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Olympus EVOLT E-300

By: Shawn Barnett and Dave Etchells

8.0 megapixels, ZUIKO DIGITAL lens mount, digital SLR design, and loads of features!

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Page 2:Comparison with Nikon D70, Canon EOS Digital Rebel, and EOS 20D

Review First Posted: 11/08/2004, Updated: 03/12/2005

Comparison with Nikon D70, Canon EOS Digital Rebel, and EOS 20D

Olympus E-300 vs Nikon D70 and Canon Digital Rebel, EOS-10D
Item
E-300 D70
Digital Rebel
EOS 20D
Imaging
System
Imaging Element/Effective Pixels CCD
8.15 Megapixels
8.0 effective
CCD,
6.24 Megapixels
6.1 effective
CMOS
6.5 Megapixels
6.3 effective
CMOS
8.8 Megapixels
8.25 effective
Effective Sensor Size 13.0 x 17.3mm 15.6 x 23.7mm 15.1 x 22.7mm 15.0 x 22.5mm
Picture angle reduction, vs 35mm frame Approx 2.0x Approx 1.5x Approx. 1.6x
Image Processor Not stated Not stated
DIGIC
DIGIC II
Viewfinder Type Eye-level Porro Mirror system Eye-level pentamirror Eye-level pentamirror Eye-level pentaprism
Coverage 94% 95% horizontally and vertically
Magnification (-1 diopter with 50mm lens at infinity) 1.0x 0.75x 0.8x 0.9x
Eyepoint 20mm 18mm 21mm 20mm
Dioptric Adjustment Range -3.0 to +1.0 diopter -1.6 to +0.5 diopter -3.0 to +1.0 diopter
Focusing Screen Fixed
(Matte with AF/Metering marks)
B-type BriteView clear matte screen Mark V, with on-demand grid lines Fixed, all-matte screen Fixed, "Precision Matte" screen
Viewfinder
Info Display
AF information (AF frame, focus confirmation), aperture value, shutter speed, exposure compensation amount, flash indicator, AE lock, white balance, metering mode, battery check, exposure mode, number of "storable sequential pictures" (not seen on prototype) AF information (AF points, focus confirmation, AF area mode, AE/AF lock indicator), exposure information (shutter speed, aperture value, manual exposure, AE/AF lock indicator, exposure level, flash exposure, exposure compensation indicator), flash-ready indicator, shots remaining, battery level AF information (AF points, focus confirmation light), exposure information (shutter speed, aperture value, manual exposure, AE lock, exposure level), flash information (flash ready, red-eye reduction lamp on, high-speed sync, FE lock), shots remaining, CF card information AF (AF points, focus confirmation light), exposure (shutter speed, aperture value, manual exposure, AE lock, exposure compensation amount, AEB level, AEB progress, partial metering area), flash (flash ready, red-eye reduction lamp on, high-speed sync, FE lock, flash exposure compensation amount, red-eye reduction lamp indicator), warnings (exposure warning, improper FE lock warning, CF card full warning, CF card error warning, no CF card warning, busy), maximum burst for continuous shooting, shots remaining
Depth of Field Preview Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
Recording
System
Recording Media/Quantity/Slot Type CF card/1 slot/Type I or II
Compatible File Formats FAT 16/32
Recording Formats RAW (ORF),
JPEG, TIFF
RAW (NEF), JPEG RAW (CRW), JPEG
Maximum Resolution 3,264 x 2,448 3,008 x 2,000 3,072 x 2,048 3,504 x 2,336
Reduced Resolutions (JPEG only) 3,200 x 2,400,
2,560 x 1,920,
1,600 x 1,200
1,280 x 960
1,024 x 768
640 x 480
2,240 x 1,488,
1,504 x 1,000
2,048 x 1,360,
1,356 x 1,024
2,544 x 1,696,
1,752 x 1,168
RAW + JPEG Recording Yes/Selectable JPEG resolution/compression Yes/Basic JPEG only
Yes/Middle Fine JPEG only, embedded in RAW
Yes/Selectable JPEG resolution/compression
Color Space &
White Balance
User-Selectable Color Space Yes
