Compared to... (features & specifications)
Features and specifications wise the E-300 is pretty much ahead of the Canon EOS 300D (Digital Rebel), and comes fairly close to the Nikon D70 except for performance measurements (power on time, continuous shooting capability). We would expect this of a camera released a year after the 300D. Of course the E-300 has another ace up its sleeve, and that's its eight megapixel sensor, if megapixels sell then in this instance the E-300 has an obvious advantage. It's worth noting that we fully expect the EOS 300D (Digital Rebel) to be replaced this year.
![]() Olympus E-300 |
![]() Canon EOS 300D |
![]() Nikon D70 |
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Price body only | (not yet available) | $899 | $999 |
Price kit | $999 | $999 | $1,299 |
Announced | 27 Sep 04 | 20 Aug 03 | 28 Jan 04 |
Review | You are here | Click here | Click here |
Kit lens | 14 - 45 mm F3.5 - F4.5 (28 - 90 mm equiv.) |
18 - 55 mm F3.5 - F5.6 (28.8 - 88 mm equiv.) |
18 - 70 mm F3.5 - F4.5G (27 - 105 mm equiv.) |
Body | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic |
Sensor | 8 megapixel CCD | 6 megapixel CMOS | 6 megapixel CCD |
Lens mount | Four Thirds | Canon EF / EF-S | Nikon F |
FOV crop | 2.0x (Four Thirds) | 1.6x | 1.5x (Nikon DX) |
Modes | P, A, S, M, Scene, 5 preset scene | Auto, P, A, S, M, A-DEP, 6 preset scene | Auto, P, S, A, M, 6 preset scene |
Image formats | JPEG, RAW,TIFF | JPEG, RAW | JPEG, RAW |
RAW+JPEG | One RAW, One JPEG | JPEG embedded in RAW | One RAW, One JPEG |
Image params | Gradation (3 settings) Saturation (5 settings) Contrast (5 settings) Sharpness (5 settings) |
Contrast (5 settings) Sharpness (5 settings) Saturation (5 settings) Color tone (5 settings) 3 preset parameter sets |
Auto Sharpness (6 settings) Tone (6 settings) Saturation (3 settings) Hue (7 settings) 7 preset parameter sets |
Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB | sRGB, Adobe RGB | sRGB (2), Adobe RGB |
ISO | 100 - 400 (1 EV steps) 800, 1600 via boost |
100 - 1600 (1 EV steps) | 200 - 1600 (1/3 EV steps) |
EV steps | 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV | 1/3 EV | 1/3 or 1/2 EV |
Exp. compen. | +/- 5.0 EV | +/- 2.0 EV | +/- 5.0 EV |
Flash exp compen. | -2.0 to +2.0 EV | No | -3.0 to +1.0 EV |
Metering | ESP, CW Avg, Spot | 35 zone | 3D matrix, CW Avg, Spot |
Shutter | 30 - 1/4000 sec | 30 - 1/4000 sec | 30 - 1/8000 sec |
Flash X-sync | 1/180 sec | 1/200 sec | External up to 1/500 sec |
AF mode | Single, Continuous | Not manually selectable | Single, Continuous |
AF area mode | Auto, Single | Single, Dynamic | Single, Dynamic, Closest |
AF assist | Flash strobe, must be up | Flash strobe, must be up | White lamp |
AF system | 3-point TTL Phase Differential |
7-point TTL CMOS sensor |
5-point Multi-CAM900 |
Continuous | JPEG: 2.5 fps, 4 images RAW: 2.5 fps, 4 images |
JPEG: 2.5 fps, 4 images RAW: 2.5 fps, 4 images |
JPEG: 3 fps, 12 images *1 RAW: 3 fps, 4 images |
Self-timer | 2 or 12 sec | 10 sec | 2 - 20 sec |
WB | Auto, 8 preset, Kelvin, manual Can be fine tuned |
Auto, 6 preset, manual | Auto, 6 preset, manual Can be fine tuned |
Bracketing | AE, White Balance | AE, White Balance | AE, White Balance |
Slow sync flash | 1st or 2nd Curtain | 1st Curtain | 1st or 2nd Curtain |
Viewfinder | Optical porro (mirror) Eyepoint: 20 mm (-3.0 to +1.0 m-1 dioptre) |
Pentamirror Eyepoint: 20 mm (-3.0 to +1.0 m-1 diopter) |
Pentaprism Eyepoint: 18 mm (-1.6 to +0.5 m-1 dioptre) |
LCD | 1.8", 134,000 pixels | 1.8", 118,000 pixels | 1.8", 130,000 pixels |
Orientation sensor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Custom functions | n/a, 2 setup menus | None | 9 or 25 settings |
Storage | CF, FAT16/FAT32 | CF, FAT16/FAT32 | CF, FAT16/FAT32 |
Power | Lithium-Ion BLM-1 | Lithium-Ion BP-511 | Lithium-Ion EN-EL3 CR2 carrier |
Connectivity | USB 1.1 | USB 1.1 | USB 2.0 (only 1.1 speed) |
Text comment | No | No | Yes, embedded in EXIF |
PictBridge | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Dimensions | 147 x 85 x 64 mm | 142 x 99 x 72 mm | 140 x 111 x 78 mm |
Weight (no batt) | 580 g | 560 g | 595 g |
Remote release | Infrared (optional) (Wired with vert. hand grip) |
Wired (optional) Infrared (optional) |
Infrared (optional) |
Vertical grip | Yes, optional | Yes, optional | No |
Status LCD | No (uses LCD monitor) | Rear of camera, backlit | Top of camera, backlit |
Command dials | One rear | One top | One rear, One front |
Power on | 2 seconds | 3 seconds | Virtually instant |
Shutter release | Fast | Fast | Very fast |
*1 The D70 buffers the final image rather than the 'RAW data' and at lower image sizes / qualities can shoot hundreds in a single burst.
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