Dynamic range
Measuring around 11EV, the E-PL1 has a dynamic range of about 1EV less than most DSLRs we have seen released in recent months.
While I don’t find its dynamic range restrictive, the darker tones and shadow areas are a little darker than they could be. When this is combined with the fact that the metering seemingly favours highlight detail, it means that I had to brighten many images slightly using post-capture editing software.
This graph shows the brightness values recorded by the test camera when it is used to photograph a stepped graduation wedge.
The wedge has transmission values in 1⁄2EV steps ranging from 0 to 12EV. The camera’s exposure is set so the 12EV section in the wedge has a brightness value of 255.
Software analysis of the image then determines the recorded brightness values of all the other steps and calculates the camera’s dynamic range.
