Dynamic Range: High-Contrast Scene
Using the same subject, we can get a pretty good feel for the cameras’ contrast ranges. Again, the Nikon D5000 stands out, and this time noticeably. Throughout the ISO range from 200 to 3200 the D5000 files are slightly better in the highlights, rendering the extreme high tones a bit darker, and holding detail in the pure whites. The deep shadows show more detail as well, but more evident is the higher mapping of the lower midtones - the radiator, in this case. From ISO 200 to 3200, the Nikon has lighter shadows and darker highlights.

Canon Rebel T1i - ISO 200	Nikon D5000 - ISO 200	Olympus E-P1 - ISO 200

Canon Rebel T1i - ISO 400	Nikon D5000 - ISO 400	Olympus E-P1 - ISO 400

Canon Rebel T1i - ISO 800	Nikon D5000 - ISO 800	Olympus E-P1 - ISO 800

Canon Rebel T1i - ISO 1600	Nikon D5000 - ISO 1600	Olympus E-P1 - ISO 1600

Canon Rebel T1i - ISO 3200	Nikon D5000 - ISO 3200	Olympus E-P1 - ISO 3200

At this point, what this is telling us is more about the JPEG in-camera processing. We really can’t say much about the definitive file quality until we tear apart the RAW files from the three cameras and see exactly what can be pulled out of the shadows and highlights. Especially since the Canon is boasting a 14-bit RAW capture, as opposed to the standard 12-bit files produced by the Nikon and Olympus, there’s the potential that Canon is simply processing the files snappier. We’ll have to wait to see those results, and they should be pretty interesting.