The Olympus E-420 Digital SLR; An Affordable, Compact D-SLR Loaded With Enthusiast-Level Features And Speed:
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Hybrid AF: When this mode is selected, the camera first employs
contrast-detection AF to set approximate focus so the image looks quite sharp
on the LCD monitor. There’s no interruption of the live preview display.
Press the shutter button to take a photo and the reflex mirror flips up allowing
the camera to use phase-detection AF for more accurate focus and greater low-light
reliability. This combination of strategies was intended to take advantage of
the benefits of both types of autofocus technology.
Evaluation: Autofocus is faster when using the optical viewfinder,
but Sensor AF is quite fast and reliable even in Live View. Imager AF is more
convenient and versatile but it is noticeably slower anytime, particularly in
dark locations. (Do note that Imager AF works only with recent Zuiko Digital
lenses: the 14-42mm, 40-150mm, 25mm, and 18-36mm models and future lenses.)
Hybrid AF is quick in bright light but the need for two focusing methods does
produce more of a shutter lag in dark conditions; that can make it difficult
to capture a fleeting instant in low light.
Continuous AF cannot be set in Live View regardless of the AF mode in use. That
makes sense because the real-time preview is interrupted—either during
focusing or while an image is being taken—making Live View impractical
for action photography. On the other hand, anyone who enjoys using Live View
for portraits, landscapes, or architecture will benefit from a wide range of
focusing options.
Image Quality And Characteristics
The Olympus E-420 provides a vast range of Capture modes and overrides for modifying
every aspect of an image to suit every user’s personal preferences. For
the sake of consistency, I conducted initial testing with Large/Fine JPEG capture,
the Natural Picture Style mode, and the Standard level for Noise Reduction (NR).
Later, I began to experiment with other options. These include monochrome with
various filters; Vivid and Portrait Color modes; Levels adjustment for contrast,
sharpness, and saturation; as well as Super Fine JPEG and raw capture.
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In raw capture or with the Super Fine/Large JPEG option, the E-420
produces superlative quality, particularly at ISO 100. A 13x17”
print made from this image is technically excellent in all respects,
including resolution of intricate detail and a wide dynamic range.
(This Super Fine JPEG was made with the 12-60mm SWD zoom at f/8,
using a Hoya Pro1 D circular polarizer.) |
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During preliminary shooting the camera produced JPEGs that seemed a bit flat
so I tried the other options. The Vivid style—particularly with a +1 setting
for Sharpness—provided more striking photos that my family preferred.
Auto White Balance (AWB) worked well in outdoor photography. Images of light-toned
scenes were often underexposed, easy to prevent with a +2/3 Exposure Compensation
setting. The Automatic Gradation option was useful on sunny days, helping to
boost shadow detail without “blowing out” highlight areas. Image
enhancement in Playback mode (post-processing) can also be used to increase
boost shadow detail, modify saturation, convert to monochrome, fix redeye, and
more.
Image quality at ISO 100 to 400 is first-rate—particularly in Super Fine
JPEG or raw captures—with great resolution of intricate detail in 13x17”
inkjet prints made at 240dpi. Sharpness was a tad low, easily solved in camera
or later in Photoshop. At ISO 800, the Low NR setting provided optimal results;
a mottled color pattern is visible but the images still made for very nice letter-size
prints. By ISO 1600, I found that the Standard NR level was preferable. There
was some slight “smearing” of fine detail but adequate resolution
for making very good 5x7” glossies.
Evaluation: This 10-megapixel D-SLR provides very high resolution with excellent
definition of fine detail. The Large/Super Fine JPEG mode is a fine choice for
serious photography. Slightly better image quality is possible in raw capture
but the difference is not noticeable in print sizes smaller than 10x13”.
Of course, raw capture is useful, too, because of a wider latitude for modifications
before processing and conversion to TIFF or JPEG. I found the Master 2 raw converter
moderately versatile and a bit slow; the optional Studio 2 converter software
($100) was more desirable in both respects.
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The Master 2 software includes a raw file converter that’s
designed for simplicity with a series of basic tools for image
modification before conversion to TIFF or JPEG. Olympus also markets
the optional Studio 2 converter program ($100) with more advanced
utilities, some additional features, and greater speed. |
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The Bottom Line
This Olympus camera primarily targets first time D-SLR buyers or snapshooters,
but it should also appeal to more serious shutterbugs on a tight budget. That’s
because the designers did not skimp on features, performance, or functions that
provide high image quality. The Live View system with its three AF modes is
the most versatile in the affordable D-SLR category. Anyone who is first moving
up from a high-end digicam may not find Live View to be as quick and convenient.
