Amazon.com's Price: $799.99 as of 11/23/2009 00:24 EST
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.
Binding: Electronics
Brand: Olympus
EAN: 0050332167360
Included Software: Yes
Item Dimensions: 370511100236
Label: Olympus
Manufacturer: Olympus
Maximum Resolution: 12300000 Pixels
Model: E-620 Dual Lens
Monitor Size: 270 hundredths-inches
MPN: E-620 Dual Lens
Optical Zoom: 4 x
Publisher: Olympus
Studio: Olympus
Features:- 12.3-megapixel Live MOS sensor for photo-quality, poster-size prints
- Lightweight ergonomic design; kit includes 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko lens and 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 ED Zuiko lens
- TruePic III for superior image quality in all lighting situations; Supersonic Wave Drive (in-body sensor shift)
- 2.7-inch HyperCrystal III Swivel LCD; Smooth Live View allows you to change the frame rate of the Live View display
- Stores images to Compact Flash (Type I and II), Microdrive, xD Picture card (not included)
Accessories:
Related Items:
Browse for similar items by category: Click to Display
Editorial Review:
Product Description:
12.3-megapixel effective recording * Four Thirds-size Live MOS image sensor (17.3 x 13.0 mm) * Supplied lenses: * 14-42mm Zuiko Digital f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens (35mm equivalent focal length: 28-84mm) * 40-150mm Zuiko Digital f/4-5.6 zoom lens (35mm equivalent focal length: 80-300mm) * built-in sensor-shift (optical) image stabilization to compensate for camera shake * 2-11/16" tilt-and-swivel LCD screen with Live View for composing shots in real-time and previewing the effects of exposure control settings * Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system for cleaning image sensor * continuous shooting mode: 4 frames per second (up to 5 RAW frames, unlimited frames in JPEG Large/Normal mode) * six preset art filters for creative effects, including Pop Art, Pin Hole, and Grainy Film *
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
First read this: I am not one of the professional photographers who've reviewed this camera here at Amazon. Rather, I'm an amateur travel photo enthusiast who enjoys recording my trips. With that said, during a recent trip to Europe, I shot excellent day, night, dusk, and indoor flash-less shots with this camera--all of which turned out marvelous. I really need some photography education, but even without any, I figured out how to shoot some proud photos with this easy-to-use camera.
The camera design is excellent, the construction is sturdy, and the 2 lenses fill all my needs. Any criticisms I might include would be a slightly unresponsive Menu button (sometimes after being depressed, the screen only lights for a moment, requiring a 2nd push. A 2 GB memory card held about 600 photos taken at full file size (no complaints, I'd never exceed that on a trip). Battery life was not a problem. After about 300 shots, it required re-charging, but only because I took so many trial photos with the flash. The art filters are fun, too. Don't even bother with the software, that always sucks, and you don't need it anyways to upload the photos to your computer. I have no regrets with buying this camera. Should it go south on me, I'll revise this review. Good luck!
Rating:  -
Olympus E-620 is positioned between Olympus beginner and advanced DSLR camera. Currently, Olympus has E-420/450 and E-520 in the lower level class, and E-30 and E-3 in the higher end class. Compared to other popular DSLR cameras, Olympus employs smaller image sensor called 4/3 live MOS sensor. 4/3 means that the native image has 4 : 3 ratio instead of 3 : 2 ratio. This could be plus and minus. The plus is 4 : 3 ratio is widely used in TV screen size and monitors. It is also squarer. In my opinion, it is better for portrait. However, you can adjust the ratio to 3:2, 16:9 or other as you like at the expense of maximum image resolution.
The negative side of this type of sensor is the noise in high ISO. There is appearance of noise in lower ISO level such as ISO 640 or 400 as well. Fortunately, I found the noise is rendered very fine and more pleasing to look at than noise generated from other DSLR or compact cameras. It has the film like feel to it.
WHAT IS NEW COMPARED TO E-420 and E-520?
Compared to Olympus E-420, the E620 is just a tad bigger, but it is now has Image Stabilization that works with Olympus or third party lenses. Compared to both cameras, E-620 has 7 AF points instead of 3. A slightly bigger viewfinder, improved 2.7 swivel LCD screen, wireless flash commander and six art scenes mode.
BODY & HANDLING
Olympus is not the lightest camera around. It weights 521g, which is almost the same as best seller Canon XSi / 450D, but measured 130 x 94 x 60 mm, 2mm shorter and thinner than Canon XSi. The E-620 noticeably smaller than Olympus E-520.
