Sony DSCV1 image quality

[Orio]

I took a couple of sample test shots with the camera.
The detail is not that of a DSLR, but can be regarded as "sufficient".
On the other hand, the dynamic range and contrast are excellent and for the latter, the vario-sonnar surely plays a key role

To get the most out of this cam, you have to go beyond the preset settings:

1- shoot TIF. Even the "fine" quality of JPG is not really high (8 out of 12 in Photoshop scale), so small details will have artifacts. TIF avoids these but the drawback is that it takes 5 seconds to record an image. However this is not a camera to shoot sports in any case, so...

2. avoid the awful in-camera sharpening. I don't think it's possible to set it off, but at least setting to minimum makes the image an acceptable base for further editing. Using a good sharpening plugin such as Nik's on the image with low camera sharpening is the best way to go. Even better is to resize to web size with no sharpening and only apply a little Nik's after resize.

3- at 100 ISO the image is clean of Luma noise, but it has visible Chroma noise. So take it off with a good denoise plugin (make sure that Luma noise reduction is not applied)

4- the AWB of the camera is quite distant from ideal, but this is a very common problem to many digital cameras including much better ones.

5- the "normal" saturation setting of the camera is a bit on the anemic side. Not a problem however if you plan to PP the shot (which with this type of cameras is a must)

With these precautions it is possible to take very good web sized pictures from this camera. However I would not attempt to print any larger than 12x18 with this camera.

This is an image I derived from a JPG shot of the camera. In-camera sharpening set to minimum, resized and little Nik's sharpening after resize, chroma noise reduction with Noise Ninja, fine tune of white balance and careful saturation enhancement in Power Retouche Pro:



As you can see, the Vario-Sonnar is not exactly immune from barrel distortion
But the image contrast and feel are very pleasing IMHO and not common for the average of P&S cameras. Please note this was (is) a very dull day. I expect more wow factor in sunshine days.

I have been very conservative with sharpening. Looking at the image now, I realize I could have sharpened a little more.

All in all a tiny camera that can produce acceptable image quality even for people accustomed to best IQ like we are. However you need PP to get there.

_

[LucisPictor]

As you say, Orio. It all depends on what you want to do. For smaller prints or websites, these cams are more than enough.
The real drawback of these compact cams for me is the DoF, almost in every shot everything is sharp.
If you want that, they are perfect. But often I do not want such a wide DoF.

[Orio]

[LucisPictor]

[poilu]

wow! a dream cam, the borders are clean, no CA and everything is in focus, the perfect landscape tool.
I want to buy a mobile phone with Zeiss
I don't plan to print bigger than 12x18 inches and resized to 900 pixels, the quality is enough
The V1 have the advantage of zoom, flash and raw mode
but it is quite big for a pocket and the movie mode is limited to 16fps

[Katastrofo]

Orio, thanks for posting this and the tips will come in handy WHEN I get one
that works! The lens adapters arrived yesterday, in silver, to match the
camera.

Bill

[tobbsman]

Very ok this picture ! I am surprised.
But still easy nociteable distortions from this lens.

Cheers
Tobias

[Katastrofo]

Tomorrow I pick up at the post office a working Sony DSC-V1, and the
Sonnar lens from Greece has arrived as well.

Orio, despite slightly less than effusive praise for this little cam, do post
pics when you have some! (I know I will...)

[Orio]

[Katastrofo]

Hopefully this oscillation will end, after all, we're talking about "Sunny Italy"
right?

[Orio]

[Katastrofo]

Yodel lay hee hoo!

Well, the Sony seems to work just fine, took some pix around the front store. The CZJ Sonnar from Greece looks in pristine shape. What
pretty stamps you have, Poilu!

[Katastrofo]

Well, I'm going to tack on to your thread some test shots of my second
DSC-V1. I got all my money back save for shipping on the first one as
the seller didn't want it back and will send it to Laredo, TX for repairs some
time. I went right for the close-up mode, no close-up lens attached:







I shot in the top JPEG mode, don't like the wait in TIFF, but used Bibble
for processing that yields a TIFF file. Really like the colors! I'll change these
out for better pics hopefully later today.

[Orio]

The quality is simply outstanding, Bill. I can't wait to have the time to finally try mine with some decent weather.

[Attila]

Sharp, but very flat for me.

[Orio]

[Katastrofo]

Attila is probably using a flat screen monitor...LOL Well, I'm not pretending
this is a DSLR, but here's a few more after a quick run to Bennett's:







There are a lot of settings I need to explore, these are taken in shutter
priority mode due to wind we're having today. Definitely recommend Bibble
for processing.

[Attila]

Yes,my opinion based on second image middle part.

[Attila]

You won guys! Second samples are superb!

[Orio]

Bill, my battery gets exhausted in a very short time.
Do you know if it's possible to find a spare one?
My camera didn't come with any manual, so I don't know the specs of the battery.

[Katastrofo]

Orio, batts and chargers are all over ebay, and the manual is downloadable
from Sony Support. If you can't find it, I can email you the file. Here's
the European site for Sony Support:

http://support.sony-europe.com/manuals/manuals.aspx

Yeah, neither one of mine had the manuals or software, but I never use
the software anyway.

The batteries and chargers are all over US Ebay, but if you don't see them
on the European side, LMK, it will go in the next package (with Contax, not
Pentax, sheesh, strap).

[koji]

I feel 3D-ness definitely, you can sleep well Bill.

Fauna in Alabama looks like Ontario's. This is strange, global warming?

Sorry to miss this thread, Orio.

[poilu]

congrats Bill! now you are able to focus a leaf
p&shooter

[Katastrofo]

Koji, thanks, I think this cam aces my Canon G2 in performance. Yes, we
have had some very warm weather for this time of year, but the last few
days have gone down to low 30's (F) and humidity at 50% with 10-15 mile
winds makes it pretty cold.

Poilu, thanks for your comments in the spirit that they were given...

[Katastrofo]

Here's a few more I snapped today when I was out and about:









(oversharpening corrected)

Going to be trying the night mode, next.