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Review Summary
2011-07-02T21:00:00
This camera can be dirt simple or set to the nth degree for those who know exactly what they want. I mean nearly everything is adjustable! Menu selection is immense but not all need to be used or even looked at for normal use. The info screen is a good work around for the menu. Performance up through ISO 400 has been good. I haven't used the camera long but suspect ISO 800 will be at least usuable. Being the lightest dslr around, you can carry it all day and not feel like you have a rock around your neck. Of course nothing is without drawbacks and the grip could be better. So far auto or redeye flash seems to need + .7 - 1 ev. Live view focus can be done in 3 ways but I only played with it to see that they work. Shutter lag can be bad when using live view; probably on other dslrs using live wiew too. Give me a real eye finder any day. This finder is just ok. Info provided is to the right and shows what you need, diopter adjustment works nice, but like all mirror finders it sucks compared to a decent silvered glass pentaprism. Cheap finders come with the lower price ranges in all brands. Shame on all of them. Image stabilization would have been nice as would an actual focus assist light, instead of multi flashing the flash unit for focus assist, but I knew it didn't have these when I bought it. More price range things. The 14-42mm kit lens uses some expensive glass elements and covers 28-84mm - 35mm equivalent which is a good and useful range. Lens seems quite good though I haven't done any resolution tests. Camera dynamic range is a bit limited and you can lose hi-lights quite easily. It's not that big of a deal though as a touch of brightness and or contrast change in the Olympus software can get you where you want. You can do it in camera too. A nice feature is being able to set in a menu autofocus with manual focus adjust Without any switches to move. Along this line ALL DSLRS, especially those with slow kit lenses, should have a split image focusing screen to help with manual focus. Dim finders, poor screens, and slow lenses make manual focusing a PITA! Manual focus is needed much more often than many realize. There is a work around using liveview with screen magnification but it is another pita. Again this is not just an Olympus problem. Some things really were better in the old days! Nitpicks: Popup flash is shrouded from subject during very close macro shots. Why do you have to have the xD memory card [in addition to CF card] to shoot stitch together panorama photos? Though having both cards allows raw and jpeg on separate cards. So if you sick of megapixel wars, gigantic 30x plus zoom range semi compacts with lenses [gag, cough] only an ad man could love, and don't care about video then pick up this Olympus. Get a bit familiar with it, forget live view bs, put it up to your eye and discover why an slr is the way to go.
hondo
2011-05-21T21:00:00
I AM STILL LEARNING HOW TO USE THIS CAMERA SO I HAVE NO USEFUL COMMENTS... BUT THE CAMERA LOOKS BRAND NEW!
SLICK R.
2011-05-03T21:00:00
I bought this camera for no reason at all, and I'm really happy with it! In fact, I use it more often than my Pentax K20D. I like the feel of the pictures; they have a unique "grain" to them. I use this camera mostly with film specific prime lens, and the results are wonderful. It's a great starter camera. Just be aware that the camera will have difficulties focusing in low-light scenarios.
Samuel T.
2011-04-09T21:00:00
I have been impressed with this camera's ability to take both low-light indoor shots and the macro feature. I've been using the Auto Aperture setting and have had the most beautiful pictures I've ever taken with digital. This will definitely lessen my need to edit.
hootdpll
2011-01-17T19:00:00
I bought this camera to carry daily so that I could practice shooting without having to pay for film. For the price it couldn't be any better. What I like: The controls are very intuitive and easy to customize. One-touch white balance is assignable to a dedicated button so you don't have to dive into menus all the time. (All my other cameras are old film cameras with little, if any, automation - so I have a low tolerance for menus.) Skin tones are very good. Vivid color settings are very good. Minimum focus distance is about a foot from the sensor, so you can take decent macro shots if you've got steady hands. It's incredibly light. It makes my film gear feel like gym weights. The battery charges in just a couple of hours, and is smaller than the lens cap if you want to carry a spare. I haven't needed one yet. The shutter doesn't vibrate much, so you can get away with some pretty slow shutter speeds if you take a couple insurance shots. What could be better: The lens isn't silent as it auto-focuses, but you have to listen really hard to hear it, so it may as well be. The kit lens is slow, but so is every other kit lens. I would have preferred if Adorama sold this refurb outfit with the 25mm pancake lens, but it's still a steal of a deal. There's no image stabilization, but for internet sized images you can get away with raising the ISO and shutter speed and not have noise issues. The hand grip is small, but the lightness of the total package more than makes up for it. You can hold this thing with just your fingertips. As a camera to travel with or to practice shooting or to have with you all the time I think it's the best there is. The menus are easier to learn than other brands in my opinion, and it's super easy to carry wherever you go. It's the camera that will get you the shots the others won't because they stayed in the car and this one came with you!
