Olympus ’ Evolt E-330 , an acclivity of the company ’s old E-300 model , is unique among mid - range digital SLR television camera for two reason : First , it ’s the only DSLR currently available that allows you to utilize its LCD screen as a viewfinder , and second , it ’s the first time I ’ve seen an rise that offers a low pixel count than its predecessor — though the slight difference in pixel count wo n’t affect the image caliber .
With a 7.5 - megapixel sensor ( as opposed to the E-300 ’s 8 - megapixel sensor ) , the E-330 boasts an improved , slenderly smaller soundbox figure , sweetening to a number of feature , and an LCD screen that , in addition to functioning as a view finder , can be folded away from the camera for easier waistline - stratum , or over - the - school principal shooting .
While the lower pixel counting is not important enough to bear on image quality , the LCD viewfinder will appeal to macro shooters and product photographers , both of which benefit from not have to crane their neck opening to look through a finder .
The Evolt E-330 ’s image quality is honest , offering fine detail and pungency . As with many Olympus cameras , the E-330 ’s factory options add a big contrast and vividness boost to your images . Personally , I think it ’s too much , but you could easily chant down these effects by using in - camera context . If you ’re shooting in new mode , you wo n’t have this job .
We tested the E-330 with the included kit genus Lens , a 14 - 45 mm f3.5 - 5.6 crystalline lens that deliver a 35 mm equivalent focal length cooking stove of 28 - 90 millimetre . The lens of the eye is lowly and well - built with fantabulous edge - to - edge item and no discernible vignetting .
The Evolt crystalline lens selection , though exchangeable , is not as large as that of Canon or Nikon DSLRs . Olympus has done a very expert job of expand the lense selection to include everything from a 7 - 14 mm lens of the eye , ( 14 - 28 millimeter equivalent ) to a 90 - 250 mm ( 180 - 500 mm equivalent ) zoom for telephotograph shooters . A fisheye , macro , teleconverter , and other lens of the eye within this zoom reach are also useable . Unfortunately , none of Olympus ’ lenses ply any class of electronic mental image stabilisation , which can be a big help to telephotograph and low light shooters .
A different view
While the E-330 put up a good , fairly bright optical viewfinder with a detailed status readout , you’re able to also press the Live View clitoris on the back of the camera at any time to utilize the LCD as a finder . The viewfinder work in two mode : One provides 92 percent reportage of your scene , but does not show precise deepness - of - field , while the other supply 100 percentage coverage and accurate depth - of - line of business , but requires you to focalise manually . Olympus has wisely added a exaggeration feature that make water it easier to judge focus , as focus manually on an LCD blind can be hard .
For sure situations , the LCD viewfinder is very handy , but in general , people choose an SLR because they desire a traditional through - the - crystalline lens photographic camera experience . Moreover , LCDs are difficult to see in low-toned light , and do n’t show the full dynamical range of a scene , which can bear on your originative decisions .
The Evolt E-330 does n’t provide a separate status LCD , but instead trust on the LCD cover to exhibit all camera information . The position readout is implausibly elaborate , supply all of the relevant data on your camera ’s current conformation . However , when front through the viewfinder , the always - on screenland can be very galling , and in low - light conditions it makes the optical finder unusable .
Fully featured
The E-330 provides a full full complement of features , include Priority and Manual modes as well as various custom prospect modes . This mannequin has three different spot meter alongside the matrix and meat - weight metering system , so the E-330 does a adept job with metering .
Other nice improvements include a somewhat faster burst rate of three physique per second ; the ability to adjust ISO sensitivity in 1/3 stop increments ; support for both CompactFlash and xD - Picture Card computer storage ; and an effective in - camera noise filter for in high spirits - ISO shooting .
The television camera ’s interface is becoming , providing relatively quick access code to all important control . And the Evolt continues to admit Olympus ’ splendid machinelike sensor - cleaning mechanism .
performance
Scale = Excellent , Very Good , Good , Flawed , Unacceptable
The image - caliber military rank of the camera is base upon a jury of judges ’ opinions in five category : exposure , color , sharpness , distortion , and overall . Battery life testers espouse a accurate book , including shots with and without flash , until the barrage fire drop dead — Tested in continuative with the PC World Test Center .
specifications
Macworld’s buying advice
The Olympus Evolt E-330 is a good photographic camera , but its standout lineament - the LCD viewfinder - is not that useful . Both the Nikon D50 ( ) and the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT ( ) , offer better image quality and a broader assortment of lenses . But , if you dead involve a camera with interchangeable lens and an LCD viewfinder , the E-330 is a self-coloured choice .
[ Ben Long is the author ofComplete Digital Photography , 3rd Edition(Charles River Books , 2004 ) . ]
