What are pros and cons of E10 versus new C5050?

It all depends on her needs for a camera. You are comparing two cameras of different classes. True, the 5050 has 4.92 megapixels and it combines some of the best features of the E-series cameras into a great pro-sumer camera. But what does it lack? The feel of an SLR, quick external access to manual functions and instant manual zoom and focus. The huge peice of glass on the E-series that produces sharper and more detailed images. Don't get me wrong, pictures right out of the 5050 may look "better" to you that ones from the E-10 but the 5050 does a load of in-camera processing that doesn't allow for much post-processing without image degredation.

What the 5050 borrows from the E-10 (just a few things besides electronics):
-the same flip-out LCD design
-magnesium allow body
-a few external buttons that save time accessing manual functions
-great quality at a bargain price
-same 3 metering modes
-dual storage slots

What the 5050 has that the E-10 doesn't have:
-one more megapixel (E-20)
-Noise Reduction (E-20 has it)
-panorama function with XD cards
-Movie Clip and audio recording ability
-pre-programmed "modes" for shutter/aperature/WB/metering settings
-compact size and retracting zoom lens
-in camera photo settings like B/W, sepia, etc...
  • 5 contrast/sharpening levels (versus 3 with E10)
-5 saturation levels
-spot AF

right about now you're probably saying WOW the C5050 is a much better camera than the E-10 on paper. So why does the E-10 cost twice as much at retail?

The biggest thing is the camera construction itself. It's an SLR of sorts (Beam-splitting prism, not a mirror). It has a larger body which dissapates heat from mechanical friction better and creates sharper images. One quick holding comparison of the two will show you what I mean. You can't put the E-10 I guarantee it =) The lens on the E-10 is simply OUTSTANDING. A huge piece of ED coated glass that is a 4x (versus 5050 3x) equivalent zoom. It allows you to focus and zoom manually with the lens ring, a function any SLR user would miss with any prosumer digitals. If you shoot a lot out of the P mode in different settings and environments, quick access to white balance, exposure compensation, macro mode, etc...can be had at the touch of external buttons that are well placed. Aperature and shutter can be adjusted with jog dials. The E-10 has a host of accessories (expensive, mind you) that improve the cameras flexibility with lenses, external flashes, and power options. The E-10 was built with a professional in mind, whereas the C5050 was probably built with an enthusiast or gearhead in mind. I owned the 3030, and I never touched any of the manual functions and eventually sold it for the E-10. Why? Because it was too much of a hassle to hunt through all the menus or change aperature or focal length with buttons and electronics.

Like I said at the beginning, it all comes down to the needs of the photographer. If your wife needs a camera she can just point and shoot something, and once in a while needs the manual functions to take a create shot, the 5050 is a great buy. But if she's going to need a lot of control of the image all the time, the E-10 is the way to go. The price of the E-10 is dropping rapidly, so now is a great time to buy! Good luck, and email me if you have any questions.

Regards, Nate
 
What the 5050 has that the E-10 doesn't have:
-one more megapixel (E-20)
-Noise Reduction (E-20 has it)
I spoke at length with an Olympus rep at a good local camera shop. He told me that the NR feature on the E-20 and 5050 was added because the 5 mp chip was noisier than the 4 mp chip on the E-10. Not exactly germane to this discussion, but your comment triggered this memory, and I thought it might be of interest/a discussion point for this group.

Paul
 
Extremely concise and then I even read it to Audrey so she'd quit asking why don't you just sell yours if this one will do... :)

I copied and pasted your entire post in my word processor just to have it around.

There are times, (when I have the 4 year old with me..) that I think it is the camera to bring to the hockey games.. It is just so light and easy to bring along. I just wish that nice custom case they sell for it in Japan was available here. I just got the TCON 300 for the other one so I will be playing...

