[jct us101]

I've always been interested in these tiny little cameras considering how cheap you can buy them used (less than $200 usually) and how tiny yet usable they actually are. The high ISO noise is fairly bad, but not really any worse than any of the older DSLR cameras. I really have considered getting one though, because not only are the cameras very nice, but they have the best assortment of cheap lenses I've ever seen! They have a 35mm 1:1 macro that sells for $100ish and a 50mm that sells for $200. Not to mention the optical quality of their other lenses.

Has anyone ever used one of these cameras? What do you think of them?

[wlachan]

I only tried it at store but it was not that small compared to other lowend Canon/Nikon model. The E-P1 however, is how 4/3 should really be.

[jct us101]

Well I owned an E-P1 for a while (and I kind of own the biggest forum for Micro Four Thirds cameras too) and I just hated the way the grip didn't really work on it. I tried out the E-PL1 recently and it was much improved, although the dials are gone on that model because it's entry level. When I tried the E-420 in Walmart though I really did like it.

[Rhizo]

I am known to be the under dog user. Pentax and Olympus are my picks over Canon and Nikon. I owned the E620. It is a fantastic little body. I can honestly say the Zuiko glass is a lot better than Pentax. However, no matter how good a glass you have, the body will hunt at times when indoors. I rarely had this problem with my K10D. Hope this helps

Shot 300mm hand held (600mm on 35mm format) E620 w/ 70-300mm Zuiko Both can be had at roughly ~$650. Not a bad deal considering it is very light to carry over your standard APSC lens with equal range.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2771/4516733537_26fe7880c2_o.jpg

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Last edited by Rhizo; 04-15-2010 at 01:12 AM.

[er1kksen]

I am known to be the under dog user. Pentax and Olympus are my picks over Canon and Nikon. I owned the E620. It is a fantastic little body. I can honestly say the Zuiko glass is a lot better than Pentax. However, no matter how good a glass you have, the body will hunt at times when indoors. I rarely had this problem with my K10D. Hope this helps

Shot 300mm hand held (600mm on 35mm format) E620 w/ 70-300mm Zuiko Both can be had at roughly ~$650. Not a bad deal considering it is very light to carry over your standard APSC lens with equal range.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2771/4516733537_26fe7880c2_o.jpg

I had a 70-300 for a while. Great lens, apparently it's based on the Sigma APO design but it seemed a lot sharper to me than the Sigma is ever described as.

Two of my favorites with it:



(Vignetting added in post )

I picked up mine for just over $200 off amazon. I don't know if they're still available around that price new (ah, the good ol' days of cheap lenses from all...) but there might be a couple over at the marketplace on fourthirdsphoto.

[séamuis]

I tried out an e-420, really neat and compact, but it felt to plasticky and cheap. I also tried an e-520 and it felt just as cheap. it was like holding a toy. I dont know if the olympus top level cameras feel any better, but my current impression of the e series is not a good one.

[er1kksen]

To each their own, I guess. The E-410 I've played with feels pretty well-built to me (at least as much so as my K-x), certainly up to my expectations from an entry-level cam. For reference, the build quality of the Canon Rebel XS is what I'd consider just over the edge into unnacceptable. The E-410 feels pretty nice.

[jct us101]

I tried out an e-420, really neat and compact, but it felt to plasticky and cheap. I also tried an e-520 and it felt just as cheap. it was like holding a toy. I dont know if the olympus top level cameras feel any better, but my current impression of the e series is not a good one.

Well to be fair I really like the Rebel series, which feels plasticy and cheap to everyone else, but doesn't really pose a problem for me. The Rebel XSi was horrible, but my Rebel XTi feels just right for me.

[lurchlarson]

If you check out my website, nearly every photo except the Engagement gallery was shot with an E-620 and the Zuiko 50mm f/2 1:2 macro.

The 620 with that 50mm is one heck of a sweet system. The lens paid itself off pretty quickly.

[shawnxji]

I played around w/ a e-510 for a while, it was all in all a well-made entry DSLR camera with great placements of controls/dials and it turned out high quality photos. During the two weeks that I used it, a photo taken by it was chosen to be published.

My only negatives worth mentioning is that I wish it had better Auto ISO for general situations, and I didn't like the viewfinder very much, because I was spoiled by my Pentax and Nikon, although it was not a big deal (just dimmer).

You also should keep in mind the excellent Zuiko lenses that Olympus delivered; they've a lot of dedication to their micro 4/3 and 4/3 system.