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 L5 is mostly automatic, selecting aperture and
shutter speed as well as sensitivity according to the ambient
light. With this subject, the flash is sufficient to allow
for a well-exposed image with accurate colours. Worth noting,
the camera has maintained a sensitivity level of 80 ISO, and
has used the widest aperture available.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.9
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/25 sec.
Resolution:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
On
Quality:
7M* (High)
ISO:
80
File
Size:
2.23 MB
Focal Length:
38 mm (35 mm Eq.)
There is no visible loss of brightness
in the corners of the image. When the image is seen at 100%
scale on a monitor, the sharpness is a bit soft — likely
a result of the compression — although it retains a reasonable
level of detail.
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 magnification of the zoom, the maximum aperture
available to the camera is f5 and it becomes necessary to
use exposure compensation to obtain a bright image. It appears
that in this case, a positive compensation has an impact on
the sensitivity, as the camera increases it to 282 ISO. In
turn, the image shows noise in shadow areas and in areas of
uniform colour, but it is not overly distracting.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/320 sec.
Resolution:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
On
Quality:
7M* (High)
ISO:
282
File Size:
2.34 MB
Focal Length:
190 mm (35 mm
Eq.)
As noted with the wide angle shot
above, the overall sharpness of the image is a bit soft, again
probably as a result of the compression.
Aperture: f3.2, shutter speed: 1/4
sec., 94 ISO.
MACRO PHOTO
The Coolpix L5's macro mode makes it possible to focus
on a subject that is 4 cm (1.6 inch) from the front element
of the lens. As with other Nikons, the L5 indicates the ideal
macro range by having the yellow flower icon that represents
the macro mode turn green when the zoom enters the best focal
length range. This allows using a bit of the zoom range, up
to the equivalent of 52 mm, thereby avoiding the barrel distortion
that can be seen at the widest angle.
At the equivalent of f52 mm, the camera is able to capture
a field of view of approximately 4.5 cm (1.8 inch).
To obtain the best macro image possible,
the subject must be very well lit so as to prevent the camera
increasing the sensitivity.
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.
With the advantage of sunshine and a well-lit subject, the
Coolpix L5 yields good quality images. Colours are faithful
to reality, and the metering system produces an exposure that
has a good equilibrium between shadowed areas and bright ones.
And while when the image is inspected on a monitor at 100%
some noise can be seen, it is limited to shadow areas.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.9
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/530 sec.
Resolution:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
Off
Quality:
7M* (High)
ISO:
80
File
Size:
2.16 MB
Focal Length:
38 mm (35 mm Eq.)
At this distance from the subject,
there is no discernible barrel distortion, and similarly, there
is no chromatic aberration.
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.
At the maximum telephoto, the camera yields an image that
is colour-consistent with the wide angle shot. Likewise, the
metering produces an image that is well exposed, both for
highlights and shadows, revealing a lot of detail behind the
green-tinted glass doors. Although it can be seen, noise is
minimal, and only present in shadow areas. No distortion or
aberration is visible.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/80 sec.
Resolution:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
Off
Quality:
7M* (High)
ISO:
80
File Size:
2.18 MB
Focal Length:
190 mm (35 mm
Eq.)
NIGHT PHOTO
Since this camera offers a long exposure, a
photo taken at night is included here.
Aperture: f4.4; shutter speed: 2 sec,
400 ISO.
The Coolpix L5 has a maximum
exposure time of 4 seconds, at 80 ISO, with infinity focus
when set to the Fireworks Scene mode. Regrettably, in this
mode and with this subject, the image the L5 yields is darker
than what can be perceived with the naked eye.
Switching the camera to Auto mode, and letting it adjust
the sensitivity as it sees fit, the maximum exposure time
is 1 second and the image remains very dark.
The only other possibility is the Night Landscape
mode, which offers a maximum exposure time of 2 seconds, but
allows the camera to increase the sensitivity up to 400 ISO.
Captured this way, the image is close to what can be seen
with the naked eye. Noise remains quite obvious, even after
noise reduction, and the automatic white balance — no
control over it is available in this mode — yields a
noticeably yellow image because of the sodium vapour lighting.
Test Photos