Mike S.
2010-11-20T19:00:00
Nice slr. Nice weight size and feel. I can only hope Olympus continues to make slrs.
JAMIE S.
2010-11-05T21:00:00
Very pleased with camera. Great live view. Still working on learning all the functions.
David F.
2010-07-30T21:00:00
Fine Camera,Glad I purchased from you,GREAT VALUE Would have stayed with non DSLR had you not offered the DSLR at such a good price. Thank You
Charlie
2010-05-22T21:00:00
I am still trying to learn everything that this camera has to offer. This is my first SLR camera and I am very excited about using it. The only thing I miss on this camera is the Image Stabilization feature. But that is a small thing to me, I purchased a tripod to make up for it. This is a very nice camera and would recommend to anyone who is a first time SLR user.
CCBCYS
2010-04-14T21:00:00
Still learning how to use the camera, but easier than I thought - and great pictures of my kids swimming and doing outdoor activities.
Spacy S.
2009-07-08T21:00:00
I have only been using it for two weeks and I'm still really satisfied! I learning photography and it is definitely a good quality product for such an use.
MatArt
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Single-lens reflex Live View digital camera with interchangeable lens system
CompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card (Dual-Slot)
17.3 mm (H) x 13.0 mm (V)
Four Thirds Mount
10 million pixels
Live MOS Sensor
Approx. 11.8 million pixels
1.33 (4:3)
Primary color filter (RGB)
Fixed type
Hybrid type
Supersonic Wave Filter (dust reduction system for image sensor)
DCF, DPOF compatible/Exif, PRINT Image Matching III
RAW (12-bit), JPEG, RAW+JPEG
[RAW] 3648 x 2736 pixels
[JPEG] 3648 x 2736 pixels - 640 x 480 pixels
3648 x 2736 compressed Approx. 11MB
3648 x 2736 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 6.8MB, 3648 x 2736 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 4.7MB, 3648 x 2736 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 2.2MB, 3648 x 2736 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 1.5MB
3200 x 2400 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 5.3MB, 3200 x 2400 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 3.7MB, 3200 x 2400 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 1.7MB, 3200 x 2400 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 1.1MB, 2560 x 1920 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 3.6MB, 2560 x 1920 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 2.2MB, 2560 x 1920 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 1.1MB, 2560 x 1920 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.7MB
1600 x 1200 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 1.3MB, 1600 x 1200 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 0.8MB, 1600 x 1200 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 0.5MB, 1600 x 1200 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.3MB, 1280 x 960 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 0.8MB, 1280 x 960 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 0.5MB, 1280 x 960 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 0.3MB, 1280 x 960 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.2MB, 1024 x 768 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 0.5MB
Eye-level single-lens reflex viewfinder
Approx. 95%
Approx.0.92x (-1m-1, 50mm lens, infinity)
Approx. 14 mm (-1m-1)
-3.0 - +1m-1
Fixed (Neo Lumi-Micro Mat screen)
Eye piece cap EP-4 supplied
Interchangeable type EP-5/6/7, EP-5 supplied (Magnifier Eyecup ME-1 is available)
Can be checked (when Left arrow pad is set in preview mode), selectable from the optical viewfinder or rear-mounted LCD monitor
Aperture value, Shutter speed, Record mode, AF confirmation mark, Flash, WB, AE lock, Number of storable still images, Exposure compensation value, Metering mode, Battery warning, Exposure mode, AF frame (super impose)
Live MOS Sensor for still picture shooting is used, 100% field of view, Exposure adjustment pre-view, White balance adjustment pre-view, Gradation setting pre-view, Face detection pre-view, Perfect shot pre-view, Grid line displayable, 7x/10x magnification possible, MF/S-AF, AF frame display, AF point display, Shooting information, Histogram, Heat warning
Phase -difference detection system, Contrast detection system
No
HyperCrystal II LCD (semi-transmissive TFT color LCD)
2.7 inches
Approx. 230,000 pixels
100%
15 levels
15 levels
TTL phase-difference detection system, Contrast detection system (with 14-42mm f3.5-5.6)
Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF) / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / C-AF + MF
3-point multiple AF (Auto, selectable in option)
Auto/Option selectable
EV 0 to 19 (at 20, ISO 100)
Built-in flash (external flash available. Inactivation is available to set.)
