A few casual photos from my Olympus Pen EP-7

 Last Updated:- 14th April 2023

Everything changed as I uncovered more technical information about digital cameras. I spent months searching and studying credible information about cameras. Did my image quality benefit from this learning curve? For example, how much does a new camera or fine-tuning my exposure with the SNR to ISO ratio improve my results for 2023? My first reaction is not much. The correct answer is not a fixed improvement because most image quality improvements vary from case to case.

Pen EP-7 with 75mm f1.8 - ISO250, f2.0, 1/160 - Raw edited with WS - Pop ART filter adjusted + soft focus. 

We also need to consider the technical aspects of image quality. A basic description of image quality should always include things like shadow, midrange, and highlight data. The next step is optical variables like DOF, focusing, and composition. Most cameras capture good tonal data in the midrange and highlight areas. A common challenge is capturing good shadow data.

You will find my overview/review of the Pen EP-7 here.

This is the most exciting configuration for the Olympus PEN EP-7. The 17mm f2.8 lens is fantastic...

The critical part of studying digital cameras is finding credible info while staying focused on the fun part of digital photography, image editing, and the camera. For example, always keep a camera with you? It's a simple measure of having a healthy passion for photography. It's sometimes difficult, but people appreciate discretion, and nothing is as rewarding as sharing your results.

The Olympus PEN EP-7 captures good shadow details and is small enough to always keep with you. I like the above configuration with the 17mm f2.8 or f1.8 Zuiko lenses and the Olympus Optical Viewfinder. The Zuiko 17mm f2.8 lens oozes creativity and is almost always on my Pen EP-7. I have an older black/gray Olympus shoulder bag for my Olympus Pen F or EP-7. The 17mm f2.8 is also one of a few M43 lenses that are excellent for recording 3D-looking images.

Many photographers like a "3D look" or a sense of depth in their images? How does one create this 3D look? With the lens, composition, background blur, leading lines, or shadows?

The combination of Workspace, the Enhanced Raw Format, and Olympus cameras benefit the look and feel of our final images. It also improves the photographer's creative process while editing with WS or photographing the "edited" version of the photo with the camera. Practice these skills in the camera and Workspace. This process should be an integral part of your photography.

The EP-7 has just enough features to stay focussed on photography. How many knew that 90% of the Pen F or EP-7 and Workspace settings are the same? For example, the highlights and shadows function is part of the camera's exposure calculation. Neutral gray changes as we set the highlights, shadows, or exposure compensation. We can adjust or correct this in the camera or Workspace.

For more about Workspace and the Enhanced Raw Format, study this article.

How many of you saw the ART filter upgrades in Workspace or some of the newer Olympus cameras, like the EP-7? They are great for tweaking these final ART filter effects. Target primary or secondary colors or any opposite combinations in the scene. See the examples below and study this link.

Olympus Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/200 - Raw edited in WS - Color Creator 9:0.

EP-7 with 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 - ISO200, f6.3, 1/60 - DxO PhotoPack Generic Fuji Provia filter.

Olympus EP-7 w 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO400, f5.6, 1/80 - Raw edited in WS - Partial Color ART Filter

The above image is an interesting example. I used the Partial Color ART filter twice and combined the 2 results in Photoshop. I applied the Soft Focus Effect in the ART filter and adjusted the intensity with the Clarity and Dehaze sliders. I used a Color Filter in Workspace and duplicated the background layer in Photoshop to add a Soft Light Blending effect. It is possible to edit or adjust the intensity of each step. I used DxO FilmPack to select a frame for the image.

Pen EP-7 w 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO250, f6.3, 1/200 - Raw edited in WS - Instant Film ART Filter w Soft Focus.

Olympus Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/400 - Raw edited in WS - MonoChrome Profile.

Pen EP-7 w 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/250 - Raw edited in Workspace - 1020 Color Profile.

Olympus Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO60, f6.3, 1/200 - Raw edited in WS - My own FujiFilm Velvia 100 Color Profile.

Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/1000 - Raw edited in WS - MonoChrome Profile + Color Filter.

Olympus Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/200 - Raw edited in WS - Instant Film ART Filter.

Olympus Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/200 - Raw edited in WS - Instant Film ART Filter.

Olympus Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/320 - Raw edited in WS - Pop ART Filter w Soft Focus. (Nice 3D Look)

Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/200 - Raw edited in WS - Grainy Film ART Filter.

