Olympus E-410 / EVOLT E-410

Opinion: Both the size and weight of this camera are stunning - in fact, every time you pick up the camera you are reminded of how light it really is - scary actually.

It has a very good build quality - yes, it's polycarbonate - but if you take the overly light kit lens off the body and then examine the body, you will see how very tightly constructed this compact camera is.

This is a camera for folks with small hands, some of the ladies, and/or users who need a compact camera - perhaps transitioning from a digicam, or who are attending an event/scenario where a light, compact DSLR would be needed. The AF is fast (not the fastest out there, but a big improvement over previous models), and the camera feels nice in the hands. Having said that, although there are better lenses out there (compared to the smallish kit lens), the small size of the camera really demands a smaller lens and feels off balance with a larger or heavier lens - although you would craddle the lens with your left hand anyway. This is my opinion only.

Olympus has kept it's color tonality, although there is a slight color signature shift between the Kodak sensors previously used and the Panny sensors currently employed. The colors are rich and intense - a pleasure to look at.

The biggest surprise IMO is that Olympus has made remarkable strides in the high ISO arena - with images showing far less noise. Noise levels that do appear at ISO 800 and 1600 are fine grained types that clean up quite easily with various noise reduction programs. So I found that shooting at these higher ISO levels can now be done by design, rather than by "last resort."

Best RAW converters so far for handling these RAW ORF files = ACR 4.1 and Silkypix.

Everyone was wondering how these new DSLR's from Olympus would fare - meaning, one can only surmise the limitations of the smaller 4/3 sensor. But I am impressed, and can only wonder how much more fun the larger E510 will be with IS - not to mention the much awaited E-1 replacement.

Opinion: I would have to say that this camera is a really great buy for those interested in upgrading from a previous Olympus Evolt model. I actually prefer the E510 over this model simply because of the added Image Stabilization. However, despite this difference both camera produce nearly noiseless images at low to mid ISO - higher ISO is comparable to other top entry level cameras!

Opinion: I have had my E-410 only a few days and have been extreemly pleased with the results I have been getting. Thus far, I've had no bad pictures and the colors, with the new Panasonic chip, are spectacular. Olympus has also aparently, done some work on the problem they have had for some time of fringing and generally poor results in low light and the E-410 shows none of the previous low light problems.

Opinion: I got this camera three weeks ago and since than I just can stop taking pictures with it.
Its ultra fast in every aspect of the way, light wieght (camera body and LENSES!!) and super compcat.
It does tends to under expose images taken indoors though using the exposure compensation of +0.3-+0.7 makes picture looks just right.
for those of you who like getting the colors as they realy are, without "enhancing" the color for more "live" image as canon often does, this is the right camera for you.
easy (real easy) to operate the camera. And by that Imean - easy, intuitive menu with nice function dial
I easily mastered about 70% of the camera functions in a week (don't forget it's a DSLR we are talking about).
It's fast- turning on from a standby mode in no time and ultra fast focus.
GREAT camera!!!
highly reccomended