The Olympus E-420 SLR Digital Camera has crammed into one of the smallest Digital SLR bodies available, all the features you need to take great pictures. The high resolution 10-megapixel Live-MOS image sensor captures exquisite detail, and provides you with the flexibility to crop your images and still produce large, detailed prints.
The unique Olympus Autofocus Live View function allows you to frame and focus your photos using the large 2.7-inch LCD as a viewfinder. The E-420 is also very easy to use with a host of Scene Select Modes that make everyone an instant expert, or you can use the camera's advanced exposure modes including program, aperture priority, shutter priority and full manual control for the ultimate in creative control.
Furthermore, you'll get a great shot in any lighting situation with five metering modes including the 49-point ESP Meter, plus Shadow Adjustment Technology and the Face Detection feature, both viewable in real time on the Live View LCD.
Even with all of this power, the E-420 is incredibly easy to use. The ergonomic and lightweight design of the camera body means that the camera will be comfortable to hold even after a long day of sightseeing, and the 2.7" HyperCrystal II LCD enables images to be beautifully displayed in vivid color, even from 176-degree viewing angles or in bright sunlight, making it simple to preview and review your images.
The E-420 also solves the dust problem commonly found with SLR cameras by providing a proven anti-dust system that utilizes a Supersonic Wave Filter in front of the image sensor to literally shake the dust away, so that your pictures will be spotless - every time.
| Camera Type | Interchangeable Lens SLR Digital Camera |
| Image Quality | |
|---|---|
| Image Sensor | Four Thirds (17.3 mm x 13.0 mm) 11.8 Megapixel Live MOS with RGB Primary Color, IR Cut Filter, and Supersonic Wave Filter (dust reduction system for image sensor) |
| Effective Resolution | 10.0 million pixels |
| Color Depth | 36-Bit RGB |
| Color Modes |
sRGB or Adobe RGB (Vivid, Natural, Muted, Portrait, Monotone) Image Adjustment Parameters (Contrast, Sharpness, Saturation) Filter effect (Yellow, Orange, Red or Green filter for Monotone) Picture tone (Sepia, Blue, Purple or Green tone) Gradation (auto, high key, normal, low key) |
| Image File Formats |
RAW (12-Bit) JPEG (Super fine, Fine, Normal, Basic) RAW+JPEG |
| Recorded Resolution |
3648 x 2736 3200 x 2400 2560 x 1920 1600 x 1200 1280 x 960 1024 x 768 640 x 480 |
| Video Recording | No |
| Audio Recording | No |
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Lens Mount | Four-Thirds |
| Focal Length Multiplier | 2x |
| Optical Image Stabilization | No (Digital Image Stabilization available) |
| Focus Control | |
|---|---|
| Focus Type | TTL phase-difference detection system, Contrast detection system (3-point multiple AF) with AF illuminator |
| Focus Modes | Single AF (S-AF), Continuous AF (C-AF), Manual Focus (MF), S-AF + MF, C-AF + MF, AF Lock, Focus tracking |
| Exposure Control | |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity |
Auto ISO (100-1600) Selectable ISO (100, 200, 400, 800, 1600) |
| Shutter Type | Computerized focal-plane shutter |
| Shutter Speed |
60 - 1/4000 seconds in 1/3EV steps Bulb (up to 8 min. with limiter) |
| Mirror Lock-Up | Yes |
| Exposure Metering | TTL open-aperture metering system (Digital ESP - 49-point multi pattern, Centre weighted average, Spot, Spot with Highlight control, Spot with Shadow control |
| Exposure Modes | Auto, Program AE (Program shift can be performed), Aperture priority AE, Shutter priority AE, Manual, Scene program AE, Scene select AE, Exposure compensation (±5 EV in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps selectable), AE lock, Exposure bracketing (frames in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1EV steps selectable) |
| White Balance Modes | Auto, Lamp (3000-7500K), Fluorescent 1 (4000K), Fluorescent 2 (4500K), Fluorescent 3 (6600K), Daylight (5300K), Cloudy (6000K), Shade (7500K), White balance compensation (±7 steps in each R-B/G-M axis), Custom white balance, One-touch white balance |
| Scene Modes | Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, Sport, High Key, Low Key, Digital Image Stabilization, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Fireworks, Documents, Panorama (requires Olympus xD-Picture Card), Beach & Snow |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Flash | Yes (Auto pop-up Retractable flash; Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Fill-in, Slow synchronization, Manual, Off.) |
| Effective Flash Range | GN=12 (ISO 100.m) |
| External Flash Connection | Hot Shoe (supports select wireless flash units) |
| External Flash Control | TTL Auto, Auto, Manual |
