Introduction.
Sunny days, cloud formations, and deep shadows determine our photography and post-processing style because the light reflecting from the clouds and shadows increases the scene's Dynamic Range. Many photographers use bracketing and/or HDR techniques to manage and capture such landscapes. This is a basic example of applying experience, reflected light, tonal, and color data versus relying on the image sensor. Forum dwellers have a strange culture of trusting the sensor for everything.
One of the more exciting aspects of Olympus M43 cameras is the features with which one manages the camera's technical and optical limitations. The best advice for using Olympus cameras is to learn more about digital cameras and avoid any forum talk about dynamic range, color issues, or noise.
Mobile phone companies manage the camera's technical and optical limitations with firmware, smart image processors, modern sensors, and computational features. For example, one would think mobiles can't deliver image quality when evaluating those tiny sensors with the "bigger is better" theory.
This article focuses on the know-how and practical aspects of digital photography, exposure, and image editing. You will find more about the following in this article:
- The Micro Four Thirds (M43) sensor format, including a short overview.
- Why do I highlight the Technical and Optical characteristics of cameras?
- Why are most Dynamic Range discussions on social media only sales talk?
- Advanced exposure techniques versus the sensor does everything theory.
- Why did older HDR and ETTR techniques become less popular after 2012?
- The image sensor's role versus the image processor and post-processing.
- What does it mean to "paint with light" or consider the light conditions?
- How do photographers control (balance) the dynamic range of a scene?
- What is the difference between exposure settings and tonal adjustments?
- The OM System OM-1 II or Olympus OM-1 Stacked BSI Live MOS sensor.
- Why is the discussion about pixel size (well capacity) cheap sales talk?
- How to apply the Olympus Pen F monochrome profiles to the EM10 IV.
- A short video discussing Workspace, Raw conversion, and image editing.
- Features like Stacking, Auto HDR, Bracketing, Composite, and others.
TIP: It's best to study my images on a large display...
All digital cameras suffer from technical limitations, such as too little dynamic range, rolling shutter (sensor readout speeds), and image noise. Acknowledging these limitations, the Olympus engineering team designed innovative features like Auto HDR, stacking, composite, and computational features such as high-resolution mode, ND filters, SCN modes, and a new digital M43 sensor format.
Medium-format and Full-Frame photographers experience similar technical and optical challenges. For example, crop sensor cameras have a larger depth of field (DOF) whereas MF and FF cameras have a shallower DOF. That's why landscape photographers like Gavin Hardcastle prefer to use focus stacking and exposure bracketing. See how Gavin manages his landscape scenes in this video.
The new 4/3 format is a digital format. The entry angle of the reflected light to the pixel is critical. The goal was a 90-degree entry angle for M43. That would control any shot noise in the image signal path from the lens to the sensor, via a new lens flange design, and the pixel entry angle. That meant supporting the optical efficiency plus the sensitivity of the sensor. For example, Live MOS sensors have a larger "wiring-free" photon-sensitive area and are +/- 25% more efficient than older Standard CMOS sensors. Standard CMOS is known for causing more shot noise than BSI and Live MOS sensors.
Did you know that most Canon digital cameras use Standard CMOS sensors?
Why did Olympus select the 4:3 ratio? The 4:3 ratio fills the sensor's image circle more efficiently than the older 3:2 film format. This enabled Olympus to design high-efficiency Zuiko lenses with a 90-degree entry angle to the Live MOS sensor. The Olympus engineers created a new digital format that meets the future needs of high-sensitivity sensors (Higher Optical and Quantum efficiencies).
How does the 4:3 ratio benefit our Image Quality? Photographers do not control the efficiency of the reflected light from the lens to the sensor. For example, we control the sensor's Saturation and SNR. Considering the benefits of the new 4/3 format, the absolute IQ improvements are typically less than 1%. It's important to know that manufacturers use several examples like these to improve the camera's image quality by more than 1%. Most FF sales arguments or "fact statements" apply to the less than 1% or singular IQ categories. For example, sensor size is one of many variables.
The difference between commercial theories and experience is huge. Sales arguments focus on less than 1% improvements, while advanced photography techniques mean significant benefits. The image quality techniques reviewed in this article assist photographers in improving their image quality.
What are the benefits of Olympus (Zuiko) M43 lenses? Study this info.
See this interesting article comparing the IQ of 15 cameras.
Complex digital camera components like the image processor, image sensor, IBIS, and computational features like Auto HDR and the Olympus High Ress mode did not replace the need for knowledge, complex lighting skills, and experienced photographers. They also didn't replace the need for a tripod, fill-in flash, lens filters, diffusers, reflectors, remote shutters, or any other camera option.
IBIS improves our chances of having sharp images in tough situations. That said, IBIS didn't replace the need for a tripod. The same applies to the advantages of having a more efficient image sensor with a smaller noise floor, in-camera noise, or external (AI) high ISO noise filters. The more efficient option for street or landscape photography is planning or waiting for an appropriate lighting window.
