Digital cameras and Color Accuracy - Part 2

Last update:- 28th July 2023

Cape Town (2013) - Taken with the original OMD EM-5 and the MZuiko 12mm f2.0 Lens

Was Olympus overconfident, or did they take a chance with the new Olympus PEN-F? To review this question, we need to discuss the different creative features of a selection of cameras? For example, how does the Olympus Pen-F compare to the Fuji X100F? A fair comparison needs a good understanding of different manufacturers and a hands-on evaluation of the various cameras.

I will compare different cameras in this article. I have experience with Panasonic, Olympus, and some Fuji cameras. I used Canon's 350D, 40D, and their Powershot compacts. I do not have experience with Nikon. Fortunately, my son used Canon professionally, and in 2016 he changed to Sony. I used the A7 II and the A7 III for a few months and tried the A1, A7R IV, and A7S III.

I decided to target cameras from 2016, like the Nikon D500, Canon 80D, Sony A7II, Panasonic GX8, and the Fuji X-T10. Please let me know if I misrepresented anything on these cameras.

I was surprised at the differences between these manufacturers after studying them. Especially the differences in configuring and the advanced features of each brand. At the same time, basic adjustments like white balance and shifting the white balance were similar for these cameras. I found it interesting how photographers and videographers manage color effects from little in-camera adjustments. It's also interesting to see the influence "Color Science" has on brand loyalty. For example, which of Fuji, Canon, or Olympus has the best "Color Science?"

The goal was NOT to determine which camera is the best... 

My goal was to compare the creative camera features of each brand. Spare a few minutes and watch the video below. Listen carefully to the 3 guys, identify their personal brand loyalties, and how this influence each of them. In fact, it's fun to watch them "objectively" discuss these cameras.

Comparing the Canon 5D IV and the Sony 7RIII.

The importance of setting the White Balance correctly and its part in achieving the right image colors are covered in the above video. The video also shows it's critical to always discuss the importance of variables like the correct exposure values and White Balance values. 

Why is the White Balance important?

Accurate image colors start with the correct Exposure and White Balance settings. It's so important to differentiate between Creative Photography and having accurate colors. You will find more information in my article discussing the Gradation Function of Olympus.

The first article of this 6-Part series explained the image creation process in the camera. We studied how the camera uses the white balance to create color images. Experienced photographers learned how to spot Color Casts or faulty white balance values. Each photographer should practice the art of spotting and identifying specific color casts with digital photography.

White balance settings are not only a critical setting for digital cameras, but they are also important when you convert your general raw or Olympus Enhanced Raw Files.

Making videos also highlighted the importance of using accurate WB values. For example, study the progress of Panasonic with the GH1 to the GH6. The video below is an example of videographers using the in-camera settings to create color profiles in the camera.

The takeaway from the above video is that most photographers need a unique style,

signature, or brand. The reason is customers like to know what to expect from

photographers. An inconsistent photography style is unprofessional. 

Videographers differentiate between in-camera color features and color grading the video in post. Each photographer should master in-camera color adjustments and the ability to edit or color-grade videos in post-processing. I found the following video while searching for information on Canon. It is an example of how the photographer used the digital camera and traditional color features to create in-camera color profiles. Does this apply to photographers? Yes, only the terminology is different.

White balance is critical if you need accurate colors. For example, photographers use the white balance to create color effects. The first steps in working successfully with color are knowledge and practice. Practice how to spot color or the white balance for different situations. It's good to practice and experiment by manually selecting the camera's white balance in different situations.

Any White Balance values impact JPEG files. All White Balance and WB shift adjustments can be

corrected with RAW files. This allows photographers to safely experiment with the WB.

Below is a summary of the comparison I did on the above cameras. I bundled the color features into groups. The standard in-camera adjustments are at the top, and all the specialized features on the bottom. I also listed the editing software options at the bottom. Click on the image for a large view.

Camera manufacturers are at a point where they produce excellent image quality. Higher-resolution sensors add more detail but do not improve image quality. We also established that the "size and capture" theory is part of a marketing strategy that sells more full-frame cameras. We also know all image sensors come with a noise floor. We also know that we control image noise with the SNR-to-ISO ratio. The main differences between cameras are the unique features that improve our success rate with a specific camera or brand. Our challenge is the right camera for the application...

Color and the ability to control color are critical differentiators for 2023. Fuji cameras are a great example. Olympus started its Color and Creative Strategy in the 90s. The Pen-F and EP-7 were the first cameras offering a "full set" of Creative Features. No other camera offers this level of control. Unfortunately, Olympus sold its camera business, and we might never experience the finish line...

A new Color strategy from Olympus - Part 1

Last update:- 27th July 2023

Preparing for this 6-Part series on Color and Creative Photography, I saw many YouTube videos and camera reviews. I was interested in what reviewers and experts say about the new color features from Olympus. For example, Olympus introduced the Color Creator with the EM1 and the EM5 II. The establishment's reaction was cold with comments like... "Have you seen that Creative Dial?" A few ventured beyond the physical dial and the accompanying news release, saying it could be the start of a new Color and Creative Photography Experience for M43 cameras.

The revolutionary Olympus PEN F - the camera that separated creative photographers.

This series illustrates the importance of having good color skills. I am focussing on the Pen F and OMD cameras to lead photographers in the new Creative Color Strategy from Olympus. This update to the 6-Part series is 5 years since I wrote the first article in January 2018. In the 5 years following, my experience with the Creative Color Strategy from Olympus improved to the point that it became part of my daily photography experience with the Pen-F, OMD, and Workspace.

