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 artefacts 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 captured in the early evening with some indirect sunlight.
The flash is used for fill-in light.
The fill-in flash of
the C-720UZ helps to produces an excellent exposure that takes into account
the background. The TIFF (uncompressed) format used for these images yields
the greatest amount of detail. However, SHQ JPEG, the best compressed
mode, produces excellent images too.
Photo
Information
Format:
TIFF
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter
Speed:
1/40
Res.:
1984
x 1488
Flash:
On
Quality:
SHQ
ISO:
100
File
Size:
8.58
MB
Focal
Length:
40
mm (35mm Eq.)
ZOOM
PHOTO
Now
we zoom in on a specific area. The camera remains at the same distance
as with the preceding photo and an auxiliary flash is used to see how
well the camera handles the added light.
In this shot, captured at the maximum telephoto setting of the lens, the
subject in frame is quite dark. The beer bottle's glossy label reflects
back the light a lot, and appears a bit overexposed. Overall though, the
C-720UZ handles the extra light well, and captures a very detailed image.
Photo
Information
Format:
TIFF
Aperture:
f3.4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter
Speed:
1/250
Res.:
1984
x 1488
Flash:
On
Quality:
SHQ
ISO:
100
File
Size:
8.58
MB
Focal
Length:
320
mm (35mm Eq.)
Aperture: f 3.2, shutter speed 1/1000 sec., 100 ISO.
MACRO
PHOTO
The
macro focusing range of the C-720UZ is 10 cm to 60 cm (3.9 in to 23.4
in) at the maximum wide angle; and 1.2 m to 2.0 m (3.9 ft to 6.5 ft) in
telephoto. In wide angle, this produces a field of view from one edge
of the frame to the other, just under 12 cm (4.5 in) at the minimum distance.
Interestingly, the zoom can be used to about 1/4 of its course, and can
help increase the magnification so that the visible field narrows to 8
cm (3.12 in.).
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.
Although a focal equivalent to a 40mm is not a
very wide angle, it is sufficient for most purposes. The C-720UZ captures
sharp and bright images.
The lens has little distortion and very little chromatic aberration.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter
Speed:
1/800
Resolution:
1984
x 1488
Flash:
Off
Quality:
SHQ
ISO:
100
File
Size:
1.8
MB
Focal
Length:
40
mm (35mm Eq.)
ZOOM
PHOTO
With its 8X zoom, the
C-720UZ can focus on the entrance of the building exclusively.
The subject presents a very strong contrast between the darkened inside
of the building and the sunlit outside. The program mode of the C-720UZ
seems to prefer insuring that the brightest parts of the scene won't be
overexposed, and the result is that there is little detail showing behind
the doors. The exterior however, is perfectly exposed.
Photo
Information
Format:
TIFF
Aperture:
f3.4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter
Speed:
1/800
Resolution:
1984
x 1488
Flash:
Off
Quality:
SHQ
ISO:
100
File
Size:
8.58
MB
Focal
Length:
320
mm (35mm Eq.)
NIGHT
PHOTO
This
camera is capable of long exposures, and this series of night photos gives
an idea of its capabilities.
Aperture:
2.8; shutter speed: 8 sec, 400 ISO.
The
maximum exposure time of the C-720UZ is 8 seconds in Manual mode. 8 seconds
is marginal at best for true night photos, and exposures taken at 100
and 200 ISO showed little else but random noise.
Pushed to a sensitivity of 400 ISO, the C-720UZ becomes capable of capturing
an image. However, lacking any noise reduction system, the image it records
shows a large amount of noise.
In the section below, taken from the image as seen at 100% size, the random
coloured dots are noise. It's worth noting though that if the image is
reduced in size post capture, the noise tends to blend into the background
and is much less noticeable.
