Olympus E-620 Review
Review Date : Wed, 29 Apr 2009
Author : Matt Golowczynski
- Product Shots: View product shots of the Olympus E-620
- Sample Photos: View sample photos of the Olympus E-620
The Olympus E620 raises the Four Thirds DSLR standard once more. So is the E620 the Four Thirds DSLR we've all been waiting for? The What Digital Camera Olympus E-620 full review reveals all...
| Pros: | Art Filters, useful features, live view, LCD screen, wireless flash capabilities |
|---|---|
| Cons: | Noise levels, awkward handling, small and fiddly buttons, small buffer, a little expensive |
The Olympus E620 is Olympus's most recent take on the Four Thirds DSLR system, which the past year or so has seen go through something of a renaissance due to the announcement of the Micro Four Thirds format. The Olympus E-620 - maintaining the Four Thirds as opposed to Micro Four Thirds format - has caused considerable interest. But in such a challenging climate, and with the Micro Four Thirds system looming with so much promise, does the Olympus E-620 have enough relevance to be introduced at this time? The What Digital Camera Olympus E620 review reveals all...
Olympus E-620 Review - Features
The Olympus E-620 is the 12th DSLR in Olympus's Four Thirds family, targeted at enthusiasts and advanced entry-level users. Influenced by the E-30, the E620 builds on the E-420 and E-520 before it, although the company has stressed that it isn't a replacement for either model.
The Olympus E620 has a 12.3MP LiveMOS device sensor, which in all probability is the same as, or at least similar to, the one found in the Olympus E-30. Measuring 17.3x13mm, images are output in the 4:3 format as standard, in a choice of Raw and JPEG options. The sensor is fronted by a Supersonic Wave Filter, part of Olympus's dust reduction technology, and is complemented by an image-stabilisation system that claims to offer up to four extra EV stops of usable shutter speeds beyond what's usually possible.
Olympus E620 Review - Processing Power
As with the recent E-450, the Olympus E-620 hosts an upgraded version of Olympus's TruePic III processing engine. The TruePic III+ processor provides images with ‘natural colour, brilliant blue skies and precise tonal expression, while lowering noise at higher ISOs'. Its other responsibilities concern the live view system, and a 4fps burst rate, which is maintained for up to five Raw images.
In line with the more expensive E-30, the E620 has high sensitivity to encompasses ISO 100-3200, which, while hardly class-leading, should be capable in most conditions. Another trait both the E620 and E-30 share is the 2.7in LCD screen, which may be pulled away from the body and adjusted around an angle of 270°, though the E-620 does feature a different type of HyperCrystal Technology from the E-30. In any case, this LCD is one of the camera's headline features, and will no doubt be a huge draw for those wishing for the flexibility of an articulated LCD screen, but not wanting to stretch to the E-30.
Olympus E-620 Review - New AF System
Unfortunately, the Olympus E620's similarity to the E-30 doesn't extend as far as the E-30's 11-point AF system, although the E-620's system is still a radical improvement on those in Olympus's previous models. The new system in the Olympus E620 sees five cross-type points along the horizontal, joined by a point each above and below these - making a
total of seven AF points. The Olympus E620 also offers autofocusing in
live view by a trio of options: Hybrid AF, Sensor AF and Imager AF.
Impressively, the E620 goes on to offer a number of features usually reserved for professionally-oriented bodies. AF calibration is possible for up to 20 individual optics, as is wireless flash control for external units
(which, to Olympus's credit, has been offered for some time now on such
models). It's also welcome to see a range of bracketing options,
covering not just exposure and flash, but white balance and sensitivity,
too. The E620 has metering options which break free from the standard evaluative, centre-weighted and spot trio, too - including highlight-spot and shadow-spot options in addition to these.
Finally, both xD and CompactFlash memory cards are supported by the Olympus E620, which is handy if upgrading from previous Olympus models; as is the
fact that the battery is the same as those in the Olympus E-420 and E-410 models.
More info:
Olympus E-620 performance, image quality & value
Compare the Olympus E-620 with other products
Verdict
The Olympus E-620 provides the ultimate portable, creative DSLR - with this as a concept, Olympus has unquestionably succeeded. And, should the novelty of the E620's Art Filters wear off, or should you not be drawn to them in the first place, the Olympus E620 is still a fantastic camera underneath. Packed full of useful features, the model strikes a balance between Olympus's current entry-level and enthusiast DSLRs, and does indeed seem to be what Four Thirds proponents have been waiting for. The question is, would you be prepared to pay around £700 for the Olympus E620? After all, despite it being much cheaper than the E-30, it's only a continuation of the E-420 and 520 model, and so still entry-level in many respects. The omission of video capture is more forgivable, though this does look to be an area of growing interest in the future; will it be one entered by Olympus at some point? As a camera in its own right the E620 is a capable alternative to the more sober offerings from other manufacturers, and is genuinely fun to use. For the time being however it can be safely considered a pricey addition to the DSLR market, but one that should make quite a splash in the Four Thirds world. What Digital Camera Olympus E620 Review Verdict.
Have your say!
Latest comments
June 01 11:17
Peter Bower
All modern digital cameras take good pictures. The E-620 is exceptional for image quality. Many cameras that only get average marks for image quality is usually down to an average performance kit lens. With the Olympus kit lens 14-45, the image quality is probably the best on the market for the price. Put their pro 14 -55 F-2.8 on the 620 and its up there with the very best no matter what price. Peter
December 29 17:39
R. Peacock
I have had the E620 for a year now and think it is a good value-for-money buy. It's poorest feature by a long way is it's user manual. It is a most irritating document with its too-small-to read icons, its use of nemonics which need (but don't have)a glossary and over-used cross referencing to other pages in the document drive me mad. Surely a reasonable entry level camera of this quality deserves a decently prepared manual.
March 03 17:41
edd polanek
I have had this camera for nearly a year, at first i had a few niggles with it , but over time tweaking a few settings and adding a couple of pro lenes its just awsome, dont take any notice of forums stating the e620 is noisy , its not that bad at all i can get real decent images at 1600 iso with no pp, i shoot jpeg and im well happy with the results just check my flickr shots.http://www.flickr.com/photos/edinski/
February 17 21:27
Jánosi Imre
The quality of this camera excellent. I am wery satisfied with E-620. Photohunting, why not! Worth for a price.