Olympus E-410 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: For starters, the E-410 features a faster internal processor to speed along image capture and processing, plus a larger all-new imaging chip, also seen in the E-510 and E-3, which Olympus has named the 'Live Mos' sensor. This is claimed to improve handlin

Pros: Great value, smaller body and lenses than most DSLRs, sturdy build, responsive, sharp, colourful images

Cons: No built-in image stabilisation, E-410's grip could be improved for easier handling; 14-42mm lens suffers from barrel distortion at maximum wide angle

Verdict: For those not already wedded to a Nikon or Canon DSLR system, the Olympus E-410 appears the very definition of a bargain and an ideal entry point for the first-time DSLR owner.

Review summary: The compact and sturdily constructed Olympus E-410 (an updated version of the year-old E-400) is the baby of the Olympus digital SLR family, a 10Mp entry-level model that like its predecessor is the world's smallest and lightest DSLR on launch.

Verdict: For those not already wedded to a Nikon or Canon dSLR system, the Olympus E-410 appears the very definition of a bargain and an ideal entry point for the first-time dSLR owner.

Pros: Small design, live view, dust reduction, fast burst mode

Cons: Shots are a little soft at times, exposure issues, slow autofocus

Verdict: Olympus's E-410 isn't the best digital SLR on the market in terms of image quality, but its combination of live view, dust reduction and a small build make it a reasonable competitor to the giants Canon and Nikon.

Review summary: Single-lens reflex siblings.

Pros: Extremely compact. Fine picture quality. Uses both XD and CF cards. Reasonably priced underwater housing available. Memory card not included. Using Live View creates long shutter lag. Documentation could be clearer.

Cons: Memory card not included. Using Live View creates long shutter lag. Documentation could be clearer.

Verdict: . If you shoot a lot of candid action at normal- to wide-angle settings and want a lightweight, compact SLR, the Evolt E-410's for you. If your telephoto is usually racked out to its limit to capture that winning touchdown or elusive mountain goat, then g