Thanks again... Gary
It all depends on her needs for a camera. You are comparing two
cameras of different classes. True, the 5050 has 4.92 megapixels
and it combines some of the best features of the E-series cameras
into a great pro-sumer camera. But what does it lack? The feel of
an SLR, quick external access to manual functions and instant
manual zoom and focus. The huge peice of glass on the E-series that
produces sharper and more detailed images. Don't get me wrong,
pictures right out of the 5050 may look "better" to you that ones
from the E-10 but the 5050 does a load of in-camera processing that
doesn't allow for much post-processing without image degredation.

What the 5050 borrows from the E-10 (just a few things besides
electronics):
-the same flip-out LCD design
-magnesium allow body
-a few external buttons that save time accessing manual functions
-great quality at a bargain price
-same 3 metering modes
-dual storage slots

What the 5050 has that the E-10 doesn't have:
-one more megapixel (E-20)
-Noise Reduction (E-20 has it)
-panorama function with XD cards
-Movie Clip and audio recording ability
-pre-programmed "modes" for shutter/aperature/WB/metering settings
-compact size and retracting zoom lens
-in camera photo settings like B/W, sepia, etc...
  • 5 contrast/sharpening levels (versus 3 with E10)
-5 saturation levels
-spot AF

right about now you're probably saying WOW the C5050 is a much
better camera than the E-10 on paper. So why does the E-10 cost
twice as much at retail?

The biggest thing is the camera construction itself. It's an SLR of
sorts (Beam-splitting prism, not a mirror). It has a larger body
which dissapates heat from mechanical friction better and creates
sharper images. One quick holding comparison of the two will show
you what I mean. You can't put the E-10 I guarantee it =) The lens
on the E-10 is simply OUTSTANDING. A huge piece of ED coated glass
that is a 4x (versus 5050 3x) equivalent zoom. It allows you to
focus and zoom manually with the lens ring, a function any SLR user
would miss with any prosumer digitals. If you shoot a lot out of
the P mode in different settings and environments, quick access to
white balance, exposure compensation, macro mode, etc...can be had
at the touch of external buttons that are well placed. Aperature
and shutter can be adjusted with jog dials. The E-10 has a host of
accessories (expensive, mind you) that improve the cameras
flexibility with lenses, external flashes, and power options. The
E-10 was built with a professional in mind, whereas the C5050 was
probably built with an enthusiast or gearhead in mind. I owned the
3030, and I never touched any of the manual functions and
eventually sold it for the E-10. Why? Because it was too much of a
hassle to hunt through all the menus or change aperature or focal
length with buttons and electronics.

Like I said at the beginning, it all comes down to the needs of the
photographer. If your wife needs a camera she can just point and
shoot something, and once in a while needs the manual functions to
take a create shot, the 5050 is a great buy. But if she's going to
need a lot of control of the image all the time, the E-10 is the
way to go. The price of the E-10 is dropping rapidly, so now is a
great time to buy! Good luck, and email me if you have any
questions.

Regards, Nate
 
I copied and pasted your entire post in my word processor just to
have it around.

There are times, (when I have the 4 year old with me..) that I
think it is the camera to bring to the hockey games.. It is just so
light and easy to bring along. I just wish that nice custom case
they sell for it in Japan was available here. I just got the TCON
300 for the other one so I will be playing...

Thanks again... Gary
It all depends on her needs for a camera. You are comparing two
cameras of different classes. True, the 5050 has 4.92 megapixels
and it combines some of the best features of the E-series cameras
into a great pro-sumer camera. But what does it lack? The feel of
an SLR, quick external access to manual functions and instant
manual zoom and focus. The huge peice of glass on the E-series that
produces sharper and more detailed images. Don't get me wrong,
pictures right out of the 5050 may look "better" to you that ones
from the E-10 but the 5050 does a load of in-camera processing that
doesn't allow for much post-processing without image degredation.

What the 5050 borrows from the E-10 (just a few things besides
electronics):
-the same flip-out LCD design
-magnesium allow body
-a few external buttons that save time accessing manual functions
-great quality at a bargain price
-same 3 metering modes
-dual storage slots

What the 5050 has that the E-10 doesn't have:
-one more megapixel (E-20)
-Noise Reduction (E-20 has it)
-panorama function with XD cards
-Movie Clip and audio recording ability
-pre-programmed "modes" for shutter/aperature/WB/metering settings
-compact size and retracting zoom lens
-in camera photo settings like B/W, sepia, etc...
  • 5 contrast/sharpening levels (versus 3 with E10)
-5 saturation levels
-spot AF

right about now you're probably saying WOW the C5050 is a much
better camera than the E-10 on paper. So why does the E-10 cost
twice as much at retail?

