Digital Cameras Ratings

This is the latest in my journey through Olympus Digital Cameras
(D340R, 460,560,2020z, 5060 — some of which I have reviewed on Amazon). The choice of the E-300, used for some commerical work I do, was not so easy because I have a bag full of Pentax K lenses and was mightily tempted by the Pentax digitals. But, having batteries, familiarity with the menu system, and really very good experience with Olympus products and service over the years, I took the plunge and got the E-300 and its kit lens. Then got a K mount adapter for my Pentax lenses and set to work.

Ok, there are some quirks and I will get them out of the way:

- a slight magenta cast to some greens, easily fixed in post-processing or fiddling with WB, and the noise reduction system can just slightly dull grass in photos, also easily fixed

- now and then a bright spot will fool exposure slightly when using the full screen sensor (I’ve learned to use the center-weighted and spot meters to take care of this)

- I am not overly impressed by the lcd, which doesn’t seem to have the brilliance of the one on my 5060.

- I wish Oly had added an xD slot for those of us with a collection of these cards, purchased for use with older models

Now to some good stuff:

- don’t worry about some reviews claiming the camera is noisey and doesn’t like 800/1600 ISO. I get fine results, which are easily fine tuned in Photoshop Elements, Neat Image or other programs, and which can be helped mightily by using a wide aperture prime lens at 400.

- colors are brilliant and resolution sharp

- the Oly jpg algorithms are very good, meaning that for most ‘normal’ shooting one can be perfectly happy using the best HQ mode — lots of testing on my part discerns very little visible difference with SHQ. This is good to know when traveling or when you want to keep some disc space; triage carefully when you see that once in a lifetime shot coming and then use the highest modes

- Raw is very good but by all means avoid the Olympus Master converter, which is terribly unintuitive, in favor of Adobe’s.

- battery life is excellent with the BLM1 battery (and yes, you can get good backups on that auction site for less than ten dollars each; and they work just fine); I’ve only run one battery down all the way and that was with multiple in camera editing and a download of 150 shots via USB.

- flash is fine (though watch lens hood shadowing at highest aperture); I’ve supplemented with the FL-36 and FL-20, both of which work flawlessly, even for the brain dead like me. Like many cameras this one will occasionally underexpose so I generally program the flash for a little extra oomph.

- the camera feels rugged and well made; a little tank that feels good in one’s hand and thanks to lack of prism on top slides easily into a small bag.

- the kit lens is really quite fine

- K lenses, including a Tokina ATX telephoto zoom work easily and brilliantly, as does an OM lens with adapter.

-even for the ‘advanced’ among us, it is good to have the range of scene modes on this camera. They work.

-vastly improved instruction manual.

-burns very quickly, even to standard CF cards.

-finally, this thing really keeps dust off the sensor. I’m constantly fiddling between lenses in very different environmental situations and have yet to see a spec. Yes, some appear on the outer mirror, but that is easily and harmlessly cured.

Olympus does not have the cache or marketing power of Nikon and Canon. And the sensor on this 4/3d’s camera is smaller than those on its main competitors. Yet, I find it to be a solid and
unflashly product in line with most Oly cameras I have owned. This company is good at miniaturization, glass, and compression algorithms. If you need it Oly service is excellent (quick and friendly as I found out when I screwed up something in my 5060, also a superb camera).

I’m sure that there are fine photos to be had with any of the major dslr’s on the market and not having a lot of comparative experience with other brands probably don’t know what I am missing. But if you want an elegant workhorse with high resolution and brilliant photos give this one a careful look.

Product Description
The EVOLT E-300 is a 100% digital SLR camera that eliminates any photographic limitations. A powerful 8 megapixel CCD combines with interchangeable Zuiko digital lenses, the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter and other cutting-edge technologies for world-class images. Advances in design make for a durable and portable compact camera you can take and trust anywhere. With impressively fast shooting and operating speeds that ensure you never miss a photo op, and the ability to switch lenses and add flashes so you never miss a beat.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Olympus Evolt E300 8MP Digital SLR with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 & 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 Zuiko Lenses

PP= Post Processing (Photoshop and other image apps)
PQ= Picture Quality

My older brother, who by no means is a professional but has been an enthusiast since my father gave him his old Canon F series 35mm SLR in the 80s, has been my mentor.