Advanced landscape and street photographers carefully plan photo locations, equipment, weather, quality of light, and sunrise/sunset times. Amazing images require planning and typically less than 3-minute photo windows with perfect lighting. For example, the lighting could be ideal until the next cloud covers the sun. Capturing special moments and great scenes plus post-processing can take hours or days. It's not a case of having a larger sensor and randomly pointing and shooting photos.
This is one of my favorite photographers. Study his last two videos...
Digital photographers benefit from basic lighting plus color, camera, and post-processing skills. The various tree examples illustrate the concept of painting with light. Photographers use the time of day, the sun's position, and clouds (diffused light) to manage the dynamic range from the highlights, mid-tones, and shadows. The above EM1 III example shows the benefits of using the late afternoon sun to manage the scene's color and the reflected light from the highlights, mid-tones, and shadows.
The above trees show the importance of knowledge and experience. For example, we can improve the image quality of older cameras like the Olympus EM5 and Stylus 1 by managing the light exposing the sensor. Studio photography is another example of photographers controlling the available light. The above trees show the potential of reading a scene, prepping the camera, and post-processing.
For example, which of the above scenes is better for older digital cameras?
One of the mistakes digital photographers make is to ignore the natural light or sun's position in the final image. Every outdoor image is a collection of natural highlights and shadows that follow the sun's position. Many photographers ignore these natural highlight/shadow contrasts by lifting the shadows too much during post-processing. Experienced photographers practice the art of reading and painting with Reflected Light while photographing or post-processing an outdoor photo.
What about Dynamic Range? You will never see any social media discussion about the following. Why the Dynamic Range variances between two full-frame, APC, or M43 cameras? Doesn't the "bigger is better" theory claim that all full-frame sensors are the same and, therefore, better than crop sensors? Could it be that image sensors are technically more complicated than what the "size and capture" or "bigger is better" theory suggests? For example, are the sensor's electronic design and manufacturing processes more complex than the "bigger is better" theory promotes?
Camera reviewers and forum experts prefer simplified sales lines like "bigger is better". For example, they will say the EM5 II in the above example has less dynamic range than the EM10 IV. Does it mean the EM5 II has too little dynamic range to capture shadow details or should we consider the time of day? The Photons to Electrons graph (Figure 1) illustrates how we control the camera's dynamic range by carefully matching the time of day and the reflected light with the scene. In addition, Olympus created several options to tweak the camera's Gamma (tonal) curve to mirror the scene.
One of the more critical aspects of digital photography is the differences between the Gamma curve and exposure compensation. For example, the aperture/shutter combo can't randomly expose parts of the image sensor without using ND filters. The camera's exposure formula does not have the option to separately expose the highlights and shadows. Exposure and the Gamma curve are different variables. Why is this critical? It changes how we plan, capture, convert, and edit our raw files.
Photographers manage the ambient reflected light exposing the sensor (Sensor Saturation and SNR). In other words, photographers control the external (ambient) and the camera's dynamic range. This is significant because this equates to more than 1% image quality improvements.
Study this article for more on managing the sensor's performance.
TIP: The images in this article were taken with cameras like the EM1 III, EM5 II, EM10 IV, and EP-7.
- The Enhanced Raw Format layers the sensor's raw data plus image and creative settings
- Raw converters like PS, LR, and Capture One do not access all these Enhanced layers
- The benefits of using Workspace outweigh the constantly repeated forum complaints
- The Olympus camera (image) settings are available in Workspace. This lets us:
- Experiment with the camera's creative color settings in Workspace
- Create and test different color and creative profiles in Workspace
- The Enhanced Raw format replicates the camera's live-view display
- Workspace and the Enhanced Raw Format allow us to share profiles
Technical versus Optical Characteristics.
- Optical characteristics like FOV, DOF, and lenses are linked to the sensor image circle.
- Technical characteristics like DR, SNR, and Noise are linked to sensor type and design.
The camera's optical characteristics are linked to the sensor's diagonal measurement. The Lens Image Circle has to cover the complete image sensor (Fig. 3). This explains why the 25mm M43 lens is the same as a 50mm full-frame lens, why the Field of View (FOV) of M43 lenses is less than full-frame (FF) lenses, and why it's possible to design higher-quality and smaller M43 lenses than FF lenses.
Diagonal measurements determine lens factors.
Technical information helps photographers because it explains the design and type of sensor, camera features, and image processor. Contrary to social media FF statements, sensor size doesn't guarantee good image quality. An experienced EM1 III photographer will get similar IQ results in the same light conditions as most forum "experts" with FF cameras. For example, technical information helps us to manage the digital camera's technical limitations. Technical details are valuable when reviewing and analyzing a new digital camera and image sensor. The technical limitations of image sensors apply to all digital cameras and are managed by all photographers with knowledge and experience.
