1. Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD (Includes manufacturer's supplied accessories)
2. Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens - Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor Lens - Deluxe Lens Care & Cleaning Kit
3. 8 Gigabyte SD Secure Digital Memory Card - Secure Digital USB Card Reader - Universal Memory Card Wallet - Pack of LCD Screen Protectors
4. Well Padded Multi Compartment Gadget Bag with Pockets & Strap - Additional EN-EL9 Reachargeable Lithium ion Replacement Battery
5. Full Size 59" Tripod W/Case - BONUS!! Atari Greeting Cards for Dummies - Free 25 Quality Prints (Promo code # on invoice)

Editorial Review :

A remarkable blend of simplicity and highly-advanced DSLR capabilities, the compact and powerful D5000 offers breathtaking 12.3-megapixel image quality, along with a flexible, Vari-angle, Live View monitor for fresh picture-taking perspectives. Nikon's EXPEED image processing further enhances performance, contributing to split-second shutter response and continuous shooting at up to 4 frames-per-second to capture fast action and precise moments perfectly.The D5000's 24-fps HD D-Movie mode with sound captures video clips with amazing clarity--offering new and exciting creative opportunities. Fast, accurate 11-point autofocus with 3D Tracking, teamed with famous NIKKOR optics, assures incredible image sharpness, while active image sensor cleaning combats annoying dust automatically. Featuring a convenient built-in flash, 19 automatic exposure Scene Modes to make the impossible easy and 23 Custom Setting options to fit your preferences, as well as 14 in-camera image retouching functions, the D5000 is the perfect DSLR, beginning with performance to meet your picture-taking tomorrows.
Nikon AF-S DX-Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR, a lens featuring a built-in Silent Wave Motor and Vibration Reduction (VR). The AF-S DX-Nikkor 18- 55mm f3.5-5.6G VR is an affordable, and compact, 3x zoom lens covering the most frequently used focal range of 18-55mm with amazing versatility.
Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkon lens: with 35mm equivalent of 82.5-300mm * 2 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens elements for maximum sharpness and contrast * Super-integrated coating minimizes ghosting and flare for more vivid images in dim lighting. * Silent Wave Monitor produces quick and quiet high-speed autofocusing * lens construction: 13 elements in 9 groups.
++PLUS++ 8GB Deluxe Accessory Kit: Loaded with extremely useful accessories.

Customer Review :

Great consumer camera

I've had this camera for about a year now and I'm extremely happy with the purchase. I've taken beautiful pictures with it and I've had some made into prints as large as 20" x 30" with excellent detail and clarity. The camera isn't quite commercial or professional grade but it does not claim to be so. The lenses that come with it are very high quality - though not top quality. Again, this is exactly what it claims to be.

I have been able to take a variety of pictures in different styles. I take plenty of nature shots and a lot of pictures of my dogs as they run around. I'm to capture them very easily without blurring or streaking in most lighting conditions (low light will definitely affect the autofocus - I like to use the burst mode to get the right pictures of the dogs and that doesn't go well if the lighting is too dim).

Just to test the camera's abilities, I took a flash shot of my ceiling fan on high speed and the camera was able to take a great picture of the blades such that the fan does not even appear to be on.

The attenuating screen has proven to be useful on occasion when I want to hold the camera high to get a picture over a crowd or obstacle but in reality I don't use it too often.

The video quality is very good. If I had a complaint here it would be that the video length is limited to 5 minutes. Also, be sure to use a high speed card or the video might cut out in much less than 5 minutes to catch up to the write.

The auto mode works very well and in most circumstances this camera works beautifully as a point-and-shoot but it also gives full control over shutter and aperture settings. I've enjoyed playing with some artistic use of extended shutter times in a pitch black room with a match.

Bottom line: if you are a professional or you are looking to take truly professional pictures then you probably aren't looking at this camera to begin with. If you are an amateur/consumer level buyer who wants to take beautiful pictures in high resolution then this camera is simply great. (Maybe I should have given it 5 stars.)

