Or am I just fat?

September 10, 2007 8:15 AM

I just got a new digital camera, and I've noticed that there seems to be some horizontal distortion.

It's nothing fancy - just a Kodak EasyShare C875. Either me and my friends have all gained about 10 pounds, or something's off. Is this a common problem with all digital cameras or just the cheaper ones? Can anyone recommend a digital camera that doesn't distort height or width? Thanks.

posted by Evangeline to technology (6 comments total)

Does your new camera have real (optical) zoom? Step back, and zoom in to create the same framing that you previously had up close. This should knock out any fisheye effect. (And is even a good idea for other cameras that don't have noticeable distortion, a more distant, slightly zoomed (optically) image will almost always be more flattering.)

(Disclaimer: Obviously this does have drawbacks, i.e. low light situations, but try it.)
posted by anaelith at 8:31 AM on September 10, 2007

If you want a test, draw a perfect square, 12" x 12" on a piece of large paper, tape it to the wall, step back (maybe ten feet away), take a normal picture standing directly in front of it with the square at eye level. . Look at the picture on the computer, print it out, measure the sides - are they still even? Then you'll know. In my experience, digital cameras with larger lenses have less distortion, I like the panasonic lumix line.
posted by Eringatang at 8:42 AM on September 10, 2007

It's barrel distortion and it's a fairly common problem, especially on 'wide' lenses. anaelith is right--zooming in (but not 'digital' zoom) should reduce/eliminate the effect.

It's not common for you to notice it on people, as much as to notice that the horizon is every-so-slightly bowed. So it sounds kind of extreme in your case.

There are software programs to correct it; they're more aimed at undoing extreme distortion from bona fide fisheye lenses. I'm at a loss for examples, though, but they're out there.
posted by fogster at 9:24 AM on September 10, 2007

If you take photos in portrait rather than landscape orientation, does everyone look thinner? Sounds like it might be a feature to me. :)
posted by iguanapolitico at 9:42 AM on September 10, 2007

Thanks all. I tried anaelith's suggestion, and it did seem to make a slight difference. I've also tried Eringatang's test, but I won't be able to see the results until I get home.
posted by Evangeline at 9:58 AM on September 10, 2007

A cursory search shows several reviews talking about the C875's worse-than-average barrel distortion.

If you're taking shots fairly close to your subject, however, I'll bet the real reason is simply because wide-angle close-ups tend to exaggerate features and depth—leading to people, especially their faces, looking chubbier. This is one reason why celebrity shots, even the studio shots, are often taken from a distance with zoom—you don't want your Beautiful Person to look all puffy and chunky.
posted by chrominance at 2:09 PM on September 10, 2007