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 zoom at the wide angle end, and the camera set to
its default settings and the Auto shooting mode, the Coolpix
S10 yields a photo that is a touch too dark. To brighten up
the image, flash exposure compensation is adjusted to +0.7
EV producing a much better image that is evenly lit and which
shows no loss of brightness in the corners.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.5
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/60 sec.
Resolution:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50 ISO
File Size:
2.1 MB
Focal Length:
38 mm (35 mm Eq.)
With this image shot at 50 ISO,
there is no trace of noise, even in shadow areas. Still, the
widest angle of the zoom captures an image that looks a bit
soft-focus, even at the highest image quality setting, which
is the least compressed.
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.
At the maximum telephoto setting of the zoom, the camera
only frames a small section of the subject. The level of detail
the lens can capture is high enough that the texture of the
old photographic paper envelope is visible, as is the printing
screen.
The colours the S10 produces are very natural, even under
this mix of lighting sources, and compare well with those
it captured with the zoom at the widest angle.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.5
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/125 sec.
Resolution:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50 ISO
File Size:
2.3 MB
Focal Length:
380 mm (35 mm
Eq.)
As with the wide angle shot, a flash
exposure compensation of +0.7 EV is used to increase the brightness
of the image.
Used in Macro mode — be it by selecting the Macro
focus or by using the Close Up mode — the Coolpix S10
allows a minimum focus distance of 4 cm (1.6 inch) from the
subject to the front element of the lens as long as the macro
indicator on the monitor remains green. This Macro focal length
range extends to approximately 80 mm (35 mm equivalent). At
this minimum distance, the width of the field of view that
the camera captures is approximately 4.4 cm (1.76 inch).
The fact that the zoom can be used
up to the 80 mm focal length means that the magnification effect
of the macro mode is even more impressive. In addition, it also
makes it possible to avoid the noticeable barrel distortion
of the widest angle, which is even more pronounced when the
subject is very close.
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 colours the Coolpix S10 captures are very natural, without
any excessive saturation, and the Matrix metering yields a
perfect exposure.
As noted earlier, with the zoom at the wide angle end, sharpness
is a bit soft in comparison to telephoto shots when the image
is inspected at 100% on a monitor. There is no chromatic aberration
at this focal length; and while nearby subjects can reveal
barrel distortion, it is not noticeable with a subject such
as this.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/250 sec.
Resolution:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
2.11 MB
Focal Length:
38 mm (35 mm 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.
This image illustrates the value of a real optical stabilization
system such as the one available with the Coolpix S10. At
the maximum magnification of the zoom, the slightest movement
of the photographer is amplified and can result in an image
blurred by camera shake. But, helped by the optical stabilization
system, this image turns out sharp as can be seen in the image
below, cropped from the full-size image. The small sign on
the door is perfectly legible, although the shot was captured
hand-held. Moreover, the exposure is perfect, revealing detail
in the directly lit areas and in the shadows.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/350 sec.
Resolution:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.51 MB
Focal Length:
380 mm (35 mm
Eq.)
There is no pincushion distortion
at the telephoto end of the zoom, however, a slight chromatic
aberration can sometimes become visible when the image is seen
at 100%.
NIGHT PHOTO
Since this camera offers a Night Scene mode,
so a photo taken at night is included here.
Aperture: f3.5; shutter speed: 1 sec, 200 ISO.
The Coolpix S10, although
it offers a Night Landscape mode, is not really ideal
for night photography. The mode has a maximum exposure time
of 2 seconds, for which the camera compensates by increasing
sensitivity up to 400 ISO, and adjusts the white balance automatically.
The results obtained with this mode were less than stellar,
the images containing a lot of noise, while colours were thrown
off by the artificial lighting of the subject.
Using the Auto Shooting mode, and setting
the white balance to Incandescent and the sensitivity to 200
ISO, produced better images.
Although the image does not reveal any more detail than can
be perceived with the naked eye, at 200 ISO the level of noise
remains acceptable, and the incandescent setting for the white
balance allows the camera to record colours that are close
to reality. (Worth noting, the halos visible around the
lights are due to the presence of fog, common at this time
of year, and not to the camera.)
Test Photos