The biggest thing is the camera construction itself. It's an SLR of
sorts (Beam-splitting prism, not a mirror). It has a larger body
which dissapates heat from mechanical friction better and creates
sharper images. One quick holding comparison of the two will show
you what I mean. You can't put the E-10 I guarantee it =) The lens
on the E-10 is simply OUTSTANDING. A huge piece of ED coated glass
that is a 4x (versus 5050 3x) equivalent zoom. It allows you to
focus and zoom manually with the lens ring, a function any SLR user
would miss with any prosumer digitals. If you shoot a lot out of
the P mode in different settings and environments, quick access to
white balance, exposure compensation, macro mode, etc...can be had
at the touch of external buttons that are well placed. Aperature
and shutter can be adjusted with jog dials. The E-10 has a host of
accessories (expensive, mind you) that improve the cameras
flexibility with lenses, external flashes, and power options. The
E-10 was built with a professional in mind, whereas the C5050 was
probably built with an enthusiast or gearhead in mind. I owned the
3030, and I never touched any of the manual functions and
eventually sold it for the E-10. Why? Because it was too much of a
hassle to hunt through all the menus or change aperature or focal
length with buttons and electronics.

Like I said at the beginning, it all comes down to the needs of the
photographer. If your wife needs a camera she can just point and
shoot something, and once in a while needs the manual functions to
take a create shot, the 5050 is a great buy. But if she's going to
need a lot of control of the image all the time, the E-10 is the
way to go. The price of the E-10 is dropping rapidly, so now is a
great time to buy! Good luck, and email me if you have any
questions.

Regards, Nate
I agree that was one of the answers to a thread Ive read for a long time.

I own both cameras the e-10 and 5050 I find the biggest problem with the 5050 is the shutter lag time , its slow . Makes a huge difference when trying to take a photo of a moving kid etc.

My favourite is still the e10.

e10 14b wcon mcon 5050 b28 t14 p400
 
Guvner, glad my comparison was of good use to you =) I myself have a Canon G1 that takes a beating everywhere I go without my E10. As for the Tcon, lucky you! I'm one of those "starving college students" and won't be able to afford one for quite some time =) -Nate
 
I think you should be aware that a) the sensor in the E-20 has slightly less noise than the E-10 (independent tests substantiate this e.g. at Belgium Digital) and b) the dark-frame noise reduction only kicks in at 1/2 second and longer exposures - a technique not uncommonly used for long exposures when many sensors can exhibit hot pixels.

I would suggest that you to take what this rep says with a grain of salt next time, especially before repeating it, as IMHO it sounds like pure BS.
What the 5050 has that the E-10 doesn't have:
-one more megapixel (E-20)
-Noise Reduction (E-20 has it)
I spoke at length with an Olympus rep at a good local camera shop.
He told me that the NR feature on the E-20 and 5050 was added
because the 5 mp chip was noisier than the 4 mp chip on the E-10.
Not exactly germane to this discussion, but your comment triggered
this memory, and I thought it might be of interest/a discussion
point for this group.

Paul
 
I own both cameras the e-10 and 5050 I find the biggest problem
with the 5050 is the shutter lag time , its slow . Makes a huge
difference when trying to take a photo of a moving kid etc.
Is there a nice P&S camera that doesn't have the shutter lag? My wife has an older Oly C3030 and the only thing we don't like about it is the shutter lag.

And yes, the E10 is too big for her to lug around for snapshots.

