Olympus Evolt E300 8MP with interchangeable Zuiko digital lenses, our exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter, and other cutting-edge technologies to make for world-class images. Advances in design make for a durable and portable compact camera you can take and trust anywhere. It features impressively fast shooting and operating speeds that ensure you never miss a photo op, and the ability to switch lenses and add flashes so you never miss a beat.
Along with the advantages provided by the 8-megapixel Full Frame Transfer CCD and Olympus’s exclusive dust-eliminating Supersonic Wave Filter, images captured with the Evolt E-300 benefit from a number of additional technologies as well.
The included Zuiko 14-45mm f3.5-5.6 digital SLR lens (equivalent to 28-90mm in 35mm photography) is perfectly matched with the 4/3-type image sensor to deliver light more directly to each of the imager’s pixels. Its 3.2x zoom covers a broad range, with close-ups coming out crisp and clear as near as 15 inches/38 cm. A new multicoating minimizes ghosting and flaring, while the sturdy metal lens mount ensures rugged durability. Features 12 elements in 10 groups and a weight of just 9.98 ounces/285 grams.
Furthermore, the camera’s TruePic TURBO image processor offers significantly improved image quality and combines with anti-blooming technology on each pixel to eliminate undesirable artifacts, moiré patterns, and other aberrations that can appear.
Helpful consumer’s review
This is the latest in my journey through Olympus Digital Cameras
(D340R, 460,560,2020z, 5060 — some of which I have reviewed on Amazon). The choice of the E-300, used for some commerical work I do, was not so easy because I have a bag full of Pentax K lenses and was mightily tempted by the Pentax digitals. But, having batteries, familiarity with the menu system, and really very good experience with Olympus products and service over the years, I took the plunge and got the E-300 and its kit lens. Then got a K mount adapter for my Pentax lenses and set to work.
Ok, there are some quirks and I will get them out of the way:
- a slight magenta cast to some greens, easily fixed in post-processing or fiddling with WB, and the noise reduction system can just slightly dull grass in photos, also easily fixed
- now and then a bright spot will fool exposure slightly when using the full screen sensor (I’ve learned to use the center-weighted and spot meters to take care of this)
- I am not overly impressed by the lcd, which doesn’t seem to have the brilliance of the one on my 5060.
- I wish Oly had added an xD slot for those of us with a collection of these cards, purchased for use with older models
Now to some good stuff:
- don’t worry about some reviews claiming the camera is noisey and doesn’t like 800/1600 ISO. I get fine results, which are easily fine tuned in Photoshop Elements, Neat Image or other programs, and which can be helped mightily by using a wide aperture prime lens at 400.
- colors are brilliant and resolution sharp
- the Oly jpg algorithms are very good, meaning that for most ‘normal’ shooting one can be perfectly happy using the best HQ mode — lots of testing on my part discerns very little visible difference with SHQ. This is good to know when traveling or when you want to keep some disc space; triage carefully when you see that once in a lifetime shot coming and then use the highest modes
- Raw is very good but by all means avoid the Olympus Master converter, which is terribly unintuitive, in favor of Adobe’s.
