Compared to...

Studio scene comparison (vs. Nikon D70)

This is our standard studio scene comparison shot taken from exactly the same tripod position within minutes of each other. Lighting: 2 x 800W studio lights with dichroic daylight filters bounced off a white ceiling reflector. All crops are 100%. Ambient temperature was approximately 22°C (~72°F). Camera settings:

  • Olympus E-300: Olympus ED 50 mm F2.0 Macro, Aperture Priority (F6.3),
    ISO 100, JPEG SHQ, Manual WB, Default Parameters, Self-Timer
     
  • Nikon D70: Nikkor 50 mm F1.4 D, Aperture Priority (F9),
    ISO 200, JPEG Large/Fine, Manual WB, Default Parameters, Self-Timer
Olympus E-300
Nikon D70
ISO 100, 1/2 sec, F6.3
ISO 200, 1/2 sec, F9
5,420 KB JPEG (3264 x 2448)
2,718 KB JPEG (3008 x 2000)

The Nikon's color balance is definitely closer to the original scene, its reds are purer (no hue shift towards purple or orange) and its blue is more accurate. The E-300's resolution advantage here is even more pronounced (22% more vertical pixels). Nikon's much more neutral approach to image processing leaves the image looking a little 'flatter' (lower contrast) and less sharpened (although without any nasty sharpening artifacts).