Still, it’s fine overall and D-SLR newbies should especially appreciate
the features available in the Imager AF mode.
While the E-520 is even more desirable because of its built-in stabilizer, the
E-420 offers a lot of bang for the buck. As the most affordable of the recent
models, it would be great for families who want a D-SLR/lens combo that’s
unusually small and portable. They’ll get lots of value from the many
automatic options in quick picture taking, as well as the great speed and many
overrides that will be useful in more serious photography. Regardless of the
Olympus D-SLR that you choose, plan to buy it with the 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ED
zoom. For about $100 more, you’ll be getting one of the best of the affordable
kit lenses on the market.
The Olympus E-520 Adds Image Stabilizer
Just as I was completing this test report, Olympus announced the E-520 ($599),
a replacement for the E-510 but also similar in many respects to the E-420.
The new model is slightly larger/heavier than the E-420 at 5.4x3.6x2.7”
and 16.8 oz; it also offers a more substantial handgrip and slightly different
controls.
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Employing the same technology and features as the E-420, the E-520
is a more substantial camera that’s preferable for large
hands. This D-SLR is also equipped with an Image Stabilizer, an
amenity that’s not available with the smaller, more affordable
E-420. |
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The E-520 is noteworthy in one important respect: it’s equipped with
a built-in Image Stabilizer.
The E-510 already included an Anti-Shake system that shifts the entire Live
MOS sensor module. Olympus employs a proprietary stabilizer with “blurring
frequency analysis/detection” to determine the type of camera shake and
a Supersonic Wave Drive motor to adjust the sensor module’s position.
When the Live View feature is on, the effects of the Image Stabilizer can be
previewed on the LCD monitor.
The E-510 provided two Image Stabilizer (IS) modes and these are retained in
the E-520. The first IS mode is for multipurpose use with dual-axis stabilization
that compensates for both vertical and horizontal shake. The second IS mode
is designed for panning: when shooting horizontal images at a shutter speed
such as 1/30 sec. The system stabilizes only up/down camera shake and does not
try to compensate for your intentional horizontal camera movement. Pan the camera
at just the right speed and your subject should be quite sharp (without blurring
from up/down shake) while the background will be blurred, simulating motion
in a still photograph.
Entirely new and unique to the E-520, the third IS mode is also designed for
panning but with a twist: it’s identical to Mode 2 in principle but is
intended for use when the camera is held in a vertical orientation. That would
be useful when shooting a series of photos of a tall subject—a single
runner, a basketball player, or a giraffe, for instance—moving across
your line of vision.
An E-520 was not available for testing but while testing the E-510, the IS system
allowed me to make many sharp photos at an 84mm equivalent focal length at 1/15
sec instead of the usual 1/80 sec. That’s slightly better than a two shutter
speed step advantage over a non-stabilized D-SLR. The E-520 should be just as
effective and its third IS mode will be a bonus for those who often use panning
in action photography. While the E-420 is more portable and affordable, the
larger camera should appeal to those who appreciate a bit of extra mass and
want an effective Anti-Shake system.
Technical Specifications
Sensor: 17.3x13mm Live MOS (nMOS); 10 megapixels (3648x2736)
effective; 4:3 aspect ratio
Lens Mount: Four Thirds; 2x focal length magnification factor
Shutter: Electronic; speeds from 60 seconds to 1/4000 sec selectable;
also, Bulb
ISO Equivalent: ISO 100 to 1600 and Auto
Exposure Control: Center-weighted, 49-zone Digital ESP, spot
(1 percent), highlight-based and shadow-based spot metering; exposure compensation,
bracketing, and AE Lock; four Gradation control options
Storage: CompactFlash and xD-Picture Card
Connectivity: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed; video output
Power: Rechargeable BLS-1 lithium ion battery; optional AC
adapter
Dimensions/Weight: 5.1x3.6x2.1”; 13.4 oz, body only
Average Street Price: $489, body only
For more information, contact Olympus Imaging America Inc., 3500 Corporate Parkway,
Center Valley, PA 18034; (888) 553-4448; www.olympus-esystem.com,
www.olympusamerica.com.
A long-time “Shutterbug” contributor, stock photographer Peter
K. Burian (www.peterkburian.com)
is the author of “Mastering Digital Photography and Imaging” and
several “Magic Lantern Guides” to Pentax and Sony D-SLRs. He is
also a digital photography instructor, teaching two online courses at BetterPhoto.com.
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