Comments on: Goodbye Sigma DP1, Hello Olympus E-420

By: Thiago

Thiago — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:30:31 +0000

No worries, glad you found it useful. Cheers!

By: Dave aka: Wally Showalter

Dave aka: Wally Showalter — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:57:13 +0000

The drop kick across a talus slope was a nice added bonus for the test…Ha,ha.

It seems you’ve found the sweet spot for available technology. It’s remarkable how thousands of cameras, when analyzed, are virtually the same and the list for serious work gets reduced to 1 or 2. So, what’s the perfect setup? You’re certainly squeezing every bit of magic from the Oly – what’s next Jack?

I’m sure there will be a 4:3, 16 megapixel, full-frame camera that only weighs 1 lb. announced at Photokina!

By: Jack Brauer

Jack Brauer — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:43:26 +0000

Brian – You know I usually only put the UV filter on in special instances, like when it’s windy or rainy. I was pretty lucky to have it on the lens at the time of the crash! I shoot RAW pretty much all the time, unless I’m just shooting snapshots that I know I won’t be printing.

As for settings… I mostly shoot AF when I can; the AF on the 12-60 is very accurate and quick. I’ve been using matrix metering. I used to never do that, but the Oly does a good job with it, and when I need to it’s very easy to adjust the exposure compensation. What else… Oh, I normally use auto white balance (again, the Oly does great job with it), but for sunsets and sunrises, I customize the WB settings to Green -3. This boosts the magenta just a little bit, which I think is closer to real life.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:29:07 +0000

Great pictures. I can’t believe you put a UV filter on that wonderful lens, although in this case it paid off. Are you shooting jpeg’s or raw with the e-420? Any particular settings with this new camera? Thanks, Brian.

By: Quest for the Ultimate Compact Camera | Mountain Photographer

Quest for the Ultimate Compact Camera | Mountain Photographer — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:14:40 +0000

[...] 8/22/08: I’ve temporarily abandoned my quest for the ultimate compact camera, and have eaten my own words about digital SLRs. I sold the DP1 and have been shooting an Olympus E-420, the smallest dSLR on the market. Read further here. [...]

By: Jack Brauer

Jack Brauer — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:50:57 +0000

Thanks for the tip, Thiago! The LX3 certainly looks intriguing... specs are similar to the Ricoh GX100 that I already own, but after browsing some initial reviews, it seems that the LX3 is a bit faster (lens and operation) with perhaps better image quality. The 16:9 optional image ratio looks like fun too. I'm not in the market for a new camera until perhaps next winter, so I do have time to see what the various camera makers have up their sleeves before then. I'm holding out to see what happens with the micro 4/3 cameras. But, if nothing great comes around by winter, perhaps the LX3 will be the ticket! Here's a good thread about the LX3 on DPreview.com.

By: Thiago

Thiago — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:15:25 +0000

I fell in love with the E420 from the moment I held it (although I don’t own it, just as you, nit enough $pace in my cabinet, LOL).

Did you see the new Panasonic LX3? Supposedly the sensor has improved, and now it has a true wide angle (not only at 16:9) 24-60mm equivalent f2.0-2.8 lens!

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/Digital-Cameras/Lumix-Digital-Cameras/model.DMC-LX3K_11002_7000000000000005702

By: Andre

Andre — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:26:05 +0000

You could try the much smaller e-420 kit lens, specifically the 14-42 and 25mm pancake lenses. Very versatile, cheap and very light.