Best Evolt Non-Pro Camera?

Excluding the E-1,E-3, & E-5, which Olympus DSLR Evolt is considered to be the best? Would it be the E-30, the E-620, or E-520? Or the 420 etc.? There are so many of the non-pro bodies I can't figure them out.

I'm thinking about getting one of the lower priced bodies to keep in my car so I will always have a camera at the ready. I'd like it to use the same battery as my E-1/E-3 - BLM-1 but I can live with a different battery.

Thanks!

The E-330 was really revolutionary.

First SLR (of all brands) with a viable LV implementation! (It took a long time to best it.)

Pretty awesome sensor!

Form factor that was original.

I've always enjoyed using mine.

I'd say the E-30 is definitely the best of the "non-pro" models, however, if you're only keeping it in your car as a just-in-case camera, then an E-620 would probably serve you just fine, as would an E-510 or an E-520. Personally, I wouldn't opt for one of the E-4XX models simply due to the lack of image stabilization.

I agree that the E30 is the best non pro DSLR.

I haven't used the E5 but the E30 is the best Oly dSLR I've used.

If you're looking for one that uses the same battery just to keep in the car then I would be more inclined to get an E5xx series camera though.

I keep an old E400 in my car in case I see that magical shot on the way to work.

As half the time I'm in a traffic jam though....

Based on experience, I would say the E-620, though the only other non E-x bodies I have used and owned are the E-500 and E-420. I have an E-30 coming and am looking forward to that one.

Feature wise, I would think the E620 or the E30 would be top, as you get IS, a swivel screen, etc.

One person has commented that he is not a fan of the E620 output, claiming it to be muddy in comparison to some of the older models. Of course, having not owned any other Olympus E system cameras other than the 620 and 600 I can't really comment on that.

because opinions always vary.

The E-30 uses the same battery as E-1, E-500, E-510, and E-520. I have been using the E-30 since 2010, never feeling the need to spend double just to get the E-5. My vote is E-30.
slowbutsteady

...no two folks will agree on this. It's all how we shoot, what we shoot, and how we view the ergonomics of the instrument. So one person's "best" may be another's so-so.

For me - given the list you mentioned - it would have to be the E-330. The E-30 is a close second.

E500 by far. Basically consumer e1 with higher megapixels.

Then The E-510.

The "Best" Camera is the one you have with you. You will (and have) get many fine anecdotes on what is best but in the end it's the camera you have that makes the difference.

I won't say the two cameras I have are the best to have as I have never used any others but I will sell you what makes my two non - pro's the best for me.

E500 - light, versatile, great sensor, great colours, no IS but a steady hand doesn't need it. The kit lenses are "ok" but I find my E620 kits work very nicely on this camera and give me keepers. As a spare camera that goes with me everywhere I am happy about it. Battery life is surprisingly long for one battery, but I always have a spare (cheap enough after markets out there). There is only one real issue I have with this camera and it's in the ergonomics. The Auto WB button is right where my thumb sits in the grip and sometimes I hit it accidentally and without realising the WB changes.

The E620 is a wonderful camera. The build is great, the ergonomics are great and the colours have surprised me. I almost solely use the 70-300 on it and it handles it very well. It has IS (three selections) but I accidentally shot IS Off the other day (after a tripod session) and the images were just as great as with it on. I use the battery grip with two batteries and battery life is great, plus it adds a little bulk to the camera and makes it very nice to handle. The viewfinder is better than the E500. The swivel screen is a selling point but to be honest I just keep it as a normal camera. I work on the principal if it doesn't need to be moved don't move it, saves wear and tear.

Yup that's it. Which do I use the most? Of course the E620 shoots on average 30% more images than the E500 on a shoot (I take both out with me) but probably more down to the fact that the E620 has more fps capability than it's predecessor.

Thane

I've had my E-5 for 9 months now and it's my main camera. In many ways though, I still prefer the E-30. The control layout still seems more natural and it has a different color response that just seems easier to work with in Lightroom. I thought I'd sell the E-30 after getting the E-5, but the longer I hold o to it, the less likely that is. I've no plans to upgrade to the EM-1, but if I upgrade to its successor I think I'd sell the E-5 before the E-30. That's a long way off though.

