Compare Prices : Olympus E420 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: Announced early in March, the Olympus E420 replaces the E-410 model at the entry level in the Olympus DSLR line-up, providing several worthwhile updates and a lower price tag. Like its predecessor, it's claimed as the world's smallest and thinnest ...

Verdict: Shots taken with the test camera were bright and colourful with a slightly more restrained contrast and wider dynamic range than our test shots from the E-410. However, in very contrasty situations and for subjects with a wide dynamic range, ...

Review summary: The Olympus E-420 is an unusually small and light 10 Megapixel DSLR aimed at point and shoot owners looking to upgrade, along with enthusiasts who want a camera they can use in situations where a traditional DSLR would be too cumbersome

Pros: Small and light without compromising comfort., Very effective anti-dust system., Live View with contrast AF and face detection., Quick handling and broad customisation., Small and light without compromising comfort., Very effective anti-dust ...

Cons: Very limited anti-shake options., Small viewfinder with basic 3-point AF., Body may be too small for bigger hands., E-520 a tempting alternative with anti-shake., Very limited anti-shake options., Small viewfinder with basic 3-point AF., Body ...

Verdict: Note: where features are identical to the E-410, we've reused some sections of our E-410 review

Review summary: The Olympus E420 is the trailblazer of a new class of camera best described as a "compact SLR".

Verdict: Image stabilisation would have been helpful, as would more thanthree auto-focus points. But, frankly, at this small price and sizeyou can't have everything.

Award: Editor's Choice!

Review summary: For the more advanced photographer, the E-420 DSLR provides full exposure flexibility, fast performance and excellent image quality.

Review summary: Let's get one thing out of the way: Even though it's called the 420, Olympus' latest camera has absolutely nothing to do with illicit drug use. We tried to find a secret compartment for storing your stash: No dice.

Pros: Light weight and small size make it far more portable than most DSLRs. Live view lets you compose on-screen instead of peering through the viewfinder. Speedy autofocus. No discernible shutter lag. Paging all photo geeks: RAW format support.

Cons: Fewer buttons means it takes more menu-surfing to adjust basic settings like ISO and white balance. Face-detection feature can be slow. Four Thirds lens compatibility is largely moot, as no manufacturers beside Olympus and pricey Sigma support the ...