Here are a few images that accurately reflect the abilities
of any given camera model. The images are altered only in
terms of size and sharpness after reduction and by the JPEG
compression used. Unless otherwise mentioned, assume that
any marbling or artifacts visible in the images are due to
the compression required to display them here. We feel however,
that they still faithfully represent the results we experienced.
STILL LIFE PHOTO
This subject is photographed in a room that has
a mix of fluorescent and incandescent light, but which is not
brightly lit. The camera's flash is used to add fill light.
The backdrop is 1.95 m (6.5 ft) from the camera.
For this wide angle image and the next, which is shot with
the lens set at the maximum telephoto setting, the image format
is set to RAW so as to capture the highest image quality possible.
Then, later, using the software provided (Olympus Master),
the images are converted to TIFF format to avoid any potential
JPEG artefacts.
As can be seen here, at the wide angle end, the Zuiko 14
to 45 mm lens that is included with the E-300 when it is sold
as a kit yields a relatively soft focus image.
Photo Information
Format:
RAW
Aperture:
f5
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/30 sec.
Res.:
3264 x 2448
Flash:
On
Quality:
Uncompressed
ISO:
100
File Size:
RAW: 13.5 MB
TIFF: 23.3 MB
Focal Length:
28 mm (35mm Eq.)
ZOOM PHOTO
Now we zoom in on a specific area. The intent
is to test the sharpness of the image at the zoom's maximum
setting. The camera remains at the same distance as with the
preceding photo.
Zoomed in the 14-45mm captures a field of view equivalent
to a 90mm lens on a 35mm camera, which is considered a short
telephoto focal length.
The 8 megapixel CCD captures a great deal of detail. The
image has colours that are natural and which exhibit an excellent
range of nuances. It can also be seen that at this focal length
the image is very sharp, revealing not only the weave of the
background cloth, but details on the old photographic paper
envelope.
Photo
Information
Format:
RAW
Aperture:
f3.5
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/100 sec.
Res.:
3264 x 2448
Flash:
On
Quality:
Uncompressed
ISO:
100
File Size:
RAW: 13.5 MB
TIFF: 23.3 MB
Focal Length:
90 mm (35mm Eq.)
Aperture: f22, shutter speed 1/80 sec, 100 ISO, 90
mm,
Aperture Priority and optional FL-36 flash.
CLOSE-UP PHOTO
The macro capability of the E-300 depends entirely on the
lens used. And, with the kit lens, the macro possibilities
are somewhat limited.
The Zuiko 14 to 45 mm lens allows a minimum focus distance
of 23 cm (8.97 inches) from the front of the lens when the
zoom is set to the wide angle. At that distance, the camera
is able to capture a field of view of 33 cm (12.87 inches)
when measured horizontally in the frame.
At the telephoto end of the zoom,
a minimum focus distance of 27 cm (10.53 inches) is required,
allowing the camera to capture a field of view of 12 cm (4.68
inches).
BUILDING PHOTO
This image is our outdoor test. The architecture
of the building, in particular the angled girders, immediately
show the presence of jaggies. The shadowed entrance can also
often reveal the quality of the exposure.
With a wide angle that is equivalent to a 28mm lens, the
Zuiko lens makes it possible to capture large sections of
the building's wings. At this distance the slight barrel distortion
that can occasionally be detected in nearby subjects is unnoticeable.
A very slight chromatic aberration can be detected however,
underlining the beams of the canopy with a subtle purple line
that is more noticeable when the clouds are in the background.
Photo
Information
Format:
TIFF
Aperture:
f5
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/400 sec.
Resolution:
3264 x 2448
Flash:
No
Quality:
Uncompressed
ISO:
100
File Size:
23.3 MB
Focal Length:
28mm (35mm Eq.)
ZOOM PHOTO
The magnifying power of the lens included in the E-300 kit
is limited, corresponding to a short telephoto. As a result,
when pointed at the doors of the building the camera still
captures a large part of the building's exterior.
Still, the metering yields an image that not only takes the
brightly lit foreground into account, but manages to record
some of the elements that are behind the green-tinted glass
doors of the building.
As can be seen below, the image shows very little noise,
and the faint chromatic aberration that could be seen in the
wide angle shot is absent from this one.
Photo
Information
Format:
TIFF
Aperture:
f7.1
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/125 sec.
Resolution:
3264 x 2448
Flash:
No
Quality:
Uncompressed
ISO:
100
File Size:
23.3 MB
Focal Length:
90 mm (35mm Eq.)
NIGHT PHOTO
As this camera is capable of a long exposure,
a photo taken at night is included.
Aperture: f3.5; shutter
speed: 30 sec., 100 ISO, 28 mm.
The Night Scene mode of the
E-300 is limited to a maximum exposure time of 1 second, and
is therefore insufficient to capture the type of night photo
that is presented here. Set to Manual mode however, the E-300
can have a maximum preset long exposure of up to 30 seconds
and offers the possibility of using the Bulb mode, which can
extend the exposure time to 8 minutes, but which is best used
with an optional remote control.
For these images, the E-300's sensitivity is set to 100 ISO
to minimize the impact of noise.
A 30 second exposure time at the widest aperture of the
f3.5 yields a very bright and detailed image.
The noise reduction system of the E-300 is efficient and
even images captured at 400 ISO show little noise. At 800
ISO noise is present, but the image remains useable, while
at the 1600 ISO setting noise is present throughout.
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Test Photos
