Skip to main content

Olympus E-620 Review, July 2009, by Richard Butler and Lars Rehm


Olympus has established a tradition of offering very well specified cameras at the entry-level, and was one of the first to offer two cameras in this bracket - the little E-410 and its image-stabilized big brother, the E-510 (later upgraded to the 420 and 520 respectively). Now it has introduced the E-620, a model that will 'sell alongside' the E-420 and E-520 (in the sense that we suspect it will eventually replace the E-520) as the company's attempt at a '500D-killer'.

And, even by Olympus's standards of entry-level generosity, it's not short on toys - including an articulated screen to make full use of its live view system, which itself is one of the better implementations of this feature (from the company that got there first). It's also got 'Art' modes and the ability to shoot in four different aspect ratios - adapted from the features of the more expensive E-30. There's also in-body Image Stabilization and a level of configurability that is unparalleled in this class. In fact it's astonishing how much Olympus has crammed into its small dimensions - it's nearer to the size of the E-4X0 than the E-5X0 series (due in part to use of the small BLS-1 battery), and the E-420 was famously the smallest DSLR in the world.

Of course, since the E-620 was announced, Olympus has launched the E-P1 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, which shares many features with the E-620 and is still smaller. However, the through-the-lens optical viewfinder and fast, phase-detection autofocus system mean that the E-620 shouldn't face too much of a threat from its more compact sibling (despite the degree of shared componentry, they're different cameras that fulfil rather different needs).

More importantly, perhaps, the E-620 seems to address some of the main shortcomings of the E-520 - the viewfinder is slightly larger and has been reworked so that the information panel appears below the view screen, rather than tucked-away off to the right. It also moves on from the old three-point AF system with the introduction of a seven-point version, which includes five cross-type sensors. In fact, the specification of the E-620 is so high that it makes as much sense for us to compare it to Olympus's semi-pro body, the E-30, as to the company's existing entry-level models.

Compared to E-30 - key differences

When the E-30 was launched, we commented that it sailed remarkably close to E-3 territory, and with a smaller viewfinder and less grand claims made about environmental sealing and image stabilization. The E-620 comes close to pulling the same trick on the E-30; again the size of the viewfinder is smaller, but the cameras share the same 12 megapixel sensor, Truepix III+ processing and a great many other features. The differences between the two cameras are easier to list than the similarities:

  • E-620 is smaller (by around 1cm in each dimension) and around 180g lighter (body only)
  • Slightly smaller viewfinder with reduced frame coverage (0.96x, 95%, vs. 1.02x, 98%)
  • 7-point AF (5 cross-type) vs. 11-point (all cross-type)
  • Improved LCD (Hypercrystal III, vs. E-30s' version II unit)
  • Only one control dial (vs. E-30's two)
  • Slower continuous shooting rate (4fps for 5 RAW frames, vs. 5fps for 12)
  • Fewer aspect ratio crops (3 vs. 8)
  • No built-in digital level gauge
  • Only allows two exposures to be overlaid in multi-exposure mode (vs. 4)
  • No PC flash sync or DC-in sockets
  • Slower x-sync (1/180 sec vs. 1/250 sec) and max shutter speed (1/4000 sec vs. 1/8000 sec)
  • Lower capacity BLS-1 battery (7.2V 1150 mAh) vs. BLM-1 (7.2V 1500 mAh)

Key feature comparison (vs E-30 and E-520)

We were sceptical when Olympus told us that the E-620 was supposed to sell alongside the E-520, despite the E-620 clearly out-gunning its smaller siblings by a fair margin without distinguishing itself particularly well. Despite this cynicism, Olympus lineup currently contains the E-420, E-450, E-520 and E-620.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Keyboard Keychain

Keyboard Keychain These days many of us need devices that will enable us to operate our smartphones and tablets wherever we want with equal dexterity and comfort, virtual keyboards maybe topping the list of useful gadgets . These days many of us need devices that will enable us to operate our smartphones and tablets wherever we want with equal dexterity and comfort, virtual keyboards maybe topping the list of useful gadgets .
2 comments
Read more

Starfish Shaped Cell Phone

True, we don’t seem to have had this one before: the new idea for the shape of a cell phone is a star fish. The Oriental have made a habit of choosing queer ones, and you may catch a surprised glance or two getting it out. By the way, it’s clearly defined as a “Lady’s Cell Phone”, so get ready to begin living in an aquarium. Fun aside, what you may want to get for $126 is the Star Shape Lady’s Cell Phone - an unlocked GSM phone with a 1.8″ touchscreen. You will find all the modern features present – Bluetooth, a built-in camera. You are offered a choice of a blue, green, gold or pink starfish with an included 2GB memory card. Since it’s generally dark at the bottom of the sea, the Starfish Cell Phone is decked with artificial diamonds that can exude light.
Post a Comment
Read more

Electronic Cigarette

Ever thought how good would it be if there was a way to reduce the harm of cigarettes without giving up the habit of smoking? Here is the answer, Myvic Electronic Cigarette is a revolutionary new product which is drastically healthier than traditional smoking. It will improve your health while giving the same sensations as ordinary cigarettes. There are more than 4000 chemicals found in the ordinary cigarettes, of which at least 400 are harmful for the human body. They contain, tar, carbon monoxide, benzene, acetone, formaldehyde, arsenic and many others. This chemicals contribute to lung cancer and many other diseases associated with cigarette smoking. While using Myvic Electronic Cigarette you have to change nicotine refills, which range from high concentrate nicotine to zero nicotine content. The refill contains nicotine and propylene glycol (harmless to human body). Nicotine is not believed to cause cancer, and compared to all the chemicals inhaled while smoking ordinary cigarett...
8 comments
Read more