E510 does not have swivel LCD, although it has live-view. Consider E330 (7.5MP) instead, whose swivel LCD with live-view will be better for your purpose. The camera is bang for the bucks at less than $500! with kit lens on amazon. E510 will cost around twice to that. Don't get fooled by MP counts as difference (prints etc.) for all practical purpose will not be as much as it seems..

Emmangel wrote:.

As I previously mentioned, the live view LCD is a big factor forme, however if the Olympus is a lower quality camera I wouldconsider looking into buying one without the function, though I'dneed to think seriously about it considering the kind of photos Itend to take..

Regards, Ajayhttp://picasaweb.google.com/ajay0612..

I was just wondering what the opinions of the forum members were?Is one camera substantially better than the other, or is thereperhaps another model I should also be looking into?.

Haven't really seen proper reviews of the E510 yet. It does look like it'll be a pretty nice camera, especially since it has anti shake built in. But, reading reviews of the similar E410, it sounds like the live view isn't all it's cracked up to be, with lots of messing about raising the mirror and so on. It'd be no good for overhead shots really, as already pointed out. I'm not saying it's rubbish, because I haven't tried it, but I'd want it demonstrated before I bought..

I'm sure the camera is capable of great photos, but I bet the 400D is just a bit better..

Another, if rather expensive, option is to get a Zigview adjustable LCD that fits pretty much any Camera (like the Canon 400D) and doesn't interfere with the mirror..

Androohttp://Androo.smugmug.com..

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a 4/3s user (E500) an I like my camera very much. I am a former Canon guy (for over 30 years) I will try to be as objective as I know how. (If I fail, I'm sure someone will call me on it!).

Yes, the lack of an articulated viewscreen is a bit of a handicap to the usefulness of the live view oprion of the E510 for your purposes. However a partially useful live view option is more useful than no live view option..

The quality of the Olympus kit lenses are pretty high while even the Canon fanboys don't have a lot of good to say about the Canon kit lenses. Something to consider if you intend to rely very heavily on the kit lenses. I would judge the quality of additional lenses available for purchse from Canon and Oly to be roughly similar in quality. Canon has a much larger line of Canon brand lenses. Olympus' line, while adequate, is less substantial..

Canon also has better third party support for lenses. Virtually all independent lensmakers in every quality category offer something in a Canon mount. While the only lenses available for the 4/3s mount are Oly, Sigma, and Leica and these are all pretty much mid level quality or higher..

I would say from what I've seen the Canon still has a tiny edge on noise at higher iso settings. However, the E510 has significantly closed the noise gap to where I would consider this a secondary decision point for most people..

The E510 has a slightly narrower dynamic range over the Canon. However the DR of the Canon, or any other small sensor digital SLR, is nothing to brag about either. All are roughly equivalent to 35mm slide film in that department. All require good exposure and appropriate post processing for the best results..

In terms of build quality, I haven't heard of any large number of complaints for the Canon, and the E510 is new enough that it is pretty hard to project it's success in ruggedness. For what it is worth, I am VERY satisfied withe the build quality of the E500..

Anecdotally, that intangible build quality 'feel' seems higher in the Oly than the Canon. however that is probably as much because it is a smaller and as a result, 'denser' package..

The E510 is a smaller and lighter body than the Canon, as are the available kit lenses. An important factor when you are expecting to lug it around for hours at a time. I know from experience, after a couple of hours, just a few ounces of extra weight can feel like tons!.

Personally, I liked the feel and ergonomics of the Olympus line better than the Canon, which is why I switched. I also liked the optics of the kit lenses better..

But interms of overall usefulness, image quality, and reliability, I doubt the average user will see much difference. I would primarily select between the two on price and desired features.Now that you've judged the quality of my typing, take a look at my photos..http://www.photo.net/photos/GlenBarrington..

Ajay0612 wrote:.

E510 does not have swivel LCD, although it has live-view. ConsiderE330 (7.5MP) instead, whose swivel LCD with live-view will bebetter for your purpose. The camera is bang for the bucks at lessthan $500! with kit lens on amazon. E510 will cost around twice tothat. Don't get fooled by MP counts as difference (prints etc.) forall practical purpose will not be as much as it seems..

Thanks, I didn't actually realise that the 510 didn't swivel. A few less megapixels for one that has that feature doesn't bother me too much, since both with be better than the camera I currently use. TSo I'll take a look at the 300 too. Thanks for the info. .

Glen Barrington wrote:.

The quality of the Olympus kit lenses are pretty high while eventhe Canon fanboys don't have a lot of good to say about the Canonkit lenses. Something to consider if you intend to rely veryheavily on the kit lenses. I would judge the quality of additionallenses available for purchse from Canon and Oly to be roughlysimilar in quality. Canon has a much larger line of Canon brandlenses. Olympus' line, while adequate, is less substantial..

Thanks. I'm probably going to use my Dad's lenses (if they're compatable), or buy some anyway, since I tend to take my photos at the 300-400mm range on my current camera (in low light without flash, joy!). Good to know that both are of similar quality..

Thanks for the replies so far, they're very much appreciated...

Emmangel wrote:.

Thanks, I didn't actually realise that the 510 didn't swivel. A fewless megapixels for one that has that feature doesn't bother me toomuch, since both with be better than the camera I currently use.TSo I'll take a look at the 300 too. Thanks for the info. .

E-330, you mean. E-300 != live view. The E-330 live view is also a bit functionally different from the E-410/E-510/Canon 1DMkIII impl; unlike those three models, the E-330 uses a secondary sensor and splits light..

A batch of E-330's seems to be being auctioned off on eBay user 'olympusauctions'..

