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.
For both the wide angle and telephoto shots of the still life, the DSC-W1's
built-in flash is set to its maximum strength (+) in the camera's menu
as it yields a brighter image that shows more detail.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f2.8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/40 sec.
Res:
2592 x 1944
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
100
File Size:
2.01 MB
Focal Length:
38mm (35mm Eq.)
The resulting image shows an excellent
level of detail, and a very good exposure.
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 lens now set to the maximum telephoto setting, the lower compression
used to store images at the Fine image quality is quite apparent.
As had been the case with the DSC-P100, the image clearly shows the underlying
texture of orange felt in the old wooden frame behind the photo paper.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.2
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/50 sec.
Res:
2592 x 1944
Flash:
On
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
100
File Size:
2.22 MB
Focal Length:
114mm (35mm Eq.)
Aperture: f8, speed: 1/320
sec.
MACRO PHOTO
With a macro mode that has a minimum focus distance of 6cm
(2.34 inches) when the lens is at the wide angle setting, the
DSC-W1 can capture excellent macro photos. At that distance, the camera captures a field of view of just
over 6 cm.
The photo of a wild flower shown here is captured from a slightly greater
distance.
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.
When images from the DSC-W1 are compared to those of earlier Sony cameras,
the lesser compression used with the W1's Fine image quality is
noticeable as a greater sharpness. The smaller details in the images — such
as the leaves on the trees in this image or textures — are visibly
better reproduced.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.6
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/400 sec.
Res:
2592 x 1944
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
100
File Size:
2.38 MB
Focal Length:
38mm (35mm Eq.)
ZOOM PHOTO
At the full telephoto setting of the lens, the metering produces an image
that has a brightness and colour balance which is consistent to the wide
angle photo above.
The vertical image elements aligned on the edges of the frame indicate
that the lens has no pincushion distortion. Likewise, only a slight amount
of noise can be detected in the shadowed part of the metal door frame.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f10
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Sp:
1/100 sec.
Res:
2592 x 1944
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Fine
ISO:
100
File Size:
2.28 MB
Focal Lgth:
114mm (35mm Eq.)
NIGHT PHOTO
Since this camera is capable of long exposures,
a photo taken at night is included here.
The DSC-W1 is capable of a 30
second exposure. With the type of subject presented here, an
urban waterfront, a 30 second exposure at f2.8 (the W1's widest
aperture) and 100 ISO yields an extremely bright exposure, one
which is overexposed wherever there are artificial lights.
A far better result is obtained if the aperture is smaller — in this
case f5.6 — resulting in an image which is much brighter than what
the eyes can see, but which still avoids overexposure.
Aperture: f5.6; speed:
30 sec, 100 ISO.
The noise reduction system of the
DSC-W1 is nothing short of excellent, yielding a photo that is
completely noise-free and very detailed.
As usual, the noise reduction system doubles the exposure time as it records
a black frame with the same exposure time as the actual image, and then
uses the noise accumulated over the second image to remove it from the
first.
(The glass like effect of the water, as can be seen below, is
a result of the long exposure time.)
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Test Photos
