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
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.
To obtain a noise-free image, the CCD sensitivity is set
to 80 ISO, the lowest setting for the H2. Using this sensitivity
and default settings for all others, the image the H2 yields
is good but a touch dark. To correct for this without increasing
the sensitivity and potentially introducing noise into the
image, the flash level is adjusted to +0.7 EV.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/40 sec.
Res:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
80
File Size:
2.3 MB
Focal Length:
36 mm (35 mm Eq.)
The resulting image is perfectly exposed,
and exhibits very natural colours. There is no visible loss
of lighting power in the corners of the image, and even more
notably, no trace of noise, even in the darker areas of the
frame.
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.
At the maximum magnification of the zoom, 12X, the same flash
level setting, +0.7 EV, yields an excellent exposure that
has well-saturated colours and no noise.
The resolution of the image is remarkable, and details, such
as individual paper fibres from the old photographic paper
envelope in the foreground, can be seen in the image.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.7
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/60 sec.
Res:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
80
File Size:
2.5 MB
Focal Length:
432 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Aperture: f4, speed:
1/60 sec., 80 ISO.
MACRO PHOTO
Using the Macro mode of the H2, it is possible to have the
camera focus on a subject that is a mere 2 cm (0.8 inch) from
the front element of the lens at the wide angle end; while
at the telephoto end a distance of 90 cm (35.1 inches) is
required.
Set to wide angle, the H2 captures a field of view, horizontally,
of 4 cm (1.56 inches). At the telephoto end, the H2’s
lens captures a field of view of 9 cm (3.51 inches).
In Macro mode, some barrel distortion
is noticeable, particularly if there are straight lines in the
image that appear close to the edges of the frame. Similarly,
the flash is best forced off in this mode as it can easily cause
a lens shadow to mar the lower part of he image.
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 DSC-H2 yields a perfectly exposed image of the building,
gathering many details in the shadows, while avoiding any
overexposure of the areas directly lit by the sun. Colours
are natural although well-saturated, most noticeably greens
and blues.
Under inspection at 100% on a monitor, a soft focus across
the entire image is detectable.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/500 sec.
Res:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
80
File Size:
2.6 MB
Focal Length:
36 mm (35 mm Eq.)
The direct sunlight causes some
harsh shadows, and engenders a slight chromatic aberration,
visible as a thin violet line underscoring the beams that are
part of the canopy of the building.
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.
The image obtained with the zoom at the maximum retains
the same exact colours as the wide angle shot, but with a
greater sharpness that is evidenced by the perfectly legible
little sign on the right side door.
There is no discernible noise in the image, including in
the darker zones.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.6
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Sp:
1/100 s.
Res:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
80
File Size:
1.9 MB
Focal Length:
432 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Similarly, there is no noticeable
chromatic aberration, nor is there any sign of pincushion
distortion.
NIGHT PHOTO
As
this camera is capable of long exposures, a photo taken
at night is included.
Aperture: f8; shutter
speed: 30 sec., 80 ISO
Equipped with a Manual mode
that provides complete control over the camera, the DSC-H2
is well suited to night-time photography. Moreover, with a
maximum exposure time of 30 seconds, the H2 is able to yield
an interesting image of a dark subject.
With the stabilizer turned off as the camera is mounted on
a tripod, our usual night-time subject contains a variety
of light sources, all artificial, and with the white balance
set to Incandescent; we note that there is still a slightly
yellow cast, most likely caused by the sodium vapour lighting.
To capture a 30-second exposure, the
aperture had to be shut down to its maximum of f8 to avoid an
overexposure.
The H2 uses a noise reduction
system and, in this case, captures a second 30-second exposure
without opening the shutter to collect background noise so
it can be deleted from the first image.
Observing this image at 100% scale on a monitor, a slight
softness can be seen, but more notable is the near total absence
of noise.
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Test Photos
