this subject, the camera is almost at its minimum focus
distance of 1.2m (3.9 ft) when the zoom is at the maximum magnification.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.5
Expo:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/400
Res:
2272 x 1704
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.87 MB
Focal Lgth:
420 mm (35mm
Eq.)
The Z3 applies less compression at
the fine mode than the Z2 does, and the result is the images
produced by the Z3 contain even more detail, as can be seen in
the photo below.
Aperture: f8; shutter:
1/2 sec., 50 ISO.
MACRO PHOTO
For those that appreciate the macro capability of digital
cameras, one major improvement the DiMAGE Z3 brings is a Super
Macro mode that can photograph a subject a mere 1cm (0.4 inch)
from the front element of the lens, while the standard macro
mode of the camera takes over where the super macro mode of the
Z2 was, at 10 cm (3.9 in.)
Selecting the Super Macro mode automatically
moves the lens to a focal length of 10.45mm, equivalent to 63mm.
With the camera placed 1cm from a subject, the field of view
the lens captures measures 3.3 cm horizontally, and there is
no barrel 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.
Used outdoors, and with the sun at one's back, the DiMAGE Z3
yields perfectly exposed images that easily place it in the upper
echelons of current 4 megapixel cameras.
At the wide angle setting, photos are clear and show little distortion.
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:
1.85MB
Focal Lgth:
35 mm (35mm
Eq.)
ZOOM PHOTO
The absence of distortion is evident when the Z3's zoom is at its maximum
power. Pincushion distortion, which easily affects long zooms such as this
one, is absent and vertical image elements aligned on the frames edges
show no indication of an inward bow.
The photo is captured with the assistance of the Anti-Shake system, and
is perfectly sharp although the camera is handheld.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5
Expo:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/400
Res:
2272 x 1704
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.88 MB
Focal Lgth:
420 mm (35mm
Eq.)
NIGHT PHOTO
Since this camera is capable of long exposures,
a photo taken at night is included here.
Aperture: f2.8; shutter
speed: 30 sec, 50 ISO
The DiMAGE Z3 provides a maximum
preset exposure time of 15 seconds with the Shutter Priority
mode, and the Manual mode. The Manual mode however goes one step
beyond, offering a T mode, similar to the more common Bulb mode,
which extends the longest exposure time to 30 seconds.
With this cityscape, a 30 seconds exposure at 50 ISO using an f2.8 aperture
produces a bright exposure that almost looks like dawn.
As do most other cameras that
have a long exposure time capability, the Z3 uses a noise reduction
system. The system removes most of the random coloured pixels
that appear in the long exposures, and is most effective at the
lowest sensitivity of the camera.
Worth noting, we observed that with a distant subject such as this the
AF produces a sharper image than the Manual focus mode setting of infinity.
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Test Photos