Do larger sensors have more colors? The theory behind color is basic. The camera removes the color information from the reflected light with an RGB filter covering the sensor, which means the sensor captures Black-and-White images. The Image Processor uses the RGB filter values, WB measurement, and the sensor's B&W image data to recalculate the final color information in 8, 12, or 16 bits. The quality of light and the camera's Image Processor is responsible for the camera's Color Rendering.
Color rendering has become one of the main differentiators between camera brands. Canon, Olympus, and Fuji are known for their excellent color rendering and natural-looking JPEG images.
The practical side of Optical and Technical knowledge. Social media experts rely on the size of the sensor. The "size and capture" theory's value proposition is less image noise, more color, more dynamic range, and better image quality. Experienced photographers manage the camera's technical and optical features (camera settings, lens, framing, plus options) to match the scene, time of day, and lighting. The benefits are more technical and optical control plus creative freedom.
How does technical info improve my photography? Technical papers and the Photons to Electrons graph (Fig. 1) show that the sensor's Noise Floor consists of Read Noise (Temporal and Dark) and Shot Noise. Social media experts focus only on Shot Noise because the "size and capture" theory says larger sensors capture more light with "less" noise. Wouldn't the shot noise increase with more light? (Fig. 1) A better way of controlling the sensor's visible noise (noise floor) is to manage the SNR and Saturation levels. The Photons to Electrons graph focuses on the most critical aspects of image sensors.
Go to this link for a more recent paper discussing image sensors.
The Photons to Electrons Graph. All photographers should know Fig. 1. Did you know that the typical grainy noise effect is caused by Temporal Noise? The sensor's noise floor (Dark and Temporal noise) is active when we turn the camera on. The sensor only produces an image signal once the reflected light exceeds the sensor's AST (Absolute Sensitivity Threshold). I added the histogram to the photons-to-electrons graph to help photographers visualize the concept of SNR and image noise.
Did you know the sensor's noise floor varies with temperature changes during long exposure times such as blue hour, night, or astrophotography? Many astrophotographers prefer water-cooled sensors. The Panasonic GH6 uses a fan to limit the sensor's temperature rise during video recordings. Higher sensor temperatures increase the sensor's dark and temporal noise. For example, why shouldn't we leave our cameras on a tripod on a warm summer day while doing random photoshoot sessions?
What is the best way to learn more about the OM-1 image sensor? Forum "experts" refuse detailed discussions because the "size and capture" theory dictates the priority is sensor size. The Photons to Electrons graph (Fig. 1) and the video below help us understand the technical and optical differences between the M43 Live MOS and Stacked BSI sensors. For example, the sensor's Optical and Quantum efficiencies determine its Sensitivity, and the sensor's noise floor and full saturation point determine the camera's dynamic range and image noise (SNR) characteristics. These basics make it easy to imagine what sensor manufacturers prioritized when designing a new image sensor.
See this short video explaining the new OM-1 sensor.
Why is the push for more pixels a marketing program? Each pixel needs control wiring. More wiring plus connection points increase the sensor's Read Noise. That is why you see more shadow noise from cameras with 30MP or more pixels. The optimum resolution for 90% of hobby photographers is 12 to 24MP. How often do you need the High-Resolution Mode on your Olympus camera?
This article (test) by Chris Hau and his team compares 12MP to 100MP.
The Average Scene Luminance in the exposure formula (Fig. 2) is proportional to Reflected/Incident Light, time of day, and weather (quality of light). This is why experienced photographers are good at managing and applying the available light. The Aperture and Shutter's role in exposing the sensor is also critical. Photographers use these variables to manage the sensor's Saturation and SNR.
A short summary of the camera's Exposure Variables are:
- The Aperture and Shutter Speed expose the image sensor
- The ISO setting amplifies (brightens) weaker image signals
- Flashes and Diffusers control the Average Scene Luminance
- The time of day and the sun change the scene's Luminance
- Different materials and colors influence the Reflected Light
Why do I say pixel well-capacity is sales talk? How big are those photons that can't fill M43 pixels? Do yourself a favor and Google "photon size". Did you know that light particles (photons) are way smaller than water or oxygen particles, or image sensors are designed to saturate when they convert enough photons into electrons? For example, low-cost sensors convert fewer photons into electrons. Again well Capacity is only one of several factors influencing the efficiency of image sensors.
Do we need all this knowledge? A general understanding of digital cameras is enough to improve your IQ by more than 1%. Knowledge improved my photography technique and editing style. Knowledge supports demanding blue-hour, wildlife, or high-speed photography like playing dogs. Who benefits from forum dwellers claiming they don't need knowledge? Marketers or photographers?
The Image Signal Path is the final part of this Technical and Optical summary. The next illustration gives a helicopter view of the image signal path in digital cameras. The illustration is designed to help photographers with the know-how to master key aspects of Olympus cameras and Workspace.
This flow diagram is the key to mastering Workspace and the Enhanced Raw Format.
See this video discussing more advanced exposure techniques.
What did we learn from this article?
Final thoughts.
