It LOOKS like you're shooting in a jpeg mode - in which case it will compress it so that it loads faster on your computer - but it degrades the quality of the image. For 90% of digital camera users, this doesn't matter as they'll NEVER zoom 100% - they'll be just showing poeple shots of their vacation on their computer monitors (the digital aged slideshow event - minus the projector screen!).

Those of us who need more from our cameras need manual settings, and higher quality setting capabilities.

Just found it om B&H's website - you can shoot in RAW mode. Shoot something in RAW, make it a TIF (NOT jpeg) and look at it at 100% (or just keep it in RAW for pure viewing purposes) and see what you think. THEN make it a jpeg, crop a tiny portion of it (maybe only 300x300px) and save it as a jpeg at the highest quality setting, and post it here.

When you're shooting for textures and backgrounds you'll want to save it as a TIF anyway for quality purposes - not jpeg. And don't worry - your 3D software (from Bryce to Houdini) will import TIF images without a hitch.

Good luck-
-Lew ;-)