Compact DSLR: Olympus 420

[Scott Brady]

Our imminent departure for the jungles of Central America has me looking for a second camera, one that Stephanie can use and enjoy, and I can employ for ADV moto adventures in the future. I have had great success with the Leica D-LUX 3, but have also reached it's limitations on more than one occasion.

Stephanie is also a very good photographer, so I do not want her to be too technically limited, as with a point-and-shoot.

I asked her what she wanted most in a camera:

1. Multiple lenses
2. Sufficient focal range
3. 10+ MP for full-page images (in the Journal)
4. Most importantly, compact and lightweight

So, I have started to research some offerings, and am impressed with this little Olympus 420. It is one of the smallest and lightest DSLRs available, and shoots at 10mp

it has a large LCD with live view

I will probably but the body with the 25mm 2.8 and then a few zooms, like the 14-55 and 40-200mm. All lenses are 4/3.

Anyone have experience with this camera?

 

[TCM]

This Olympus is a Four Thirds camera and all cameras of this format suffer from small, tunnel like view finders. As compared to the larger Canon DSLRS and their bright VFs this is a deal breaker for me.

I am also in the market for a compact DSLR and the Panisonic G1 is currently at the top of my list. It is smaller than the Olympus (as far as I know the G1 is the smallest on the market) and has an electronic view finder that has garnered rave reviews from the media and users. It is supposed to compare quite well with the best optical view finders available in any DSLR. The camera is based on the new Mirco Four Thirds CCD and if they introduce a couple of faster lenses looks to be the perfect compact DSLR for traveling. But the existing lenses are quite serviceable and cover 28mm-400mm. There is also an adapter that allows the use of standard Four Thirds lenses.

A good preview of the camera can be found here, http://www.dpreview.com/previews/PanasonicG1/

Dpreview.com has now posted a full review of the G1

 

[DiploStrat]

Size Matters!

Sensor size is probably the single biggest factor in DSLR image quality - more important by far than megapixels.

-- 4/3 = Smallest

-- APS = aka, 1.5 cropped sensor (DX in Nikonspeak) is larger

-- 35mm = "Full Frame" (FX in Nikonspeak) is largest, best, quietest, etc.

Especially with the new generation of Canons and Nikons, scholars can debate APS vs. 35mm, but there is no question that 4/3 is noisier. Only you can determine if this matters in your case.

 

[tdesanto]

Scott,

I know you already own some Canon gear, but I'm not sure how heavily invested you are in their system. If you do have quite a few of their lenses already, wouldn't another body provide her with what she would need, or maybe she might also need another lens. This would depend on what focal lengths she wants to use.

I know this may not provide the most compact setup, but at least some of their bodies are lightweight and can meet the other criteria you listed.

Also, in the long run, it might be less to haul around when you're traveling together. That is, you could carry a large pack for everything and then maybe a smaller case for day hikes vs. 2 systems with separate lenses/flashes/batteries/chargers for each.

Good luck in the search.

TD

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

I agree with TD, if you already own Canon gear, why switch companies and now have to lug around more lenses that are specific to only one brand.

If you were to get a base model Rebel, which is 10mp you'd meet that requirement you're after, and would have a backup body incase anything happened to the main one you're using.

I know we chose not to go with the Rebel because of its small size and feel. But if for a woman with small hands, or a guy for that matter, then this body might be a perfect fit.

Check out the POTN sell forum where people are upgrading to bigger cameras all the time and almost giving these away.

This would also allow her to have access to any lenses or flashes, accessories you might already own for your gear

Just my .02cents

 

[Scott Brady]

All great feedback. The challenge is that I only have one of each specialty lens, and I have found that when I need a wide-angle, so does most of the other photographers with me.

I want Steph to have a small, lightweight camera with a few lens options.

I am even considering going away from Canon to something more, um, classic

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

I am even considering going away from Canon to something more, um, classic

Oh The Mutanany!!:Wow1:

In all reality, if she just wanted a nice camera to carry as a back-up, you could go with a Canon Rebel, that's if you stick with this brand, then put on a simple 28-200 that should cover all ranges and can be bought for under $500

Let me know if you're making the switch and want to get rid of any of your Canon gear!!

