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.
Forced to a sensitivity of 50 ISO, a setting that is the least
sensitive to noise, and at the wide angle end, which has the
benefit of the brightest aperture, the Optio S7 captures an
image that is reasonably bright. Nevertheless, the subject is
nearly at the maximum effective range of the flash, and some
light fall off can be seen in the corners of the frame.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.7
Exp:
Multi-segment
Shutter Spd:
1/40
Res:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
On
Quality:
ISO:
50
File Size:
1.9 MB
Focal Lgth:
37.5 mm (35 mm
Eq.)
At this sensitivity setting, the
image does not exhibit much noise, but the compression —
the camera has used a ratio of 10.8:1 for this image —
appears to soften details.
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.
With an aperture of f5.2 at the maximum telephoto setting of
the zoom, the image is too dark when the sensitivity is left
on 50 ISO. Setting it to Auto instead, the camera elects a
sensitivity setting of 200 ISO to yield a brighter image.
The increase in sensitivity entails an increase in noise,
but it is mostly noticeable in the darker areas of the image,
such as on the trim of the Yashicaflex's lense.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.2
Exp:
Multi-segment
Shutter Spd:
1/125
Res:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
On
Quality:
ISO:
200
File Size:
2.0 MB
Focal Lgth:
112.5 mm (35 mm
Eq.)
However, the compression once again
softens the image detail. With this image a compression ratio
of 9.9:1 is used, and we note that in both cases the compression
applied to the S7's 7-megapixel images is greater than had been
used on previous Pentax S cameras.
The macro mode of the Optio S7 locks the zoom at
the wide angle end, ensuring that the shortest focus distance
is available to the user. The mode is listed in the manual
as having a focus range of 15 to 50 cm (5.85 to 19.5 inches),
but in fact the camera can focus sharply on a subject that
is 6.5 cm from the front element of the lens. At this distance,
the camera captures a field of view that measures approximately
7.1 cm (2.77 inches) when measured horizontally in the frame.
With some subjects that contain
strong horizontal elements, a bit of barrel distortion can be
seen, but the image quality, given lots of light, is as good
as the Optio S7 can produce.
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.
Wide angle shots reveal no serious barrel distortion, nor
do they show any chromatic aberration. The lens of the Optio
S7 produces a sharp image at all focal lengths, from one corner
of the frame to another. Whatever softness there is in any
image can be attributed to the compression applied at the
time it is saved, and is noticeable at all focal lengths,
increasing as the compression is increased.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.3
Exp:
Multi-segment
Shutter Spd:
1/250
Res:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
Off
Quality:
ISO:
50
File Size:
2.6 MB
Focal Lgth:
37.5 mm (35 mm
Eq.)
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.
Zoomed in, the Multi-segment metering is influenced by the
brightly lit exterior of the building more than by the shadowed
entrance area, or the area behind the green-tinted glass doors.
As a result, the camera yields an image that is very-well
exposed for the outside of the building — the small
yellow sign on the right door is legible — but which
reveals little behind the doors.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.2
Exp:
Multi-segment
Shutter Spd:
1/200
Res:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
Off
Quality:
ISO:
50
File Size:
2.0 MB
Focal Lgth:
112.5 mm (35 mm
Eq.)
NIGHT PHOTO
Since this camera is capable of long exposures,
a photo taken at night is included here.
Aperture: f5.2; shutter speed: 4 sec, 200 ISO.
Limited to a maximum 4-second
exposure, and somewhat noise-prone, the Optio S7 is only marginally
effective for night photography such as this subject.
At 50 ISO, the camera yields an image that is just a touch
darker than what can be seen with the naked eye. Increasing
sensitivity to 100 ISO, the image is a bit brighter, but is
effectively still too dark to be acceptable.
At 200 ISO, shown here, the image is only slightly brighter
than what can be seen with the eyes, but is already starting
to show noise, even after noise reduction processing.
The 400 ISO setting produces the brightest
image, but here again, after noise reduction, the image is
very grainy and lacks detail.
Dark frame noise reduction is applied to all long exposures,
and very noticeably lowers the detail contained in the image.
Test Photos