Mario

For me the E-30 is definitely the best “non-pro” body. But the E-510 would also make an excellent choice to leave in your car. It’s sharp, uses the BLM-1, and you can find a good one for a little over $100. I’ve had lots of keepers with the E-510. In fact, a waterfall shot I did with my E-510 was used last month in an Olympus ad.

http://view.email.olympusamerica.co...s&utm_source=email_etprm&utm_medium=email&r=0

Thanks all for your replies! I tabulated the responses thus far and here's the distribution:

Camera 1st Choice as 2nd choice
30 IIIIII II

330 II

400 I

5xx I

500 I I

510 III

520 I

620 III I

In this arbitrary, non-scientific poll, I awarded 2 points for a 1st choice and 1 point for a 2nd choice mention.

Point wise, here are the results:

30 14

330 4

400 1

5xx 1

500 3

510 3

520 1

620 7

Clearly the top favorites were the E-30 and the E-620 with the 510 as a strong 2nd choice.

Those are the bodies I will pursue. What is really helpful are those cameras that were not mentioned at all and I will avoid them.

Thanks again!

Aoresteen said:

Excluding the E-1,E-3, & E-5, which Olympus DSLR Evolt is considered to be the best? Would it be the E-30, the E-620, or E-520? Or the 420 etc.? There are so many of the non-pro bodies I can't figure them out.

I'm thinking about getting one of the lower priced bodies to keep in my car so I will always have a camera at the ready. I'd like it to use the same battery as my E-1/E-3 - BLM-1 but I can live with a different battery.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

I can understand not wanting to go all the way back to the E-1 ... or not wanting to pay the still-high pricing for the E-5 ... but the E-3 has several advantages over the E-30, E-510 and E-620, one of which is weather-sealing, a very important consideration if you intend to shoot in dusty areas or generally inclement weather or if you simply get caught in bad weather or drop your camera in a running stream or the kitchen sink.

Other advantages: significantly better viewfinder, better handling by far than the E-620, very quick operation, less of a "digital look" than the E-30 or E-620, possibly better noise control than the E-620 and certainly lower noise at ISO 800 than the E-510 (which I think is an ISO 400 camera at best), and ... overall ... a superior build.

Don't get wrong. I think the E-510 is a great low-ISO camera. I own one. I also own an E-1 and an E-5. I owned the E-620 briefly and found its images way too soft for my taste. Most reviewers ... including dpreview ... have cited the E-620's aggressive AA filter. I also owned the E-30 for a time. The E-30, while offering great handling and the best OVF of the non-pro Exxx cameras, smacked of that odd "digital look" that seems to permeate so many DSLRs. The E-5 has it, too, but I think it's better controlled with the E-5.

E-3s aren't as cheap as the E-510, but I've seen them go for about the same price as the E-620 ($350 to $400, some with lens) and even less than the E-30 ($550-$600 w/o lens). I have my own eye on an immaculate E-3 that I've seen for $250.00.

Anyway, it's a camera worth considering, especially if this is intended to be a purchase that you want to use and last for many years. As one E-3 owner once wrote, "It's as much camera as anybody really needs."

Good question. I have the E-3, E-1 and an E-5 is on the way. I wouldn't leave an E-3 in my car as I view it as too valuable. But an E-510 I would not worry about.

I would consider leaving my E-1 in my car but an E-30, E-510, etc would not cause me any great anxiety.

I have two kit lenses that are now extra: the 14-45 and the 40-150. My thought is to put them and a non-pro body in a bag and leave it in the car with a spare battery, always ready to go.

The 14-45 & 40-150 lenses are extra as I invested in the 12-60 SWD and the 50-200 SWD lenses. Won't leave them in a car!

Also, an E-510 can be had for $150 or less in great shape. Hard to do that with an E-3.

I think the E-500 is an awesome camera-my first digital camera

I have a E-30 and find it ok at best-

however for a small file size of the E-500 Kodak sensor its great! I have lots of 19x13 " prints that are so cool esp with the 70-300mm lens

I could sell the E-30 easier than the E-500-

What would I buy next_- if I could an OM 2s and as many OLY lenses I could find.

larry