Compared to...

Studio scene comparison (JPEG)

This is our standard studio scene comparison shot taken from exactly the same tripod position. Lighting: daylight simulation, >98% CRI. Crops are 100%. Ambient temperature was approximately 22°C (~72°F).

Olympus E-620 vs. Nikon D5000

Camera settings:

• Olympus E-620: Olympus 50 mm F2 Macro lens, Aperture Priority, ISO 100
  JPEG Large/SuperFine, Manual WB, Default Parameters (Standard), Self-Timer
   
• Nikon D5000: Nikkor 50 mm F1.4G lens, Aperture Priority, ISO 200
  JPEG Large/Fine, Manual WB, Default Parameters, Self-Timer
  

Olympus E-620	Nikon D5000
7.1 MB JPEG (4032 x 3024)	4.6 MB JPEG (4288 x 2848)

The Olympus is producing a much more consumer-friendly image, with greater sharpness, contrast and saturation than the Nikon. On the down side, there are some visible sharpening artifacts on the diagonal edges of the paperclips, but you have to be looking extremely closely for them to be of concern. Overall the results in the default mode tend towards 'pleasing,' rather than the 'natural' that they're described as, but the longevity of, and nostalgia for, Kodachrome reminds us that absolute color fidelity isn't necessarily the aim of photography.