Olympus Joins the Entry-Level DSLR Market with the E-620
The spotlight is on the E-620 DSLR for Olympus at this year's Photo Marketing Association (PMA 2009) expo. The E-620 is an upper entry-level DSLR with a 12.3-megapixel Live MOS image sensor and a TruePic III+ image processor. It features Art Filters which allows for on-the-spot creativity, multi-aspect shooting, two fast autofocus systems, in-body image stabilization and a slew of other features designed to produce the highest quality images.
| Retailers offering Olympus E-620 |
| Amazon ($699 body, $899 kit) |
| Adorama (not yet available) |
| B&H (not yet available) |
| Calumet (not yet available) |
Art Filters is a feature that migrated over from the E-30 and sets Olympus' cameras apart from the competition. Basically these filters allow the photographer to exert artistic control over his/her photos on the spot, without needing to go to a computer and use editing software. The camera was designed with the artist in mind, so individual expression was a high priority. The E-620 delivers this through several built in filters:
- Pop Art - allows the user to enhance colors to make them more saturated and vivid
- Soft Focus - allows the user to create an "otherworldly atmosphere that renders subjects in a heavenly light without obscuring details"
- Pale and Light Color - allows the user to change the color and lighting of the foreground of the image
- Light Tone - allows the user to adjust shade to highlight specific areas of the subject
- Grainy Film - allows the user to apply a grainy, monochrome, high contrast effect to the image
- Pin Hole - allows the user to darken the periphery of an image so the subject is the sole focus
John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Digital SLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. believes that "experimenting and creating your own unique masterpieces has never been easier or more fun,... Pop Art, Grainy Black & White, and Pin Hole are just a few creative options that can be effortlessly found on the camera’s mode dial. The access is easy, and the results are fun and limitless.”
The multi-aspect feature allows you to choose between four aspect ratios to frame your image. Ratios include the standard 4:3 aspect ratio that is perfectly suited for an 8 x 10-inch enlargement, 16:9, which is wide-screen ratio - good for viewing on your TV, 3:2 and 6:6. You can select and view these on the LCD before taking the shot.
The E-620's 2.7-inch Live View HyperCrystal III LCD swivels 270 degrees and rotates, allowing the photographer to capture the shot when the surroundings would otherwise call for an awkward position. Various settings such as white balance and exposure can be selected while in Live View and their effects can be seen instantly, giving the user further control over the image. The Hyper Crystal technology offers greater contrast than typical LCD view screens.
The E-620 offers two fast autofocus systems: Fast Imager AF in Live View and Phase Detection AF. The Live View AF allows you to compose, lock focus accurately and quickly, and capture the shot easily and without having to look away from the LCD. The Phase Detection AF, used with the optical viewfinder, uses a new 7-point twin cross AF system. Super sensitive Twin and Twin Cross AF target points measure focus both vertically and horizontally making focusing a quick and easy process.
The E-620 also features an in-body image stabilization system to counteract camera shake and reduce blur, regardless of what lens you are using. The IS has three settings: IS-1 adjusts the sensor on the horizontal and vertical planes to compensate for user movement and is used for general shooting, low light situations and slow shutter speeds; IS-2 is for panning horizontally to capture moving subjects while keeping the sense of movement; IS-3 is the same but for when the camera is held vertically.
Other features of the E-620 that make photography easier include Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment and Perfect Shot Preview. Face Detection can detect up to eight faces and distinguish them from the background and other faces, and optimizes the settings for the best picture. It will even track moving faces. The Shadow Adjustment adjusts extreme light variations that may be present in a picture so that detail can still be seen in these areas. This can be previewed on Live View applied after the shot has been taken. Perfect Shot Preview shows the user an array of preview thumbnails with different white balance and exposure settings so the best one can be selected. This also makes for a great learning tool. The E-620 also features a Dust Reduction System that uses ultrasonic technology to vibrate dust particles off the image sensor every time the camera is turned on to ensure spotless photos. For the divers out there, Olympus makes a housing unit for the E-620 that allows it to go up to 130 feet underwater.
The E-620 will be available in May for an estimated $699 for the body only or $799 for the kit, which includes an ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens. Check back for retailers offering pre-orders and deals for the Olympus E-620
[via dpreview]
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