David_gu1
newbie
Reged: 26/03/2008
Posts: 44
Loc: Guildford, Surrey
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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
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Benchmark
Is it safe?
Reged: 12/07/2005
Posts: 3024
Loc: Sedgefield, Co Durham
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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
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Nigel CRIPN and Bar
Beware of the Dark Slide
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Photocracy
The Great Pretender
Reged: 18/11/2006
Posts: 625
Loc: Sunny South Coast
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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.
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Rob
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zuiko
Olympian...
Reged: 19/06/2006
Posts: 438
Loc: Norfolk.
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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
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" ENCEFFC!" "ENNSEAEFFSEA!"" ENNCEFFC!" "ENNCEEFC!"
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RogerMac
Hotshoe Shuffler
Reged: 25/03/2007
Posts: 497
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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
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David_gu1
newbie
Reged: 26/03/2008
Posts: 44
Loc: Guildford, Surrey
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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
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RogerMac
Hotshoe Shuffler
Reged: 25/03/2007
Posts: 497
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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.
Edited by RogerMac (04/10/2008 10:42)
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David_gu1
newbie
Reged: 26/03/2008
Posts: 44
Loc: Guildford, Surrey
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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
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RogerMac
Hotshoe Shuffler
Reged: 25/03/2007
Posts: 497
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Quote:
thx Roger
You are welcome
Roger
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Benchmark
Is it safe?
Reged: 12/07/2005
Posts: 3024
Loc: Sedgefield, Co Durham
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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.  
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Nigel CRIPN and Bar
Beware of the Dark Slide
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RogerMac
Hotshoe Shuffler
Reged: 25/03/2007
Posts: 497
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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
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Benchmark
Is it safe?
Reged: 12/07/2005
Posts: 3024
Loc: Sedgefield, Co Durham
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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?
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Nigel CRIPN and Bar
Beware of the Dark Slide
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RogerMac
Hotshoe Shuffler
Reged: 25/03/2007
Posts: 497
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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
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