Compare Prices : Olympus E-330 - Expert Reviews

Award: gold

Review summary: With so many cameras containing the same or similar functions these days it was interesting to review a camera with something new, that no other DSLR has yet… Live View. This function has long been available on compact digital and I'm surprised this ...

Verdict: The E-330 out of the box looks great and feels good in your hands. It has a bit of weight to it without being heavy and has all of the main feature buttons ergonomically positioned. The shape of the camera is a little different to most of its ...

Review summary: Olympus' Evolt E-330, an upgrade of the company's previous E-300 model, is unique among mid-range digital SLR cameras for two reasons: first, it's the only digital SLR currently available that allows you to use its LCD screen as a viewfinder, and ...

Pros: Includes an LCD viewfinder, small body, good optics, good image quality

Cons: Limited lens selection, no LCD status display, LCD screen is annoying when looking through the viewfinder, no electronic image stabilisation

Verdict: The Olympus Evolt E-330 is a good camera, but its standout feature - the LCD veiwfinder - is not that useful for most photographers. Both the Nikon D50 and the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT offer better image quality and a broader assortment of lenses. ...

Review summary: Unconventional SLR with Live Previewing

Pros: Excellent image quality. Live image previews on bright, 2.5-inch, tilting LCD. The 14-45mm lens is a gem ; Sluggish manual focus. Menus can be confusing. Images somewhat soft at ISO 1600

Cons: Sluggish manual focus. Menus can be confusing. Images somewhat soft at ISO 1600

Verdict: . The E-330's live-view capability is a technological breakthrough that you'll find quite useful, especially when you're shooting at odd angles.

Pros: Excellent image quality.Excellent metering.Excellent colour rendition.Effectively noise-free up to 400 ISO.Comlete range of formats (RAW, TIFF and JPEG).Built-in SSWF sensor cleaning system.Useful Live View system.Powerful built-in flash.

Cons: 14 to 45 mm kit lens a bit soft focus at the wide angle end.Noise reduction system lowers overall image sharpness.Some functions are overly complicated.TTL viewfinder is a touch too small.

Award: Editor's Choice!

Review summary: With an innovative 'live' external LCD, the Olympus EVOLT E-330 shows why it deserves to be the Camera of the Year in this entry-level category.