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.
The DSC-H5 has a built-in pop-up flash that is powerful
enough to light the subject perfectly. In addition, the output
of the flash level can be adjusted over ±2 EV in in
1/3 EV increments, which provides a lot of flexibility, allowing
the flash to be used at close range, or at a greater distance
than normal.
With this subject, the H5 yields a perfectly well-exposed
image using the default settings.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/40 sec.
Res:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
80
File Size:
2.59 MB
Focal Length:
36 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Although compressed at a ratio of
7.8:1, the image retains a good level of detail and there are
no visible artefacts produced by the process.
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 the zoom lens at the maximum telephoto setting, the
camera is able to capture a small area of the subject in great
detail as can be seen below. When seen at 100%, the image
clearly shows the fibres of the paper, and the details of
the printing; the few areas of the photographic paper envelope
that retain a bit of gloss — the envelope is approximately
70 years old — have caught the flash's light and are
perfectly imaged.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.7
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/60 sec.
Res:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
80
File Size:
2.96 MB
Focal Length:
432 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Aperture: f4, speed: 1/320
sec., 80 ISO.
MACRO PHOTO
Unlike some other long zoom cameras, the DSC-H5 does not
limit the use of the macro mode to the wide end of the zoom.
Indeed, while the minimum focus distance for the H5 is 2 cm
(0.8 inch) from the subject, the zoom can be used up to the
12.7 mm focal length, which is equivalent to 76.2 mm. At this
distance, the H5 captures a field of view measuring 3.1 cm
(1.21 inches) with remarkable detail.
As was the case with the H2, a bit of barrel distortion is
visible when the subject is that close, but it is minimal.
It is worth noting, however,
that when the camera is used in Macro mode, the precision
of the AF indicator — a green dot that appears at the
top of the screen — seems to decrease, particularly
if the camera is handheld, and that better results are achieved
if the camera is very steady.
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.
Photographed on a sunny summer day with the sun quite high
in the sky, our standard building subject exhibits some very
deep shadows. The Multi metering of the H5 is able to produce
a good exposure, but to avoid overexposing the surroundings,
the shadows in the entrance area of the building turn out
quite dark.
No distortion is noticeable in the shot, and the slight chromatic
aberration observed in the same image made with the H2 is
a touch less noticeable in the H5's image.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/400 sec.
Res:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
80
File Size:
2.97 MB
Focal Length:
36 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.
With a powerful zoom such as the one here, our standard
telephoto shot of the building gives the impression that it
was captured from a short distance instead of from the same
place as the wide angle shot.
The image was captured with the H5 handheld, and the SteadyShot
stabilizer set to the Shooting mode. The sharpness of the
image is excellent, a testament to the efficiency of the stabilizer.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.7
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Sp:
1/125 sec.
Res:
3072 x 2304
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
80
File Size:
2.78 MB
Focal Length:
432 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Metering is also notable, taking
into account the areas that are well-lit as well as those
in shadow, and yielding an image that contains detail in both.
Similarly, it can be noted that there is no distortion, nor
any chromatic aberration.
NIGHT PHOTO
As
this camera is capable of long exposures, a photo taken
at night is included.
The DSC-H5 is capable of exposure
times of up to 30 seconds, allowing it to capture a wide variety
of subjects at night. As always, with night photos that require
the use of a tripod, the stabilization system is best turned
off.
The photo shown at left was captured with the white balance
set to incandescent to minimize the amber cast created by
the outdoor lighting, and with an exposure of 20 seconds at
the smallest aperture of the camera (f8) and the lowest sensitivity.
Of a series of photos captured
with the H5, one shot with the zoom at 46 mm (the equivalent
of 277 mm) turned out to be the most interesting. The image
shows a lot of detail, although the black frame noise reduction
processing has softened the sharpness slightly. Other photos,
shot with the lens at the widest angle, turned out with an
even softer sharpness.
Test Photos
