E300 Pros & Cons

[Kellyscayman]

I am doing the research trying to figure out my next step in the Digital Photography world. Its down to the D70 or the E300.

I have been reading the forums and there is a pile of info to go through. What I would like is for people to post their likes and dislikes of each camera. If you have been using the camera please share your throughts!

Lets make this an education!!

Thanks.

Kelly

 

[Dick Rijken]

I'll tell you about one thing it gave me. Detail and Grain. As one thing.

It's an excellent hi rez 8 MP machine and it's very noisy at ISO 1600. Noise can eat away detail, but detail can eat away essence. So I look for detail, I work to ignore it and try to find out what the stories are in each case in order to find a sweet spot. I shoot fast with low ISO in full daylight and slow with high ISO in the dark, but also play with the reverse: what will grain do to this bright scene? Let's shoot in the dark on a tripod...

And all that in dreamy color if you want...

It's a detail-and-grain machine, like no other...

 

[UTAH DAVE]

I've had mine for 10 days it let me tell you i is awsome.The build quality
is unbelievable for under 1000US.The kodak built ccd imager has some
of the best color I have ever seen from a consumer digital camera!In short
the evolt is a great tool.

I am doing the research trying to figure out my next step in the
Digital Photography world. Its down to the D70 or the E300.

I have been reading the forums and there is a pile of info to go
through. What I would like is for people to post their likes and
dislikes of each camera. If you have been using the camera please
share your throughts!

Lets make this an education!!

Thanks.

Kelly

 

[Kellyscayman]

Thanks for your help, the more I know the better!

Kelly

I'll tell you about one thing it gave me. Detail and Grain. As one
thing.

It's an excellent hi rez 8 MP machine and it's very noisy at ISO
1600. Noise can eat away detail, but detail can eat away essence.
So I look for detail, I work to ignore it and try to find out what
the stories are in each case in order to find a sweet spot. I shoot
fast with low ISO in full daylight and slow with high ISO in the
dark, but also play with the reverse: what will grain do to this
bright scene? Let's shoot in the dark on a tripod...

And all that in dreamy color if you want...

It's a detail-and-grain machine, like no other...

 

[Kellyscayman]

I have seen a 8x11 print and you are right the colour is amazing! I have heard amazing things about the new ccd! Do you shoot in RAW or JPEG or does it make a difference?

Do you have anything bad to say?

I need to find a camera store that will all a good test run of the unit!

Thanks

Kelly

I am doing the research trying to figure out my next step in the
Digital Photography world. Its down to the D70 or the E300.

I have been reading the forums and there is a pile of info to go
through. What I would like is for people to post their likes and
dislikes of each camera. If you have been using the camera please
share your throughts!

Lets make this an education!!

Thanks.

Kelly

 

[sej1001]

Some interesting posts so far. People have a tendency to fixate on a single element of a camera, "like noise" at the abscence of all other factors. Many on the forum have their pet thing that over-rides everything else including all reason. Yes, noise is higher at ISO1600, but the better Zuiko lenses offer you faster apertures that allow you to drop about a stop or two over the comparable prosumer lenses of Nikon or Canon. On Nikon and Canon you have to go to very big heavy and expensive lenses to get their best. Let's face some facts. In real world photography the differences in resolution, noise, etc. are going to be very marginal. The real differences are ergonomics, features and accessories (especially lenses).

Nikon and Oly both have their advantages. You need to hold both in your hand and see how they feel to "you." Also make sure you try manual focusing in both. They are quite different, both in terms of optics/screen and in terms of the ergonomics of focus ring placement. The Nikon is easier for some, the oly easier for others. Nikon is rear focus ring and Olympus front focus ring. Nikon moves in smaller more precise increments, but the Olympus is more obvious about contrast changes and easier to visually varify in and out focus.

Both cameras have good color and resolution, the Nikon shoots cleaner at high iso's, but the Oly is about even with the 14-54 lens (not kit lens).

continued......

 

[hartcons]

If you get the d70 plan on a trip to http://www.visibledust.com (my brush kit arrived today) and spending some time cleaning the ccd after each lens change (and maybe more often than that). The convenience of the olympus ccd dust shaker cannot be overemphasized (IMHO).

My quibbles with the e-300 are fairly minor and my d70 is currently gathering dust in a corner.

