Toshiba PDR-M71Toshiba introduces a feature-packed, value-priced 3 megapixel model!<<Video, Power, Software :(Previous) | (Next): Reference: Datasheet>> Page 12:Test Results & ConclusionReview First Posted: 08/24/2001 |
Test Results
In keeping with our standard policy, our comments here are rather condensed, summarizing our key findings. For a full commentary on each of the test images, see the PDR-M71's "pictures" page.
As with all Imaging Resource camera tests, we encourage you to let your own eyes be the judge of how well the devices performed. Explore the images on the pictures page, to see how well the PDR-M71 performed, and how its images compare to other cameras you may be considering buying.
Throughout out testing, the PDR-M71 produced good color and image quality. The camera's White Balance system handled our test lighting well in most cases, with the Auto and Daylight settings often producing similar results. Both the Auto and Incandescent white balance settings produced good results under the very tough incandescent lighting of our no-flash Indoor Portrait test, though we noticed slight color casts with both settings. Color balance also looked good on our Davebox target, where the PDR-M71 distinguished the tough tonal variations of the Q60 target well, and reproduced the large color blocks with good saturation. Skin tones had a slight magenta tint in our Outdoor and Indoor portraits, and the blue flowers appeared purple in our Outdoor and Indoor shots. Still, overall color was good and the PDR-M71 handled our test subjects well.
The PDR-M71 performed well on our "laboratory" resolution test chart. It started showing artifacts in the test patterns at resolutions as low as 500-600 lines per picture height, in both horizontal and vertical directions. We found "strong detail" out to roughly 950 lines. "Extinction" of the target patterns didn't occur until about 1,200 lines. Overall, good resolution, although the artifacts extended to lower resolution levels on the test target than we like to see.
Optical distortion on the PDR-M71 was moderate at the wide-angle end, where we measured an approximate 0.65 percent barrel distortion. The telephoto end fared much better, as we found only one pixel of barrel distortion. Chromatic aberration showed about two or three green pixels of coloration and about five or six red pixels of coloration. The color due to the aberration was fairly strong though, so the effect was more pronounced than the simple extent of the color would indicate. (We noticed quite a bit of chromatic aberration on our Far Field test outdoors.)
The full manual exposure control available on the PDR-M71 allowed the camera to capture bright images at very low light levels. In our testing, we obtained bright, usable images down to about 1/16 foot-candle (or 0.67 lux) at the 200 and 400 ISO settings. At ISO 100, images were usable down to about 1/8 foot-candle (1.3 lux), though the target was still quite visible at 1/16 foot-candle. Color looked good in the brighter exposures, but the Auto white balance setting had trouble at light levels lower than one foot-candle, and produced a magenta cast. The PDR-M71 automatically employed a noise reduction system at longer exposures, which did a decent job of controlling the image noise, although there was still quite a bit of noise present in the photos shot with the longest exposures.
The PDR-M71's optical viewfinder was a little tight, showing approximately 83 percent frame accuracy at wide angle, and approximately 81 percent accuracy at telephoto. The LCD monitor produced more accurate results, showing about 90 percent at wide angle and telephoto. Given that we generally prefer LCD monitors to be as close to 100 percent accuracy as possible, the PDR-M71 has some room for improvement here.
The PDR-M71 performed about average in the macro category, and captured a minimum area of 4.1 x 3.07 inches (104.04 x 78.03 millimeters). Color, resolution, and detail were all good, though the gray background had a strong magenta tint. The PDR-M71's flash had some difficulty throttling down for the macro area, and overexposed the image a fair amount. Still, details were crisp and well defined, on the brooch as well as the dollar bill.
Overall, we were pleased with the PDR-M71's performance throughout our testing. Color and image quality were good, with the camera handling most of our tests well. Color in particular was much better than we've seen in the past from Toshiba cameras. Though low-light shooting was good, we'd like to see better color at the lower light levels. We also felt that the flash could stand a little more power. Still, with its full manual control and versatile shooting options, the PDR-M71 should handle a variety of situations well.
Conclusion
Based on our testing, the PDR-M71 looks like an "almost" home run.
- It has most of the controls and features that would make it a good fit for
an "enthusiast" user of any skill level, but seems lacking in a few
key characteristics. We noted and commented on the combination of an underpowered
internal flash and the lack of any external flash sync connector. The result
is that its flash capabilities are severely limited. The M71's lens also showed
more chromatic aberration than we like to see. On a positive note, Toshiba's
made great strides in their color rendering with this camera, as it produces
very bright, saturated colors, a marked improvement from earlier Toshiba models.
Photos captured by the PDR-M71 have bright, attractive color that we think most
users will find very appealing. Overall, if most of your photography occurs
outdoors, or indoors with only short-range flash needs, and if the level of
chromatic aberration visible in our sample photos doesn't bother you, the PDR-M71
represents an excellent value in a three megapixel camera. If you're looking
for a genuine bargain price on a camera offering a wide range of exposure controls,
it could be the camera for you. On the other hand, if flash photography represents
a large part of your shooting, or if chromatic aberration is a pet peeve of
yours, you'll want to weigh any purchase decision carefully.
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