Nikon Coolpix 775 Review: 15. Compared to...: Digital Photography Review

Compared to... (contd.)

Now we can compare the Coolpix 775 to some data from our test archives. On this page we'll be comparing colour and resolution to the Canon Digital IXUS 300 (S300), Nikon Coolpix 950 and Olympus C-700UZ. I threw in the Olympus as a relatively in-expensive, recent, 2 megapixel digital camera.

Colour Chart Comparison

Colour charts are shot in daylight, Auto White Balance, EV compensation +0.3 (all cameras), measured light ~10 EV.

Nikon Coolpix 775 Canon Digital IXUS 300

Nikon Coolpix 950 Olympus C-700UZ

In the table below we're only measuring colour. The RGB values were measured from a VGA reduced image (to average colours and eliminate JPEG artifacts) using the Eyedropper tool in Photoshop with a 5 by 5 Average Sample Size.

Patch	Nikon Coolpix 775	Canon Digital IXUS 300 (S300)	Nikon Coolpix 950	Olympus C-700 UZ
Black	16,20,19	21,21,21	20,20,20	21,25,25
Black
Middle Gray	97,98,98	98,98,98	105,108,108	94,104,109
Middle Gray
White	202,204,200	213,213,209	198,198,198	194,204,210
White
Magenta	219,31,83	204,38,112	208,44,122	173,50,115
Magenta
Red	212,17,9	201,30,40	215,31,41	173,24,24
Red
Yellow	187,189,39	206,193,31	203,185,77	179,180,14
Yellow
Green	0,156,77	25,131,63	0,148,67	32,130,51
Green
Cyan	0,186,214	30,155,209	39,170,204	43,174,225
Cyan
Blue	26,41,100	24,30,93	57,51,132	33,51,130
Blue

On the whole a fair performance, things which are most noticeable is the strength of the red and magenta patches, slightly subdued yellow and dark blue (though this is a common problem with digital cameras).

Resolution Comparison

Shots here are of the PIMA/ISO 12233 standard resolution test chart (more of which are available in our comparison database). This resolution chart allows us to measure the actual performance of the lens and sensor system, it measures the ability of the camera to resolve lines at gradually higher resolutions and enables us to provide a definitive value for comparison purposes. Values on the chart are 1/100^th lines per picture height. So a value of 8 equates to 800 lines per picture height.

Studio light, cameras set to auto, Exposure compensation +0.7 EV for all cameras.

Nikon Coolpix 775

Canon Digital IXUS 300 (S300 ELPH)

Nikon Coolpix 950

Olympus C-700UZ

Measurable findings (three measurements taken for each camera):

Camera	Measurement	Absolute Res.	Extinction Res.
Nikon Coolpix 775	Horiz LPH	750	950
	Vert LPH	750	1000
	5° Diagonal LPH	800	900
Canon Digital IXUS 300	Horiz LPH *	820	1000
	Vert LPH	800	1050
	5° Diagonal LPH	800	900
Nikon Coolpix 950	Horiz LPH	750	1050
	Vert LPH	750	1050
	5° Diagonal LPH	800	n/a
Olympus C-700 UZ	Horiz LPH *	800	1000
	Vert LPH *	800	1050
	5° Diagonal LPH *	700	900

* Moiré visible

Definition of terms:

LPH	Lines per Picture Height (to allow for different aspect ratios the measurement is the same for horizontal and vertical)
5^o Diagonal	Lines set at 5^o diagonal
Absolute Resolution	Still defined detail (below Nyquist frequency*)
Extinction Resolution	Detail beyond camera's definition (becomes a solid gray alias)
n/a	Not Available (above the capability of the test chart)
n/v	Not Visible (not visible on test results)

* Nyquist frequency defined as the highest spatial frequency where the CCD can still faithfully record
image detail. Beyond the Nyquist frequency aliasing occurs.

The Coolpix 775 was a bit of a disappointment when it came to absolute resolution, not really fairing any better than its older sibling the Coolpix 950 the camera seemed to be let down by its lens which left the image looking fuzzy. Note that the Coolpix 775 shot was taken with sharpening set to Normal.

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