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 FE-140 is a fully automatic camera that selects the
CCD sensitivity based on the available light and which also
sets the white balance automatically. Faced with our standard
still life subject, the FE-140 yields an image that has a
noticeable yellow cast, the white balance apparently having
some difficulty finding the correct white point.
Photo Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.1
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/30 sec.
Res.:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
On
Quality:
SHQ
ISO:
125
File Size:
3.2 MB
Focal Length:
38 mm (35 mm Eq.)
The flash produces a homogenous
light, without any visible light drop off in the corners of
the frame, while the camera boosts the sensitivity to 125 ISO
to increase the flash's effectiveness. We also noted that the
image is sharper at the centre of the frame than on the edges.
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.
At the full telephoto position, the FE-140 yields an excellent
image: the auto white balance correctly evaluates the scene
and yields an image with correct, natural-looking colours.
At this focal length, the image is uniformly sharp and the
camera correctly records the worn texture of both the paper
envelope, and the photo support behind it.
Photo Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.9
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/100 sec.
Res.:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
On
Quality:
SHQ
ISO:
125
File Size:
3.2 MB
Focal Length:
114 mm (35 mm
Eq.)
Interestingly, at the telephoto
end, the brightest aperture available to the camera is darker
than at the telephoto end — f5.9 vs f3.1 — and yet
the camera does not increase the sensitivity more than it had
with the wide angle shot.
Aperture: f3.5, shutter speed1/3 sec., 125 ISO, Super
Macro mode.
MACRO PHOTO
As with a number of other Olympus compact cameras, the FE-140
is equipped with two macro modes: the standard Macro
mode which is able to focus on a subject that is between 10
cm (3.9 inches) and 60 cm (23.6 inches) and which allows the
use of the zoom, and a Super Macro mode that locks
the zoom near the wide angle end and allows the camera to
focus on a subject that is 5 cm (2 inches) from the front
element of the lens.
Using the standard Macro mode, the lens captures a field
of view of 9.2 cm (3.68 inches) at the wide angle end, and
27.5 cm (11 inches) at the telephoto end.
The Super Macro mode locks the lens
at the 7.4 mm position, the equivalent of 44.6 mm in 35 mm format,
and captures a minimum field of view of 4.2 cm (1.68 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.
Once again, the wide angle image reveals a few flaws. With
the camera tested here, the image is noticeably sharper at
the centre of the frame than on its periphery. Moreover, the
edges of the frame exhibit a chromatic aberration, visible
as a purple line that underscores contrasting areas. On the
other hand, there is no apparent barrel distortion.
Photo Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f3.1
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/640 sec.
Resolution:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
Off
Quality:
SHQ
ISO:
80
File Size:
3.4 MB
Focal Length:
38 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Worth noting, while the exposure
is correct — the sun is behind the camera and lights the
building evenly — some noise is detectable, both in the
areas of uniform colour and those in shadow.
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.
At the maximum telephoto setting, equivalent to a 114 mm
in the 35 mm format, none of the flaws observed at the wide
angle end are visible. The image shows no trace of chromatic
aberration, and the sharpness is good enough that the little
yellow sign on the right door is legible. Moreover, there
is no noticeable pincushion distortion.
Photo Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f5.9
Exposure:
Auto
Shutter Speed:
1/100 sec.
Resolution:
2816 x 2112
Flash:
Off
Quality:
SHQ
ISO:
82
File Size:
3.2 MB
Focal Length:
114 mm (35 mm
Eq.)
Still, a slight grain can be detected
in the shadow areas, betraying presence of a bit of noise.
NIGHT PHOTO
Since this camera is capable of long exposures, a photo taken at night is included here.
Aperture: f5.5; shutter
speed: 4 sec., 242 ISO.
The Olympus FE-140 automatically
controls both white balance and sensitivity. Its Night Scene
mode allows a maximum exposure time of 4 seconds, normally
borderline with a subject such as this one, which is not very
brightly lit.
To capture the image, the FE-140 increases the CCD sensitivity
up to 242 ISO ensuring that the image is bright and detailed.
A noise reduction process is performed automatically once
the image is captured.
Still, the final image contains some noise,
visible as grain, but it retains a good level of detail nevertheless.
Worth noting, the image exhibits very accurate colours, indicating
that with this subject the automatic white balance is quite
effective.
Compare Prices for Olympus FE-140 Digital Camera Battery Charger (B-9700)
Test Photos