He currently uses a 20D with a 420EX flash and some ungodly multi thousand dollar L series lenses.I recently purchased the E-500 dual lens kit for a fraction of the cost and must say that my brother and I both agree it is by FAR the best bang for the buck.

At the level 98% of us are at it is all user error and not camera error when our pictures don’t come out as we would like (most professionals even say its mostly user error or lack of knowledge).I still have a friend who uses a small 2001-Canon S230 and takes pictures that are far better then most of mine.

In low light I have noticed that my E500 does not focus as fast as my brothers 20D (but it definitely still focuses) but from reading online with firmware upgrades they remedied this problem in the E300.

We both also agreed that it felt better in our hands (grip and general ergonomics) and was quite a bit lighter then the 20D as well.

He ,just as myself, LOVED the rear LCD controls for everything from ISO to flash speed and exposure, far more easier and quicker then the 20D for a newbie such as myself.But he commented saying it would have been nice if it had the small simple LCD up top that the canons do as a supplement to the detailed and informative one of the back.

PQ was amazing requiring very little PP, and with the vivid setting we both agreed that the colors did feel better and more vibrant (of course with a small PP Tweak the 20D was right there but for the casual photographer as myself I shy away from PP).

Bottom line we were both floored at what a phenomenal deal this kit is for the price.

———- UPDATED 3/29/2006 ————

Everything said above still holds true, and I must say this is one of the few purchases that almost 6 months later Im still VERY happy with and use it frequently.Through no advertising or sales pitch I have created 3 new customers for Olympus’s E500 kit up to date.

My brother has over $4000 now invested in his camera and he still finds it amusing that my little old $700 kit gets as much attention from all our friends as it does.He recently upgraded to the 580EX flash and a new Wide angel L series lens, and I must admit VERY VERY amazing hardware bursting 3 or 4 pictures WITH flash is very cool.

But we recently went to India to tour Agra, see the Taj Mahal, Sikhanders tomb, and other such sites on the way.At the end of the trip without PP during the day my pictures looked better (we both agreed) and thats all I cared about (mainly talking about color saturation and not detail, just over all presentation).I will admit though in a couple action shots from our speeding bus his camera did perform better, and in the evening some of mine didnt focus properly while his did on the same subject, but Im not a pro, I just enjoy the hobby.

One of my better purchases in recent years.

His camera IS better, mine is just a better deal, it’s all about peace of mind..

Product Description
Premium picture quality and superb performance come easy with this comfortable to handle digital SLR. At a time when we want complex things to become simple, the EVOLT E-500 succeeds in doing so with a sleek, lightweight design for impressive portability and advanced controls and options that can be accessed with minimal effort. Bursting with speed and producing spotless pictures with exceptional color and detail, the EVOLTE-500 is tailor-made for anyone to use while capturing the imagination in the process.Patented Dust Reduction System uses our Supersonic Wave Filter (SWF) to loosen and remove any and all dust and debris from the image sensor. The SWF vibrates at a rate of 35,000 times per second upon start-up as well as when manually activated – and is unnoticeable to the user – for clear, aberration-free images. This removal of dust also means you never have to worry about changing lenses Exercise total control with creative modes like Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual Auto/Manual Focus Automatic pop-up flash provides just the right amount of illumination when necessary and remains out of the way (closed) when notPictBridge compatible Dimensions 5 x 3.7 x 2.6 inch / 15.75 ounces body only Rechargeable Li-ion battery Pack BLM-1/3x CR123A with LBH-1 PC and Mac

Click Here to see more reviews about: Olympus Evolt E500 8MP Digital SLR with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 & 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 Zuiko Lenses

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