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PICTURE PROPERTIES
Note:
The functions and settings described in the next two sections refer
exclusively to pictures in one of the two JPEG formats. If the DNG le
format is specified, these settings have no effect as in this case the
image data is always saved in its original form.
Contrast, sharpness, color saturation
One of the many advantages of digital photography is that it is very
easy to change critical properties of a picture, i.e. those that deter–
mine its character. With the Leica X Vario, you can influence three of
the most important picture properties before you actually take the
picture:
– The contrast, i.e. the difference between light and dark sections of
the image, determines whether an image has a more “flat” or
“brilliant” effect. As a consequence, the contrast can be influenced
by increasing or reducing this difference, i.e. by lighter reproduc-
tion of light sections of the image and darker reproduction of dark
sections.
– Sharp reproduction – at least of the main subject – using the
correct distance setting is a prerequisite for a successful picture.
In turn, the impression of sharpness of a picture is to a great
extent determined by the edge sharpness, i.e. by how small the
transition area between light and dark is at edges in the picture.
The impression of sharpness can thus be changed by expanding or
reducing these areas.
– The color saturation determines whether the colors in the picture
tend to appear as “pale” and pastel like or “bright” and colorful.
While the lighting and weather conditions (hazy/clear) are given as
conditions for the picture, there is definite scope for influencing
the reproduction here.
For all three picture properties, you can independently choose
between five levels:

Select

Sharpness

,

Saturation

, or

Contrast

in the menu and the

desired settings in the respective submenus