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Introduction
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01.Product Tour
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02.Color
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03.Noise
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04.Resolution
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05.Video
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06.Sample Photos
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07.Playback
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08.Hardware
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09.Controls
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10.Design & Handling
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11.Sony DSC-TX7 Comparison
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12.Panasonic DMC-ZS3 Comparison
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13.Canon SD970 IS Comparison
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14.Conclusion
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15.Photo Gallery
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16.Comments
Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS
Previous: Page 2
ColorNext: Page 4
ResolutionNoise
The ISO range is wide, and noise is low overall, but images get a little noisy at the highest ISO levels.
Noise (11.99)
We found that the images that the SD4000 shot had generally low noise, although the noise level does climb significantly at ISO levels above 800. We would generally recommend that you keep it below 800 unless you absolutely need to, although it is nice to have the option of going up to ISO 3200 at the full resolution of the camera. More on how we test noise.
In our first test, we look at how the noise level in the images increases as the ISO is increased under two different lighting conditions: with 3000 lux of light, and with 60 lux of light. that’s equivalent to a cloudy day and a dimly lit room. The amount of noise was pretty much consistent in both situations, with a gradual climb above ISO levels of 800. But although the noise level increases, it remains pretty low overall.
| Noise Comparisons | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 125 | ISO 400 | ISO 800 | ISO 3200 | |
| 60 Lux |  |
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| 3000 Lux |  |
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If we compare the SD4000 with other cameras, we can see that the SD4000 performs very well, although the Sony DSC-TX7 has lower noise at the lower ISO settings. In the table above, you can see how the noise in one of the gray patches of our test chart increases as the ISO goes up, but still remains very tolerable at the higher ISO settings.
ISO (5.50)
The ISO range of the SD4000 is impressive, going from 125 up to 3200. Many other cameras offer a similar range, but with the highest settings offering only a reduced resolution. The SD4000 shoots at 10-megapixel resolution all the way to the top, although the results are a little noisy.
| ISO Comparisons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX7 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS |
| ISO Low | |||
|
ISO 125
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ISO 125
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ISO 80
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ISO 80
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| Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX7 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS |
| ISO 200 | |||
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| Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX7 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS |
| ISO 400 | |||
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| Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX7 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS |
| ISO 800 | |||
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| Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX7 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS |
| ISO 1600 | |||
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| Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX7 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS |
| ISO 3200 | |||
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| Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX7 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS |
NOTE: The images above are not used in our testing or scoring, but are included here to show real-world examples of the differences between cameras at the various ISO settings.
Shop for the Canon SD4000 IS
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