Take a look at http://www.fourthirds.com and http://homepage.mac.com/lsippu/PhotoAlbum43.html to see what oly equipment can do (although to be fair I don't think many of these are with the kit 14-45 lens). I've been shooting with the 14-54 lens because it's faster (lower f capability).

One thing I miss about the d70 is my 70-300 ED lens (1.5 multiplier on the d70 vs. about 2 for the e-300) although oly has a lightweight 40-150 that's coming soon. My 80-200 zoom for the d70 has a lock switch which keeps the lens from zooming out which is nice.

At the end of the day, it's about picture quality and dust and for me I think the e-300 wins for both of those (I often found my d70 pics soft even with ED lenses).

Don't rule out the E-1 and 14-54 combo either. The E-1 is built like a tank and 5 megapixels is plenty unless you plan to print really big prints or often need to crop something hi-res out of the middle of an image. Some have suggested that the e-300 produces softer images than the E-1.

Do a search on d70 in this forum and you'll find more info. But really think carefully about how much time and money you want to spend on ccd cleaning.

--bruce

I am doing the research trying to figure out my next step in the
Digital Photography world. Its down to the D70 or the E300.

 

[hartcons]

http://www.myfourthirds.com/

Take a look at http://www.fourthirds.com and

 

[hartcons]

I love the way the manual focus works (mechanically) on the lenses for my d70 (something almost sensual about the light grit involved in turning the ring) and things look fabulous through the viewfinder but I often find I'm a bit disappointed when the picture gets to the computer (for some reason I have trouble getting consistently sharp images with the focus where I wanted it to be). So far with the e-300 I've done well on auto-focus.

Also make sure you try
manual focusing in both. They are quite different, both in terms of
optics/screen and in terms of the ergonomics of focus ring
placement. The Nikon is easier for some, the oly easier for others.

 

[Michael Meissner]

I have seen a 8x11 print and you are right the colour is amazing!
I have heard amazing things about the new ccd! Do you shoot in RAW
or JPEG or does it make a difference?

Do you have anything bad to say?

I need to find a camera store that will all a good test run of the
unit!

It might help if we knew where you lived, in case there is a store we can recomend.

In the Boston area, I got frustrated at Hunts, since the salesguy couldn't find a battery for me to try the E-1 on, but Newtonville let me try it in the store (both stores have E-VOLTs as well as E-1's).

 

[Stacey_K]

I am doing the research trying to figure out my next step in the
Digital Photography world. Its down to the D70 or the E300.

I have been reading the forums and there is a pile of info to go
through. What I would like is for people to post their likes and
dislikes of each camera. If you have been using the camera please
share your throughts!

I bought this camera over the others because I liked the viewfinder and the way it handles, even over the E1. I also liked the color and detail it produces. Good saturation and color balance which can be toned down if wanted. The canon images look plastic to me and the camera feels that way too. I shoot 99% of the time in bright daylight so noise at high ISO's isn't a concern. If it was something I did a lot of, I might look at other options? The larger sensor cameras do have less noise at high ISO's. I also shoot in RAW mode so any in camera processing issues aren't a big issue for me. This is my first DSLR, I'm coming into this from medium format so I wanted something that would capture some real detail and this camera does it!

I liked the small "digital only" lenses, it has a 11-22 zoom which fits my shooting style as well as the 50 F2 macro lens. From my past experience with zuiko macro lenses, I knew this would be a killer lens combo for my uses and so far it is. I like the 2X lens factor, gives more DOF and the ability to shoot at wider Fstops with the same DOF, plus I like the apect ratio, more usable pixels in an 8X10 print. It seems like I'm able to shoot (several?) stops faster and get the same macro DOF that I would get with 35mm. Same with landscape shooting. I wish the 150 F2 wasn't so expencive but I can probably live with the 50-200.

The people I know using nikon/canon have said the "Old skool" lenses aren't sharp enough for small sensor digital use and they all have had to upgrade to "L" type lenses which are large and $$$$. I don't know if what olypus claims about "straightening out the light" for digital use is a reality but it makes sense. Since I was going to be buying new optics, I didn't mind that old stuff isn't intended to work.

The final selling point for me was the ultrasonic sensor cleaner. At least OM is admitting this is a concern rather than ignoring this issue. I think when they come out with a firmware fix for the lack of a -standard in camera noise filter on/off switch-, it will be a perfect camera for my uses. Actually with the software workarounds for this, I'm fine as it is. The 8X10's I've had printed from this thing are awsome.

