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
image is captured using flash and some ambient lighting.
In wide angle,
the lens of the DSC-P51 has a slight amount of barrel distortion which
becomes more noticeable as the subject is closer to the camera.
As is the case with the other cameras in this series, the DSC-P51 provides
the brightest image if the CCD sensitivity is set to Auto when the flash
is used. Then, the camera adjusts the CCD sensitivity from 100 up to 320
depending on the distance and brightness of the subject. However, when
used with the Auto ISO, shadows can start to show some noise.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.8
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter
Speed:
1/50
sec.
Res:
1600
x 1200
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
100
File
Size:
764
KB
Focal
Lgth:
41mm
(35mm Eq.)
With
this subject, the P51 has no problem capturing the correct colour of both
the yellow and orange peppers. But, with the camera set to 100 ISO, the
image isn't as bright as it could be.
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.
The P51 provides a relatively short 2X optical zoom which allows only
a modest magnification of the subject.
As with many other Sony digital cameras, the DSC-P51 produces images that
show a great consistency of colour, at all zoom positions, and irrespective
of the colour dominance within the frame. Seen
at full scale, the image captured by the P51 is sharp and quite detailed.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.8
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter
Speed:
1/50
sec.
Res:
1600
x 1200
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
100
File
Size:
705
KB
Focal
Lgth:
82mm
(35mm Eq.)
CLOSE-UP
PHOTO
Aperture:
f3.8, shutter speed 1/20 sec. (Twilight mode)
The
DSC-P51 shares another resemblance with the DSC-P31: it has no particular
macro setting. The lens is capable of focusing continuously from 8cm (3.25
in.) to infinity in wide angle, and 50cm (19.75 in.) at the maximum telephoto
setting.
At the lens' closest approach, the DSC-P51 provides a field of view —
from one edge to the other of a horizontal frame — of 9 cm (3.5
in.) approximately. With some subjects, if they contain horizontal image
elements close to the borders of the frame, the lens exhibit some barrel
distortion. Still, without a specific macro mode, the detail that can
be captured is quite respectable.
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.
At the
maximum wide angle setting of the lens, the camera produces the equivalent
of a 41mm field of view. This is sufficient to capture the front section
of the building, but only show a small part of its wings.
With subjects that are directly lit by the sun, as is the case here, it
is preferable to set the white balance to the "sun" preset.
Otherwise, left in the Auto setting, shadows can take on a blue tint.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f4.5
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter
Speed:
1/500
sec.
Res:
1600
x 1200
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:.
100
File
Size:
857
KB
Focal
Lgth:
41mm
(35mm Eq.)
ZOOM
PHOTO
Probably the clearest limitation of the DSC-P51 is its relatively short
telephoto. With a 2X magnification, and from the same vantage point as
in the wide angle photo above, the camera can only provide a modest magnification.
This aside, the exposure it captures is very good, and the metering avoids
overexposure of the directly lit parts of the frame while still capturing
details in the shadowed part of the entrance,
as the section below shows.
