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Olympus EVOLT E-330

Digital Camera Review

Previous: Page 8

Connectivity / Extras

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Conclusion
June 09, 2006 By Patrick Singleton
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Comparisons
Pentax *ist DL - The Pentax *ist DL sells for less than half of the EVOLT E-330's price, but it lacks the E330’s unusual technology. It's a solid, 6.1-megapixel DSLR, so it doesn't match the 7.94-megapixel resolution of the E-330. Like the EVOLT E-330, the *ist DL has only 3 autofocus sites. This is a drawback for both cameras, but both have high-quality, large LCDs. The *ist DL uses AA batteries, which are available everywhere but which wear out quickly in digital cameras.  While smaller and lighter than the EVOLT E-330,  it feels equally durable.




 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 - The Sony Cyber-shot R1 is a live-preview all-in-one camera that lists for $1000, just $100 less than the E-330. The R1 crosses some of the boundaries between DSLR and compact camera, just as the E-330 does. It does so, however, from the opposite direction. The R1 has an APS-format sensor, which is larger than the 4/3 sensor in the EVOLT E-330. Both cameras have live preview images on their high-resolution LCDs. We think most users will be more impressed by the E-330's display, but the two are comparable. The R1's major calling card is its excellent Zeiss lens, which has longer range, brighter aperture, and better quality than the E-330's meager kit lens, but cant match the versatility of Olympus' entire digital-specific lens line.



 
Canon EOS 30D - The Canon 30D is a mid-range DSLR, introduced body-only at $1400, $400 more than the EVOLT E-330 without a lens. Though the 30D lacks live preview and the EVOLT E-330's dust-shaking SSWF, it beats the Olympus in most conventional measures – better resolution, better color accuracy, better high-ISO performance, a higher maximum ISO (3200 versus 1600), better handling, much faster and longer burst mode (at 5 fps versus 3 fps), better dynamic range, and faster autofocus with better AF sensor placement. Although, the EVOLT E-330's LCD display is brighter and has marginally better color.



 
 
Nikon D70s - The Nikon D70s, available online with a kit lens for about $950, is a 6-megapixel DSLR that's growing a little old. At nearly 8 megapixels, the EVOLT E-330 has the advantage in resolution specs, but once the cameras' electronics get through with the images, the Nikon's image quality is certainly comparable, and in some ways better. The D70s is faster to use, with two control dials, and much more sensible menu and button design. Its autofocus is also faster and performs better in low light. The D70s does not have the E-330's unique technologies, but it handles the basics better.
 


Value (5.25)
The EVOLT E-330 is, for the time being, unique. The Panasonic L1 is coming, with very similar technology, so there will be another live-view DSLR to look at soon, and it will arrive with optical image stabilization in its kit lens.
 
Beyond the live display, the E-330 deserves credit for a deep set of controls and obvious durability. The camera’s feel is distinctive and there is plenty to like about it. Like other Olympus cameras, the E-330 will earn a cadre of loyal users.
 
Still, its image quality is not equal to competing cameras. Some cheaper cameras do better. All the more expensive cameras do much better.
 
In short, only the live viewfinder could make the EVOLT E-330 a great value. Someone who must have that display is the right buyer for the E-330. Frankly, we don't know who that is.
 
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters - The EVOLT E-330 isn't missing anything that point-and-shooters need, but it's big and heavy. Users who don't need to change lenses could do better with a smaller, cheaper camera.

Budget Consumers - The E-330 costs $1100 in its cheaper kit, which is significantly more than comparable DSLRs, and much more than many compact cameras with similar resolution and image quality. Penny pinchers will be able to get the basic functionality they need for much less money, though without the E-330's unique capabilities.

Gadget Freaks - The E-330 calls to the gadget freak the way Juliet called to Romeo. Its live preview will be unique for a little while longer – until the Panasonic is introduced. The rest of the EVOLT E-330's feature set is nearly as seductive: sonic dust cleaning is one example, but gadget lovers should also embrace Olympus' notion that users ought to know the Kelvin equivalent of every white balance and choose the compression ratio for their JPEG quality levels.
 
Manual Control Freaks - The E-330 offers a very good range of manual controls, though some of them ought to be easier to access. It offers white balance fine adjustments in a couple of ways, separate exposure compensation for flash, and the option of linking flash and ambient compensation. Still, most manual shooters tweak to obtain the best possible image quality, and the E-330 doesn't complete with similarly-priced DSLRs.
 
Pros/Serious amateurs - There are some pros using Olympus DSLRs. Acknowledging that Olympus has delivered some unusual and impressive lenses, and that the E-330 is built very tough, the camera still doesn't generally call to the high-end user, especially considering the speed hit that the preview and dust reduction imposes. Macro specialists? Maybe – Live mode B offers very high magnification for manual focus. It might be that the underwater housing will take great advantage of the live preview, too.
 

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Olympus EVOLT E-330
Digital Camera Review
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Previous: Page 8

Connectivity / Extras

Previous: Page 10

Conclusion