digital cameras
If we examine the detail (zooming in to 200 or 300% on screen) from an image captured at ISO
400 on the Fuji s9500 in low light we will discover posterization and lumpy tones. These are
evident as a result of in-camera processing in an attempt to suppress the noise that is inherent in
fi les captured with the small sensors found in prosumer digicams.
The small sensor of the s9500 pushes its luck at 400 ISO - image magnifi ed to 300% (see inset)This image processing makes the image look as if we are viewing the fi le through distorted glass.
Quality is starting to be compromised. If we view a RAW fi le from a fi le that has been captured at
400 ISO without noise suppression then the smudged detail is replaced with luminance and color
noise that is reminiscent of images captured with high-speed color fi lm. Fuji, I feel, have been a little
over zealous with the noise suppression in the new s9500 when the ISO moves over 200. I would
personally still like to see the color noise suppressed but would have been happy to see a little
luminance noise at 400 ISO rather than lose the crispness of the image in the attempt to remove
all noise. There is no option for noise suppression when using the JPEG format, and switching
to RAW mode in the Fuji is not a very quick affair. The RAW option is buried deep in a submenu
instead of being conveniently accessed via one of the main camera switches as is the case with
many other high-end cameras. I feel Fuji is underestimating the number of photographers who will
want to frequently switch between JPEG snapshots and the RAW format for their personal folio
images.
Note > Although the image artefacts that are starting to appear at 400 ISO, they are barely
noticeable in a 4 x 6 inch print or 17 inch screen preview of the entire image.