Olympus E-420 Ultra-compact D-SLR Camera

[Olisa]

Hi,

Before our summer vacation in the South of France, I want to buy my first DSLR camera. I'm looking for a camera which is compact and lightweight, but without compromising on image quality. Therefore I'm considering the Olympus E-420. I tried it out at our local dealer and was amazed because it's so small, lightweight and easy to handle. And the price/performance ratio seems ok to me.

Here's a link to the Olympus Website where you can see the camera.
http://www.olympus-europa.com/consum...-420_18938.htm

Are there any Olympus users here at DD? I would like to know what is your experience with Olympus.

Alternatively I'm considering the smaller Canon or Nikon cameras. But when it comes to portability, I like the Olympus best.

Thanks for any tipps.

[beehive50]

I know nothing about the Olympus DSLRs at all (in fact, I just got my first ever DSLR in December!), but I've had TWO Olympus point-n-shoot cameras and loved them! In fact, they both still work! The oldest one is just a "showpiece" now in my computer/scrapping area... the other one, I still use on those occasions where I just can't bring the "big" camera!

I checked your link... it sure sounds like a great camera! Especially for traveling! Good luck on your camera shopping!

[Melissa6169]

Olympus was my first "digital" camera...the Stylus in fact. It took awesome photos up until about a year ago, when it was left on the back of a trailer and ended up in about a thousand pieces along the side of the road. We were so sad to see it go Although I have a Canon DSLR, I would definitely consider buying another Olympus point and shoot. My husband bought a Kodak Z650, although not an SLR camera, it is compact and takes fabulous photos....the zoom is awesome!

[Kathie]

Have a friend who has an Olympus DSLR and she loves it. My question is, does it require special lenses? Although if you don't have another Olympus it really doesn't matter does it, since that is the only camera you will be using them on, unless you upgrade sometime. Have you done a side by side comparison of this and any others that you are interested in at dpreview.com? (stands for digital preview). The bottom line tho is to go with what feels good for YOU. South of France?!! Can't wait to see your photos!!

[sarahw2275]

I have the Olympus E420 myself and I love it. It's my first DSLR too and although there is a learning curve I'm getting there. If I were you I'd go for the twin lens kit as IMO Olympus have the best kit lenses. That would also give you a good lens range to get started too. I've had mine just over a month no and I will never go back to a point and shoot. It's had great reviews too!

[Olisa]

Thank you for your comments. Yesterday I bought the Olympus E520 DSLR (double-zoom kit) and played with it today. I'm really happy with it. The camera is lightweight, easy to handle, and the photos turn out sharp and crisp even under low light conditions thanks to the built-in image stabilizer. It think, the camera is really good value for money.

[beehive50]

Congratulations on the new camera, Olisa!

[Myra]

i use the olympus e-500. i love mine. i feel i got a lot of bang for my buck. i've always used olympus, and after holding the other dslrs at the time (this was 2005) it felt more solid and lightweight. that was important for me. the optics of the zuiko lenses are incredible, but it's true, you do have to use 4/3 lenses because of the special sensor. that means that when you shoot, there is very little cropping to keep the intended size of the photo. that's a deterrent for some, but my intention is to continue shooting with olympus, so it's not an issue for me.

here's a link to my flickr stream so you can seem some examples with it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/18841337@N00/

[twischropp]

Sorry, I'm a little late but I purchased an Olympus 410 DSLR this Spring and I love it! I did the whole comparison thing too, but it came down to having an awesome Olympus point&shoot before and loving the clarity of those photos. I have gone around and around with Canon on printer issues, and while I realize they're not the same item, they are the same company.
I bought the package that came with two lens and I love being able to go back and forth, depending on my subject. Being stuck on the "digital camera LCD", that also drew me in because the other camera were just starting to make them that way. (Although, I rarely use it now.)
Hope you enjoy yours. I'll be looking for those awesome pictures in your layouts!