--
Dan Basica
http://www.pbase.com/dbasica
 
Not sure I will hang on to the TCON 300 yet but I will for sure play with it for some time... Gary
Guvner, glad my comparison was of good use to you =) I myself have
a Canon G1 that takes a beating everywhere I go without my E10. As
for the Tcon, lucky you! I'm one of those "starving college
students" and won't be able to afford one for quite some time =)
-Nate
 
Hi, I don't know how far out of the Oly camp you want to venture, but the Canon G1/G2/G3 have shutter lag that is pretty null, I'm sure this increases with model. I have the G1, and after the focus/exposure is locked with half-press, the shutter lag is very minimal. A full press to shot takes a fraction of a second more, but the shots are in focus, which I have found, the E-10 takes a lot of practice to get good focus on a full press. Good luck! -Nate
 
What the 5050 has that the E-10 doesn't have:
"-one more megapixel (E-20)"
Yawn. No big deal.
-"Noise Reduction (E-20 has it)"
Can also be accomplished with Photoshop actions. Again, yawn.
-"panorama function with XD cards"
Can be accomplished through software, and with more control. Yawn.
-"Movie Clip and audio recording ability"
Total gimmicks on any still camera. That's what I have DV cams for. Yawn.
-"pre-programmed "modes" for shutter/aperature/WB/metering settings"
Oooohh. Gotta have those. Yawneroonies.
"-compact size and retracting zoom lens"
Don't know what'd I'd do without a retracting lens gizmo either.
"-in camera photo settings like B/W, sepia, etc..."
MUCH better accomnplished in Photoshop or other editing software. Yawn.
  • "5 contrast/sharpening levels"
Read above. Ditto, and ditto yawn.
"-5 saturation levels"
Wow. A perfect camera for someone who has no clue what post process is and has no interest in getting into it I guess. Yawn.
--
(DC's)/ Oly E20, Kodak DC4800's, (DV)/ Canon GL1, ZR25,(35mm)/ Minolta HTsi+
PBase supporter
 
Since the E20 sensor is EXACTLY the same physical size as the E10's, and furthermore it is more dense, with an approximate 1 million added "pixels", it is theoretically more plausible that the E20 is definitely more prone to noise and worse low-light sensitivity.
This is mere common sense in terms of sensor physics.

I would also take what is claimed on Belgium Digital with a grain of salt too and compare the output from both cams yourself if possible.
I would suggest that you to take what this rep says with a grain of
salt next time, especially before repeating it, as IMHO it sounds
like pure BS.
What the 5050 has that the E-10 doesn't have:
-one more megapixel (E-20)
-Noise Reduction (E-20 has it)
I spoke at length with an Olympus rep at a good local camera shop.
He told me that the NR feature on the E-20 and 5050 was added
because the 5 mp chip was noisier than the 4 mp chip on the E-10.
Not exactly germane to this discussion, but your comment triggered
this memory, and I thought it might be of interest/a discussion
point for this group.

Paul
--
(DC's)/ Oly E20, Kodak DC4800's, (DV)/ Canon GL1, ZR25,(35mm)/ Minolta HTsi+
PBase supporter
 
David, what's important or not important to you probably is not of interest to the originator of this post, nor are your "yawns" of any positively use to anyone looking for information. I'm not flaming you on your post, but I do find it a little indirectly rude to myself who did take the time to go through and point out the features of the 5050 to someone who was genuinely interested. I doubt that my post would have been considered useful had I said:

"C-5050: a big bunch of yawns"

It's true all the things you said, all the gimmicky things about the 5050 can be accomplished in Photoshop or with a DV cam. For those who aren't purists, the gimmicky ability to take movie clips can be useful (I even use the camera on my cell phone all the time, despite its shortcomings and gimmickyness). Not everyone has the time or money to purchase and learn to use Photoshop, and not everyone can afford a DV cam just for movie clips and sound. The originator of the post was looking for an economical decision between the two cameras. Heck, if he wanted to blow that much money away he'd be in the Canon and Nikon forums saying "Kodak 14n or Canon 1ds".

True, this is the Olympus SLR forum, we elitists push and defend the E-10 at all costs, if any P&S camera is compared to the E-series we automatically raise our flags and get offended (heck I hate it when people say "Sony F717, Dimage 7i, E-10?"). But these are valid questions that we as E-10 owners have a responsibility to answer objectively to anyone who is considering this great camera.