Despite the size, Olympus E-620 is very solid to hold. Thanks to the weight and ergonomic design. The built quality is also a step up from entry level DSLR cameras. It has a nice rubberized texture in the hand and thumb rest on the back.
It has one thumb dial and four-way buttons which you will use to change various settings and navigate the menu. Each of the four-way buttons for navigation and also for access popular settings such as ISO, WB, metering, and AF mode. This is buttons are similar buttons that you often find in compact camera layout.
In addition, there is Super Control Panel. By the touch of INFO button, it will let you navigate and change various important settings in one screen. This is very smart design. Canon and Nikon interface does not come close.
Buttons are considered small compare to other DSLRs, so if you have a big fingers, you might find a bit uncomfortable to find or access the button. Unique to Olympus E-620, it has backlit buttons, which is automatically light on when you are in dark condition. This small feature is significant if you often shoot in low light condition indoor or outdoor. There is also a dedicated live view button, which will activate live view mode instaneously.
Viewfinder (96% coverage, .95 magnification) is slightly bigger than E-520 but still smaller and narrower than other entry level camera. Looking at the viewfinder is like looking at the tunnel, which is uncomfortable. You will notice significant different if you regularly shoot with higher end cameras such as Olympus E-30 or Nikon D90.
Overall, the body design and ergonomic is very good, better than some beginner DSLR cameras on the market. Despite that, you might have balance issue when you mount Olympus pro grade lenses which is heavier than regular kit lens. Olympus has thought about it and provide battery/vertical grip to counter this problem. The only significant downside is the small viewfinder.
LCD SCREEN & AF PERFORMANCE
Olympus E-620 has swivel LCD screen which is helpful for composition and also for people who are used to compose photos using back LCD screen (compact camera users). The resolution of the screen is standard (230k) but it is clearer and more detailed than other DSLR with 230k resolution.
Auto focus in live mode is slower than most compact camera, but works very well in bright or low light condition. Depending on the light condition, it takes a round one to two seconds for the camera to focus.
Aufo focus performance in viewfinder are much faster. Now it has 7 AF points, 5 of them are cross type sensor. AF continuous works very well, it is very quiet and fast. There is nothing to worry about.
To change AF points, there is dedicated button in the top left of the camera, and then you change it using thumb dial. This approach is similar to Canon DSLR cameras, but different from Nikon approach. Nikon uses four way buttons which I prefer more because it is faster and spot on.
IMAGE QUALITY
Image rendered by this camera is generally very good dan very detailed. Thanks to the above Olympus Zuiko lenses. ISO. Unfortunately, noise in in issue. There is noticeable noise especially in shadow area across ISO (low of high). ... Read More
Rating: -
I am stepping up to DSLR from an advanced P&S (Panasonic LX3), and I know how to operate with manual option. I find the transition from a P&S to a DSLR is less than smooth. I am writing this review to show people who are in similar situation and would like to make the best use of their E-620. The manual is very technical and informational, but hard to understand and badly organized. I couldn't find a E-620 explained website, so here I am. I hope this review is invaluable to you.
First of all, here is what I think of e-620.
Very compact, like a good old 35mm film SLR camera. The built quality is like a tank. Everything is well assembled together and doesn't feel like something will turn loose at any moment. It is NOT weather proof, but it feels that way. The only flimsy part is the battery door. It also has no spring, which feels listless....
Olympus's lens collection is top notch. I read many reviews and saw many sample pictures from users before I made the commitment, I can say I think Olympus is the best bang for the money. I purchased a lens (Zuiko 14-54MM 2.8-3.5 II) along with the body-only option, and shot some baby portraits landscape pictures. From the baby picture, I can see the glistening of his eye brows where sun shined. The detail is simply amazing. Nothing is perfect, so please read my review on the lens for a more complete view of the combination. It's very impressive overall.
Tips:
1. Try to play with your camera first and see what each button does before move on. Take a few pictures to get a feel.
2. Super Control Panel: Press OK on your four-way direction pad will let you access Super Control Panel (SCP). Learn how to use it instead of going through the complicated but feature-(super)rich menu; it'll save you a lot of time. Don't you wish this is a touch screen? :)
3. Customization: Right after setting up your E-620's time clock, you should turn on the customization menu by going to Menu -> Utilities (wrench icon) -> Menu Display (gears) and turn it On. Press OK on your four-way button to go back, and voila, now we are ready to rock.
You can find all of the following in Chapter 8 of your manual, but they're not in layman's terms.