On the down side, the E-330 isn't stabilized you'd need to rely on lens-based stabilization. Panaleica will be releasing a stabilized 14-150mm f/3.5-5.6, but inaddition to the question of whether an ~11x zoom lens will be up to par optically you may not find f/5.6 to be fast enough..

Glen Barrington wrote:Thanks. I'm probably going to use my Dad's lenses (if they'recompatable), or buy some anyway, since I tend to take my photos atthe 300-400mm range on my current camera (in low light withoutflash, joy!). Good to know that both are of similar quality..

If they're OM lenses, you can use them with manual stop-down metering, if you get the OM-to-4/3 adapter..

The 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 reaches that far, if you're talking about ~35mm FOV (~ because different aspect ratio)...

You can buy Olympus manual conversion adapters for a variety of lens mounts, except Canon lenses. It is my understanding that the Canon Lens mount requires a deeper mirror box than the Oly cameras have. I guess Canons 'stick out' too far into the Oly mirror box so they can't be used..

The adapters themselves aren't cheap (at least the quality ones). So you may want to evaluate the cost/benefits before you make a final decision or before you decide between buying a new lens or going the adapter route..

Now that you've judged the quality of my typing, take a look at my photos..http://www.photo.net/photos/GlenBarrington..

I know it's not a DSLR, but the S9100/9600 has a nice fold out LCD which you can view from above or below ( it swings down 45 degrees and up 90 )..

But it's not a DSLR. .

StephenG.

Fuji S9600Fuji S5200Fuji F30Fuji E900Canon A710ISPCLinuxOS..

Sjgcit wrote:.

I know it's not a DSLR, but the S9100/9600 has a nice fold out LCDwhich you can view from above or below ( it swings down 45 degreesand up 90 )..

But it's not a DSLR. .

I actually tried that camera after I sent my S2 back (memory card problem, ended up buying another one anyway), but didn't like it, mainly due to it's size. I figure if I'm going to have something a bit bigger, I may as well go all out. .

Actually, I've just thought, with both the Olympus and the Canon, will finding good lenses of 400mm or higher be a problem? I tend to take photos at the telephoto end of my current camera, so just want to make sure that finding lenses won't be a problem. I can't imagine it would be, but you never know!..

Actually, I've just thought, with both the Olympus and the Canon,will finding good lenses of 400mm or higher be a problem? I tend totake photos at the telephoto end of my current camera, so just wantto make sure that finding lenses won't be a problem. I can'timagine it would be, but you never know!.

Have a look athttp://www.photozone.de for some lens reviews..

You'll have more luck perhaps with the Canon, but you have the option of using a shorter lens and a 2x converter..

Androohttp://Androo.smugmug.com..

FOV is similar to that of a 100-400mm for 35mm different depending on which dimension you look at, since it's a different aspect ratio..

Decent aperture range, good optically although there's some vignetting at 200mm wide-open, sealed (not a huge bonus for a non-sealed camera, 'tho), well-built, not too heavy particularly if you remove the tripod collar. There's the 90-250mm f/2.8 if you're needing longer -and- faster and don't mind the weight, a 150mm f/2, and a 300mm f/2.8....

There's also two different 40-150mm (older one is f/3.5-4.5, if memory serves; newer is something like f/3.5-5.6 but lighter and smaller), a Panaleica 14-150mm f/3.5-5.6 on the way, the 18-180mm ultrazoom, the lately noted 70-300mm, the Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3....

Take your pick at the long end. If you need longer than the Bigma (1000mm equiv...) you might need to go with a 'scope or mirror, used with (possibly 2 OM to 4/3, T-mount to OM) adapters...

Leejay Wu wrote:.

FOV is similar to that of a 100-400mm for 35mm differentdepending on which dimension you look at, since it's a differentaspect ratio..

Decent aperture range, good optically although there's somevignetting at 200mm wide-open, sealed (not a huge bonus for anon-sealed camera, 'tho), well-built, not too heavy particularlyif you remove the tripod collar. There's the 90-250mm f/2.8 ifyou're needing longer -and- faster and don't mind the weight, a150mm f/2, and a 300mm f/2.8....

There's also two different 40-150mm (older one is f/3.5-4.5, ifmemory serves; newer is something like f/3.5-5.6 but lighter andsmaller), a Panaleica 14-150mm f/3.5-5.6 on the way, the 18-180mmultrazoom, the lately noted 70-300mm, the Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3....

Take your pick at the long end. If you need longer than the Bigma(1000mm equiv...) you might need to go with a 'scope or mirror,used with (possibly 2 OM to 4/3, T-mount to OM) adapters...

FOV is similar to that of a 100-400mm for 35mm different dependingon which dimension you look at, since it's a different aspect ratio..

I don't think so - 50-200 would have angle of view like 100-400 on full frame, but FOV would be still like 50-200 on FF (crop has no influence on FOV). So FOV would be deeper on Olympus than on FF for the same ekvivalent length...

NtRiley.

I like to think the bs can never be higher than the ah..

Check out this review of the E-510:http://www (dot)digicamreview(dot)com/olympus_evolt_e510_dslr_review.htm.

And read the summary towards the bottom. That about sums it up for me..

Here's a nice comparison of the E-510 and it's competitors:http://www(dot)cameralabs(dot)com/reviews/OlympusE510/verdict.shtml.

You know what to do with the (dot)'s!..

Emma.

The Oly live view really doesn't work in the same way as your S2, it's ok, but very slow and limited compaired with a P&S.

If you are familiar with the S2 menu systems you may want to stick with Canon as the 400D has pretty much the same menu layout. Another plus factor is that Caon lenses are much cheaper then Oly lenses on a like for like basis if you ever want to expand your system..

Regards.

Steve..