| David_gu1 |
| (journeyman) |
| 29/09/2008 22:07 |
Beginner question: Impressions on E-520?
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Hi all
I'm considering making a move from a Nikon DSLR to the Olympus E-520. The reason isn't that I don't like my D80 but I want to use the E-520 for underwater photography and I like using the LCD for composing. I would have loved to own both, but I can't afford to buy lenses for two cameras.
So, are there any overall impressions, downsides and upsides of using the E-520? I'll use it for land as well for the odd street-shot, a lot of macro and some landscapes. Planning to buy the E520 + kit lens + 35mm f2.8 macro until I have some money to get the 7-14mm WA lens.
I have read the review on dpreview but they it's very technical and a bit over my head....
Is there are sharpness problem with the camera? It was mentioned at dpreview.com. Any camera settings choices to deal with it?
thx
DK
| Benchmark |
| (Is it safe?) |
| 01/10/2008 17:50 |
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Re: Beginner question: Impressions on E-520?
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I don't have any personal experience of the E-520, but I know several people who have, and they are very happy with them.
I don't think there is a particualr problem with sharpness, and you can certainly sharpen images in camera (if using Jpeg), or in software is using RAW output.
The E520 is also smalla nd light in weight. However, if you are seriosly into wide angle photography, you might find that a bigger sensor (i.e. Canon or Nikon APS or full frame) makes more sense.
The Four Thirds system certainly has advantages for telephoto photography (as focal length is effectively doubled), but equally, ultra wide angle lenses become somewhat bulkier and more expensive.
HTH
| Photocracy |
| (The Great Pretender) |
| 02/10/2008 01:13 |
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Re: Beginner question: Impressions on E-520?
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To help you assess image quality, have a look here for images taken with 4/3rds cameras (inc. the E520). Hope this helps.
| zuiko |
| (Olympian...) |
| 02/10/2008 07:55 |
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Re: Beginner question: Impressions on E-520?
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Olympus have just released a 9-18 lens for around £400 that is starting to make its way onto the shelves. A cheaper alternative to the 7-14.
David
| RogerMac |
| (Hotshoe Shuffler) |
| 03/10/2008 23:49 |
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Re: Beginner question: Impressions on E-520?
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Not the most exciting image in the world but you might be interested. This is taken on an E510 using the kit lens
It was taken with the kit lens set at 42mm from exactly 4 metres away from target and of course is a small crop from the middle of the frame. Figures on the left are the point size of each line.
Personally I think that 9 point (just possibly 8 point) is legible and it says a lot for the sharpness of that lens. You could easily repeat the exercise with your Nikon to see how they compare for sharpness. If you do please let me know the result
Roger
| David_gu1 |
| (journeyman) |
| 04/10/2008 09:45 |
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Re: Beginner question: Impressions on E-520?
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Hi Roger
did you mean 4 feet as opposed to 4 meters? In any case, I did both.
At 4 feet, the cropped area is very sharp (see below)
At 4 m none of the lines are sharp(see below).
I don't own the Nikon D80 kit lens - used 18mm-200mm lens on AF at 42mm focal length (same as you used on the Oly lens).
Both pics taken with different size fonts (Bold) and cropped as you did. Tripod not used (I don't have one!).
thx
DK
| RogerMac |
| (Hotshoe Shuffler) |
| 04/10/2008 10:17 |
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Re: Beginner question: Impressions on E-520?
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I did mean 4 meters. I also was using a tripod and 4secs anti shock - that's because I wanted to show what the lens was capable of and I suspect that you will have no problem with sharpness if you go down this route.
If you do not have a tripod you could rest the camera onto a table etc. and use the delayed action facility to fire the shutter after you remove your hand.
Hope that helps
Roger
Edit: The full exposure info is ISO100 F5.6 (full open) and 1/10 sec
If you have trouble with my suggestion about resting the camera try a flash exposure.
| David_gu1 |
| (journeyman) |
| 04/10/2008 10:55 |
Re: Beginner question: Impressions on E-520?
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thx Roger.
I'll definitely be buying the Olympus E-520 and also getting the Olympus 50mm Zuiko lens. As I stated before, my main interest is underwater photography and macro (on land) so the kit lens are only for the occasional land shot on holidays. A suitable (and low cost!) tripod is definitely on my list of things to buy in the next few months.
Based on your test, sharpness with the kit lens looks really good.
DK
| RogerMac |
| (Hotshoe Shuffler) |
| 04/10/2008 11:13 |
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Re: Beginner question: Impressions on E-520?
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Quote:
thx Roger
You are welcome
Roger
| Benchmark |
| (Is it safe?) |
| 06/10/2008 23:35 |
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Re: Beginner question: Impressions on E-520?
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Quote:
Hi Roger
did you mean 4 feet as opposed to 4 meters? In any case, I did both.
At 4 feet, the cropped area is very sharp (see below)
At 4 m none of the lines are sharp(see below).
I don't own the Nikon D80 kit lens - used 18mm-200mm lens on AF at 42mm focal length (same as you used on the Oly lens).
Both pics taken with different size fonts (Bold) and cropped as you did. Tripod not used (I don't have one!).
thx
DK
I'm glad you didn't try that with a Canon. WW3 would have broken out around here.
| RogerMac |
| (Hotshoe Shuffler) |
| 07/10/2008 05:48 |
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Re: Beginner question: Impressions on E-520?
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Quote:
I'm glad you didn't try that with a Canon. WW3 would have broken out around here.
I wish someone would repeat that test with a Canon - it is at least a repeatable test that is not subject to much individual interpretation.
My personal opinion is that a top end Canon could beat it easily but at anywhere near the price of an E510 plus kit lens they would be struggling. Happy to be proved wrong
Roger
| Benchmark |
| (Is it safe?) |
| 07/10/2008 13:04 |
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Re: Beginner question: Impressions on E-520?
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Quote:Quote:
I'm glad you didn't try that with a Canon. WW3 would have broken out around here.
I wish someone would repeat that test with a Canon - it is at least a repeatable test that is not subject to much individual interpretation.
My personal opinion is that a top end Canon could beat it easily but at anywhere near the price of an E510 plus kit lens they would be struggling. Happy to be proved wrong
Roger
I would happily try it with my PowerShot G9 if that is of any interest. Which typeface did you use?
| RogerMac |
| (Hotshoe Shuffler) |
| 07/10/2008 14:52 |
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Re: Beginner question: Impressions on E-520?
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It was arial regular. If you want a copy of the document just drop me a PM with an email address, please specify what format you would prefer - I can do DOC RTF or PDF
Roger