Where do you get 50mm f5.6? It's a 25mm f2.8 and the speed does not change just because it is equivalent to a 50mm lens. This is not like teleconverters. The pancake is a 25mm F2.8 and the camera can also mount any lens designed for 4/3 including the Leica 25mm F1.4 (equivalent 50mm f1.4). The Leica 25mm, however, is very large and heavy compared to the small pancake lens.
Because on a 2X crop camera, the lens/camera system is slower. So you have an f/2.8 lens with the DOF of f/5.6 on full frame, an equivalent angle of view, and equivalent performance. TANSTAAFL. Nice camera-- with stabilization to help compensate for the slowness it'd be better.
Yeah this is exactly something I'd like too. A lot of people would love it. Most people don't like lugging around a big ugly camera. Thats why I got rid of 35 mm SLR a long time ago. Took great pictures but it was to big and in the end I ended up missing a lot of shots because I hated carrying it and packing it everywhere. I passed on the DSLR for the same reason and went straight to a compact digital. I carry it everywhere in my back pocket and whip it out all the time. Got many many shots I'd never have. And done right I get many shots that I'd put against these guys with $1000 DSLR's. But I'd still like a little more and to have a better camera. This small one is getting in the perfect compromise.
By the way Dailytech when you post anything that is promoting size you need to have it next to something to compare. We have NO sense of scale from these pictures when it's just by itself. Looks like any other full sized DSLR.
I think this little camera would appeal to alot of people, myself included. I currently have quite a bit wrapped up in a Minolta/Sony DSLR system, but I really like what Oly is doing lately. I'd love to own an E-3 with 12-60mm/50-200mm combo. I'm considering picking up an E410 with a 2 lens kit because they are going for so little. It's a great travel camera with the basic kit.
I realy wonder who is the target audience for this kind of SLR.
let's sum up:
1. small, light (but this is offset by the lenses)
2. mostly live view scene composition as it has poor AF otherwise (3 points are inadequate for anything bu static pistures)
3. no image stabilisation to speak about
it looks like a gadget for the posh folks to brag "look I have a SLR and how small it is"
it has a hybrid AF system that favors live view. it has no image stabilisation. it is an olympus 4/3.
I mean the nikon D40 has the same (ok it's larger and no live view) yet it at least has the complete nikon system available.
the only nice thing is the new pancake 25mm lens. it seems it is the old tessar design (judging by the 2.8 aperture).
Disagree on most of your points - this camera gives you the flexibility to go very compact with the 25mm compact lens, reasonably compact with the 14-42mm and 40-150mm lenses or high pro performance if you need the 35-100mm F2 or similar.
It is not 'mostly liveview composition', I've never had trouble with the three point Olympus AF system with high motion subjects. I prefer this because you know what you're getting, on my current camera I have an 11 point AF system but only have the centre AF point enabled because I want to choose what to focus on, not the camera.
As for your comparisons to a point and shoot, you completely forgot about the sensor size - most point and shoot (the S100FS looks to be about the only exception right now) use small, pixel stuffed noisy sensor where the main focus on the camera is markettable features rather than actual image performance. I have tried taking point and shoot cameras on social nights out to take advantage of their more discrete form but always find myself frustrated by their poor low light performance. Not only does the larger sensor give far better high ISO performance, you also get more depth of field options.
The lack of IS is more the killer for me at the moment, that and I'd prefer a 28mm equivalent pancake lens as 50mm is not wide enough.
This might not be the best place to ask this, but do you think this would be a decent first DSLR for someone? I'm thinking about this as a gift for my girlfriend.
It seems like the smaller form factor would be nice. She's never had an SLR or DSLR.
The current E-510 is also quite small. It is the same basic camera with a larger grip and image stabilization built into the body. It does have Live View but the Live View isn't as versatile as that on the E-420. If you can wait until May the E-420 might be a good choice. If you plan to get something before then the E-510 two lens kit with these same small lenses is a good value, small, and a very capable outfit.
I forgot to add: a p&s offers the same today with more versatility (zoom lens, IS, movie recording etc.) for less price, no dust worries (closed system).
The Olympus auto sensor cleaning is regarded by most as the most effective available in DSLR cameras, so dust is hardly a concern. I do not understand your lens point since the 14-42 (28-84), 40-150 (80-300), and 35 (70) macro are all three the smallest and lightest lenses in their class, and optically quite excellent. Now there will also be a tiny 25mm (50) pancake lens as a kit choice.