Check out this link which is what I'm talking about there being alot of on POTN

 

[tdesanto]

All great feedback. The challenge is that I only have one of each specialty lens, and I have found that when I need a wide-angle, so does most of the other photographers with me.

I want Steph to have a small, lightweight camera with a few lens options.

I am even considering going away from Canon to something more, um, classic

Again, back on the expand the system you have idea:
If wide angle is the most popular lens in the bag, and you only have a single wide angle, have you considered getting a full frame camera and getting a prime wide angle, say 18mm or 20mm? Or have you considered a linear fisheye? That could create some stunning images for the OJ, when you're looking for something unique.

If you're looking to go classic, does that mean Leica? That would be small, lightweight, multiple lens options, etc...but you'd have to sell a kidney.

 

[Scott Brady]

Great feedback.

Stephanie spent some time with the Rebel, and while the body is pretty light, to get a decent lens on it ramps the dimensions and weight considerably. If we were going with Rebel size, I might as well just have her shoot my back-up body, the 20D.

I guess the goal is for the system to be REALLY small and REALLY light, which will benefit Stephanie and also benefit me for the ADV expeditions. I really felt limited by the D-Lux 3 Leica on the TAT, and want fast FPS and less lag. This 420 will give us that. I think it is worth trying, and then just sell it if the system fails to deliver.

Yes, I am considering Leica again. Though I will probably never convert. We are pretty vested in Canon glass at the Journal.

 

[MattScott]

Have you considered that the Olympus is CF memory? It's getting pretty rare to find these days, my local best buy doesn't even stock it anymore (its a smaller store.)

Canon and Nikon are both SD now throughout everything in their lineup I believe.

 

[DiploStrat]

Heresy!

"I guess the goal is for the system to be REALLY small and REALLY light ..."

After all my ranting about size - how about a higher end P&S; one with one of the larger sensors and wider lenses? In other fora I have heard of several (especially the safari/critter crowd) traveling with a DSLR and the longest lens they can afford and a P&S for camp photos, sunsets, etc.

A thought for your consideration.

 

[tdesanto]

Have you considered that the Olympus is CF memory? It's getting pretty rare to find these days, my local best buy doesn't even stock it anymore (its a smaller store.)

Canon and Nikon are both SD now throughout everything in their lineup I believe.

I don't think CF vs. SD/SDHC is a problem. Memory manufacturers continue to support the CF format. Maybe one day, but not in the near future. All of Nikon's professional cameras require compact flash and do not support the SD format. They have, however, switched to to the SD format on their newer lineup of consumer level bodies from the D90 downwards.

The D3x, D3, D700, D300, and the D200 all support CF.

 

[grahamfitter]

I'd recommend going with another Canon DSLR for redundancy. If one of you has a mishap with one body and lens you'll still have another body and multiple lenses to use.

Cheers,
Graham

 

[jeffryscott]

I'll be the dissenting voice and one of encouragement toward the Olympus.

I love the E system. Combined with some of the higher end lenses (12-60 and 50-200 (24 to 400 in 35mm terms) it gives outstanding range and optical quality.

For a bit less money than the 420, you may consider a used E1. What you lose in megapixels and AF speed, you make up for in robust build, completely weatherproof and the incredible Kodak sensor (while noisy above 400, outstanding color tones (in my eye similar to kodachrome).

However, the 420 and 520 feel much more solid than the entry level Canon and Nikon and the kit lenses are reported to be among the best of the breed.

(I shot the Dykinga article for Overland Journal all on the E1)

 

[jnelson4x4taco]

Im very impressed with my Nikon D40, its lightweight, cheap and comes with an outstanding kit lens for around $450. I have found this site to have some good info: www.kenrockwell.com if you look at his recommended cameras, he absolutely loves the D40 as well as the Canon SD880 compact, both great cameras imo, just for different things.