Image parameters

The E-500 has a fairly comprehensive range of image parameter adjustment, five levels for each of contrast, saturation and sharpness. Plus the E-500 now features five preset 'Picture modes'.

Picture Mode

In addition to the normal adjustments (contrast, saturation, sharpness) the E-500 now features five preset 'picture modes'. The first three presets (vivid, natural, muted) essentially differ only by color saturation and sharpness settings. The last two are for black and white output. Each preset equates to the following settings (approximately, this isn't documented):

Hence using mode 'Natural' with a sharpness of +1 should produce approximately the same output as the E-300.

Place your mouse over the label to see a ColorChecker chart shot in each picture mode.

Vivid	Natural	Muted	Monotone	Sepia

Image parameter adjustments

• Picture Mode: Vivid, Natural, Muted, Monotone, Sepia
• Gradation: Low Key, Normal, High Key #
• Contrast: -2, -1, 0, +1, +2
• Saturation: -2, -1, 0, +1, +2 #
• Sharpness: -2, -1, 0, +1, +2
• Monotone filter: Neutral, Yellow, Orange, Red, Green *
• Monotone tint: Neutral, Sepia, Blue, Purple, Green *

* Only available in Monotone and Sepia modes
# Not available in Monotone and Sepia modes

Gradation

The E-500 features a the same 'gradation' setting as the E-300. It provides the ability to change the brightness of the image to either low key, normal and high key. (Picture mode Natural used for these samples).

	Gradation	Luminosity histogram
H i g h K e y
N o r m a l
L o w K e y

Contrast adjustment

Adjusting the tone alters the shape of the 'S curve' used to map the linear image data captured by the sensor into the correct gamma. A lower contrast setting maintains more of the original data's dynamic range but leads to a flatter looking image. A higher contrast setting stretches the grayscale (dark to light) of the image and could lead to clipping of both shadow detail and highlights. (Picture mode Natural used for these samples).

	Contrast	Luminosity histogram
-2
0
+2