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 a sensitivity setting of 100 ISO, the DSC-N2 captures
a crisp image with the help of the flash.
The image is uniformly sharp across the frame, and contains
a very reasonable level of detail and, for instance, some
of the smaller print on the photographic paper envelopes
is legible. A little bit of noise can be detected in the
shadows.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter
Speed:
1/40 sec.
Resolution:
3648 x 2736
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
100
File Size:
4 MB
Focal Length:
38 mm (35mm Eq.)
ZOOM PHOTO
The intent with this photo is to test the sharpness
of the image at the zoom's maximum setting, with the camera
remaining at the same distance as in the preceding photo.
With the zoom at the maximum telephoto setting, the camera
is able to capture even more detail: the printing screen
on the envelope is clearly visible, as is the frayed texture
of the envelope's paper.
As it is with the wide angle shot, the telephoto image reveals
that at this sensitivity the DSC-N2's images contain only
minimal noise.
A small circuit board serves
to visualize the macro capabilities of the DSC-N2. With the
zoom set to the wide end, the macro mode allows the camera
to focus on a subject that is 6 cm (2.34 in.) from the front
element of the lens. At this distance the camera captures
a field of view that is approximately 6.8 cm when measured
horizontally across the frame.
As it is with other wide angle photos, barrel distortion
is minimal. The image sharpness is excellent, and the depth
of field can be maximized if the smallest aperture is used.
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.
A spring sky provides the building with a mix of sun and
cloud, making it easy for the metering to produce an excellent
exposure.
At the wide end, the DSC-N2 is able to produce a sharp image
with a high level of detail. The effect of the relatively
strong compression, however, may be responsible for the slight
fuzziness that can be detected on the edges of the beams,
and shadows contain some noise.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/640 sec.
Resolution:
3648 x 2736
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
100
File Size:
4.26 MB
Focal Length:
38 mm (35mm 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.
Although the DSC-N2 only has a 3X zoom, its good image sharpness
and 10.1-megapixe resolution allows the image to contain
a lot of detail when seen at 100%. For example, the tiny
sign on the front door is legible, something that would be
difficult at lesser resolutions.
The telephoto photo, just like the wide angle shot, reveals
no chromatic aberration, but only a bit of noise in the darker
areas of the image.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/100 sec.
Resolution:
3648 x 2736
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
100
File Size:
4.54 MB
Focal Length:
114 mm (35mm
Eq.)
NIGHT PHOTO
As this camera is capable of long exposures,
a photo taken at night is included.
The Manual mode of the DSC-N2
is capable of a 30 second exposure, sufficient even at 100
ISO to capture a very bright image in dark surroundings.
With this subject, which has a cream colour and yellow
lighting, the white balance is set to Incandescent to offset
any colour shift. Nevertheless, the length of the exposure
is sufficient to make the lighting bathe the veranda in a
strong yellow glow.
Aperture: f4, shutter
speed: 30 sec., 100 ISO.
Because the subject is very well
lit on the ground floor, and not at all on the upper floor,
the exposure is difficult as it must avoid too strong an overexposure
of the lower part, and an underexposure of the top part. To
achieve this, an aperture of f4 — the middle of the three
apertures available with the DSC-N2 when it is used on Manual
mode — is used.
Noise reduction is automatically
applied by the camera, doubling the time required to capture
the image, but producing very good results.
Worth noting, however, the self-timer, a necessity when
shooting at night with the camera on a tripod, must be reinitialized
for every shot which is impractical.
Test Photos