Here are few stuff that you should be aware of in Customization Menu that you cannot access through SCP:
Under AF/MF Menu (Menu A, A for AF):
* AF Illuminat: just a fancy term for flash strobe. Turn it off when you are in the museum.
Under Button/Dial (Menu B, B for Buttons)
* Dial Function and Dial Direction: If want turning clockwise to decrease aperture (or slower shutter speed) instead of the default counter clockwise, or something similar, then you go to this menu to reverse the dial direction, or change the default action of the dial.
* AEL/AFL Memo: Memo is confusing. It should be memory. Basically when you press and hold AEL/AFL button, you can do a spot metering (Auto Exposure Lock) and even after you move your camera away from that spot, the picture's metering stay with it. It's not that easy to hold and press AEL and half-press shutter button to focus at the same time, and that's why there is this option. When turned ON, you press (no need to hold) AEL/AFL to meter and then one more time to cancel.
* Fn Function: This is a biggy and can save you time! Read your manual on pg. 97-98 (of the current English edition) to find out more. I customize my Fn button to do one-button white balance.
* My Mode: If you want your camera to automatically turn on face detection, no flash, spot meter or similar series of options just by pressing a single button, this is where you set that up. Only work if you also set up Fn button to use My Mode.
* Four-way direction button Function (icon: four-way buttons): Don't want the default quick functions associated with direction buttons? Use this.
* Multiple Shot Function (icon: three photo shots): If you don't use burst mode that much or you don't care about timed exposure, then you can change this button into another Fn button (sort of, they have different options you could use).
Under Release Menu (Menu C)
* RLS Priority S/C: These two options change the behavior of S-AF and C-AF. Typical shutter behavior is when you pressed the shutter release all the way down (i.e., without half-press it first to AF), it'll auto focus quickly, lock it and take the picture all in one operation. If you need the picture intentionally out of focus, then you need to turn either one of the options On, so it'll just take the picture without AF first.
Under Display Menu (Menu D for Display)
* USB Mode: When you update the firmware, you should change the option to STORAGE (that's the current instruction from Olympus's website as of October 3, 2009)
* Live ... Read More
Rating: -
I love this camera. I have been wanting a dslr for a long time and have always used Olymuus cameras. I am very unexperienced in the slr world, but love taking pictures and the photo bug had hit me hard. I had finally decided to purchase a dslr and then found that olympus had this model comming out. I read reviews and decided this one was worth waiting for the release of. I am not dissapointed. I am learning how to use the advanced controls one at a time, but what is really great is that I no longer miss shots because of slow auto focus. Having a camera that takes the picture when you actually push the button is great. I have printed several of the pics I have shot and am very happy with the quality. As I said I am new to dslr so I cannot comment on how that works, but this is definately a great camera at a great price for someone wanting an entry level dslr. I have read alot of reviews that said that pros were carring this camera as a backup, and love it to.
Rating: -
I won't go deeply into the features and benefits, if you're reading this - then you've already researched those. I would rather tell you about how much fun this camera is to use. I've been a fan of super zooms for a long time and while they have their obvious drawbacks - they really are very handy. I was a big fan of the Canon S5 IS and when I moved up to an DSLR - I looked at Canon, but ultimately decided on an E-510. I liked it - solid camera, but I missed the swivel screen. It was really useful when shooting at odd angles (such as in a crowd). So along comes the E-620 and I jumped at it. I then added the battery grip, an Olympus grip strap and a Zuiko 18-180 lens. Suddenly I had the perfect camera (for me, of course)- a DSLR Super Zoom. It fits my hand perfectly, has 10x capability, is fast, light, perfect for a wide variety of shooting situations, and it has the versital swivel screen. It's a HOT set up. Put it in a Tamarac 5683 and you have a great travel photography combo. I have this camera with me nearly all the time and the results have been fantastic.
A word about the art filters - LOVE THEM! I recommend you pair this camera up with a wrist strap and the Zuiko 25mm pancake lens. Then use the "grainy B&W film" art filter for astounding retro results. (This lens works well with the "Pop Art" filter as well). This set up has nearly the same size and weight as a point and shoot (like the Canon G series for example) with the image quality of a DSLR. Again, very fast and light and it can fit in a small bag or big coat pocket. Think - a cross between the E 410 and the E 30. It's perfect!
This is Olympus' best work to date. I highly recommend this camera. It's a true artist's camera and an absolute blast to use. If you're already an Olympus fan, this is a "no brainer". If you own another brand and are not too heavily invested in glass - this is a great camera to start with. The photographs you will take with this camera will WOW people.
|
