Hae-Yu
04-30-2006, 09:10 PM
After I posted my photos to photobucket last week or so, I decided to resubmit them for critiques on myolympus.org. As I was looking through the picture galleries there, I noticed the ones with the most clarity were dSLRs. I got the itch I had to scratch. Also my boss got a new dSLR.
Anyway, I got an Olympus E-500. I like Olys and this is well-rated. For me it's a question of value. I can use several gigs of xD cards, my 2 batteries, and my charger from my current setup. That's a helluva savings right there. In addition, for $644 (inc -$100 rebate) & free shipping/ no taxes, I get the body and 2(!!) lenses from butterflyphoto.com. That's the same price I paid for my point n shoot. I get a 14-45 (35mm-90mm) and a 40-150 (80mm -300mm). A 300mm zoom!! The lenses are well matched and solid performers and the best kit lenses in this price range.
In this class and price range, the Canon EOS 350d DR XT, Nikon D70, and Konika Minolta D5 are all comparable performers with a lot going for them. The Canon is the #1 seller and performer and always in any top 3 picks. So for me, it was between these 2 Oly and Canon, but all of them have things to recommend them.
The Oly E-330 has the first SLR live preview, but the implementation is panned as having issues.
The K-M has image stabilization which I can really use for shaky hands, but they were just bought out by Sony and I don't buy Sony. Least image quality, but the image stabilizer makes up for the user-induced deficiencies. My boss just got one and he loves it. He takes pictures at motorcycle rallies and his son's baseball games. It takes GREAT action shots with really nice color. But you have to pay $90/ yr to get dust removed from the CCD.
The Nikon was a good performer, but the resolution is lower, accessories were more expensive and had less value for me. It also uses a Sony CCD. But value was the prime eliminator.
The Canon has best noise and overall image characteristics and it was really hard for me to pick one over the other. I made a spreadsheet and assigned values and over maybe 50 points, the Oly won by maybe 1.5 pts. That was including value, which was the biggest factor. Usability and features were also important and Canons are a bit plastic-y feeling and small for my hands. However with Canon's overall image quality, I had a hard time turning it down since that's what it's all about. However, the Oly produces comparable images in all but high ISO ranges, and I can avoid those. In addition, the noise is still way lower than my current camera.
Finally, I live in a dusty environment and the Oly has a built-in dust remover for the CCD. No $90/ yr to clean it.
In addition, Leica is introducing a lens with Panasonic's upcoming Lumix L-1 SLR. The lens has image stabilization built in and since it uses the 4/3 system, I can use it on my camera. So then I get the best of all worlds.
I have bought 2 cameras & recommended 1 (maybe 2) camera through butterflyphoto.com and they have been great. Adorama.com is who Amazon goes through and they are great for filters and accessories.
Anyway, I got an Olympus E-500. I like Olys and this is well-rated. For me it's a question of value. I can use several gigs of xD cards, my 2 batteries, and my charger from my current setup. That's a helluva savings right there. In addition, for $644 (inc -$100 rebate) & free shipping/ no taxes, I get the body and 2(!!) lenses from butterflyphoto.com. That's the same price I paid for my point n shoot. I get a 14-45 (35mm-90mm) and a 40-150 (80mm -300mm). A 300mm zoom!! The lenses are well matched and solid performers and the best kit lenses in this price range.
In this class and price range, the Canon EOS 350d DR XT, Nikon D70, and Konika Minolta D5 are all comparable performers with a lot going for them. The Canon is the #1 seller and performer and always in any top 3 picks. So for me, it was between these 2 Oly and Canon, but all of them have things to recommend them.
The Oly E-330 has the first SLR live preview, but the implementation is panned as having issues.
The K-M has image stabilization which I can really use for shaky hands, but they were just bought out by Sony and I don't buy Sony. Least image quality, but the image stabilizer makes up for the user-induced deficiencies. My boss just got one and he loves it. He takes pictures at motorcycle rallies and his son's baseball games. It takes GREAT action shots with really nice color. But you have to pay $90/ yr to get dust removed from the CCD.
The Nikon was a good performer, but the resolution is lower, accessories were more expensive and had less value for me. It also uses a Sony CCD. But value was the prime eliminator.
The Canon has best noise and overall image characteristics and it was really hard for me to pick one over the other. I made a spreadsheet and assigned values and over maybe 50 points, the Oly won by maybe 1.5 pts. That was including value, which was the biggest factor. Usability and features were also important and Canons are a bit plastic-y feeling and small for my hands. However with Canon's overall image quality, I had a hard time turning it down since that's what it's all about. However, the Oly produces comparable images in all but high ISO ranges, and I can avoid those. In addition, the noise is still way lower than my current camera.
Finally, I live in a dusty environment and the Oly has a built-in dust remover for the CCD. No $90/ yr to clean it.
In addition, Leica is introducing a lens with Panasonic's upcoming Lumix L-1 SLR. The lens has image stabilization built in and since it uses the 4/3 system, I can use it on my camera. So then I get the best of all worlds.
I have bought 2 cameras & recommended 1 (maybe 2) camera through butterflyphoto.com and they have been great. Adorama.com is who Amazon goes through and they are great for filters and accessories.