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.
When the Coolpix S1 is set to its default settings, flash
photos turn out a bit dark, therefore an exposure compensation
of +1EV is used to brighten the image.
It is interesting to note that when using exposure compensation
with flash photos, the CCD sensitivity should be set to Auto
as the camera increases the sensitivity when exposure compensation
is used.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f 3
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/60 sec.
Resolution:
2592 x 1944
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
72 ISO
File Size:
1.3 MB
Focal Length:
35 mm (35mm Eq.)
With the increase in sensitivity,
the camera yields a well-lit image with acceptable brightness
overall, and only a slight loss of brightness in the corners.
A slight softening of details, likely due to the relatively
strong compression that is used at the highest image quality,
can also be seen.
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 flash photo of the subject captured at the maximum setting
of the zoom also benefits from an exposure compensation setting
of +1 EV.
When using the Auto white balance setting, both the wide
angle shot and the telephoto shot have consistent, albeit
a bit over saturated colours. The Auto white balance of the
S1 is effective, but must be allowed sufficient time to establish
the white point before the shot is captured, otherwise the
image may turn out with incorrect colours.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f 5.4
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/120 sec.
Resolution:
2592 x 1944
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
180 ISO
File Size:
1.47 MB
Focal Length:
105 mm (35mm Eq.)
Aperture: f12.4, shutter speed: 1/115
sec., 50 ISO, 73 mm.
MACRO PHOTO
With the Macro mode selected, when the lens is moved
to the mid-zoom position, the white flower icon of the macro
mode that is displayed on the screen changes to green, indicating
that the macro range is at its optimum. At this point the
camera is able to focus on a subject that is 4 cm (1.56 inches)
from the front element of the lens.
At this distance, the narrowest field of view that the camera
can photograph is 3.6 cm (1.4 inch) when the zoom is
set to a focal length of 73 mm (35mm
equivalent).
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 building is photographed under a mostly cloudy sky —
a common occurrence in Vancouver at the end of Spring and
the beginning of Summer. The Coolpix S1's Matrix metering
captures the subject quite well, and the photo reflects the
very diffuse and even light bathing the area.
Barrel distortion is quite well controlled with the S1, and
similarly there is no obvious chromatic aberration, even at
the contrast zones where the building's dark colour meets
the white sky. However, a slight loss of sharpness can be
noted in the corners of the image.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/125 sec.
Resolution:
2592 x 1944
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.3 MB
Focal Length:
35 mm (35mm Eq.)
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.
The telephoto shot also benefits from the even lighting created
by the overcast conditions. The camera produces a clear image
that contains detail in the shadow areas inside the building's
entrance.
The image shows no trace of pincushion distortions, nor of
any chromatic aberration. Overall sharpness is good, and the
little sign on the right hand door is almost legible. However,
even though the sensitivity is set to the least noisy level,
a fair amount of noise can be detected in the shadows.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.4
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/35 sec.
Resolution:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.34 MB
Focal Length:
105 mm (35mm Eq.)
NIGHT PHOTO
Since this camera offers a Night Scene mode,
so a photo taken at night is included here.
Aperture: f2.8; shutter speed: 2 sec, 200 ISO.
The Coolpix S1 is equipped
with a Night Landscape mode, but it is limited by the
fact that the mode sets all camera parameters and that the
user has no means to override the settings.
The Night Landscape mode is limited to a maximum exposure
time of 2 seconds, and to counteract the limitation imposed
by such a short exposure time, the CCD sensitivity is automatically
increased to 200 ISO. Likewise, white balance is under the
control of the mode, resulting in an image that is noticeably
red-toned.
Similarly, the use of the 200 ISO sensitivity
causes an increase in noise and, even after the automatic
noise reduction processing, the image remains noticeably noisy.
Lastly, sharpness is limited, likely impacted by both the
noise in the image and the noise reduction process.
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Test Photos
