Hands-On Review: Olympus E-620 Digital SLR

PLUS
Affordable, compact/lightweight, full-featured
Articulated LCD and maximum AF versatility in Live View
Great for creative photography with special-effects modes

MINUS
A larger LCD with higher res would be even better
No movie mode
Some complexity due to the unusual features

One of the most full-featured cameras in its price category, the Olympus E-620 is also surprisingly fast and equipped with a built-in Image Stabilizer. In fact, this model is nearly as desirable as the pricey E-30, since it borrows heavily from that semi-pro DSLR. Benefits include the 12.3-megapixel (MP) sensor, fully articulated 2.7-inch LCD screen, the same autofocus options in Live View, as well as many special-effects functions. Admittedly, the E-30 is a bit faster and provides a few extra features; but the E-620 should definitely satisfy some serious shooters. For the E-620, Olympus developed a new TruePic III+ processor and seven-point autofouc system with five crosshatched sensors for great reliability with most types of patterns. It retails for $620 (body only).

Design and features: Very small and light but with a solid feel, the E-620 has an adequately large handgrip. Unlike many entry-level DSLRs, this one is compatible with an optional battery grip (HLD-5) with a set of secondary controls for use in vertical orientation. The LCD is the newest Hypercrystal III screen; while resolution is not very high, it does provide improved viewing, even in bright light. Olympus does not offer a Movie mode (yet) with any of its E-series cameras.

Because of its 13 fully automatic scene modes, this is a fine entry-level DSLR; but the E-620 holds much greater potential. It's equipped with a full-range of features, including six picture styles and parameter adjustments for saturation, sharpness, contrast plus monochrome filters. Auto Gradation Control is also available, providing more shadow detail in very harsh lighting. The six Art Filters and the multiple-exposure mode are useful for producing really cool special effects without a computer. Image modification is also possible in playback mode.

The many buttons and functions may intimidate some first-time DSLR owners. They should certainly start taking pics with the familiar features, which are not complicated at all. Experienced DSLR users will want to refer to the owner's manual immediately and begin experimenting with the unusual amenities. Pressing the [OK] button activates the control panel for quickly modifying the settings of 18 features. Once you know the meaning of all the icons and abbreviations, this amenity minimizes the need for hunting and pecking through the vast number of menu items.

Live View: This feature is not quite as simple and quick as it is with high-end compact digicams, but it's certainly versatile. The tilt/swivel monitor allows for setting the screen at any desired angle. Olympus provided several focusing modes. Sensor AF uses the familiar phase-detection technology common in all DSLRs. Focus acquisition is quite fast (under a second) but the live preview is interrupted during AF operation by reflex-mirror flip-flopping.

Imager AF (with contrast detection) is the default mode and provides autofocus with 11 points. The real-time display is not interrupted until you take a photo, but AF is slower: one or two seconds, and longer in dark locations. A new face-detection AF feature can also be activated, great for people pictures. Hybrid AF mode is similar to Imager AF but takes advantage of both technologies, so it's more reliable in low light. After a bit of experimentation, every E-620 owner should know which AF mode works best for any type of subject or situation.

Speed and quality: The E-620 is quite fast in most aspects, including the 4fps drive speed and processing. It can record many large/fine JPEGs before slowing appreciably. For the best autofocus performance, Live View should be turned off. When shooting the erratic motion of go-kart race competitors, I used Olympus' Zuiko Digital 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 SWD lens with supersonic AF motor and activated only the central focus-detection point. Roughly 60 per cent of the JPEGs were sharply focused.

Since most owners will start by shooting large JPEGs with the Natural picture style mode, I used this combination (and default settings for all features) for preliminary tests. My Superfine JPEGs exhibit bold but believable colours; white balance is slightly cool in outdoor shots. Contrast is a tad low (because of the auto-gradation feature), but there's plenty of shadow detail; sharpness is a bit low too. Photos of scenes including light-toned subjects are slightly dark (underexposed). Entirely different results are possible of course, with overrides or by modifying images in playback mode.

Superfine JPEGs made at ISO 100 to 400 were clean, smooth and finely detailed; I preferred the results provided when sharpness was set to +1. My technically best shots made for very good 13x17-inch inkjet prints. At ISO 800, photos made in low light are grainy, but the noise pattern is not problematic in 8x10-inch prints. By ISO 1,600, the images exhibit coloured speckles and they're soft due to smudging of fine detail by noise reduction. A lower or higher NR level can be selected, but Standard produced the best overall results.

Evaluation: The 12.3MP Olympus model is surprisingly affordable and the Zuiko Digital 14-42mm zoom (available for an extra $100) is better than average in optical quality. The E-620 would be a fine choice for a first-time DSLR buyer, but would also satisfy an experienced photographer who likes to get creative. Granted, it's not the best DSLR for serious sports or low-light photography, and does not provide a movie mode. Still, the Olympus camera is fast in many aspects, produces fine quality at the commonly used ISO settings and is very well equipped

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