I do agree the E-420 would be better with body integral IS and an updated AF system with more points, but it is certainly competitive at its selling price. The E-420 is not a camera for everyone, but for those who really want a tiny DSLR camera and system it is one of the few options available.
well it's good to know that the Oly sensor cleaning is one of the best, but a closed P&S system does have NO dust worries, so no reason to pay for the extra parts.
as to the lenses, yes they might be small and good, but you still need to carry them and change them as needed. this kind of defies the minimal size and weight of this SLR. P&S has the same size and weight minus the lens hassle (ofc it is limited to only one lens).
and to reply to the poster about the sensor size. I do not think the 4/3 sensor size is that much a win if you are climbing 10+MP.
It was actually the E-330 which has the dubious honour of being the first Olympus SLR with the digital image stabilisation scene mode. Also it's worth bearing in mind that the E-400 and E-410 are actually more different than they perhaps seem, the E-400 was a bit of a 'test' camera only released to Europe with a Kodak 10MP CCD sensor, no liveview and some other missing features such as no mirror lockup. The E-410 uses a Panasonic 'NMOS' sensor, has liveview, mirror lockup and some other small touches. Irritatingly all the E-4xx cameras lack the ISO/EXP/WB/AF selection on the rear d-pad which their E-5xx siblings have.
Pleased to see Olympus produce a 25mm pancake lens as there's no doubt that there's a market for small and light DSLRs. Hopefully if this does well we'll see some more pancake lenses as 14mm is the one I'm wanting. While I like the E-3 I definintely think there's a market for a pro-spec body around the size of the E-4xx - while there'd need to be some compromises it would appeal as a second camera for other system owners (particularly 35mm Nikon/Canons) rather than trying to take market away as they have tried with the E-3.
I did not realize the E-330 pioneered the Digital Image stabilization feature. As you allude the in-body mechanical IS would have been a more desirable choice IMHO. I have corrected the reference.
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16 Comments
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punchkin - Sunday, March 9, 2008 - link
I like the small size, but a 50mm f/5.6 equivalent lens is only really suitable for outdoor work IMO. I'd still take this over a DP-1 any day.Wesley Fink - Monday, March 10, 2008 - link
Where do you get 50mm f5.6? It's a 25mm f2.8 and the speed does not change just because it is equivalent to a 50mm lens. This is not like teleconverters. The pancake is a 25mm F2.8 and the camera can also mount any lens designed for 4/3 including the Leica 25mm F1.4 (equivalent 50mm f1.4). The Leica 25mm, however, is very large and heavy compared to the small pancake lens.punchkin - Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - link
Because on a 2X crop camera, the lens/camera system is slower. So you have an f/2.8 lens with the DOF of f/5.6 on full frame, an equivalent angle of view, and equivalent performance. TANSTAAFL. Nice camera-- with stabilization to help compensate for the slowness it'd be better.v1001 - Sunday, March 9, 2008 - link
Yeah this is exactly something I'd like too. A lot of people would love it. Most people don't like lugging around a big ugly camera. Thats why I got rid of 35 mm SLR a long time ago. Took great pictures but it was to big and in the end I ended up missing a lot of shots because I hated carrying it and packing it everywhere. I passed on the DSLR for the same reason and went straight to a compact digital. I carry it everywhere in my back pocket and whip it out all the time. Got many many shots I'd never have. And done right I get many shots that I'd put against these guys with $1000 DSLR's. But I'd still like a little more and to have a better camera. This small one is getting in the perfect compromise.By the way Dailytech when you post anything that is promoting size you need to have it next to something to compare. We have NO sense of scale from these pictures when it's just by itself. Looks like any other full sized DSLR.
gipper51 - Thursday, March 6, 2008 - link
I think this little camera would appeal to alot of people, myself included. I currently have quite a bit wrapped up in a Minolta/Sony DSLR system, but I really like what Oly is doing lately. I'd love to own an E-3 with 12-60mm/50-200mm combo. I'm considering picking up an E410 with a 2 lens kit because they are going for so little. It's a great travel camera with the basic kit.haplo602 - Thursday, March 6, 2008 - link
I realy wonder who is the target audience for this kind of SLR.let's sum up:
1. small, light (but this is offset by the lenses)
2. mostly live view scene composition as it has poor AF otherwise (3 points are inadequate for anything bu static pistures)
3. no image stabilisation to speak about
it looks like a gadget for the posh folks to brag "look I have a SLR and how small it is"
it has a hybrid AF system that favors live view. it has no image stabilisation. it is an olympus 4/3.
I mean the nikon D40 has the same (ok it's larger and no live view) yet it at least has the complete nikon system available.
the only nice thing is the new pancake 25mm lens. it seems it is the old tessar design (judging by the 2.8 aperture).
