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 Auto white balance, the FZ5 yields
an image with a faint pink tone under this complex mix of
lighting. So, after some experimentation, including the use
of the Custom setting, the best results turned out to be produced
with the white balance is set to Flash.
Since the camera is mounted on a tripod for these images,
the Anti-Shake system is turned off.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/40
Resolution:
2560 x 1920
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.76 MB
Focal Lgth:
35 mm (35mm Eq.)
The flash is able to provide
light evenly throughout the frame, and there is no noticeable
light falloff in the corners, still, an exposure compensation
of +0.7 EV is used to brighten up the image slightly.
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 this subject and with the lens set to the maximum telephoto
setting, the lens of the Z5 is at its minimum focus distance.
As it was with the preceding photo, the white balance is
set to Flash which maintains the colour tone, and an exposure
compensation of +0.7 EV is used to increase the overall brightness
of the photo.
Although the image is compressed the sharpness of the image
is very good and small details are visible.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.5
Expo:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/400
Res:
2560 x 1920
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.97 MB
Focal Lgth:
420 mm (35mm Eq.)
Aperture: f8; shutter:
1/100 sec., 50 ISO.
MACRO PHOTO
While the Macro Mode of the DiMAGE Z5 is common, its Super Macro mode
is not. The Super Macro mode locks the zoom at 10.45mm, the
35mm equivalent of a 63mm focal length, and allows the camera
to photograph a subject that is between 1 and 100 cm (0.4
to 39 in.) from the front element of the lens.
From a distance of 1cm the Z5 captures a horizontal field
of view of 3.3 cm and the image has no barrel distortion.
As can be seen with the photo shown
here, the Z5 is capable of excellent macro shots, and the only
problem is to avoid the lens casting a shadow on the subject.
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 wide angle shot of the building reveals no distortion,
and no chromatic aberration.
The image contains a high level of detail and there is no
discernible impact from the compression. Nevertheless, it
is somewhat regrettable that the DiMAGE Z5 does not provide
an uncompressed mode as do most other cameras that offer broadly
similar capabilities.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f6.3
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/160
Resolution:
2560 x 1920
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File
Size:
2.0MB
Focal Lgth:
35 mm (35mm Eq.)
ZOOM PHOTO
The major advantage of an image stabilizer system is that
it makes it possible to capture sharp images at telephoto
settings, without having to worry that the optical magnification
of the image will also amplify unavoidable movements to the
point where it ruins the image.
By default the 256- segment metering pattern of the Z5 tends
to slightly underexpose, thereby preventing any loss in the
image. With this shot, the exposure captures an image —
with the camera handheld — which makes it possible to
read the small sign on the right door of the building.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5
Expo:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/400
Res:
2560 x 1920
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.48 MB
Focal Lgth:
420 mm (35mm Eq.)
NIGHT
PHOTO
This camera is capable of long exposures, and
two images captured late at night are presented to give an
idea of its capabilities.
Aperture: f2.8; shutter: 4 sec., 50 ISO, 35 mm.
One of the regrets we have
with the DiMAGE Z5 in comparison to the Z3 is its limited
capability to capture night photos. Set to 50 ISO, the sensitivity
level that is the least prone to noise, the Z5 captures a
dark image.
While this image is in fact close to what one
perceives with the naked eye, it is not sufficiently bright
to make for an interesting photo.
Increasing the sensitivity to 100 ISO produces a marginally brighter image, but, even after noise processing by the camera, the photo remains quite noisy. Boosting the sensitivity to 200 or 320 ISO, noise becomes a major concern, particularly at 320 ISO when noise is quite pervasive.
To capture these images, the Z5 is mounted on a tripod and the stabilization system is turned off. As is the case with other such systems, the Anti-Shake system can actually cause a loss of sharpness when the camera is totally stable and therefore should be turned off.
Aperture: f4.5; shutter: 4 sec., 50 ISO, 420 mm.
With the zoom at the maximum telephoto setting, the focal
length is comparable to a 420mm lens in the 35mm film format,
making it possible to capture one of the supports of the bridge.
Here again the photo captured at 50 ISO is presented as it
contains the least noise.
It is worth noting that this is one of the better lit areas
from those available in the wide angle shot shown above.
While the bridge pilings support
powerful lights that illuminate the metal structure, most
other sources of light are fainter and the images captured
of these areas with the telephoto were all considerably darker.
Set 50 ISO, and with noise reduction processing, the DiMAGE
Z5 captures low noise images that are quite sharp.
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Test Photos
