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.
The photo presented here, and the telephoto shot presented
further down were both captured using the RAW format. The
files were then processed using the RAW 3.4 Plug-in for Adobe
Photoshop CS2 and saved as TIFF, an uncompressed format. No
particular adjustments were made to the images during processing.
Photo
Information
Format:
RAW
Aperture:
f3.5
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/40 sec.
Res.:
3136 x 2352
Flash:
On
Quality:
Uncompressed
ISO:
100
File Size:
RAW: 13.2 MB
TIFF: 21.6 MB
Focal Length:
36 mm (35 mm Eq.)
This wide angle shot was captured
using a Zuiko Digital 18-180 mm f3.5-6.3 set to the wide angle
end, which yields a field of view comparable to a 36 mm at
the wide angle end. The flash produced an coverage, and the
Auto white balance produced natural looking colours. Set to
100 ISO, noise is indiscernible in the image, even in the
deepest shadows.
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.
Using the same lens, at the telephoto end the zoom becomes
equivalent to a 360 mm lens. As with the wide angle shot,
the Auto white balance yields very natural and faithful colours
that are consistent with those the camera captured in the
wide angle shot. The photos revealed a very high level of
detail, and the finest elements in the subject were imaged
perfectly. Once again, no noise was discernible in the photo.
As it is with all single lens reflex cameras, the E-330
macro capabilities depend entirely on the lens mounted on
the camera. To capture this image, a Zuiko Digital 35 mm f3.5
Macro was used, the equivalent of a 70 mm.
With the Aperture Priority mode, the aperture can be closed
down to maximize the depth of field, and thereby allow more
of the subject to be in focus.
Macro photography is made easier with the E-330 because of
its Live View system that allows the Monitor to be used.
Mode B, which shows 100% of the
image being framed, is ideal, and the depth of field the camera
is about to capture can be checked by pressing the
to close down the aperture.
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.
The 14-45 mm f3.5-5.6 zoom included in the kit is used to
capture the wide angle shot of the building. Equivalent to
a 28 mm, the zoom makes it possible to capture a wide section
of the building.
The E-330 yields an excellent exposure that is filled with
detail in both the areas that are directly lit by the sun,
and those that are in the shadows.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f7.1
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/160 sec.
Resolution:
3136 x 2352
Flash:
No
Quality:
SHQ
ISO:
100
File Size:
4.5 MB
Focal Length:
28 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Both the wide angle image, and the
telephoto shot presented further below were captured using the
SHQ JPEG format and the least compression. No artefact is discernible
in the image; and it is worth noting that the image reveals
no barrel distortion, nor any chromatic aberration at the wide
angle end.
ZOOM PHOTO
Zooming in on the entrance of the building,
the shadowed entrance takes on a greater importance for the
metering and can cause an overexposure of sections that are
directly lit.
The telephoto shot is captured using the 18-180 mm f3.5-6.3
at its maximum telephoto setting which corresponds to 360
mm in the 35 mm format. At this magnification, the field of
view is quite restricted and contains mostly those parts of
the building's entrance that are in the shadows. Nevertheless,
the ESP metering pattern yields a perfect exposure, and there
is no overexposure of the small area that is directly lit.
Moreover, the little sign on the right hand door is perfectly
legible.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f7.1
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/125 sec.
Resolution:
3136 x 2352
Flash:
No
Quality:
SHQ
ISO:
100
File Size:
4.3 MB
Focal Length:
360 mm (35 mm
Eq.)
The image shows no trace of noise;
and similarly, there is no chromatic aberration. However, a
bit of pincushion distortion is detectable, betrayed by the
slight inward curvature of the vertical door elements imaged
near the edges of the frame.
NIGHT PHOTO
As this camera is capable of a long exposure,
a photo taken at night is included.
The Olympus E-330 has a maximum
timed exposure time of 60 seconds, and is equipped with a
Bulb (B) mode, which, if the optional RM1 Remote control
is used, allows exposures of up to 8 minutes. With this kind
of flexibility, the E-330 can be used to photograph just about
any night time scene.
With this subject, a 30 second exposure time at f9 and at
100 ISO is sufficient to yield a photo that is brighter than
what can be seen but which still looks natural.
A noise reduction system is available, but it must be first
activated in the menu. The system works by capturing a second
exposure of the same duration as the first without opening
the shutter. The noise gathered over the course of the second
exposure is then used to identify and remove noise from the
first exposure.
The result is a noise free image, as can be seen here, but
one that is a touch less sharp than normal.
Test Photos
to close down the aperture.
