Olympus ?

[momtopuddin]

I am interested in getting into using a DSLR. I am just starting out with them and don't know much about them so I don't want to put too much into it to start. I am looking at an Olypmus E-450. I have found one that comes with 2 lenses (14-42mm and 40-150mm), memory card, battery, charger, strap, cables, software and bag for $699.00. Is this a good deal and is this a good camera to start out with? I would mainly be using it for Disney trips, family gatherings such as birthdays, and holidays.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Have you done much research into dSLRs? What are the top three things that interest you in this camera? Does it have any drawbacks for you that you can see?

 

[Pugrpooh]

I've had my Olympus E520 for a year now and really like it. The 450 is smaller but it doesn't have IS. The 520 was my first DSLR and I don't regret getting it.

I just looked up the 520 with the same two lenses you have with the 450 and it's $549.00. I would recommend though handling different models and brands. I had narrowed my choice down to Sony or Canon until I saw the Oly in a store and handled it. It just felt like it fit my hands a lot better.

Here are a few pics from our trip to WDW earlier this month.

I've really enjoyed learning how to use it and trying different things. It just makes me realize though, how much more I need to learn.

 

[momtopuddin]

Pea-n-me: I have looked at so many different cameras that my head is spinning. I liked this because it included everything I thought I would need to get started and it was affordable.

Pugrpooh- Your pictures are beautiful! I love the close-up of the flower. I hope to take pictures like that when I do decide which camera to get. By the way, are these pics right out of your camera or did you do editing on them?

Thanks for your help.

 

[JoeDif]

Olympus make great camera's. Check around, you may be able to get an E520 or E620 package (both of where have the in camera IS) for a comparable price. Ithink Amazon has a few package deals going.

I currently use an E510 and love that camera. One downside is that since Oly isn't the big 2 (nikon - Canon) additional equipment isn't as readily available if you suffer from EAS (Equipment Acquisition Symdrome) but it is out there. And believe me, you eventually will get afflicted by EAS. All of us on the DIS has it

 

[Pugrpooh]

Pea-n-me: I have looked at so many different cameras that my head is spinning. I liked this because it included everything I thought I would need to get started and it was affordable.

Pugrpooh- Your pictures are beautiful! I love the close-up of the flower. I hope to take pictures like that when I do decide which camera to get. By the way, are these pics right out of your camera or did you do editing on them?

Thanks for your help.

Thanks momtopuddin! I just noticed you have a pug too! Here's a picture of my pug, Oscar. He'll be 12 next month and can hardly hear or see anymore and just sleeps all day. But he really perks up for treats!

The first 3 pics, and the one of Oscar, are straight out of the camera. For the gorilla, I just darkened the highlights a little, and for the last one, that's actually 5 or 6 shots that I took and stitched together with PSE7, but other than that, there is no editing.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

The reason I was asking, mtp, was because, while the 4xx series are nice cameras, they're usually bought by a specific crowd, ie those who want a really small dSLR and are willing to live without IS to do so. You still get many other nice features that Olympus offers. I've also read that the menus aren't as user friendly on the 4xx series, not sure if they fixed that after the 410/420. Most people prefer the 5xx or 6xx series for those reasons.

You should also know that Olympus uses the 4/3 system. We do have an Olympus thread going here on the PB if you want to learn more. You should really spend a significant amount of time reading about the differences between ALL of the brands and models of dSLRs (and handling them) before you purchase. You don't want to go into it not really understanding, and then wish you bought something else. All lenses are not interchangable in all brands. And the kit lenses are nice, but like the rest of us, in a short time you'll probably notice their limitations and want to move onto more specific lenses, especially if you enjoy shooting sports.

Good luck with your decision.

PS forgot to mention, I have the 510 also, and will upgrade to probably the next professional model Olympus comes out with and pass the 510 along to my son. For me, Olympus is a good fit.