Olympus E-500 / EVOLT E-500 review with Zuiko Digital 14-45mm f3.5~5.6
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Written by Gordon Laing
The following images were taken with the Olympus E-500, all using the Zuiko Digital 14-45mm f3.5~5.6 lens. The recording mode was set to SHQ, configured to capture the full 8 Mpixel resolution with the lowest compression ratio of 1/2.7. The Picture Mode (tone / colour / sharpness) was set to Natural. Unless otherwise stated, the pictures were taken in Program mode with the default settings. The individual file sizes, shutter speeds, aperture, ISO and lens focal length are listed for each image.
The crops are taken from the original files, reproduced at 100% and saved in Adobe Photoshop CS2 as JPEGs with the default Very High quality preset, while the resized images were made in Photoshop CS2 and saved with the default High quality preset. The three crops are typically taken from far left, central and far right portions of each image.
City: 5.44MB, Program, 1/60, f7.1, ISO 100, 14-45mm at 36mm (equivalent to 72mm)
City: 5.07MB, Program, 1/160, f7.1, ISO 100, 14-45mm at 45mm (equivalent to 90mm)
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This photo across the River Thames looking toward Charing Cross Station was taken on a bright Winter’s day. With a bright sky in this direction, the E-500’s metering system in Program mode had a compromise to make, and chose to slightly blow out the highlights.  The result remains a well-balanced exposure though and there’s plenty of detail in the crops. | |||||
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City: 5.04MB, Program, 1/60, f5, ISO 100, 14-45mm at 16mm (equivalent to 32mm)
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This photo under the Hungerford Footbridge by the River Thames presented a challenge to the metering system, with both bright highlights and dark shadow areas. The E-500’s done a fine job in Program mode though, delivering a pleasing balance.  The crops also reveal a high level of sharp detail, even in the corners. | ||
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Market: 5.41MB, Program, 1/60, f4.5, ISO 400, 14-45mm at 14mm (equivalent to 28mm)
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This photo of a market stall was taken under dim lighting conditions, so we increased the ISO to 400 to achieve a reasonable shutter speed and aperture The crops are sharp and detailed, while an aperture of f4.5 at 14mm has ensured the depth of field is sufficient to cover the range of the composition.  Viewed at 100%, the crops reveal noise creeping in, although you’re unlikely to notice in a print. | ||
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Portrait: 4.73MB, Aperture Priority, 1/400, f5.6, ISO 100, 14-45mm at 45mm (equivalent to 90mm)
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For this portrait shot we zoomed-into 45mm and set the aperture wide open in Aperture Priority mode to minimise the depth of field. With the subject at relatively close range, the background has been thrown out of focus as desired, although the effect is quite modest.  For portraits, the longer reach and smaller depth of field of the 40-150mm is more appropriate. | |||||
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