Canon S40 shines with color prints

[jim9tan]

Future Shop July02

The ultimate test of digital photography is our ability to turn digital images into lovely prints. At the FutureShop on Broadway (don't use the West Vancouver outlet) in Vancouver BC, a compact flash card with a total of 33 images (Canon S40) was presented. They were picked on the basis of their sharpness, and had been captured without exposure or color tweaking. We printed 28 pictures of 5x7 size, and 5 large pictures (8x11 and 11x14).

The minilab made changes in the color balance and neutral density of some images. The adjustments are captured in a numerical code on the back of the prints. The results were subjectively assessed. But the assessment was aided by the memory of the object at the time of image capture.

Results
1) Fourteen images (42%) required no correction (NC). The minilab adjusted 19 images, and all changes required just one degree of correction (+1). Only 3 pictures required both color and neutral density changes. The Canon S40 performed well.
2) The minilab did not alter the color balance of 25 images (75% of total). Of these, just four (16%) were deemed flawed. Of the eight images changed by the minilab, four (50%) were deemed flawed. The Canon S40 shines in the color department.
3) The minilab did not alter the neutral density of 21 images (64% of total). Of these, only one (5%) was deemed flawed. Of the 12 images changed by the minilab, one was deemed flawed. The minilab was excellent in exposure management.

Conclusion:

The S40's metering is confidence inspiring, but not failsafe. Its color ability is particularly high. The images of the S40 can be send straight to printing, without editing.

The minilab was impressive in exposure management but fumbled on the color changes. Was the minilab customized for digital images? I would recommend that you check the colors on a 4x6 before you print an enlargement.

Best REgards,