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 Coolpix 8800's pop-up flash is used for both this image and the zoom
shot below. The flash provides good coverage of the subject, and there
is no visible light fall off in the corners of the image. Nevertheless,
it is worth noting that the exposure is brighter than the one shown here
if the sensitivity is set to Auto.
Photo
Information
Format:
TIFF
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/60 sec.
Resolution:
3264 x 2448
Flash:
On
Quality:
Uncompressed
ISO:
50
File Size:
23 MB
Focal Length:
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.
Zoomed in, the combined power of a 10X zoom and an 8 megapixel image size
is evident: the camera captures a amazing amount of detail. On a monitor
and at full scale, the printing patterns on the old photo paper envelope
can be seen clearly, as can the texture of the envelope itself.
Photo
Information
Format:
NEF
Aperture:
f5.2
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/253.1 sec.
Resolution:
3264 x 2448
Flash:
On
Quality:
RAW format
ISO:
50
File Size:
12 MB
Focal Length:
350 mm (35mm
Eq.)
Aperture: f8, shutter speed: 1/2 sec, 50 ISO.
MACRO PHOTO
The macro mode of the Coolpix 8800 allows the front element
of the lens to be 3 cm (1.2 in.) from the subject when the lens
is at the wide angle end. At this distance, the Coolpix 8800
captures a field of view of 6 cm approximately (2.34 in.) as
measured horizontally.
Used in combination with the aperture priority mode and with a small aperture
to increase the depth of field, the camera is able to capture excellent
macro shots.
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.
At this time of the year the sun never climbs high in the sky and the shadows
are long and sharp, creating a more demanding situation for the camera's
meter. With the subject receiving direct light as is the case here, the
matrix metering of the Coolpix 8800 produces an excellent photo.
Photo
Information
Format:
NEF
Aperture:
f5
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/190 sec.
Resolution:
3264 x 2448
Flash:
Off
Quality:
RAW
ISO:
50
File Size:
12 MB
Focal Length:
35 mm (35mm Eq.)
ZOOM PHOTO
The RAW image format is used for both the wide angle and telephoto shots
of the building. Although the RAW format has a file size of 12 MB, it offers
a number of advantages. First, the RAW format is not subjected to a lossy
compression, and second, it has a file size that is smaller than the TIFF
format's 23 MB. Moreover, the RAW format makes it possible to adjust the
white balance and control exposure compensation post capture, which allows
correcting any exposure defect.
Photo
Information
Format:
NEF
Aperture:
f5.2
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/63.7
Resolution:
3264 x 2448
Flash:
Off
Quality:
RAW
ISO:
50
File Size:
12 MB
Focal Length:
350 mm (35mm
Eq.)
With this shot, the Coolpix 8800
captures a very clear image that not only reveals the glass doors
of the building need cleaning, but that the resolution of the
camera is high enough to capture the aerial photograph hanging
on the wall inside the building.
NIGHT PHOTO
As this camera is capable of a long exposure, a photo captured
at night is included.
Aperture: f4; shutter speed: 30.01 sec, 50 ISO.
The Coolpix 8800 is very flexible
for night photography as it is able to achieve very long exposure
times (up to 10 minutes). This long exposure time allows experimentation
with small apertures to increase the depth of field by increasing
the exposure time.
The use of a smaller aperture can produce a star burst pattern around lights
which can be quite appealing. (See images below.)
Aperture: f2.8, noise reduction.
Aperture f8, no noise reduction.
Still, such a long exposure, especially
with this subject where boats at anchor move slightly on the
water, can have some blurring due to movement.
Last but not least, the noise reduction system of the Coolpix 8800 VR is
under the control of the user, which is a relatively rare feature nowadays.
And, interestingly, the Coolpix 8800 VR manages well without noise reduction
processing turned on, and with this type of subject noise is quite unobtrusive
at 50 ISO.
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Test Photos
