Olympus' third new DSLR in four months is the E-450, an enhanced version of the popular compact and light E-420. Find out what the E-450 has to offer in our launch preview.
Originally Posted by Four Thirds User editorial team
Olympus' third new DSLR in four months is the E-450, an enhanced version of the popular compact and light E-420. Find out what the E-450 has to offer in our launch preview.
ok!? let me take a crack at this. Oly will be phasing out the E-5XX and the current line-up will be E450, E620, E-30 and E-3/4. At least that would make sense because if not they will have too many entry level DSLR that are close together by price and feature.
ok!? let me take a crack at this. Oly will be phasing out the E-5XX and the current line-up will be E450, E620, E-30 and E-3/4. At least that would make sense because if not they will have too many entry level DSLR that are close together by price and feature.
All that's left for Oly to announce is the E-4.
The E-520, I feel, is the best bang for the buck model in the range and I doubt it, or its position in the range will be sacrificed. I can see an E-550 appearing (I have no privileged knowledge, I hasten to add).
The E-4xx is an important model for Olympus because it is the best seller, by some margin. That's all down to price. But the E-520 is the discerning buyer's budget purchase - it's almost as small and light as an E-420, has IS and more external controls for only a modest increase in price.
The E-520, I feel, is the best bang for the buck model in the range and I doubt it, or its position in the range will be sacrificed. I can see an E-550 appearing (I have no privileged knowledge, I hasten to add).
I have E-520 (purchased in Aug'08) and it seems that E-620 right now costs only slightly more than E-520 after launch. I got my double zoom kit (in Germany) for 680 (after drop from ~760), E-620 double zoom kit is listed at 780 (not yet sold). All considered, E-620 and E-520 have virtually same price. E-620 is more expensive now solely because E-520 is on market for quite some time already.
If I were buying camera right now and was comparing E-520 and E-620 as if they were just released, provided price difference was less than 100 (and actually it is less than that), I'd get E-620 as IMO articulated LCD worth it.
Provided that there is literally no difference in price between E-520 and E-620, I personally would expect Oly to drop E-5xx line in favor of E-6xx.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian
The E-4xx is an important model for Olympus because it is the best seller, by some margin. That's all down to price. But the E-520 is the discerning buyer's budget purchase - it's almost as small and light as an E-420, has IS and more external controls for only a modest increase in price.
Price difference (in Germany) between E-420 (~300) and E-520 (~400) is 100. That's about 25% (or 33% depending on your POV) what few buyers would consider "modest increase in price."
Actually in that regard I have the nagging question for as long as I first seen Olympus E-series line up: where actually E-3xx fits? Or was it dropped in favor of E-4xx line? What is the difference between the lines? N.B. E-330 was launched (as per wikipedia) on January of 2006, yet I do not see it being sold anymore. At least not in Europe. It is quite surprising that dSLR (even entry level one) might have such short life cycle... In film times, even cheap cameras lasted on market for about a decade. Though market was much slower and inertial than it is now.
i will not really want to see so many "small" changes too often it confuses me while making me overwhelmed with next-to-upgrade-despite-irrational-decisions. hmm.
I think the E-5x0 and E-6x0 will be a very good and attractive line of products... imho.
While I understand minor refreshes and how they help the bottom line (and also re-tooling costs), I think it was a shame that they didn't get those strap lugs onto the top/side of the camera. Still, it is good to see the 4xx continuing to evolve. It will be interesting to see how it sits against the m4/3 rangefinder style (presuming they bring that concept to market).
Lets hope they don't release any more or Ian won't be getting any sleep!
All the best,
Phil
ps - OK, body lust is sated, now bring on the lenses
I think 100 Euros for the extra external controls and IS of the E-520, plus a bigger battery, is worth it if you can afford it over the E-420.
Here in the UK the guide price for the E-620 is £649. An E-520 with 14-42 (discounted) is about £433. even if the E-620 is discounted to £599, the E-520 is a LOT cheaper. UK E-420 w/ 14-42 is around £300, again quite a bit cheaper than an E-520. The E-450's guide price is quite high compared to the E-420 street price here in the UK, so it may be heavily discounted when it comes out, or E-420 and E-520 prices will go up.
Ian
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dummy00001
I have E-520 (purchased in Aug'08) and it seems that E-620 right now costs only slightly more than E-520 after launch. I got my double zoom kit (in Germany) for 680 (after drop from ~760), E-620 double zoom kit is listed at 780 (not yet sold). All considered, E-620 and E-520 have virtually same price. E-620 is more expensive now solely because E-520 is on market for quite some time already.
If I were buying camera right now and was comparing E-520 and E-620 as if they were just released, provided price difference was less than 100 (and actually it is less than that), I'd get E-620 as IMO articulated LCD worth it.
Provided that there is literally no difference in price between E-520 and E-620, I personally would expect Oly to drop E-5xx line in favor of E-6xx.
Price difference (in Germany) between E-420 (~300) and E-520 (~400) is 100. That's about 25% (or 33% depending on your POV) what few buyers would consider "modest increase in price."
Actually in that regard I have the nagging question for as long as I first seen Olympus E-series line up: where actually E-3xx fits? Or was it dropped in favor of E-4xx line? What is the difference between the lines? N.B. E-330 was launched (as per wikipedia) on January of 2006, yet I do not see it being sold anymore. At least not in Europe. It is quite surprising that dSLR (even entry level one) might have such short life cycle... In film times, even cheap cameras lasted on market for about a decade. Though market was much slower and inertial than it is now.
I wonder if it has the sensor of e-3 with less banding? In that case it would have superior IQ against the e-620 but otherwise be a lesser camera compared to it, which would be very confusing.
New Olympus E-450 previewed
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