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Olympus E-420 Digital Camera

Olympus E-420Digital Camera Resource Page

(4 out of 5)


If you can "handle" its small size, you'll be rewarded with a low-cost, yet high quality digital SLR.

Review date: May 27, 2008

With the new E-420, Olympus has created a true "go anywhere" digital SLR -- especially when paired with the new 25 mm "pancake lens". The E-420 offers great photo quality, snappy performance (in most respects), live view, and both auto and manual controls, all in a compact, well-built body. That doesn't mean that the E-420 is perfect, though. Its design isn't for everyone, images are slightly soft, there's no image stabilization available, and the contrast detect AF leaves something to be desired. Despite that, the E-420 is a great D-SLR, and one which I can easily recommend.

ProsCons
  • Very good photo quality
  • Good value -- starts at $500
  • World's smallest D-SLR -- excellent build quality
  • Dust reduction system
  • Live view with contrast detect AF and face detection (with some lenses) on a 2.7" LCD
  • Full manual controls -- RAW image format supported
  • Lots of scene modes for a D-SLR
  • Impressive continuous shooting mode
  • Handy gradation and Perfect Shot Preview features
  • Redeye not a problem
  • Good quality kit lenses
  • Support for wireless flashes and remote capture
  • Photos are slightly soft -- noise reduction a bit heavy at ISO 1600
  • Slow contrast detect AF, unimpressive face detection in live view mode
  • Low light focusing could be better
  • Compact body not easy to hold
  • Only 3 focus points in most situations
  • No AC adapter or battery grip available
  • Hard to resist the E-520 for $100 more

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