| Maximum Flash Synchronization Speed | 1/180 second (up to 1/4000 second with Super FP) |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Start-Up Time | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Shutter Lag | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Time Between Shots | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Burst Capability | 3.5 fps up to 6 frames in RAW (up to memory capacity in JPEG) |
| Self Timer | 2 seconds or 12 seconds |
| Interval Recording | No |
| Date & Time Stamp | No (available in PictBridge) |
| Memory & Power | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Memory | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compatible Memory Cards |
CompactFlash (type I & II) Microdrive xD-Picture Card |
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| File Size |
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| Battery Type | BLS-1 Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Power Adapter | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Input/Output | |
|---|---|
| Computer Interface | USB 2.0 (High Speed) storage and camera control |
| Direct Print Capable | Yes (PictBridge) |
| Remote Control |
RM-UC1 Remote Cable Release (optional) RM-1 Infra-red Remote Control (optional) |
| Video Output | Yes (NTSC & PAL) |
| System & Software Requirements |
Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, XP, Vista Macintosh OS X (10.2 or later) |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Viewfinder | Eye-level Single-Lens Reflex Viewfinder with Diopter adjustment (-3.0 - +1m-1), and interchangeable eyecup |
| Viewfinder Info | Aperture value, Shutter speed, Record mode, AF confirmation mark, Flash, WB, AE lock, Number of storable still images, Exposure compensation value, Metering mode, Battery warning, Exposure mode, AF frame (super impose) |
| Depth-of-Field Preview | Yes |
| LCD Display | 2.7" HyperCrystal II TFT color LCD (230,000 pixels) with brightness adjust (15 levels), and Live View Feature |
| Information Display |
2.7" LCD Display provides all info Live View: Exposure adjustment pre-view, White balance adjustment pre-view, Gradation setting pre-view, Face detection pre-view, Perfect shot pre-view, Grid line displayable, 7x/10x magnification possible, MF/S-AF, AF frame display, AF point display, Shooting information, Histogram, Heat warning. Super Control Panel: Battery information, Exposure mode, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure compensation value, ISO sensitivity, Exposure compensation indicator, Exposure indicator, Flash intensity compensation indicator, Date, BKT warning, NR warning, WB, WB compensation value, Picture mode, Flash mode, Record mode, Image size, Card information, Drive mode, Flash intensity compensation value, Metering mode, Recordable still image number, Focusing mode, FP warning AF frame, AF illuminator, Color mode, Sharpness, Contrast, Saturation, Gradation, Face detection, Wireless flash commander. |
| Language Options | English, French, Spanish, Portuguese |
| Playback Options | Single-frame, Index (4/9/16/25/49/100 frames), Calendar, Close-up ( 2-14X), Slideshow, Picture rotation (auto mode available), Histogram (independent luminance/RGB available), Highlight/Shadow point warning, AF frame, Shooting information, Image Erase/Protect (Single frame, All frames, Selected frames), Image Editing (RAW development, Monotone, Sepia, Red-eye reduction, Saturation (color depth), Resize (producing another file)), Print reservation (DPOF), Direct print functions (PictBridge) |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 3.6 x 5.1 x 2.1" (91 x 130 x 53 mm) body only |
| Weight | 13.4 oz. (380 g) body only |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
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Comments about Olympus E-420 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 25mm Lens:
very small and easy to operate, fits in any bag - I practically carry it everywhere with me and pull it out for the photographic opportunities that I stumble upon in the day to day life! Very good image quality, nice standard fixed focal lens, a perfect fit for me!
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Comments about Olympus E-420 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 25mm Lens:
I love this camera! I have spent years buying the two top brands instead of getting in my heart what I knew was the right one, Olympus. Recently made the plunge because I always new Oly lenses were the best by far. I am not a professional but a hobby and travel photographer.
The camera is small, which I really like, and great to carry around all the time. But would not be good for someone with large hands. The LCD is great not only for viewing and taking photos but also to set the settings that you want to use. It is just so convenient to have it right there instead of having to go into the camera menu.