Locked at first position of Shutter button in Single AF mode / AEL button (customizable)
Interlocked with Continuous AF mode
Available
TTL open-aperture metering system: (1) Digital ESP metering (49-point multi pattern metering), (2) Centre weighted average metering, (3) Spot metering (approx. 1% for the viewfinder screen), (4) Spot with Highlight control, (5) Spot with Shadow control
EV 1 - 20 (Digital ESP metering, Centre weighted average metering, Spot metering) (At normal temperature, 50mm f2, ISO 100)
(1) Auto (2) P: Program AE (Program shift can be performed) (3) A: Aperture priority AE (4) S: Shutter priority AE (5) M: Manual (6) Scene program AE (7) Scene select AE
Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sport, Night + Portrait
Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, Sport, High Key, Low Key, Digital Image Stabilization, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Fireworks, Documents, Panorama, Beach & Snow
AUTO (ISO 100 - 1600) / Manual (ISO 100 - 1600), 1 EV steps
+/-5 EV in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps selectable
Locked by first position of Shutter button / AEL button (customizable)
3 frames in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1EV steps selectable
Advanced detection system with Live MOS sensor
8 settings (3000K - 7500K) Lamp (3000K), Fluorescent 1 (4000K), Fluorescent 2 (4500K), Fluorescent 3 (6600K), Daylight (5300K), Cloudy (6000K), Shade (7500K)
+/-7 steps in each A-B/G-M axis (in Auto WB/Preset WB mode)
1 setting can be registered at Kelvin temperature (2000K - 14000K)
1 custom setting can be registered
sRGB, Adobe RGB
Vivid, Natural, Muted, Portrait, Monotone (default setting: Natural)
Contrast, Sharpness and Saturation level available in 5 steps for Vivid, Natural, Muted and Portrait
Contrast and Sharpness level available in 5 steps for Monotone
Yellow, Orange, Red or Green filter available for Monotone
Sepia, Blue, Purple or Green tone available for Monotone
4 levels (Auto, high key, normal, low key)
Computerized focal-plane shutter
Auto mode: 2 - 1/4000 sec. (depends on settings), P(Ps), S, A, M mode: 60 - 1/4000 sec. (Bulb: up to 8 min. with limiter), Scene program/Scene select mode: 4 - 1/4000 sec. (depends on settings) 1/3EV steps
Operation time: 12 sec., 2 sec. (cancel available)
Available (with optional RM-UC1 Remote cable.)
Operation time: 2 sec., 0 sec., bulb control available (with optional RM-1 remote control)
Available (1 to 30sec selectable)
Single-frame shooting, Sequential shooting, Self-timer, Remote control
Approx. 3.5 frames/sec.
RAW mode: Max. 6 frames
JPEG mode: Depends on compression ratio and no. of pixels (LN mode: approx. upto card capacity with SanDisk Extreme III TBD)
Retractable flash (Auto pop-up type), GN=12 (ISO 100.m)
FL-50R, FL-36R, FL-50, FL-36, FL-20
TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual
Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Fill-in, Slow synchronization, Manual, Off
1/180 sec. or less, Super FP up to 1/4000 sec.
Up to +/-2 EV in 1/3 EV steps
1st curtain synchronization/2nd curtain slow synchronization (selectable)
Not available
Compatible external flash: FL-50R, FL-36R
Triggered and controlled by built-in flash light
TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual, FP TTL Auto, FP Manual.