Was the Pen-F a successful camera, or will it only reach its full potential in the secondhand market? The Pen-F was a huge success judging its used pricing and popularity amongst Pen-F owners. This 6-part series on Creative Color and Digital Photography also became my most popular articles.

Olympus Color Creator

Some reviewers praised the PEN-F with comments like a "Gold Award Product, Great Product, Editors Choice, Remarkable, Great Design, and Retro Design." Other reviewers evaluated the Pen-F through the lens of "must-have" marketing "filters" like sensor size, image noise, dynamic range, articulated display, and EVF resolution. Most forum experts follow the latter group and complain about the Pen-F Menu, the lack of 4K, and the all-important MIC input and Headphone output.

Did Olympus do a proper job of promoting the Creative Dial and its Creative Color Strategy? The Pen F had the chance to be an enabler of creative color photography. Instead of fighting and winning, Olympus decided to sell its camera business to a financial group. OM-System became the new owner of an Imaging Business with a history of designing exceptional cameras. Will we only read about this leading camera brand, or did OM-System offer a credible plan to win this race..?

Olympus PEN F Creative Dial was too much for most...

Olympus was always known for its true colors, Canon for its color "science" and silky smooth images, Nikon for the D4 and the D850, and Sony for its A7 series of full-frame mirrorless cameras and high-resolution Stacked BSI sensors. Fuji started a significant following with the XT-1 and became one of the leading manufacturers of mirrorless cameras.

Olympus never followed the "size and capture" theory but designed innovative photography features like the Creative Color Strategy. If you recall, Olympus placed IBIS on the map and was the first manufacturer to introduce Hi-Ress imaging or a Live View solution for DSLR cameras. Olympus and Panasonic shared the vision and pioneered the mirrorless segment in 2008. Today all manufacturers have mirrorless cameras, and DSLR cameras are only a small niche segment. The Olympus brand is associated with leadership, new technologies, and new trends.

It's now 3-years since Olympus signed an agreement with OM-System and sold its Imaging Business. What are we learning from this? You cannot sell your corporate identity and values.

EM1 II image edited with WorkSpace.

As this series about the Creative Color Strategy from Olympus develops, you will learn more about the different color features from Olympus, like the Color Creator, the Color Profile Tool, and the Monochrome Profile Tool. Photographers will also learn more about the importance of knowing color in both Black & White and Color photography.

How does the Image Processor create a digital image?

Only some photographers know the image sensor captures "black & white" data. To explain this, we will take a closer look at the image signal path from the subject to the sensor:

1. The image signal enters the lens and goes through the lens to the image sensor
2. At the sensor, it goes through an RGB filter to remove all the color (RGB) data
3. The image sensor records the remaining grayscale data and sends it to the CPU
4. The CPU process the WB, RGB filter info, plus the sensor data into a jpeg file
5. The camera or CPU processes the B&W image data into a Digital Color Image
6. The only Color Variable photographers can access is the White Balance setting

Digital Camera Sensor and RGB Filter.

Let's discuss the image signal path from the sensor to the SD card? The recorded grayscale data from the sensor is converted to a digital color image and saved on an SD card. The Image Processor creates a color image from the White Balance data, RGB Filter, and Image Signal from the sensor.

This process explains the RAW file. A basic RAW file consists of the recorded grayscale image data, the RGB filter data, and the camera's White Balance reading. The TruePic Image Processor (CPU) or Workspace converts this raw data into a jpeg (color) image. One of the biggest secrets is the details or Color profiles manufacturers use to convert raw data into digital color images.

That said, studying and actively using my Pen-F, WorkSpace, and other Olympus cameras, I learned enough to understand the Color and Creative Photography functions from Olympus. This includes the unique access we via with color features to the TruePic image-building process. Olympus created a window for photographers to access the camera's image processing. Known as Live View, this is one of the most exciting discoveries I made on the Pen-F. Study the Live View section of this article when you are done with this article.

Knowing this, it's even more significant how Olympus connected functions like the Color Creator, the different Tonal Adjustments, and the Creative Dial to the image processor. This allows photographers to personalize their photography experience and results with Olympus cameras.

Knowledge of B&W photography and the early days of color photography is enough to appreciate digital image processing. Olympus linked its Color and Monochrome profile features to the camera's image processor. This changes how photographers develop their unique photography style. Tools like Color Profiles, ART Filters, Multiple Exposures, Highlights & Shadows (Tone Curves), and the Color Creator enable creative photographers in a new but unique way.

The OMD and PEN-F's new color and monochrome functions are also part of WorkSpace. In fact, we saw that WorkSpace and Olympus cameras have the same image processing. This is good news because it assists us in developing, testing, and fine-tuning any color or monochrome profiles with our PCs. Olympus designed the Viewer/Workspace Software as a part of the digital camera...

Taken with the PEN F at island Mainau, Bodensee.

We need a mental shift and add the Olympus Creative and Color processing features to our photography. Digital photographers need a good understanding of color and how to work with color. The first step is to study the Color Wheel and learn how other artists work with the color wheel.

There are more videos on YouTube with information on the artist Color Wheel. Please familiarize yourself with the color wheel. Also, see the video below. The presenter is a well-known Photographer!!

Powerful video explaining the Color Wheel and photography.