sRGB + Adobe RGB
Yes
sRGB (two variants) + Adobe RGB
Yes
sRGB + Adobe RGB
Yes
sRGB (two variants) + Adobe RGB
Processing Parameters
(Contrast, Sharpness, Saturation, Color Tone)/# of Increments
5 options each for sharpness, saturation, and contrast. Normal/Low/High-key Gradation adjustment, 6 options each for sharpness and contrast, 3 options for saturation. 7-step hue adjustment. Digital vari-programs preset various processing parameters as well, and color space III boosts saturation somewhat.
Yes/5
(Same as 10D, but new is default sets: one mimics 10D settings and one boosts contrast, saturation, and sharpening for snappier prints. This is the factory default setting)
Yes/6, including B&W / Monochrome, with five filter effects (none, yellow, orange, red and green) and five color tone options (none, sepia, blue, purple and green)
Preset WB settings 14 (Auto, Custom, plus 12 Kelvin Temperature settings correlated with common light sources, such as incandescent, various types of fluorescent, etc.) 6 (Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash) 9 ( Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Manual Color Temperature Setting and Custom)
Manual Color Temperature Setting Range 2,000 ~ 10,000
(16 settings, varying increments)
(No Kelvin option, but very broad Preset WB range) None 2,800 ~ 10,000K
in 100K increments
WB Adjustment Range ±7 steps in 1-step increments, unknown step size ±3 steps in 1-step increments
10 mireds per step
±3 steps in 1-step increments
5 mireds per step
±2 steps in 1-step increments (personal white balance, custom parameter submenu);
±9 steps Color Temp compensation (2-axis adjustment)
Autofocus
System
Type TTL phase detection TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM900 autofocus module TTL-CT-SIR with a CMOS sensor
(TTL secondary image registration, phase detection)
# of Focusing Points (Focusing Point Type) / Superimposed Display 3 points / Yes 5 points / Yes 7 points (1 cross-type, 2 horizontal-type, 4 vertical-type) / Yes 9 points (1 cross-type, 8 single-axis)
AF Working Range EV 0 ~ 19 EV -1 ~ 19 EV 0.5 ~ 18 EV -0.5 ~ 18
AF-assist Beam With built-in flash unit, and on dedicated Olympus external flash units. Note: Only available when flash is enabled. Bright incandescent lamp, (Range approx. 3.0 m, 9.8 ft, depending on lens.) Not dependent on flash setting. Yes, stroboscopic flash (Range: Approx. 4.0m / 13.1ft. at center, approx. 3.5m/11.5ft. off-center) Note: Only available when flash is enabled.
One-shot AF Locked by first position of Shutter Button / OK Button (Customizable) Available in all modes Enabled in Portrait, Landscape, Close-up (Macro), Night Portrait, and A-DEP modes. Enabled in Portrait, Landscape, Close-up (Macro), Night Portrait, and A-DEP modes.
Se
lectable in Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual modes.
AI Servo (Tracking) AF Available in Continuous AF Mode Available in all modes Enabled in Sports mode only. Enabled in Sports mode.
Selectable in Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual modes.
AI Focus AF Predictive AF for moving subjects, but doesn't appear to track across AF areas. Slightly different, but closest-subject focus priority available in all modes Enabled in Full Auto, Flash Off, Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual modes. Enabled in Full Auto and Flash Off modes.
Selectable in Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual modes.
Exposure
Control
Shooting Modes 9 - Program, aperture-priority AE, shutter-priority AE, Manual, Portrait, Landcape, Close up, Sports, Night Landscape, plus:

14 Scene modes (Landscape, Landscape+Portrait, Night Scene, Night+Portrait, Fireworks, Sunset, Portrait, High Key, Macro, Documents, Museum, Sport, Beach & Snow, and Candle)
11 - Program, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, Manual, Auto, Portrait, Landcape, Close up, Sports, Night Landscape, Night Portrait. 12 - Program AE (Full Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, Flash Off, Program), shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, depth-of-field AE, manual exposure, ETTL autoflash
Metering Zones (not stated) 1,005 35
Metering Modes Digital ESP (evaluative), center-weighted, spot 1) 3D color matrix metering with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor

(2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, 10, or 13 mm dia. circle in center of frame

(3) Spot: Meters 2.3 mm dia. circle (about 1% of frame) centered on active focus area

Evaluative (linked to any AF point), center weighted average (set automatically in manual mode), 9% partial Evaluative (linked to any AF point), center weighted, 9% partial
Metering System Working Range Digital ESP/Center Weighted Average; EV 1 to 20
Spot; EV 3 to 17 (50mm F2, ISO 100)
1) EV 0 to 20 (3D color matrix or center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 to 20 (spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F)
EV 1 ~ 20
(ISO 100 equivalent, 50mm f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F)
ISO Range / Extended 100 ~ 400 Expandable to 800/1600 200 ~ 1600 100 ~ 1600 100 ~ 1600 / 3200
Exposure Compensation +/- 5EV in 1, 1/2 or 1/3EV increments +/- 5EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments (can be combined with AEB) +/- 2EV in 1/3EV increments (can be combined with AEB) +/- 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments (can be combined with AEB)
Automatic Exposure Bracketing 3 Frames in +/- 1, 1/2, or 1/3 EV step (selectable 2 or 3 shots, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV steps +/- 2EV in 1/3EV increments +/- 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
Shutter Speeds,
Frame Rate, Shutter Lag
Shutter Type Mechanical Focal Plane, electronically controlled Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter Mechanical, all speeds electronically controlled
Shutter Speed Range 30 to 1/4000 s, 1/3, 1/2, 1EV step selectable, bulb 30 to 1/8000 s in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb 1/4000 ~ 30 sec. (1/3EV increments) and bulb 1/8000 ~ 30 sec. (1/2 or 1/3EV increments) and bulb
Maximum Frames Per Second/Buffer depth 2.58 fps / 4 frames (JPEG large/fine) 2.92 fps / unlimited (JPEG large/normal, with fast card) 2.5 fps / 4 frames 4.8 fps / 31 frames JPEG or 6 frames RAW/RAW+JPEG
Shutter lag, full AF 0.36-0.37 0.34-0.49 0.25-0.28 0.15-0.16
Shutter lag, prefocus 0.100 0.124 0.142 0.077
Startup time 2.1 sec ~ Zero 3.09 sec 0.25 sec
Flash Built-in Flash / Guide Number at ISO 100. Yes (13 meters / 43 feet) Yes (11 meters / 36 feet) Yes (13 meters / 43 feet)
Max flash x-sync speed. 1/180 1/500 (!) 1/200 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation +/- 2 EV in each 1, 1/2, or 1/3 EV steps -3 to +1 EV, 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps No +/- 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
Slow-sync flash 1st or 2nd curtain 1st or 2nd curtain 1st curtain only 1st or 2nd curtain
TTL flash TTL Auto FP/TTL Auto for Olympus Dedicated Flash (internal and/or external) i-TTL autoflash with internal or external SB-600 or SB-800 speedlights E-TTL autoflash with internal or external EX-series speedlites E-TTL II autoflash with internal or external EX-series speedlites
PC Sync Terminal Hot shoe only Hot shoe only Hot shoe only Yes, plus hot shoe as well
Playback
System
LCD Size / Pixel Count 1.8 in LCD / 134,000 pixels 1.8 in LCD / 130,000 pixels 1.8 in. LCD / 118,000 pixels
Enlarged Playback / Scroll 2, 3, 4, 10x 1.1 ~ 4.7x in 10 steps / Yes 1.5~10x in 15 steps / Yes
LCD Monitor Brightness Adjustment Range 7 steps 5 steps
Automatic Rotation for Vertical Shots No Yes Yes
Other Features USB Connection Yes, PTP-compliant (v2.0 standard, v1.1 max speed) Yes, PTP-compliant (v2.0 standard, v1.1 max speed) Yes, PTP-compliant, USB v 1.1 Yes, PTP-compliant, USB v 2.0
Direct Printing (PictBridge-compliant printers) (unknown) Yes Yes Yes
In-camera editing of images from RAW files. Yes (sharpness, contrast, saturation) No No No
Menu Languages 2 (English, Japanese) - More coming in production models? 10 (Japanese, German, English, Spanish, French, Korean, Italian, Simplified Chinese, Dutch, Swedish) 12 (English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese.)
Camera Default Reset Yes
Custom Functions (Quantity / Settings) No Yes (9 or 25) No Yes (18)
Remote Control Optional IR Optional, Compatible with Remote Switch RS-60E3, Remote Controller RC-5 / RC-1 Optional, N3-type remote control
LCD Panel Illumination n/a Yes (dedicated button)
Ultrasonic CCD dust-removal function Yes No
Text Comments No Yes, stored in EXIF headers No
Body Structure Body Cover/Chassis Metal Alloy Largely Plastic Largely Plastic Magnesium Alloy/Stainless Steel
Power System Battery Compatibility BLM-1 EN-EL3,
CR2 pack
(3 cells)
Main: BP-511 / BP-512
Backup: CR2016
Main: BP-511 / BP-512
Backup: CR2025
Rated Shooting Capacity at 20C/68F CIPA: 400 100%AE: 2000
50% Flash: 400
100% AE: 600
50% Flash: 400
100% AE: 650
50% Flash: 500
Dimensions & Weight Dimensions (WxHxD,mm) 146 x 85 x 64 140 x 111 x 78 142 x 99 x 72.9 149.7 x 107.5 x 75
Weight 580g/20.5 oz
(body only)
595g/21 oz (body only) 560g/19.7 oz. (body only) 653g/23.0 oz (with battery & card) 685g/24.2 oz. (body only)
Lens Compatibility Lens Mount / Compatibility 4/3 System Mount
  1. DX Nikkor: All functions supported;
  2. Type G- or D-AF Nikkor: All functions supported;
  3. Micro Nikkor 85mm F2.8D: All functions supported except some exposure modes;
  4. Other AF Nikkor (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR;
  5. AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR and autofocus;
  6. Non-CPU: Can be used in exposure mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster.
  7. IX Nikkor Lenses cannot be used.
EF / All EOS lenses, plus Digital Rebel specific EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens EF / All EOS lenses, EF-S digital-specific lenses


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