You need to define how and what the camera will be mostly used for and then look at which one will do this best, for me it was the E300.

Stacey

 

[Ben Herrmann]

E-300: A very good camera with the best kit lens out there.

D70: A very good camera with lots of options

Facts:

1. Each has its share of fans and detractors (just read the forums).
2. Each is capable of capturing some stunning images.
3. One may cost more (when the kit lens is involved).
4. Both depend on the skills of the person behind the viewfinder.

5. Both cameras are capable of great color renditions - albeit different in tonality and overall look (whatever turns you on here).

6. Both will make you a happy camper - provided you practice sound photographic skills, principles of composition, and a knowledge of how light affects a camera meter.

I just happen to have both - and both do well by me. Personally however, I love the color renditions, tonality - and whatever other terms you could use to describe how the color looks in an image - of the Olympus line. And once you purchase an Olympus E-system DSLR, something happens to the way you view images. As you get better with the E system cameras (It's an ongoing process), you will become spoiled. Having said that, and shooting with Canon, Nikon, and Olympus systems - my ultimate pride and joy tends to favor the Olympus line. When you look at images properly captured by Olympus E system DSLR's you are struck by a strong sense of immediacy - a palpable feeling that something is special here. That feeling does not leave you. Then you wind up perusing the other forums - and although periodically you come across some fantastic images - you tend to return to the Oly forums because that's where you realize you belong.

Not very scientific, but simply put in layman's terms.

Have a great day.

 

[Douglas Film]

Its not the camera but the Photographer that make the photograph. Flip a coin by a camera and enyoy. Know that as soon as you buy there will be the latest and greatest camera coming on the market. But thats just the way things are these days.

I am doing the research trying to figure out my next step in the
Digital Photography world. Its down to the D70 or the E300.

I have been reading the forums and there is a pile of info to go
through. What I would like is for people to post their likes and
dislikes of each camera. If you have been using the camera please
share your throughts!

Lets make this an education!!

Thanks.

Kelly

 

[hartcons]

Maybe film cameras were more alike (and it was the film you choose more than anything that made the difference along with your talent as a photographer) but based on my experience with the d70, digital rebel and e-300 I'd have to say that out-of-the-box at least these cameras produce surprisingly different results. I think it pays to look at work from any camera under consideration before purchasing to make sure the look is pleasing to you (or make sure you buy from a place with a generous return/exchange policy and put the camera through the wringer straight away when you get it). Of course things are complicated by the fact that these cameras are very customizable (for instance you can download custom tone curves for the d70 from the internet that change how it works).

Its not the camera but the Photographer that make the photograph.
Flip a coin by a camera and enyoy. Know that as soon as you buy
there will be the latest and greatest camera coming on the market.
But thats just the way things are these days.

 

[Anthony Cheh]

Hi Kelly:

We have a lot of respect for Ben's opinions here, because he has a discerning eye, is consistently constructive, and actually owns DSLRs from several manufacturers.

The D70 and E-300 are both so good that you can't go wrong with either, and personal preferences become the main remaining consideration.

Further to Ben's point about differences in color and tonality between Nikon and Olympus, both manufacturers work toward their own "ideal palette". The differences between the "Oly look" and the "Nikon look" can be seen by viewing a good number of pictures from each.

The following website provides links to My Four Thirds and Nikon Pixel Critic; their respective provide many fine examples of pictures taken with the E-System and the D70:

http://article.pchome.net/2005/01/02/33252_2.htm

Hope that helps in your decision and happy picture taking either way you ultimately decide to go.

Regards,

Tony

E-300: A very good camera with the best kit lens out there.

D70: A very good camera with lots of options

Facts:

1. Each has its share of fans and detractors (just read the forums).
2. Each is capable of capturing some stunning images.
3. One may cost more (when the kit lens is involved).
4. Both depend on the skills of the person behind the viewfinder.
5. Both cameras are capable of great color renditions - albeit
different in tonality and overall look (whatever turns you on here).
6. Both will make you a happy camper - provided you practice sound
photographic skills, principles of composition, and a knowledge of
how light affects a camera meter.

