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 wide angle is notable because it has so little distortion. The Leica
lens is corrected very efficiently for curvilinear distortion, the type
that makes straight lines appear to be curving when they are imaged near
the edges of the frame.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/60
Res.:
2560 x 1920
Flash:
On
Quality:
Super Fine
ISO:
100
File Size:
3.7 MB
Focal Length:
28 mm (35mm Eq.)
The shot presented here is captured
with the LC1's pop-up flash, and while the image shows no light
falloff at the corners of the frame indicating an effective coverage
of the wide angle view by the flash, a bit of noise is noticeable
as the flash is near the limits of its effectiveness.
The pop-up flash of the LC1 allows it to capture good photos and offers
a bounce capability. Still, it's range is limited, and images can benefit
from the use of an external and more powerful flash.
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.
Zoomed in, the image is very crisp and contains almost no shadow noise.
For this photo, the RAW mode is used. The LC1 stores a second copy of the
RAW image automatically, in JPEG and at the strongest compression (Standard).
Photo
Information
Format:
RAW
Aperture:
f4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/60
Res.:
2552 x 1920
Flash:
On
Quality:
Uncompressed
ISO:
100
File Size:
9.44 MB
Focal Length:
90 mm (35mm Eq.)
As with the cameras of a few other
manufacturers, the LC1 provides a combination of image formats
that is the most useful. A RAW mode is available, providing a non-lossy image
that can, once imported into a computer, be saved as TIFF; and
three JPEG formats of which one, the Super Fine mode,
has a very light compression.
Aperture: f11, shutter speed 1/125 sec., 100 ISO.
MACRO PHOTO
In macro mode, whether in AF Macro or manually focused,
the Lumix LC1 needs to be at least 30 cm (11.7 in.) from the
subject, at all focal lengths of the lens. At the telephoto setting,
equivalent to 90mm, the macro mode captures a field of view measuring
approximately 14.5 cm (5.65 inches) from one edge of the frame
to the other, horizontally.
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 Leica lens captures very sharp images, and shows no sign of any chromatic
aberration. The Super Fine JPEG format used here compresses the image with
a ratio that is generally less than 1:4, producing excellent images that
have no compression artefacts.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.6
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/400
Resolution:
2560 x 1920
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Super Fine
ISO:
100
File Size:
3.66 MB
Focal Length:
28 mm (35mm Eq.)
ZOOM PHOTO
Although a 3.2X zoom, as it starts at a very wide 28mm, at its maximum
telephoto the LC1's lens has a focal length equivalent to a 90mm, which
is a short telephoto.
The metering provides a good balance between the bright exterior of the
building and the shadowed entrance, capturing details in both areas, including
some detail in the inside the entrance of the building.
Photo
Information
Format:
RAW
Aperture:
f5.6
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/320
Resolution:
2552 x 1920
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Uncompressed
ISO:
100
File Size:
9.44 MB
Focal Length:
90 mm (35mm Eq.)
NIGHT PHOTO
This camera is capable of long exposures, and an image captured
late at night is presented to give an idea of its capabilities.
Aperture: f3.2; shutter
speed: 8 sec, 100 ISO.
In shutter priority or in manual
mode, the LC1 is able to capture exposures as long as seconds.
A wired remote control is provided as part of the camera kit,
making it easier to start the exposure at a precise moment than
is possible with the self-timer, and ensuring that camera shake
will not interfere with the image.
Set to 100 ISO, the LC1 is able to capture a relatively bright image, even
with very dark subjects.
An effective noise reduction process is applied
to images captured at low shutter speeds, doubling the time required
for the exposure as the camera captures a second "dark" frame
to identify noise and eliminate it from the first.
Still, in view of the excellent image quality of the LC1, it is somewhat
regrettable that the maximum exposure time is limited to a relatively short
8 seconds, or that a Bulb mode isn't offered.
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Test Photos