Johnmcl7 - Thursday, March 6, 2008 - link
Disagree on most of your points - this camera gives you the flexibility to go very compact with the 25mm compact lens, reasonably compact with the 14-42mm and 40-150mm lenses or high pro performance if you need the 35-100mm F2 or similar.It is not 'mostly liveview composition', I've never had trouble with the three point Olympus AF system with high motion subjects. I prefer this because you know what you're getting, on my current camera I have an 11 point AF system but only have the centre AF point enabled because I want to choose what to focus on, not the camera.
As for your comparisons to a point and shoot, you completely forgot about the sensor size - most point and shoot (the S100FS looks to be about the only exception right now) use small, pixel stuffed noisy sensor where the main focus on the camera is markettable features rather than actual image performance. I have tried taking point and shoot cameras on social nights out to take advantage of their more discrete form but always find myself frustrated by their poor low light performance. Not only does the larger sensor give far better high ISO performance, you also get more depth of field options.
The lack of IS is more the killer for me at the moment, that and I'd prefer a 28mm equivalent pancake lens as 50mm is not wide enough.
John
taleril - Thursday, March 6, 2008 - link
This might not be the best place to ask this, but do you think this would be a decent first DSLR for someone? I'm thinking about this as a gift for my girlfriend.It seems like the smaller form factor would be nice. She's never had an SLR or DSLR.
Hope this isn't too far off topic.
Wesley Fink - Thursday, March 6, 2008 - link
The current E-510 is also quite small. It is the same basic camera with a larger grip and image stabilization built into the body. It does have Live View but the Live View isn't as versatile as that on the E-420. If you can wait until May the E-420 might be a good choice. If you plan to get something before then the E-510 two lens kit with these same small lenses is a good value, small, and a very capable outfit.haplo602 - Thursday, March 6, 2008 - link
ah there is no edit function on this forum :-((I forgot to add: a p&s offers the same today with more versatility (zoom lens, IS, movie recording etc.) for less price, no dust worries (closed system).
I realy do not see any advantage about this SLR.
Wesley Fink - Thursday, March 6, 2008 - link
The Olympus auto sensor cleaning is regarded by most as the most effective available in DSLR cameras, so dust is hardly a concern. I do not understand your lens point since the 14-42 (28-84), 40-150 (80-300), and 35 (70) macro are all three the smallest and lightest lenses in their class, and optically quite excellent. Now there will also be a tiny 25mm (50) pancake lens as a kit choice.I do agree the E-420 would be better with body integral IS and an updated AF system with more points, but it is certainly competitive at its selling price. The E-420 is not a camera for everyone, but for those who really want a tiny DSLR camera and system it is one of the few options available.
haplo602 - Sunday, March 9, 2008 - link
well it's good to know that the Oly sensor cleaning is one of the best, but a closed P&S system does have NO dust worries, so no reason to pay for the extra parts.as to the lenses, yes they might be small and good, but you still need to carry them and change them as needed. this kind of defies the minimal size and weight of this SLR. P&S has the same size and weight minus the lens hassle (ofc it is limited to only one lens).
and to reply to the poster about the sensor size. I do not think the 4/3 sensor size is that much a win if you are climbing 10+MP.
Samus - Thursday, March 6, 2008 - link
This camera, like the Celeron 420, daftly targets the 4:20 crowd ^_^Johnmcl7 - Wednesday, March 5, 2008 - link
It was actually the E-330 which has the dubious honour of being the first Olympus SLR with the digital image stabilisation scene mode. Also it's worth bearing in mind that the E-400 and E-410 are actually more different than they perhaps seem, the E-400 was a bit of a 'test' camera only released to Europe with a Kodak 10MP CCD sensor, no liveview and some other missing features such as no mirror lockup. The E-410 uses a Panasonic 'NMOS' sensor, has liveview, mirror lockup and some other small touches. Irritatingly all the E-4xx cameras lack the ISO/EXP/WB/AF selection on the rear d-pad which their E-5xx siblings have.Pleased to see Olympus produce a 25mm pancake lens as there's no doubt that there's a market for small and light DSLRs. Hopefully if this does well we'll see some more pancake lenses as 14mm is the one I'm wanting. While I like the E-3 I definintely think there's a market for a pro-spec body around the size of the E-4xx - while there'd need to be some compromises it would appeal as a second camera for other system owners (particularly 35mm Nikon/Canons) rather than trying to take market away as they have tried with the E-3.
John
Wesley Fink - Wednesday, March 5, 2008 - link
I did not realize the E-330 pioneered the Digital Image stabilization feature. As you allude the in-body mechanical IS would have been a more desirable choice IMHO. I have corrected the reference.pervisanathema - Wednesday, March 5, 2008 - link
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