Olympus EVOLT E-300 (Body Only) Digital Camera

To begin with there is no real benefit for using 35mm equipment lenses because they are not made for the digital SLR ccd. This means that you aren't getting most of the picture you see with 35mm lenses for most of the camera makers. Canon is the exception to this rule. Their ccd is larger and made similar to 35mm size so they are the exception to the rule. The lenses made for digital cameras have less distortion at the edges and also less shading at the extreme corners as appears with 35mm lenses as well.

That being said I went on a vacation with this camera my first week I owned it. It responded very well even in the spotty lighting situations I experienced. The whole week was cloudy and I got some truly impressive photos. My battery never showed anything but full and I forgot to charge it one night. I know I took over 500 photos and the battery never flinched without recharging.

There were many options with this camera for adjusting your pictures. I was truly happy with it. It seems no matter what I did to adjust the photo I rarely got a better photo than the cameras automatic settings. This is something that gave me much confidence in using it during a busy vacation without having to spend time on finding settings.

The lcd display on back is bright. I learned how to navigate the different buttons and settings (which there were many of) quickly. Instead of navigating with two wheels through menus to get to the correct one you wanted, there was a button on the back for instant access to the most necessary functions. GREAT!!! for people who don't want to waste time scrolling to find what they want.

With so many options and flexibility the camera was a real winner. I did take the price into account. This camera was by far the most affordable. Getting a body and lens for almost a third of the price of a body made me take a long look at this. The sharpness is excellent. Color was pretty much dead on for my photos. Since it's a new 4/3 system, body and lenses there is going to be a small wait for those extra accessories. (I'd like a deeper eyecup) However the lenses are already on their way. The new 4/3 system is going to give us a wide range of lenses and makers to choose from. From what I read Fuji is going to sign on to this new system as well. This should all mean more variety and better prices for us to choose from.

So unless you have lots invested in lenses for an slr system there is no sense in buying 35mm lenses for another system. Eventually you're going to want lenses made for your digital system since the quality acceptability level is even tighter for digital lenses.

Don't get me wrong. Canon is really the King. Their large ccd is great which makes their lenses work perfectly with their digital bodies. I also think that the metering system was a little on the simple side for the e300. Unless you're going to be making a living on night photos or already have a ton of money on lenses from another system this is a great camera to make the digital switch with. All digital lenses and system which you'll probably switch to no matter what brand eventually. (Unless you're an extra-large format print photographer)

This camera with all of it's options and flexibility makes it easy for you to take a break and just use it as a point and shoot when you wish. The porro viewer making the height that .5 inch less made it easy for me to put into a much smaller bag than any other slr camera would have allowed.

P.S. I did have the option of going with another brand. I have an entire 35mm Minolta 7000i af system. Love it and am a real fan.. but I believe I made the right choice. No looking back now.

KUDO's to Olympus on a great new system.