Olympus Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/200 - Raw edited in WS - Color Creator 2:-1 - DXO PhotoPack Frame.

Pen EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f6.3, 1/200 - Raw edited in WS - Diorama ART Filter.

This image was taken in South Africa. The EP-7 is a great little camera...

The worst review of the Fuji X-H2 Hybrid Camera

Last update:- 24th March 2023

Introduction

Accuse me of overreacting at a difficult time for the DPReview staff, but I simply cannot support the technical views of DPReview. They announced their "In-Depth" review of the Fuji X-H2 hybrid camera. Ignoring the typical DPR irritations like "capturing less light" or "having more noise," I stopped reading the review at the part about Dynamic Range (DR).

I decided to focus on the highlighted phrases, even though it's possible to pull everything apart in the following example. The "size and capture" theory claims bigger sensors capture more light with less noise, more IQ, and more DR. ISO invariance is like the "size and capture" theory, designed to distract photographers from the fact that Pixels capture photons. The "read noise" Richard Butler is referring to is, per definition, the sensor's native noise floor with no shot noise present.

The paragraph on Dynamic Range

                                                                     Source: www.dpreview.com

The "size and capture" theory

                                                                                     Source: www.dpreview.com

Let's study what Fuji published about the new 40MP BSI sensor.

Please read the dedicated Fuji web pages for the X-H2 and the new 40MP BSI CMOS sensor. Nowhere does Fuji say the X-H2 has a Dual Gain sensor or almost no read noise. The challenge with more megapixels is the individual pixel areas decrease. This negatively impacts the sensor's sensitivity or ability to capture shadow details. More megapixels also means control wiring for each of the 14 million new pixels. Each electronic component adds more noise to the sensor's noise floor. Each digital photographer should be able to discuss what Fuji did to manage this challenge?

Fuji says the following about the new 40MP sensor:

• They have a new Enhanced Image-Processing algorithm + new Image Processor
• They managed to keep the "Signal to Noise" Ratio the same. (Same as the XT4?)
• An updated pixel structure (40MP sensor) improved the sensitivity of the pixels

The new Image-Processing Algorithm replaced some of the wired control functions. This means the total number of control circuits (components) in the X-H2 sensor is similar to the X-T4. Fuji also confirmed the SNR of the new 40MP sensor is the same as the Fuji X-T4. They designed a new 40MP sensor without the disadvantages associated with having more pixels.

The Photons to Electrons graph (below) should be identical for the 26MP and 40MP sensors.

Study this illustration for more on dynamic range and the sensor's noise floor.

The new standard ISO of 125 means the new pixel structure improved the 40MP sensor's optical and quantum efficiency (sensitivity). Every sensor's native ISO is set at max sensor saturation and the Average Efficiency Curve's highest point. This is why we have a lower DR at extended and higher ISOs. My X-T5 constantly surprises me with its ability to record excellent low-light details.

Conclusion

Study my article with 7 points explaining digital cameras. Each photographer should have this kind of knowledge. Digital photographers should be able to summarise any camera's characteristics from the information on manufacturers' websites and press releases.

I decided not to discuss the parts reviewing the X-H2's autofocus. If Butler felt it was important enough to say things like "Fuji is playing catch-up," give us examples. Dropping wild fact statements, like we saw with the OM-1, is NOT good enough. Reviewers, unfortunately, like to generalize and will apply the focusing requirements of one or two examples to all applications.

Here is a better example of discussing one application of the camera's autofocus.

Readers say we shouldn't criticize while Amazon is closing DPReview. Should we also ignore the "size and capture" theory and dumbing down of photographers? In a segment filled with half-truths and false information, Butler says "ISO Invariance" measures the flexibility of RAW files. He also says the X-H2 has almost no read noise. No explanations, mostly unsupported claims. What if image quality (tonal data) is a function of the exposure (SNR to ISO ratio) and the focus points we select? What if photographers determine the final Saturation and SNR of the sensor? What do YOU think?

Do you believe these unsupported claims by DPR...?

Fuji did a great job of presenting the theoretically correct info for its cameras. For example, dismiss reviewers discussing the Fuji X-H2 for high-speed (sports) or bird-in-flight (BIF) applications. Stacked BSI sensors are specifically designed for speed. The high readout speed of the X-H2S is perfect for these applications. Any photographer with a theoretical interest in digital cameras will find enough information from Fuji's website to make informed decisions. Did you know the OM-1 has a stacked sensor with a readout speed of 8ms and competes with some of the most expensive cameras?

