P&S with ISO1600, waterproof and shockproof metal casing

Wai · 26th January 2006

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0601/06...mpus_720sw.asp

another portable P&S with ISO1600 capablility, at Euro$300, about same price as Fujifilm F11

although only 3m waterproof, it is good enough for all outdoor activities unless u really go diving deeper than 3m.

now let's see if the color going to be as good as Fujifilm F11

nightpiper · 26th January 2006

wow!! interesting!!

now can do simple basic snorkelling w/o the underwater casing. even in swimming pool is fun with children.

StreetShooter · 26th January 2006

The "BrightCapture" technology sounds a little dubious. Sounds like they're just averaging pixels down to remove noise (what's 1/9th of 7.1 megapixels?), then interpolating the image up again.

wind30 · 26th January 2006

The resulting noise will be much coarser grain. Details also gone. This is just stupid. I rather use a better noise reduction software on my MAC. Definately much better than any algo they can implement on the camera.

Quite dissappointed with olympus actually.

yanyewkay · 26th January 2006

Originally Posted by StreetShooter

The "BrightCapture" technology sounds a little dubious. Sounds like they're just averaging pixels down to remove noise (what's 1/9th of 7.1 megapixels?), then interpolating the image up again.

i suspect it's more of a built in NR software.

but the waterproof feature is fantastic.

tao · 26th January 2006

Originally Posted by wind30

The resulting noise will be much coarser grain. Details also gone. This is just stupid. I rather use a better noise reduction software on my MAC. Definately much better than any algo they can implement on the camera.

Quite dissappointed with olympus actually.

Don't speculate.... wait till the camera arrives before delivering the judgement. What is there to be dissapointed when the releases by Olympus today are so innovative compared with the boring staple of devices the other makes are introducing?

jbma · 26th January 2006

Originally Posted by nightpiper

wow!! interesting!! now can do simple basic snorkelling w/o the underwater casing. even in swimming pool is fun with children.

Yup. That is exactly what I plan to do. Some snorkling and swimming pool shots of my children.

Originally Posted by StreetShooter

The "BrightCapture" technology sounds a little dubious. Sounds like they're just averaging pixels down to remove noise (what's 1/9th of 7.1 megapixels?), then interpolating the image up again.

I agree. So it is not really low noise due to better/bigger sensor after all.

zcf · 26th January 2006

Although the reduce size to compensate for higher ISO do lose detail, and my be a bit blur. But there are some occasional indoor event or in the dark where you really need high ISO and fast shutter speed for these P&S. It's a feature that not very good, but better than none.

I think this has been implemented in Panasonic, Kodak etc kind of P&S camera lately also.

Wai · 26th January 2006

Originally Posted by wind30

The resulting noise will be much coarser grain. Details also gone. This is just stupid. I rather use a better noise reduction software on my MAC. Definately much better than any algo they can implement on the camera.

Quite dissappointed with olympus actually.

wait till we see the sample pic lar..

when Fuji F10 just launched...i also didn't expect much from it's ISO1600 capability...until i got myself a set to play with.

Certainly it is not as clean as the image from my 1D MKII, but it is the best i have ever seen from a portable P&S

I like the internal zoom, shockproof and waterproof feature

hammer_400 · 26th January 2006

nowadays got lmore n more pns with iso 1600... most of which grossly use some heavy handed NR and downsizing to reduce noise... bur i would rather be able to take a heavy NRed iso1600 shot than not....

saying which the u720S looks good... 3 metres waterproof n shock resistant and a nice 2.5"lcd...

wind30 · 26th January 2006

Originally Posted by zcf

Although the reduce size to compensate for higher ISO do lose detail, and my be a bit blur. But there are some occasional indoor event or in the dark where you really need high ISO and fast shutter speed for these P&S. It's a feature that not very good, but better than none.

I think this has been implemented in Panasonic, Kodak etc kind of P&S camera lately also.

Actually I rather they boost up the ISO and do NOTHING. Rather then using SUPER NR and lose all the details. Ultimately, what you can do on the PC will be better than what you can do on the camera. Give me the original ISO1600 file and I am sure neat image can do a better job.

I think F10 noise performance is partly due to a better sensor

zcf · 26th January 2006

I think most consumer don't know how to do post process, that's why the camera did it for them

ykkok · 26th January 2006

Also, it looks better on 'spec' when they do scientific test on noise performance.

We usually hear consumer complain about "Wah noise", rather than "Wah.. no details"

And this, more or less, sounds better and more sellable.

My 2 cents.

26th January 2006	#1
Wai Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: South Pole with Penguins Posts: 5,133	P&S with ISO1600, waterproof and shockproof metal casing http://www.dpreview.com/news/0601/06...mpus_720sw.asp another portable P&S with ISO1600 capablility, at Euro$300, about same price as Fujifilm F11 although only 3m waterproof, it is good enough for all outdoor activities unless u really go diving deeper than 3m. now let's see if the color going to be as good as Fujifilm F11 __________________ We are HDD of PC & FT are MB add to storage; so PC never hangs with enormous storage capacity - LKY

26th January 2006	#3
StreetShooter Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Katong Posts: 4,702	Re: P&S with ISO1600, waterproof and shockproof metal casing The "BrightCapture" technology sounds a little dubious. Sounds like they're just averaging pixels down to remove noise (what's 1/9th of 7.1 megapixels?), then interpolating the image up again.

26th January 2006	#4
wind30 Deregistered Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 2,929	Re: P&S with ISO1600, waterproof and shockproof metal casing The resulting noise will be much coarser grain. Details also gone. This is just stupid. I rather use a better noise reduction software on my MAC. Definately much better than any algo they can implement on the camera. Quite dissappointed with olympus actually.

26th January 2006	#8
zcf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: 270 degree of Singapore Posts: 6,700	Re: P&S with ISO1600, waterproof and shockproof metal casing Although the reduce size to compensate for higher ISO do lose detail, and my be a bit blur. But there are some occasional indoor event or in the dark where you really need high ISO and fast shutter speed for these P&S. It's a feature that not very good, but better than none. I think this has been implemented in Panasonic, Kodak etc kind of P&S camera lately also. __________________ Sony Alpha 700 hobbyist

26th January 2006	#10
hammer_400 Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sg Posts: 692	Re: P&S with ISO1600, waterproof and shockproof metal casing nowadays got lmore n more pns with iso 1600... most of which grossly use some heavy handed NR and downsizing to reduce noise... bur i would rather be able to take a heavy NRed iso1600 shot than not.... saying which the u720S looks good... 3 metres waterproof n shock resistant and a nice 2.5"lcd... Last edited by hammer_400; 26th January 2006 at 06:35 PM.

26th January 2006	#2
nightpiper Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,801	wow!! interesting!! now can do simple basic snorkelling w/o the underwater casing. even in swimming pool is fun with children.

26th January 2006	#13
ykkok Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 531	Re: P&S with ISO1600, waterproof and shockproof metal casing Also, it looks better on 'spec' when they do scientific test on noise performance. We usually hear consumer complain about "Wah noise", rather than "Wah.. no details" And this, more or less, sounds better and more sellable. My 2 cents.