I just happen to have both - and both do well by me. Personally
however, I love the color renditions, tonality - and whatever other
terms you could use to describe how the color looks in an image -
of the Olympus line. And once you purchase an Olympus E-system
DSLR, something happens to the way you view images. As you get
better with the E system cameras (It's an ongoing process), you
will become spoiled. Having said that, and shooting with Canon,
Nikon, and Olympus systems - my ultimate pride and joy tends to
favor the Olympus line. When you look at images properly captured
by Olympus E system DSLR's you are struck by a strong sense of
immediacy - a palpable feeling that something is special here.
That feeling does not leave you. Then you wind up perusing the
other forums - and although periodically you come across some
fantastic images - you tend to return to the Oly forums because
that's where you realize you belong.

Not very scientific, but simply put in layman's terms.

Have a great day.

 

[Anthony Cheh]

This is the correct link for PixelCritic.com:

http://www.pixelcritic.com/

Regards,

Tony

We have a lot of respect for Ben's opinions here, because he has a
discerning eye, is consistently constructive, and actually owns
DSLRs from several manufacturers.

The D70 and E-300 are both so good that you can't go wrong with
either, and personal preferences become the main remaining
consideration.

Further to Ben's point about differences in color and tonality
between Nikon and Olympus, both manufacturers work toward their own
"ideal palette". The differences between the "Oly look" and the
"Nikon look" can be seen by viewing a good number of pictures from
each.

The following website provides links to My Four Thirds and Nikon
Pixel Critic; their respective provide many fine examples of
pictures taken with the E-System and the D70:

http://article.pchome.net/2005/01/02/33252_2.htm

Hope that helps in your decision and happy picture taking either
way you ultimately decide to go.

Regards,

Tony

E-300: A very good camera with the best kit lens out there.

D70: A very good camera with lots of options

Facts:

1. Each has its share of fans and detractors (just read the forums).
2. Each is capable of capturing some stunning images.
3. One may cost more (when the kit lens is involved).
4. Both depend on the skills of the person behind the viewfinder.
5. Both cameras are capable of great color renditions - albeit
different in tonality and overall look (whatever turns you on here).
6. Both will make you a happy camper - provided you practice sound
photographic skills, principles of composition, and a knowledge of
how light affects a camera meter.

I just happen to have both - and both do well by me. Personally
however, I love the color renditions, tonality - and whatever other
terms you could use to describe how the color looks in an image -
of the Olympus line. And once you purchase an Olympus E-system
DSLR, something happens to the way you view images. As you get
better with the E system cameras (It's an ongoing process), you
will become spoiled. Having said that, and shooting with Canon,
Nikon, and Olympus systems - my ultimate pride and joy tends to
favor the Olympus line. When you look at images properly captured
by Olympus E system DSLR's you are struck by a strong sense of
immediacy - a palpable feeling that something is special here.
That feeling does not leave you. Then you wind up perusing the
other forums - and although periodically you come across some
fantastic images - you tend to return to the Oly forums because
that's where you realize you belong.

Not very scientific, but simply put in layman's terms.

Have a great day.

 

[Adam Hair]

Hi,

I've been in exactily the same boat... E-300 or D70.

(Home Im not too late in replying )

Here's what I've found out todate... (Then I'll let you know what I've decided

Disclaimer: Most of this stuff is what I've heard from others, but from my research all seems accurate...

First and foremost, the CCD hyper-shaker-cleaner doova. (Don't know it's real name). Apparently dust IS a real problem if you're planning on changing lenses, and if you purchase a camera without this feature (such as the D-70) you're probably going to run into this problem at some stage. Cleaning it can cause you to wreck the CCD (so either, have lots of money ready for a new purchase, or be prepared to send it back for cleaning)... (This could be a little over the top, but it's played a little bit of an influence in my decision... for sure)...

Second - the D70 appears to have a few extra features (like DOF Preview)... features you may or maynot use. I would look into the features that the D70 has, that the E-300 doesn't before making your decision - if you have any particular needs...

Third... JPEG quality on the E-300 seems to be lacking slightly. NOTE - this doesn't mean that you can't take good shots! You can still take brilliant shots in RAW format, (or TIFF I'm assuming), AND it is quite possible that Olympus will fix this anyway in a future firmware upgrade...

Fourth... I have seen pictures taken by both camera's, and have liked the images from the E-300 better. It's been stated that the camera has been built from ground up - totally designed for digital photography (including the lens), and this is supposed to produce better pics. Can't say that this is absolutely true (and I'm sure Nikkon would disagree , however, from what I've seen todate - I would agree that the E-300 has it slightly over the Nikon in this area)...