Closing DPR could have marked the start of more accurate information.

See this informative video discussing the readout speed of different cameras.

Any comments...

Siegfried

The new Fuji 40MP BSI Sensor

Fuji X-T5 with 27mm f2.8 lens - ISO400, f5.6, 1/19000 - Out of the camera JPEG file.

This is one of my first images with the X-T5. You will see the DOF is not optimum at f5.6. I am used to selecting f5.6 for my Olympus cameras. I get good results with the correct focus points and apertures from f5.6 to f7.1. My Fuji X-T5 achieves similar results between f7.1 and f8.

What do I think of the X-T5 after 3 months? I really enjoy this camera. It's an excellent upgrade for the EM1 MKIII. Do I need an upgrade at this stage? It will work if I sell most of my Olympus gear and expand a little on the X-T5. I would keep my Pen F with 3 or 4 of my favorite compact lenses. If I consider the computational features of Olympus and the basic concept of, what is enough, I could also sell my Fuji gear and continue enjoying my EM1 III and the Pen F.

I am planning an article to discuss the X-T5 and my EM1 III...

Fuji X-T5 with 35mm f1_4 lens - Raw file edited with PhotoLab 6. High-quality option for Noise Reduction.

My new ON-1 Editing Software

Last updated:- 22nd March 2023

I canceled my subscription in January 2023 after years of using Photoshop. As expected, this was much easier said than done. I had a few months left on my annual subscription and kept a copy on my desktop PC. I did not want another subscription and decided to replace Photoshop with the latest (2023) version of ON-1. While it's not difficult to edit with ON-1, the real challenge is some of the illustrations I created in Photoshop and how to replicate them with ON-1.

Folks, I am working on the final summary of my previous article. A few more details and my "new" Fuji F600EXR distracted me. You are probably thinking, why a 2010 camera for $35? The reason is the Fuji F600EXR came with a unique sensor and features. In fact, the F600EXR is the perfect example of needing the ability to evaluate the technical aspects of different cameras.

My previous article reviewed one of three critical aspects of digital cameras. Photographers should always consider the following when buying a new camera:

1. The optical differences - These differences exist and are important
2. The technical differences - My previous article covers this in detail
3. Editing Software - See the different examples I discussed in the past

I received the Fuji this week and tried some of its features. Please study the F600EXR specification to fully appreciate my curiosity about this camera. Also, see the image I took with the F600EXR. The first image is the jpeg from the camera, and the second is the raw copy edited with ON-1.

This is the OOC jpeg image. (View these images on a large screen)

There is so much we can say about these 2 images. For example, this is one of the latest iterations of ON-1 with powerful AI features. The control it allows over these AI adjustments when working with highlight and shadow details is something I haven't seen before. That said, the image information was available, which points to the Fuji and the BSI sensor. I did not expect this level of sensitivity or shadow detail from the tiny F600EXR pixel areas. For example, the OM-1 pixel area is 481% larger than the F600EXR. That begs the question, when is the effective pixel area too little? See my previous article for the difference between available and effective pixel areas.

There is so much more we can say about this interesting little camera. Study my previous article for how to evaluate digital cameras, and then consider this question. You are getting a chance to buy the Olympus XZ-2 or the Fuji F600EXR in mint condition. Which one would you buy and why?

This is the RAW file I converted in ON-1. (AI functions in the 2023 version)

The F600EXR is a compact camera with a 16MP BSI sensor. The "EXR" Processor came with features in 2010 that are now normal for Fuji cameras. For example, the F600EXR has 4 of the well-known Fuji film simulations. Another of these special EXR features reconfigures the camera to 8MP for better low-light performance. This also includes IBIS, high resolution, and high dynamic range modes.

We can access 7 of the Fuji Film Simulations with ON-1. They are only available for Fuji cameras. ON-1 does not offer the same option for the Picture Modes from Olympus. Like other raw converters, DxO included the picture modes from Olympus in PhotoLab...

The information in my articles enables photographers to evaluate the technical aspects of digital cameras like the F600EXR. Considering X-T5 and EM1 III use different sensor types and the 21% larger pixel area of the EM1 III, what is the best way to discuss them? This is another example of spreading false information when reviewers claim the XT-5 is better because it has a bigger sensor. It's always better to enable photographers with theoretically accurate information...

Any thoughts...

Siegfried