photoblogography

Olympus E-400 and other things

The last year has seen some considerable changes in the evolution of the 4/3rds world. We have a number of new cameras, nominally from 3 manufacturers, although 1.5 would be more truthful, and lenses from 3 companies as well. Up until now, I haven't found anything of much interest beyond the E-1 and the mid-range lenses. The E-300 didn't interest me, nor the E-500, and I have no use for the E-330. The Lumix/Leica L1, as far as I can see, is an expensive doorstop. I really fail to see why anybody interested in photography would buy one. The Leica (let's be generous with naming) 14-50mm lens seems expensive and clumsy, and whilst the image stabilisation is interesting, the optical performance seems at very best just below the Olympus 14-54 - and since the next generation Olympus cameras will probably have in-body stabilisation, one could wonder what the point of the 14-50 Leica actually is. However, the Leica 25mm f1.4 lens is definitely interesting. Some of the Sigma lenses could be interesting as well, in particular the 50-500mm, which is approachable in terms of cost. However, it is quite slow, and a slow 500mm coupled with the E-1's sensor and autofocus is not necessarily going to be a happy marriage. But what has got me excited is the Olympus E-400. A camera about the size of an OM-1, with an OM-style body design, and a weight to match, two matched lenses AND a 10Mpix sensor - this sounds like an ideal travel / trekking camera. Ok, so it isn't splashproof, but there have to be tradeoffs, especially at the price. It is telling that the forum world hasn't got excited about the E-400: this is a camera aimed at photographers, not geeks. A preview of a pre-production sample in Réponses Photo adds to the anticipation. They really like it (apart from the autofocus, but it seems that we're stuck with that 3 point system) and in particular they found that the viewfinder was surprisingly good, bright and not too small - better in fact that the Pentax K10D in the reviewer's opinion. I'm sorely tempted. The E-1 gets to be a heavy camera when you're climbing 2000 meters. Obviously I would miss the 100% viewfinder, and probably the E-400 is not as nice to handle as the E-1. But it is the first 4/3rds camera I've considered buying since the E-1.

To be honest I had forgotten about your site and ‘rediscovered’ the bookmark this morning.  I don’t go along with you on everything you say about the other cameras but if waiting for some time to find the right camera to be the first DSLR for my wife is any guide then the E-400 does fit in with what you say.  The E-330 has always appealed (to me anyway) because of its foldable LCD but having got out my OM1 after 5 years in the cupboard to see how the E-400 compared, it is the latter that is most likely going to be her first DSLR. Pity about the weatherproofing.

Well as far as I remember the OM1 isn’t weather proof either. Neither is the E-330.  The E-400 has (shock, horror, etc) a “plastic” lens mount too.  These things help it be small and light. Otherwise it would be either an E-500 or an E-1…..

Still haven’t managed to find one anywhere though.

Err..it doesn’t actually (have a plastic lens mount).  The two new lenses do however.  On the subject of the L1, I don’t share your indifference, although I would need to be convinced of the optical qualities of the lens before taking the plunge myself.  What exactly is there to dislike about it?  It is handsome, made of metal, produces very nice output (from what I have seen so far), has liveview and no obvious major flaws (now that they have fixed the RAW buffer issue).  It is not even particularly expensive: The RRP in the UK for the kit is £1399 - if you knock say, £550 off that for the lens (a hundred more than the DZ 14-54) you get £849 which is on a par with the Canon 30D.  Where it does look poor value is when compared to the Oly E330, which is arguably the same camera, but the latter is made of plastic, and is particularly cheap now because it looks weird (although not as weird as the E300, which I have!).

David - I never asked for my OM1 to be weatherproof! The E-1 took me into a new ball game and has spoilt me to a certain extent.  Whilst MartinC’s comments about the L1 are understandable, it must all hinge on each individual.  For me, the L1 reviews don’t make it an immediate replacement for the E-1 (not that I am in the market until the latter dies) because it doesn’t make large improvements with image quality (even if it is better than the E-1).  Nor are the ergonomics what I would be seeking, nor do I need an aperture ring on the lens.  I just hope that all the best points about the E-1 get carried over into its replacement.  Meanwhile it carries on being my digital OM1 (and weatherproof!).

John, my disposition to liking the L1 comes not from its potential to act as a replacement for anything in particular (in my case it would be my E300) but from how it strikes me as a package compared to the competition.  Obviously, a lot of the appeal lies with the lens but I also think it is likeable simply because it is not trying to be another DSLR clone.  It looks and feels different and has features which make it near unique (such as live view and a bounceable integral flash).  Since my original comment, the price has dropped below £1200 which really makes it a bit of a bargain!  However, for the moment I am keeping my powder dry, waiting for the potentially interesting new Oly products in the new year.

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