4 channels
3 groups
Information (Shooting): Battery information, Exposure mode, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure compensation value, ISO sensitivity, Exposure compensation indicator, Exposure indicator, Flash intensity compensation indicator, Date, BKT warning, NR warning, WB, WB compensation value, Picture mode, Flash mode, Record mode, Image size, Card information, Drive mode, Flash intensity compensation value, Metering mode, Recordable image number, Focusing mode, FP warning AF frame, AF illuminator
Exposure mode, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure compensation value bar, Exposure compensation value, Flash compensation value bar, Flash compensation value, ALE notification, Flash compensation notification, NR notification, BKT notification, AF illuminator disactivated notification, Color space, Wirelss channel setting, Built-in flash intensity, Group setting
Back light lighting time is selectable. (Keep, 8, 30sec, 1min)
Single-frame, Index (4/9/16/25/49/100 frames), Calendar, Close-up ( 2 - 14X), Slideshow, Picture rotation (auto mode available)
Histogram (independent luminance/RGB available), Highlight/Shadow point warning, AF frame, Shooting information
English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
Left arrow button is available to set some functions. (Face detection, Preview, OFF, One touch WB, Live preview, Test picture)
Drive button is available to set some functions. (Drive, AF target selection, S-AF/C-AF/MF selection, WB mode, Metering mode, ISO setting)
2 settings are recordable
Not available
Single frame, All frames, Selected frames (with protect function)
Single frame, Selected frames, Release protect (Single/All selected)
Single frame, All frames, Selected frames
RAW development
Gradation AUTO, Red-eye reduction, Triming, Monotone, Sepia, Saturation (colour depth), Resize (producing another file)
Print reservation (DPOF), Direct print (PictBridge compatible)
USB 2.0 High Speed for storage and camera control (MTP mode is available)
Dedicated multi-connector (Video: NTSC/PAL selectable, Optional Remote cable RM-UC1 is available)
Hot shoe
BLS-1 Li-ion battery (included)
Available (1, 3, 5, 10 min., off selectable)
Approx. 500 shots (optical viewfinder)
32-104F / 0 - 40 (operation) / -20 - 60 (storage)
30 - 90% (operation) / 10 - 90% (storage)
5.1 in. (W) x 3.6 in.(H) x 2.1 in. D / 129.5 mm (W) x 91 mm (H) x 53 mm (D) (excluding protrusions)
13.4 oz. / 380 g (body only)
90 Day warranty
Good product
By MatArt
I have only been using it for two weeks and I'm still really satisfied! I learning photography and it is definitely a good quality product for such an use.
Awesome little camera!
By Samuel T.
I bought this camera for no reason at all, and I'm really happy with it! In fact, I use it more often than my Pentax K20D. I like the feel of the pictures; they have a unique "grain" to them. I use this camera mostly with film specific prime lens, and the results are wonderful. It's a great starter camera. Just be aware that the camera will have difficulties focusing in low-light scenarios.
The Olympus E-420 10.0 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera is the world's smallest digital SLR with all the features you need to take great pictures anywhere you go, every day. The innovative and unique Olympus Autofocus Live View function allows you to frame and focus your photos using the large 2.7-inch LCD as a viewfinder.
The E-420's Scene Select Modes make you an instant expert - or switch to manual mode to expand your creative control. This feature-rich digital SLR also sports Shadow Adjustment Technology and Face Detection, both viewable in real time on the Live View LCD. The E-420 is small enough to fit into a purse or a jacket pocket and light enough to shoot with comfortably all day. Two innovative technologies merge to create a unique digital experience.
The E-420's on-Screen Autofocus works as seamlessly as a point-and-shoot to display subjects in focus on the LCD the instant the shutter is pressed half way. And the Live View LCD, enables photographers to hold the camera away from their faces and at angles they just cannot reach by using the optical viewfinder alone.
The E-420's Face Detection feature distinguishes between people's faces and the background. This innovative technology tracks up to eight faces within the image area and automatically focuses and optimizes exposure for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures. Shooting scenes with shadows can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark and bright areas. The E-420 addresses this challenge with Shadow Adjustment Technology that compensates for extreme contrast when shadow areas are underexposed and lack visible detail. This technology works automatically when using Face Detection Mode, Live View and in Scene Select Modes.
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