Firmware updates to E-300

[phr62]

Wonder how many of the 'improvements' in the E-500 can be 'firmwared' into the E-300. Obviously, some things won't be, like the improved metering, but I'm wondering about the ISO noise filter and the smaller ISO steps between 400 and 1600. If it is possible to bring these improvements to the E-300 through firmware, maybe it will be necessary for the users of the E-300 on the ground (me included - just bought the pro kit last weekend and I'm not sorry about it either) to agitate.

 

[dslrenvy]

I think most could be done through firmware. I'd really like to see user selectable ISO in 1/3 steps.

All the other things, color histogram, display modes, color filters (gimmick) I'm sure could be added as well. And according to an interview with the head of Oly, AF speed can be improved this way as well.

As for the user selectable NR, I have that already, mine's called Noiseware

Seeing the E-500 specs and photos, I'm glad I got my E-300, saved some money, got to use it already. It's a great camera.

 

[Delbert]

...to upgrade my E-300 to an E-500. Even if it could be done totally with firmware, which according to an interview with Oly’s big man, includes a few hardware changes, i.e. new inferred filter. This wouldn’t be much of a motivator to get current E-300 owners to pony up for a new camera, and trust me while they will be going after the Nikon D50, Rebel XT, Minolta 5D, and Pentax *istDS market, there will be a huge number of E-300 owners that will buy the newest, latest model. Offering a free upgrade to existing owners wouldn’t be a great marketing tool to sell additional units.

I got a great deal ($615) on the 2 lens kit from Dell. I knew precisely what I was buying.

I bought it for an additional 8mp SLR to back up my Canon 20D. I knew it wasn’t going to handle as fast as the 20D, I knew the high ISO noise was going to be terrible compared to the 20D, but I knew that if the 20D failed me at a shoot the E-300 could get the job done.

What I have found has been a very pleasant surprise. The E-300 has completely exceeded all of my expectations. It is a highly capable camera that has an excellent build quality, the two kit lenses put any other kit lens I’ve seen to shame, except maybe the 18-70 Nikon. Best of all, expecting the worst in jpg quality, I have settled into a setting that I am happy with the images, especially for personal use. I haven’t done anything for pay with it, but for fun it is the only camera I’ve shot with for the last couple of weeks (grandson, parade, a few church pictures) and I am more comfortable with my choice now than when I ordered it. At this point, I consider the $615 I paid for this to be by far the best bargain I’ve gotten since going digital (1999).
So I guess you’re not going to be able to include me on your agitated list.

--
http://www.pbase.com/delbert
Delbert...just hangin around

 

[BigB]

With the release of the E-500 if there might be some "hacks" coming out for our lowly E-300s.
--

 

[shutter2533]

I think most could be done through firmware. I'd really like to see user selectable ISO in 1/3 steps.

Just use exposure compensation in 1/3 steps.

As for the user selectable NR, I have that already, mine's called Noiseware

I have that too, except it's called Neat Image.

Seeing the E-500 specs and photos, I'm glad I got my E-300, saved some money, got to use it already. It's a great camera.

Agreed!

BTW, do you know what is ANTI-SHOCK? Not documented in the user's manual. Shooting [2] menu, last item after NOISE REDUCTION.

HT

 

[Suzy Q15]

exerpt from article on firmware 1.2 update

 

[shinndigg]

So, Delbert, not ALL Canon folks are dolts. Nice to hear compliments from a 20D owner.
--
shinndigg
http://www/pbase.com/shinndigg

 

[dslrenvy]

I think most could be done through firmware. I'd really like to see user selectable ISO in 1/3 steps.

Just use exposure compensation in 1/3 steps.

Does that work the same?

I thought it just kind of blows the highlights. Why I think the ISO steps would be better is from what I saw using the sports program on a cloudy/sunny day. The camera would change ISO from 100 to 400 (I guess the limit for the sports program) to maintain shutter speed of 1/320 or better ( on this day), my zoom which of course affected max aperature.

Just wondering about that. I think I will have to give it a try and see what happens.

 

[Bao Ha]

RGB histograms are the only things I would like to get for
the E-300.

Wonder how many of the 'improvements' in the E-500 can be
'firmwared' into the E-300. Obviously, some things won't be, like
the improved metering, but I'm wondering about the ISO noise filter
and the smaller ISO steps between 400 and 1600. If it is possible
to bring these improvements to the E-300 through firmware, maybe it
will be necessary for the users of the E-300 on the ground (me
included - just bought the pro kit last weekend and I'm not sorry
about it either) to agitate.

 

[brewster007]

I am new to the E-300 can someone tell me how I check my firmware version. I knew how to check it in my previous cameras.

Thanks

 

[Theresa K]

If you've taken a shot, it's in the exif info. If you haven't, go to menu> wrench symbol 2> firmware> it will give you the firmware on the camera as well as the attachments.

If you haven't updated it, it is the old firmware. My camera is only a few weeks old and it had the old firmware.
--
Theresa Kelly
http://theresak.smugmug.com/
Oly E-3OO

 

[Suzy Q15]

symbolized by a wrench with a 2 beside it. Press menu button, manipulate down to the correct symbol, press right directional button, press up directional button as "firmware" is the last item on the menu. Then press right directional button to see firmware of body and lens if attached.

 

[brewster007]

Thanks. I took your advice and just updated the firmware.

Bruce

 

[brewster007]

Thanks Suzy. I just updated the firmware.

 

[BorisK1]

With the release of the E-500 if there might be some "hacks" coming
out for our lowly E-300s.
--

Not likely. The ones done for Canon 300D were very simple, a single-byte edits that enabled menus already present in the firmware. It was possible only because Canon used the same firmware for 300D and 10D. Olympus uses totally different firmware for E300 and E1, and doesn't "disable" features.

Most likely the E500 firmware will be different enough from E300 that no hacker will be able to port it over. Also, judging by Olympus history, E300 might get some more firmware updates when E500 comes out - same thing happened to E1 after release of E300. I'm hoping for things like RGB histograms and maybe other user interface improvements.

What I don't expect to see are things that are tied into the hardware, like finer ISO gradations.

Boris