Update: Now with preview video after the jump.
Filling another hole in its dSLR product line, Olympus takes on the
Let's take a look at the basic specs:
| Canon EOS Rebel XSi (with 18-55mm IS lens) | Olympus E-620 (with 14-42mm lens) | Olympus E-30 (body only) | |
| Sensor | 12.2-megapixel CMOS | 12.3-megapixel Live MOS | 12.3-megapixel Live MOS |
| Color depth | 14 bits | 12 bits | 12 bits |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 100 - ISO 800/ 1,600 (expanded) | ISO 200/100 (expanded) - ISO 3,200 | ISO 100 - ISO 3,200 |
| Focal-length multiplier | 1.6x | 2x | 2x |
| Continuous shooting | 3.5 fps 53 JPEG/6 raw | 4 fps n/a JPEG/5 raw | 5 fps n/a JPEG/12 raw |
| Viewfinder | 95 percent coverage 0.87x magnification | 95 percent coverage 0.96x magnification | 98 percent coverage 1.02x magnification |
| Autofocus | 9-pt AF center cross-type | 7-pt AF all twin; 5 cross-type | 11-pt AF all cross-type |
| Live view | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LCD size | 3 inches fixed | 2.7 inches articulated | 2.7 inches articulated |
| Mfr. price | $799.99 | $799.99 | $1,299 |
Olympus packs quite a bit in for the money, including a fully articulated LCD (as compared to the tiltable LCD on the Sony A350); sensor-shift image stabilization; a built-in wireless flash controller, which everyone but Canon includes; and Art Filters, the preset special effects that the company introduced in the E-30.
The Art Filters, especially given their limited implementation, make a lot more sense in the E-620 than in the E-30, and could possibly provide a compelling reason for a newbie to buy the E-620 over a comparably priced competitor.
Though it's a bit lower resolution than the A350's 14 megapixels, in this class, the difference between 12 and 14 doesn't amount to a lot, and in fact can be an advantage. (It uses the same sensor and TruePic III+ image processor as the E-30, so theoretically, image quality should be similar.) You need a really good lens to resolve well at higher resolutions, and chances are, the budget-conscious buyer of these cameras won't want to spend a fortune on lenses.
On the downside, the E-620 has fewer AF points than Canon and Sony's (9 points) offerings; only testing will tell how much of an impact this has on focus accuracy and performance.
When it ships in May, it will be available in two configurations: a body-only version for $699.99 and a kit including the 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 lens for $799.99. Olympus will also offer a new battery grip and underwater housing to accessorize the camera.
