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
With
this shot, the camera is set to Program mode, and the flash is set to
Auto. The subject is lit from above by a low wattage incandescent bulb,
and the camera's meter must evaluate the relatively bright items on the
table as well as the dark background.
Although the LC43 is
identical in many respects to the 3-megapixel LC33, the LC43 has a CCD
capable of capturing finer details, and this can be seen in the clearer
image it produces of the open book in the foreground.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter
Speed:
1/60
Res.:
2304
x 1728
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File
Size:
1.32
MB
Focal
Length:
35
mm (35mm Eq.)
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 lens captures a very even-lit scene that has a high level
of sharpness.
Although fairly compressed, the image shows a lot of detail, as can be
seen in the image below, cropped from the full size frame.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.9
Exposure:
Program
Shutter
Speed:
1/60
Res.:
2304
x 1728
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File
Size:
1.59
MB
Focal
Length:
105
mm (35mm Eq.)
Aperture: f2.8, shutter speed 1/125 sec., 50 ISO.
MACRO
PHOTO
Like
the DMC-LC33, the LC43 has a special Mode Dial position to capture macro
photos. At the wide end of the zoom, the camera is able to focus at a
minimum distance of 10cm (3.9 in.); while at the maximum telephoto, focus
requires the camera to be at least 50cm (19.5 in.) from the subject. The
wide angle has the narrowest field of view, approximately 10cm (3.9 inches)
from one edge of the frame to the other, horizontally.
Some
barrel distortion is noticeable when the lens is at the wide angle position,
but it remains minimal.
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 also often provides real-life information on the quality of the
exposure and reveals any noise that might be present.
With subjects of this type, the LC43 produces excellent
photos. The metering is accurate, and the colour rendition quite precise.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter
Speed:
1/100
Resolution:
2304
x 1728
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File
Size:
1.53
MB
Focal
Length:
35
mm (35mm Eq.)
ZOOM
PHOTO
Just as with the wide
angle shot above, the LC43 produces a very well-exposed image, and when
set to a 50 ISO sensitivity, the image shows no noise.
Still, for a 4 megapixel camera, it is a bit regrettable that the LC43
provides only 2 JPEG compression levels, and that even the highest image
quality sustains a relatively strong compression.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.9
Exposure:
Program
Shutter
Speed:
1/125
Resolution:
2304
x 1728
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
50
File
Size:
1.53
MB
Focal
Length:
105
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:
2.8; shutter speed: 8 sec, 200 ISO.
The
DMC-LC43 is able to make an exposure up to 8 seconds long, allowing for
night shots of city lights. Like the LC33, the LC43 does not have a noise
reduction system, and its upper sensitivity limit of 200 ISO prevents
it from capturing a clear image of a dim subject at night.
Still, as the test image at left shows, and in particular the section
cropped from it shown below, even without a noise reduction system, the
200 ISO sensitivity of the camera captures a relatively low-noise image.
