Landscape: 4.33MB, M mode, 1/480, f6.4, ISO 100, 8-24mm at 8mm (equivalent
to 35mm)
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Our first sample image was taken on a very bright day with the F50fd zoomed-out to wide angle and set to its lowest 100 ISO sensitivity. As such this represents perfect conditions.
The crops contain lots of detail, and there's virtually no fringing despite the high contrast areas of the yacht.
Look closely though and there is very slight evidence of texturing from noise - nothing to be concerned about here, but it's already clear the F50fd doesn't share the high ISO leadership of its predecessors. |
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Landscape: 4.69MB, M Mode, 1/480, f5, ISO 100, 8-24mm at 8mm (equivalent
to 35mm)
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Another shot taken at wide angle on a sunny day with the F50fd set to 100 ISO.
Once again a similar result to that above, with detailed crops, minimal evidence of fringing and only very slight texturing through noise.
We let the F50fd work out the aperture here, although it's also possible to manually set it for a larger (or smaller) depth of field if desired. |
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Landscape: 4.41MB, M Mode, 1/4, f5, ISO 100, 8-24mm at 8mm (equivalent
to 35mm)
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Our final 100 ISO sample, although this time taken under very dim conditions.
Set to auto exposure, the F50fd selected a shutter of 1/4 of a second, which as we found in other tests was beyond the IS system. So here we balanced the camera against a fence to take the shot. Interestingly despite the dim conditions, the F50fd selected a relatively small aperture.
The crops again show plenty of detail although a little softening in the extreme corners, and a sprinkling of noise in shadow areas. |
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Portrait: 4.30MB, M Mode, 1/680, f5.1, ISO 200, 8-24mm at 24mm (equivalent
to 105mm)
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This portrait shot was taken with the F50fd fully zoomed-in to an equivalent of 105mm and the sensitivity increased to 200 ISO. If you'd prefer a smaller depth of field, you can manually open the aperture further in A/S mode.
The crops still show lots of detail, but noise levels have increased at 200 ISO. Images taken at 200 ISO are perfectly usable though. |
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Macro: 4.65MB, M Mode, 1/800, f7.1, ISO 400, 8-24mm at 8mm (equivalent
to 35mm)
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For this macro shot we increased the sensitivity to 400 ISO and positioned the camera as close at it would focus.
As you'd expect there's another slight increase in noise, but you'd have to be pixel-peeping to really be bothered. Again the F50fd remains usable at 400 ISO. |
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Indoor: 4.65MB, M Mode, 1/70, f2.8, ISO 400, 8-24mm at 8mm (equivalent
to 35mm)
Indoor Flash: 4.44MB, Auto, 1/60, f3, ISO 800, 8-24mm at 8mm (equivalent
to 35mm)
Indoor: 4.53MB, M Mode, 1/15, f2.8, ISO 800, 8-24mm at 8mm (equivalent
to 35mm)
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Our second 800 ISO sample again reveals significant artefacts from noise and noise reduction when viewed at 100%. This sensitivity on the F50fd is not for the pixel peepers among us.
To be fair, this kind of result is no different to other compacts, which are also best used below 400 ISO, but as the successor the high ISO-leading F30 / F31fd, we'd hoped for better.
We should also note this shot at 1/15 was at the limit of the IS system and several duplicate shots suffered from camera shake. |
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Indoor: 4.87MB, M Mode, 1/200, f2.8, ISO 1600, 8-24mm at 8mm (equivalent
to 35mm)
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Our final high sensitivity indoor shot was taken with the F50fd set to 1600 ISO, and now there's a significant increase in noise and loss of detail.
Some high ISO images can look a little washed-out, but the F50fd performs ok in this regard, meaning these are images which could still look fine when emailed - or printed very small.
All in all, the F50fd performs similarly to other premium compacts at high ISOs, but sadly given its heritage, it isn't any better in this respect. |
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