Fifth... the Nikon takes continuous shots slightly faster than the E-300, but I don't see this as a problem.

Off the top of my head, these have been the main factors that I"ve picked up, except, that I've found all the shops I have gone too so far push the D70 over the E-300.

(I think this is because I haven't gone to a professional shop, but more retail type shops that sell anything from fridges, to PC's, and of course, Digital SLR's - and the staff know the D70, and have had much success, but most of the staff haven't even played with the E-300 yet - (being so new) -so they're probably reluctant to suggest it). Either that - or they don't make as much profit.

I am doing the research trying to figure out my next step in the
Digital Photography world. Its down to the D70 or the E300.

I've played with both now, and I've leant to the E-300 (irrespective of the CCD self-cleaning function!) - however, that cleaning function has been enough to settle my decision. Now for me - I have my own cooling off period (yes - I have a built in function, to make sure I don't rush into these things)..., and then I shall buy... (if I haven't cooled off too much ) the E-300.

Hope this is of some help to you. I've found these forums invaluable to the decision I've made, and ahve really appreciated everyone else who has given advise. Just hope I've been a little help too...

Adam.

 

[Bram Bos]

When you look at images properly captured
by Olympus E system DSLR's you are struck by a strong sense of
immediacy - a palpable feeling that something is special here.
That feeling does not leave you. Then you wind up perusing the
other forums - and although periodically you come across some
fantastic images - you tend to return to the Oly forums because
that's where you realize you belong.

I couldn't have said it better. Kudos!

Bram

--------------------------------------------------------------------
My Travel Galleries (asia, middle east, latin america)
http://www.pbase.com/brambos

 

[Alastair Cassels]

I am in the exact same position as Kelly. Its a toss up between the D70 and the Olympus e300. The best peice of advice I have read is to consider that this is not just a camera purchase but that you are buying into a system. With that in mind I was swaying towards Nikon for the following reasons.

Lenses. Nikkor lenses are plentiful. 20 odd years plus of AF lenses that are useable on the D70. As cash is a bit tight then picking up 2nd hand lenses will be important for me. These things are barn pricey new. As I like to do a lot of portrait work I was looking for the D70 kit plus a f1.8 50mm. I can add a speedlight and case for under £1000 ($1900)

With Olympus ( I have a c5060 currently) I am a bit concerned about the kit lense limitations although I admit I don't know enough about it. Anyone with spare cash seems to advocate a 14-55mm F2.8 but it is about £400 here in the uk and all of a suddenthe package cost escalates. Of course there is little or no used lens selection yet.

My heart says Olympus but my head and wallet is thinking that Nikon might be the more flexible way.

What would be a decent 2nd lens for the e300?

I am doing the research trying to figure out my next step in the
Digital Photography world. Its down to the D70 or the E300.

I have been reading the forums and there is a pile of info to go
through. What I would like is for people to post their likes and
dislikes of each camera. If you have been using the camera please
share your throughts!

Lets make this an education!!

Thanks.

Kelly

 

[tpryde]

I was comparing Cannon Rebel, 20D, Nikon D70, and even the Pentax for a brief moment of insanity. I decided the 20D was too much to explain to my wife, so that narrowed the field a bit. I had just settled the debate between the two when I went to a Pro shop.

The guy there just went on and on about his E-1 and how great it was. Being an Oly fan (OM-1 and 2n), I was interested. I was initially dissapointed by the 5mp part but still impressed with the quality of the images. The only problem was that it and a good lens put the price back up into the how-do-I-explain-it range.

Just before Christmas I was getting ready to settle for a cheap feeling Rebel, when I noticed the E-300. I couldn't find any reviews, but I was looking at the 8080, which had better images than the Rebel. I went ahead and bought the E-300 and have had a great time with this camera ever since. I have blown up pics straight from the camera (jpg) that look incredible. The print quality, depth, and ease of use have been a joy. As soon as I take a picture worth the 20-30 bucks for a poster, I am going to see what kind of results I can get there.

In the end it was the E-1 salesman and the 8080 images that combined to give me confidence in Oly, and I wasn't dissapointed. I love my camera.

Tom

I am doing the research trying to figure out my next step in the
Digital Photography world. Its down to the D70 or the E300.

I have been reading the forums and there is a pile of info to go
through. What I would like is for people to post their likes and
dislikes of each camera. If you have been using the camera please
share your throughts!

Lets make this an education!!

Thanks.

Kelly