Photographic Tests

White Balance

The camera's white balance settings are the usual found on most digital cameras: Auto, Day Light, Overcast, Fluorescent and Tungsten. There is no option for setting the White Balance manually and this could prove a big disadvantage when trying to shoot in environments with mixed types of lighting.

However the Auto White Balance performance proved to be quite accurate and consistent when it comes to Incandescent and Fluorescent light sources, which are the usual choice for interior lighting. The results are easily comparable or even better than that seen on much more expensive and complicated designs. Very good performance in this area for this little camera.

Tungsten Light, Auto White Balance	Fluorescent Light, Auto White Balance

Flash Performance

The flash unit used by the IXO 334 isn't rated by the factory. Flash performance is adequate, though it could be better: the lack of the ability to reduce flash’s power output leads to over-exposures when shot in ranges closer than 1m, thus it should be avoided. White balance and image rendering is of high quality. The test shot was taken about 110 cm from the test target and the bright spot in the middle couldn’t be avoided.

Auto White Balance

Barrel and Pincushion Distortion

As with most zoom lenses in this camera class, there is some Barrel distortion at the wide end of the zoom, while it’s not significant and won’t the average user. In the middle and telephoto end of the zoom though, there isn’t any noticeable distortion, either barrel or pincushion. Good performance, but notice that this is just a 2x optical zoom lens.

Wide end of zoom

Macro Performance

Macro mode automatically locks the lens at the wide end of the zoom. While Waitec states that the minimum focus distance is around 7cm, we were able to get sharp images much closer than that. Though distortions are above average, the camera was able to focus down to an area of 33x25 mm, something close to 1:1 for 35mm film. This can give you the ability to obtain images of more than adequate magnification for shooting insects or flowers, but notice that getting so close to your subject is usually tricky.

Wide zoom end macro, 33x25 mm coverage area

Purple fringing/blooming

Pretty-much standard performance in this field too. Purple fingering can be found in high-contrast edges, especially when shooting against a strong light source. However its presence isn't too noticeable in most cases.

A good rule of thumb is shooting with the sun behind you as photographers were taught for generations.

100% Crop	Original Image
ISO 100, F2.8, 1/790 sec