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.
Using the default Program mode settings of the NV10, but
with the sensitivity set to 100 ISO to minimize the intrusion
of noise into the image, the photo the camera yields is a
touch dark. Increasing exposure compensation has no effect
when the flash is used, and in this case, setting the sensitivity
to Auto does not cause an increase in ISO.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter speed:
1/30 sec.
Res:
3648 x 2736
Flash:
On
Quality:
Super Fine
ISO:
100
File Size:
4.4 MB
Focal Lgth:
35 mm (35 mm Eq.)
The ambient light appears to have
some impact on the Auto white balance, as the image the camera
produces has a slight orange cast. At the wide angle end of
the lens, and with the widest aperture, sharpness is also a
bit soft.
ZOOM PHOTO
Now we zoom in on the on the centre of the image
above to gauge the sharpness of the image at the zoom's maximum
setting. The camera remains at the same distance as in the
preceding photo.
At the telephoto end, the maximum aperture of the lens becomes
f5.1, yet the camera sticks to a sensitivity of 100 ISO.
Nevertheless, colours are more accurate with this shot, and
sharpness is better since it is possible to discern some of
the printing screens on the old envelope. Noise, however,
albeit light, can be detected in the dark and shadow areas
of the image.
The NV10's macro mode allows the camera to focus from 4 to
80 cm (1.56 to 31.2 inches) with the zoom at the wide angle
end, and 50 to 80 cm (19.5 to 31.2 inches) at the telephoto
end.
At the shortest distance the camera captures a field of view
of 5.1 cm (2.04 inches), while at the telephoto end, a field
of view measuring 13.5 cm (5.4 inches) horizontally is photographed.
The Manual mode
yields the best results as it allows selecting the smallest
aperture so as to maximize the depth of field. Worth noting,
images reveal no barrel distortion, even when subjects are
very close to the lens.
BUILDING PHOTO
This image is our "outdoor" test. The architecture
of the building, in particular its angled girders, immediately
show the presence of jaggies. The shadowed entrance can also
often reveal the quality of the exposure.
The exposure produced by the camera's Multi metering —
the default pattern — is excellent and very well balanced.
Observing the image at 100% on a monitor, a chromatic aberration
is visible along the edge of strongly contrasting areas such
as the building's beams and the sky. When it occurs, the phenomenon
is usually more visible closer to the edges of the frame than
at the centre.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f7.1
Exposure:
Program
Shutter speed:
1/250 sec.
Res:
3648 x 2736
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Super Fine
ISO:
100
File Size:
4.8 MB
Focal Lgth:
35 mm (35 mm Eq.)
There is no noticeable barrel distortion
in images captured at the wide angle end of the zoom, and as
noted before, sharpness is a touch soft, most notably near the
edges of the frame.
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.
Set to telephoto, once again the camera delivers an excellent
exposure, balancing both highlights and shadows very well.
There is no discernable pincushion distortion, or any chromatic
aberration.
Still, some noise can be seen in the shadows, and this combined
with the compression, lessens the level of detail in the image.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.1
Exposure:
Program
Shutter speed:
1/640 sec.
Res:
3648 x 2736
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Super Fine
ISO:
100
File Size:
4.3 MB
Focal Lgth:
105 mm (35 mm Eq.)
NIGHT PHOTO
Since this camera is capable of long exposures,
a photo taken at night is included here.
The Night and
Firework scene modes of the NV10 allow exposures
as long as 4 seconds, but these modes control all aspects
of the exposure as well — white balance, aperture, etc.
— which are best left to the photographer when capturing
night scenery.
The Manual mode, on the other hand, offers as much control
over the exposures of the NV10 as the camera offers, including
control over the aperture, the shutter speed (which can be
as long as 15 seconds), the white balance, and the sensitivity.
With a sensitivity
of 100 ISO and an exposure time of 15 seconds at f2.8, the
camera is able to produce a bright image that reveals more
detail than can be seen by human eyes. The exposure reveals
colours, such as the green paint of the bridge, or the rusty
beams of the old shipyard buildings.
Although noise processing is applied to the image immediately
post-capture, doubling the time required to capture the image,
the resulting photo still shows a noticeable grain, and some
loss of sharpness.
Test Photos
