Filed under: Cameras, Editor’s Picks, Reviews, Digital Camera

What it is: The Olympus PEN E-P1 is the company’s first Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera — a miniaturized alternative to a digital SLR (DSLR) based on a tech standard developed in cooperation with Panasonic. The physical design and name are throwbacks to the half-frame film cameras Olympus produced from the ’50s through the ’80s. The E-P1, priced at $799, includes a 14-42-millimeter, f3.5-5.6 zoom lens (equivalent to 28-84 mm on a traditional film camera).

Why it’s different: The E-P1′s retro styling stands out among other DSLR and point-and-shoot cameras. The compact body is a result of the MFT system, which reduces bulk by forgoing an SLR’s internal mirror and prism for through-the-lens viewing. The result is a camera significantly smaller and lighter than a DSLR, but with the flexibility of interchangeable lenses and the photo quality that comes from a large image sensor. The only other MFT cameras on the market are Panasonic’s G1 and GH1, which boast similar size reductions, but have a traditional DSLR shape.

Continue reading The Olympus E-P1 Is Sexy, But Is It Worth the Hype?

The Olympus E-P1 Is Sexy, But Is It Worth the Hype? originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Cameras, Editor’s Picks, Reviews, Digital Camera

Question: I see more and more people carrying digital SLRs these days. And when I look at the great photos, I understand why. I’d like to upgrade from my point-and-shoot, but the choices are overwhelming. What’s a good beginner SLR that can also grow with me if I want to get more serious?

Advice: Our current favorite among beginner models is the Nikon D5000. It’s not the cheapest — even from Nikon — but it has great room to grow. The D5000 is very similar to the company’s pricier D90 camera and comes with one significant upgrade: An articulating, 2.7-inch LCD screen allows you to frame the photo while holding the camera above your head, down at your waist, or even facing towards you for a self-portrait. That gives it a leg up on Canon’s Digital Rebel line of entry-level SLRs.

The LCD is especially handy when using the D5000′s video-capture feature, since you don’t have to hold the camera right up to your nose while shooting. The 720p HD movies it takes don’t match the crisp images you can get with a dedicated high-def camcorder, but they make a fun supplement to the excellent 12-megapixel still photos.

Continue reading What’s the Best Digital SLR Camera for Beginners?

What’s the Best Digital SLR Camera for Beginners? originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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