102 of 102 people found below review helpful:
5.0 using 5 stars It'll grow on you, June 29, 2005
This review is from: Olympus Evolt E300 8MP Digital SLR with 14 45mm f/3.5 5.6 & 40 150mm f/3.5 4.5 Zuiko Lenses (Electronics)
This is the latest during my journey through Olympus Lawn movers
(D340R, 460,560,2020z, 5060 most of which May possibly reviewed on Amazon). The option for the E 300, utilized for some commerical work I do, was not simple because I've got a bag full of Pentax K lenses and was mightily tempted by the Pentax digitals. But, having batteries, knowledge of the menu system, and really wonderful knowledge about Olympus goods and service after a period, I took the plunge along with the E 300 with its kit lens. Then got a K mount adapter for my Pentax lenses and hang up to figure.
Ok, there are a few quirks and i also get them more conveniently:
a small magenta cast into a greens, easily fixed in post processing or fiddling with WB, along with noise reduction system can just slightly dull grass in photos, also easily fixed
sometimes a bright spot will fool exposure slightly with all the full screen sensor (I've learned to utilise the center weighted and spot meters to deal with this)
That's not me overly afraid of the lcd, which doesn't appear to have the brilliance in the one on my 5060.
I wish Oly had added an xD slot for all those men and women which has a collection of prepaid cards, purchased in the package with older models
Now to many good stuff:
do not worry about some reviews claiming the digital camera is noisey and like 800/1600 ISO. I have fine results, that are easily fine tuned in Photoshop Elements, Neat Image or other programs, and which can be helped mightily via a wide aperture prime lens at 400.
colors are brilliant and resolution sharp
the Oly jpg algorithms are certainly good, which means that for the majority of 'normal' shooting anyone online can be perfectly happy with the best HQ mode several testing on my part discerns very little visible difference with SHQ. Nevertheless this is good to know when traveling or whenever you want to keep some disc space; triage carefully if you that once within a lifetime shot coming and next make use of the highest modes
Raw is rather good but necessarily steer clear of the Olympus Master converter, that's terribly unintuitive, in favor of Adobe's.
battery is wonderful in the BLM1 battery (you will find, you can buy good backups on that auction site regarding ten dollars each; and then they work fine); I've only run one battery down up thinking that was with multiple in camera editing along with a download of 150 shots via USB.
flash is fine (though watch lens hood shadowing at highest aperture); I've supplemented considering the FL 36 and FL 20, both of which work flawlessly, even for that brain dead just like me. Like many cameras this blog will occasionally underexpose and so i generally program the flash in a little extra oomph.
the camera feels rugged and well built; some tank that feels good in one's hand and because of low prism top most slides easily right small bag.
the kit lens is absolutely quite fine
K lenses, including a Tokina ATX telephoto zoom work easily and brilliantly, as does an OM lens with adapter.
even towards the 'advanced' in our midst, it's essential to have the collection of scene modes for this camera. They work.
vastly improved instructions.
burns at enoromus speed, even going to standard CF cards.
finally, this thing really keeps dust off the sensor. I'm constantly fiddling between lenses in distinctive environmental situations and also have yet to find out a spec. Yes, some be visible on the outer mirror, but that is easily and harmlessly cured.
Olympus does not have the cache or marketing power of Nikon and Canon. And also the sensor about this 4/3d's camera is smaller compared to those on its main competitors. Yet, I realize it's a solid and
unflashly product in keeping with most Oly cameras We have owned. This company is a useful one at miniaturization, glass, and compression algorithms. When you need it Oly service is fantastic (quick and friendly when i identified when I screwed up something into my 5060, fashionable superb camera).
I'm sure there can be fine photos to be had with from any of the major dslr's available on the market and don't getting a loads of comparative experience with other brands probably am not aware of what I am missing. But when you would like a classy workhorse rich in resolution and brilliant photos give this one a careful look.
Help other customers locate the most helpful reviews