World's Smallest dSLR

[Pea-n-Me]

Olympus E-420

I thought I'd start a thread about this camera because I know a lot of people are interested in buying dSLRs but are concerned about size, weight, bulk, cost, and complexity.

The E-420 is newly arrived and billed as The World's Smallest dSLR, one you can "carry in your purse or pocket". It's fairly affordable, and offers many modern features and user-friendly controls. And yes, you can get beautiful pictures with it.

I hesitate to post because I don't want to have to defend Olympus to those who vociferously prefer other brands. I simply want to let people know this is an option because I've seen a lot of posts that mention the hesitations I listed above.

FYI, Olympus dSLRs use the 4/3 system which helps keep them compact and offers other advantages specifically for digital photography. The 4/3 sensor is a bit smaller than most dSLR sensors in the same class, but much larger than the sensor of a point and shoot. The 4/3 system has had it's critics, in part because lenses must be 4/3 compatible (or used with an adaptor) and in the past, choices have been limited and prices expensive. This is changing, however, as more lens manufacturers have come on board with the system. Many feel the designed-for-digital Zuiko kit lenses are some of the best available today.

One last thing is that the E-420 does not have in body sensor-based IS, whereas it's slightly bigger siblings, the E-510 and new 520 (also fairly compact), do. But remember, some of the other entry level dSLRs do not have in-body IS, either, nor are all lenses IS. You have to weigh the pros and cons of each system, really. In this case, no IS, but a super compact dSLR.

If you want to read more in-depth information, you can look on the Olympus SLR user forums on dperview.com where there have been many threads on the subject. Before buying any dSLR, it's important to do your homework and decide overall what works best for you.

Food for thought.

 

[Groucho]

The Olympus DSLRs are neat and have some advantages, size being a big one - but one thing to note about the E410/E420 is that because there's no in-body IS, that means that you're choosing no IS ever. (Unless you buy the one lens with IS, the quite expensive Leica that comes with the Panasonic.) IMHO, this is a serious consideration to make when considering the E4x0 versus the E5x0. In fact, of the current gen crop of DSLRs, the E4x0 are the only that don't have some form of IS "out of the box".

I think the weight is probably something to tout more than the size of the E420, too - it's only .1" smaller in height and width than the D60 and the same width and .3" shorter than the XSi and less than .5" thicker then either, but almost 100 grams lighter than either (without battery) - which is about 20%. The lenses are also likely to be lighter because of less focal length needed.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

The IS issue was what led me to buy the 510 myself. But yes, it's very light. I haven't held the 420 yet, but I held it's predecessor, the 410, and was amazed at it's compact size and light weight. At any rate, there seems to be a lot of excitement over it, especially in the European market.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Here's a more in-depth review if anyone's interested.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I was in Circuit City last night and noticed they had the Olympus E-420. Having read this thread I decided to take a quick look. Wow - it is small and light, but it still has a quality feel to it. I can see how this would appeal to people who wanted to be able to get more out of a camera but absolutely don't want the size of other DSLR's. The 510 or 520 that was next to it looked relatively huge in comparison. Now that's exaggerating a bit as that is not a large camera either but it was a significant difference. I'm a little surprised by the measurement comparisions that Groucho posted because it really looked much smaller to me than the Nikon D60 and even the Canon XSI, in height and most definitely in depth but that may be since it does not have a grip and the lens size is smaller. There's no doubt about the light weight!

Not having IS would be a concern for me - being so small and light weight I think it would greatly benefit from that feature. I found myself debating on whether I would choose something like this or a bridge camera like the Canon S5 or G9 that has image stabilization. Since I don't have an Olympus system I would probaby be inclined to do that, but if I had an Olympus system (and was looking for a smaller camera) then I would probably get the 420. If I were starting new and determined to have a small camera it would get strong consideration but I'd probably choose to do the step up to the 520 and IS in the Olympus.

Quite an interesting camera.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Neat, huh Kat?

I found myself debating on whether I would choose something like this or a bridge camera like the Canon S5 or G9 that has image stabilization.

I'm coming from using a Canon S3 IS myself. I think there's a pretty specific market for the camera. Basically, people who really want a small dSLR. Ideally, they won't be those who like to shoot low light, tele photos (and if they are, they should probably spring for the E-520).

This article, I think, sums it up pretty well. From fourthirdsphoto.com:

First Look Opinion

The E-420 looks to be about the ideal shooter who wants a high performance SLR with a compact body. The live view functions of the previous generation camera, the E-410, was very nice to have, but the mirror delay made using it nearly as bad as a point and shoot camera. Hopefully with the hybrid Auto focus it should be much faster.

The large 2.7” HyperCrystal II LCD promises to make using the LCD much better than what we had with the previous cameras, having twice the contrast will make it much more useful. I think that when using it in a bright day it will be much better.

As for the improved dynamic range- really always more range is better. If this camera is as good as the E-3, that reason alone in my book is reason enough to upgrade from the E-410. But Olympus also has packaged improved WB (which was needed, maybe I will go back to JPEG’s with this camera).

Having the built in Wireless flash controller will also make this camera a must to have in my bag. I would like to have Image Stabilization, however, I would not want to have sacrificed the small size. This camera with the new compact 25mm f2.8 lens (ie the "pancake" lens) will make just about the ideal carry around camera, for when I don’t want to carry a SLR. Finally the 3.5 FPS will be a welcome to those trying to shoot sport shots of their children.

All in all the E-4xx series has always fascinated me, much more so than the E-5xx series. I am very excited to see Olympus put time energy and effort into developing this camera.

The obvious questions will include how does this compare to the DP1 - I think that if I were to choose between the DP1 and the E-420, I would prefer the functions of the E-420. It has a “normal” (50mm e.q.) lens, it is a faster lens, as well as you can change to other lenses. Finally you will have less shutter lag, and more FPS than the DP-1. You will be able to use higher ISO of 1600, vs 800, have higher shutter speeds, etc. All in all this camera a much better deal for a compact SLR than any point and shoot on the market, and perhaps even compared to and entry level SLR’s on the market as well.

Olympus is again giving a lot of functionality in both its unique lenses, and bodies that it offers to the market. The complaint about small lenses should be gone- to date nearly all of the lenses in the top and consumer lens range offer compact size, and if you put these against the same (if they even exist) lenses from competitors they will be either smaller or faster than anything they can offer.

Still missing though is that wide prime, and wide consumer lens, Once those come to market, I than think that we should have the a very full system, and some speciality needs lenses can then begin to come, like a nice tilt/shift lens.

I know that as soon as possible this camera will be at my home.

As a side note, I believe that the 25mm Pancake lens is a test ballon. When it is available I think everyone should buy one and keep in your bag to encourage Olympus to release more of these lenses.

http://fourthirdsphoto.com/preview/e-420_11.php