Anyway, I hate to be making a mountain out of a molehill, and I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but the point of this forum is to engage in constructive and positive criticism and conversation. Let's keep it that way.

Regards, Nate L.
 
Just a little FYI:

I'm 95% sure I will get rid of my E when my 10D arrives. That said, I am 95% sure I will get a C-5050 to replace it.

-GageFX
David, what's important or not important to you probably is not of
interest to the originator of this post, nor are your "yawns" of
any positively use to anyone looking for information. I'm not
flaming you on your post, but I do find it a little indirectly rude
to myself who did take the time to go through and point out the
features of the 5050 to someone who was genuinely interested. I
doubt that my post would have been considered useful had I said:

"C-5050: a big bunch of yawns"

It's true all the things you said, all the gimmicky things about
the 5050 can be accomplished in Photoshop or with a DV cam. For
those who aren't purists, the gimmicky ability to take movie clips
can be useful (I even use the camera on my cell phone all the time,
despite its shortcomings and gimmickyness). Not everyone has the
time or money to purchase and learn to use Photoshop, and not
everyone can afford a DV cam just for movie clips and sound. The
originator of the post was looking for an economical decision
between the two cameras. Heck, if he wanted to blow that much money
away he'd be in the Canon and Nikon forums saying "Kodak 14n or
Canon 1ds".

True, this is the Olympus SLR forum, we elitists push and defend
the E-10 at all costs, if any P&S camera is compared to the
E-series we automatically raise our flags and get offended (heck I
hate it when people say "Sony F717, Dimage 7i, E-10?"). But these
are valid questions that we as E-10 owners have a responsibility to
answer objectively to anyone who is considering this great camera.

Anyway, I hate to be making a mountain out of a molehill, and I
know everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but the point of
this forum is to engage in constructive and positive criticism and
conversation. Let's keep it that way.

Regards, Nate L.
 
Since I'm new to the E-10 (December 24th) and now the C5050 (this week) is around here I found Nate's help quite enlightening.

Your post was at best a poor idea by an apparent practice person who has little to add to a conversation except to point out that he feels he's better than that person and is plenty insecure enough about his position in life that he feels the need to post about his self proclaimed superiority.

There's a lot of things I'm sure I'll notice you don't have a clue about and maybe I'll just point out your shortcomings (which I'm sure are numerous) anytime I notice them. I sure hope I can help you out in this. Thanks for all the time you devoted to helping us out here...

I only wish I'd have noticed your post before Nate did as he didn't need to get involved as he was just a very helpful guy... unlike you...

Your new bud for life... Gary
--
(DC's)/ Oly E20, Kodak DC4800's, (DV)/ Canon GL1, ZR25,(35mm)/
Minolta HTsi+
PBase supporter
 
I did'nt mean to offend with that post Nate. My "yawns" were just my way of saying what I thought of the "gimmicky" options that are available on the 5050 over the E10. It was not meant to deride your post or effort at listing the differences in any way. I will admit it lacked an appropriate amount of tact and finesse and for that I will say I will try harder not to get anybody's panties up in a crinkle with my sometimes-abrasive input.
David, what's important or not important to you probably is not of
interest to the originator of this post, nor are your "yawns" of
any positively use to anyone looking for information. I'm not
flaming you on your post, but I do find it a little indirectly rude
to myself who did take the time to go through and point out the
features of the 5050 to someone who was genuinely interested. I
doubt that my post would have been considered useful had I said:

"C-5050: a big bunch of yawns"

It's true all the things you said, all the gimmicky things about
the 5050 can be accomplished in Photoshop or with a DV cam. For
those who aren't purists, the gimmicky ability to take movie clips
can be useful (I even use the camera on my cell phone all the time,
despite its shortcomings and gimmickyness). Not everyone has the
time or money to purchase and learn to use Photoshop, and not
everyone can afford a DV cam just for movie clips and sound. The
originator of the post was looking for an economical decision
between the two cameras. Heck, if he wanted to blow that much money
away he'd be in the Canon and Nikon forums saying "Kodak 14n or
Canon 1ds".

