Olympus E-410 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: Olympus' compact dSLR for newbies, the E-410, is a decent choice if you're looking to save space in your bag, but issues with its automatic exposure and white balance make it an unsatisfactory option as a first dSLR.

Pros: Very compact for a dSLR ; speedy ; Live View mode (LCD preview) operation

Cons: Subpar autofocus, exposure, and automatic white-balance performance ; some poor choices for default settings

Award: Hot Product!

Review summary: - Barely 6 months on from the launch of the E400, Olympus announced an updated version of that camera which, while almost identical, has a couple of important differences.

Pros: Handling, image quality, ease of use (despite the compact size), good kit lenses, responsive

Cons: Although better than the E400, the Pentamirror viewfinder is still small and quite gloomy, Live View hampered in bright conditions, noticeable barrel distortion on 14-42mm standard zoom

Verdict: The E410 is an entry-level model but one packed with enough features to satisfy ardent enthusiast or skilled snapper alike and, yes, Live View is a real benefit

Pros: Handling, image quality, ease of use (despite the compact size), good kit lenses, responsive.

Cons: Although better than the E400, the Pentamirror viewfinder is still small and quite gloomy, Live View hampered in bright conditions, noticeable barrel distortion on 14-42mm standard zoom.

Verdict: The E410 is an entry-level model but one packed with enough features to satisfy ardent enthusiast or skilled snapper alike and, yes, Live View is a real benefit.

Review summary: In almost every physical respect, this dinky DSLR camera is identical to the Olympus E-400

Pros: Superbly easy to use, Great handling, Compact body

Cons: Not the largest sensor, Live View slows things down

Verdict: It flips down when you press the shutter to enable the focusing (presumably the AF sensor is in the pentaprism), then flips up and down again during the exposure in the manner of a regular SLR. Finally, the mirror flips up once more after the shot in ...

Review summary: In almost every physical respect, this dinky DSLR camera is identical to the Olympus E-400, launched barely six months ago. It's still supremely small and light, and it noticeably lacks the bulge of a battery grip that appears to be standard

Pros: Superbly easy to use, Great handling, Compact body

Cons: Not the largest sensor, Live View slows things down

Verdict: Brings the image quality of the Four Thirds system right up on a par with other DSLR sensors