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Comments about Olympus E-420 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 25mm Lens:
The E-420 with its small size is a blast to take with you where ever you go so you can get the shoots you see all the time without your camera. its easy to use and fits surprisingly nicely in your hands. i sent mine back because i needed the money for some new glass for my main Camera the Canon 5D. If you have the money for a toy camera then do it!!! you have a blast and get some surprisingly beautiful shots.
i was not happy with it in low light because of the Noise, but i have seen much worse
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Comments about Olympus E-420 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 25mm Lens:
I recently bought this camera for my wife. She wanted a point and shoot, but I refused to buy her one because they are practically disposable cameras (in my experience). Although it is a very small camera relative to other DSLRs, it is still not a small camera per se. It is significantly larger than the very thin types of point and shoots that my wife was hoping for. Nevertheless, with the pancake lens, it is quite portable and can fit easily in a purse.
Operationally, the camera is great. The menu system may seem a little overwhelming at first, but it is actually quite intuitive if you already have a familiarity with DSLRs; e.g., choosing a white balance, ISO, etc. My wife is still learning, so she just leaves it in Auto (yuck!) or sometimes the preset scene modes. But when I get my hands on it, it has all the controls I want.
My only two minor complaints with the camera are (1) it only has 3 autofocus points, and (2) to manually focus, you have to go through the menu first to select this focusing mode.
The 25mm lens is fantastic. It amazes me how sharp it is and how great the colors are given its miniscule size. Further, I have come to appreciate the utility and fun of a nifty-fifty (it's a 50mm equivalent in 35mm camera terms). What also came as a surprise is the close-focusing capability of the lens. We recently went to the Butterfly Pavillion in Denver, CO, and my wife took beautiful frame-filling close-ups of the butterflies. And this was her first outing with the camera!
It's a great all-around camera for the beginner, like my wife, or the enthusiast, like myself for when I'd don't feel like bringing a long all of my gear. I like the pancake lens because it keeps the camera small, but I'm probably going to get an all-in-one zoom for it for more versatility. We'll see if my wife won't mind the extra heft.
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Comments about Olympus E-420 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 25mm Lens:
Husband takes alot of construction pictures buildings, high rise condos, etc. It is not always easy to carry and E3 into some of the smaller places he needs to get into. That was also one of the reasons that I ordered the pancake lens to go with it. It is very lightweight. We were concerned that the camera would be to small for my husbands large fingers and it would be hard for him to make adjustments i.e. handling controls but it works great for him! Very pleased with everything about it!!!
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Comments about Olympus E-420 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 25mm Lens:
Use this camera as my grab and go. Wonderful fun to set ISO to 1600 and appropriate white balance and shoot indoors at parties etc.
I also use my 14-54mm F2.8-3.5 lens on this camera and the macro 50mm F2 and have no complaints. If you own other 4/3 equipment - great to have for a backup body as well.
Beats the pants off a Canon G9 in image quality and ISO performance.
Dark lighting - you will want an FL36 to use the infra red light for improved focusing. The flashing for focusing is an idea that should have never left the research lab IMHO.
Pros
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Comments about Olympus E-420 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 25mm Lens:
I've been using the E-420 for about a month now and the longer I use it the better I like it. With the 25mm lens attached the camera is as compact as many point and shoot digicams but, being a SLR, I feel like I have complete control in almost every situation. When I just want to point and shoot or need to hand the camera over to my wife for snapshots the "AUTO" setting does a terrific job of dealing with most reasonable situations. The picture quality is excellent and the color rendition is beautiful. I have also purchased the Olympus 35mm f3.5 Macro, 14-54mm f2.8 Zoom, and the 40-150mm f4.0 Zoom lenses and am having having a great time experimenting with all the camera/lens possibilities.
Pros
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Comments about Olympus E-420 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 25mm Lens:
I just started using the camera as an everyday walk around camera. The small size makes it great for throwing in the bag and taking anywhere: especially with the 25mm pancake lens. It is easy and fun to use. The control functions are really brilliantly set up, making it easy to switch to the most complex functions while still composing the shot.
The autofocus is slower than the Canon Rebel, but the ability to autofocus in live view mode is great for the casual shooter.
I haven't used the camera enough yet to comment on the overall image quality.
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