True, this is the Olympus SLR forum, we elitists push and defend
the E-10 at all costs, if any P&S camera is compared to the
E-series we automatically raise our flags and get offended (heck I
hate it when people say "Sony F717, Dimage 7i, E-10?"). But these
are valid questions that we as E-10 owners have a responsibility to
answer objectively to anyone who is considering this great camera.

Anyway, I hate to be making a mountain out of a molehill, and I
know everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but the point of
this forum is to engage in constructive and positive criticism and
conversation. Let's keep it that way.

Regards, Nate L.
--
(DC's)/ Oly E20, Kodak DC4800's, (DV)/ Canon GL1, ZR25,(35mm)/ Minolta HTsi+
PBase supporter
 
Gey Guvner.....I never intended to deride Nate's post. That was not my intention. I was merely pointing out what in my opinion were gimmicks and less than serious features of the 5050 as compared to the E10. Is that not what the whole thread was about anyway?

That said, you want to get in a peeing match with me bud, we can go at it anytime. Just be prepared to have your thinking cap on and a box of nose wipes handy cuz I won't be nearly quite as nice as my last post either.
Get over yourself.
Your post was at best a poor idea by an apparent practice person
who has little to add to a conversation except to point out that he
feels he's better than that person and is plenty insecure enough
about his position in life that he feels the need to post about his
self proclaimed superiority.

There's a lot of things I'm sure I'll notice you don't have a clue
about and maybe I'll just point out your shortcomings (which I'm
sure are numerous) anytime I notice them. I sure hope I can help
you out in this. Thanks for all the time you devoted to helping us
out here...

I only wish I'd have noticed your post before Nate did as he didn't
need to get involved as he was just a very helpful guy... unlike
you...

Your new bud for life... Gary
--
(DC's)/ Oly E20, Kodak DC4800's, (DV)/ Canon GL1, ZR25,(35mm)/
Minolta HTsi+
PBase supporter
--
(DC's)/ Oly E20, Kodak DC4800's, (DV)/ Canon GL1, ZR25,(35mm)/ Minolta HTsi+
PBase supporter
 
Why is everybody so touchy feely in this forum?

I'm a member in a DV forum and I respond like that all the time. So do others. It's NEVER seen as deriding somebody's efforts or input. It's all considered to be in good natured banter, opinion and commentary. I fail to see where I said anything at all putting down Nate or his effort personally. I was simply expressing my views on the features he listed. In a comical, perhaps a tad bit obnoxious way.....but it was really meant in jest. Not as a personal attack whatsoever.

I don't get it. I guess I just have to walk on pins and needles in this forum to avoid getting anyone's undies in a wrinkle. I'll try to be nicey-nicey now and follow the late Mr. Rogers's example of friendly neighborhood interaction. Now excuse me while I go play with my choo-choo train.
 
"Get over yourself."

You're kidding right? I think I'll laugh myself to sleep now... Better get the wipes out as my eyes are watering... Guvner..
Your post was at best a poor idea by an apparent practice person
who has little to add to a conversation except to point out that he
feels he's better than that person and is plenty insecure enough
about his position in life that he feels the need to post about his
self proclaimed superiority.

There's a lot of things I'm sure I'll notice you don't have a clue
about and maybe I'll just point out your shortcomings (which I'm
sure are numerous) anytime I notice them. I sure hope I can help
you out in this. Thanks for all the time you devoted to helping us
out here...

I only wish I'd have noticed your post before Nate did as he didn't
need to get involved as he was just a very helpful guy... unlike
you...

Your new bud for life... Gary
--
(DC's)/ Oly E20, Kodak DC4800's, (DV)/ Canon GL1, ZR25,(35mm)/
Minolta HTsi+
PBase supporter
--
(DC's)/ Oly E20, Kodak DC4800's, (DV)/ Canon GL1, ZR25,(35mm)/
Minolta HTsi+
PBase supporter
 

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