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
The
subject of this photo is a display case in a store. The ambient lighting
is mostly by halogen spots, and there is one spot light directly above
the display case.
It seems
to be quite difficult to capture a bad image with the D-40Z. Presented
with even lighting, and with the addition of the flash, the camera records
excellent exposures.
In wide angle, the image shows a bit of barrel distortion — as do
so many other short lenses — but the distortion is not so pronounced
as to impact the image quality too much.
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 D-40Z records a slightly brighter image at the same aperture
as was used in the wide angle photo: the cream-coloured wall behind the
shelves appears lighter. Still, the 4-megapixel CCD captures an excellent
level of detail, and very good colour.
Both this image and the wide angle one were captured with the image sharpness
setting set to -1 so as to avoid the potential appearance of any jaggies.
In
wide angle the minimum focus distance of the D-40Z is 10 cm to 80 cm (0.3
ft - 2.6 ft). Yet the D-40Z allows the zoom to be used and a greater magnification
can be obtained by backing up slightly and using it.
With the zoom up to the middle of its range, and with the camera at approximately
12 cm from the subject, the D-40 is able to capture a field of view measuring
just over 7cm (approx. 2.8 inches) without any distortion.
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.
This
photo is captured on a day of rolling black clouds and sunny breaks. Here,
the building is directly lit by the sun, and a window is reflecting its
light on the road, adding its own blue-green tint.
This is the kind of lighting situation some cameras would have problems
with. However, the D-40 handles it superbly. The violent contrast between
the sunlit building and the dark sky in the background hasn't thrown off
the metering; and the tint of the light reflected by the window is faithfully
reproduced.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.8
Exposure:
Program
Mode
Shutter
Speed:
1/400
Resolution:
2288
x 1712
Flash:
Off
Quality:
SHQ
ISO:
100
File
Size:
2,476
KB
Focal
Length:
35
mm
(35mm Eq.)
ZOOM
PHOTO
Here again, the D-40
does a very good job of capturing the building. The unusual light is captured
accurately, including the very warm tone of the paving stones.
At its maximum telephoto the lens of the D-40Z has no obvious distortion,
while at the equivalent of 35mm, the widest angle of view, the images
show a bit of barrel distortion.
Overall the image quality of the D-40 hovers between very good and excellent,
but occasionally, a chromatic aberration can be observed, with some wide
angle shots (see the lower portion of the beam in the large image above).
Furthermore, the default sharpening applied to the images is a bit strong
and can cause the appearance of jaggies; a situation remedied by setting
the in-camera image sharpening to -1.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.8
Exposure:
Program
Mode
Shutter
Speed:
1/400
Resolution:
2288
x 1712
Flash:
Off
Quality:
SHQ
ISO:
100
File
Size:
2,553
KB
Focal
Length:
98
mm
(35mm Eq.)
Aperture:
f2.8; shutter speed: 16 sec, 100 ISO.
NIGHT
PHOTO
As
this camera is capable of a long exposure, a photo taken at night is included.
Not only does the D-40 have a very effective noise reduction system, it
has a 16 second exposure in Manual mode which allows it to capture photos
under very low-light conditions.
To record this photo, the camera image quality settings: sharpness, saturation
and contrast, were left at their default settings.
