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| Click photo to see more images of the Olympus E-420. |
Olympus has added an extremely compact new model to its line of Four-Thirds format digital SLRs. The 10-megapixel E-420 weighs just 13.4 ounces and combines manual controls with many of the automatic functions that snapshot photographers are accustomed to finding in a point-and-shoot. It's equipped with a 230,000-dot, 2.7-inch live-view LCD with a 176-degree viewing angle; a pentamirror optical viewfinder that shows 95 percent of the image frame at 0.92x magnification; and a built-in dust-reduction system. The LCD's live viewing system allows the autofocus system to function seamlessly while the screen is being used as a viewfinder, and Olympus claims the HyperCrystal II LCD delivers twice the contrast of the previous generation of HyperCrystal screens, as well as a broader color gamut. That should allow it to show more detail and offer better visibility in difficult lighting conditions. The E-420 has dual CompactFlash and xD-Picture Card slots, with the ability to transfer image files from one card to the other in-camera.
The E-420 offers a top ISO setting of 1600 and a shutter speed range of 1/4000 to 60 seconds, plus Bulb mode. Among its notable automatic features are 18 scene modes, face-detection, Olympus's Shadow Detection function for opening up shadow areas and preserving details in high-contrast shots, and Perfect Shot Preview, which displays a preview of the effects of setting changes on the LCD.
Controls that will appeal to more advanced photographers include a 2 percent spot meter, tracking autofocus, a Super FP mode for flash sync at speeds up to 1/4000 second, and white-balance compensation. Olympus says it has improved this camera's white balance system over its predecessor the E-410. Another enhancement is its faster drive mode, which is rated to shoot at 3.5fps for both JPEGs and RAW files (although there's an 8-shot burst limit for RAW files). A nice touch is the inclusion of Highlight and Shadow spot metering modes that are designed to favor whiter whites and blacker blacks, respectively. There are also numerous color and effects modes to select from, including monotone filter effects.
Olympus has also added a commander function to the E-420 for wirelessly controlling up to three remote flash unit groups. It is compatible with the Olympus FL-50R and FL-36R wireless electronic flashes.
The E-420 will be available in May 2008 for $499.99 (body only). It will also be sold in a $599.99 kit with Olympus's ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital lens, and in a $699.99 kit with the new ED 25mm f2.8 Zuiko Digital. Olympus does not plan on making a vertical grip for the E-420.
Also check out our Hands On Preview of the Olympus E-420 by Senior Editor Dan Richards.
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