Rating :

Value for your money

In my world the cost of this camera is quite a large amount so trusting my money online was a scary thought for me. I was very happy when my order arrived in perfect condition in the time it was estimated. I only have one complaint. The tripod that comes in this package is garbage & you can't use it anyway. If you read the side of the box it is meant to hold 1.52lbs. Camera with lens weighs 1.82lbs. It's kinda shady that they sell you something that is useless just to make the package look better. More then likely I would have purchased this package anyway, after months of comparing prices, review reading and saving money this was by far the best deal I found! One more thing to keep in mind for those of you looking at this package. The camera bag that comes in this order is great but if you are to get any other accessories, as I did, you soon run out of space. Now when I go out for a day of shooting I must drag along another bag. I had also hoped the dvd would be more tailored to Nikon but rather it is a guide to many different digital SLR's.
All in all I am very happy with my camera and would definitely order from Ace Photo Digital again!

Rating :

Nikon D5000

I love this product with the total package. The camera is superb and the features it offers are great! 2 kit lenses gives plenty of options to capture the right moment. All the accessories come with the package are very good quality and so important for the usage. I absolutely love this..!

Rating :

Nikon D5000 w/ Deluxe Accessory Kit...

I have waited along time for this and I am extremely excited! The Camera is great, love the accessories of the camera and the ease of all the functions included. I used it for the first time (other that practicing) at a Beach Wedding in Destin, Florida last weekend, the results were spectacular, even though I still have alot to learn.

The only thing I have a question about is the Deluxe Accessory Kit...The additional lenses do not fit on the camera...has anyone else had this problem or am I just not getting it? Please advise if you have the same problem or have a answer for me that will help solve the problem!

Rating :

d5000 nikon

The whole package is a great buy except the bag that is shown in the picture is different than what I got and I am very disapointed in the bag, the bag that I got sucks the shoulder strap keeps breaking loose and the whole bag drops to the ground, i would have given five stars but because of the bag I went with four stars.

Rating :

More reviews...

1. 12.3-megapixel Live MOS sensor for photo-quality, poster-size prints
2. Lightweight ergonomic design; kit includes 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko lens
3. TruePic III for superior image quality in all lighting situations; Supersonic Wave Drive (in-body sensor shift)
4. 2.7-inch HyperCrystal III Swivel LCD; Smooth Live View allows you to change the frame rate of the Live View display
5. Stores images to Compact Flash (Type I and II), Microdrive, xD Picture card (not included)

Editorial Review :

OLYMPUS 262161 12.3 Megapixel E-620 Camera Kit (Includes ED 14–42mm zoom lens)

Customer Review :

Big improvement over the Olympus 420/520 cameras

My biggest complaint about the the Olympus 420 is the slow autofocus speed. This is especially notable in low light. I have a great deal invested in Olympus E system accessories and lenses so was reluctant to change camera brands. I have been very happy with the newer E620. it is a major upgrade on the 420/520 cameras.

The AF speed is much better, even with the kit lenses that I already own. The 620 has 7 auto focus sensors,5 are are the cross type. The 420 has only 3, non cross type AF sensors.

Another improvement is the contrast detect auto focus when using live view.There is still a significant delay when shooting with live view, but it is much improved over shooting with live view in the 420, which was essentially not usable except for landscapes and studio work

Much of my photography is underwater, and have found the slow autofocus of the 420 to be an annoying handicap especially shooting macro. I plan on purchasing the PT-E06 housing for the 620, and based on on dry land experience will expect the 620 to much more responsive.

Overall I think the 620 is a one of the best Olympus DSLR cameras to date, It has the same sensor as the E-30, in much smaller and lighter body. It also shares with the E30 the ability to do double exposures, and the "art filters".Though I have yet to find a use for these features.

I have taken about 500 shots since I purchased the body, and am quite satisfied. Highly recommended

Rating :

Outstanding DSLR - Fantastic with Legacy Lenses

Having used Olympus equipment since 1978 (OM-2), I was even more impressed with this camera when I discovered how well it worked with legacy lenses. In my case I'm using macro extentions, super wide angle, telephoto zoom - and even a 300mm super telephoto (all Olympus Zuiko lenses used with my OM-2). The ease of use and picture clarity is nothing short of stunning. An OM Lens to OM 4/3 Mount Adapter (in my case I used the inexpensive Fotodiox version) is required, but the results were worth the extra $30 I paid for the adapter - and the 2x zoom factor (i.e. 300mm -> 600mm) due to the 4/3 conversion is an added bonus.

Though Manual mode may work best - it was surprising how well Auto mode worked with my 30+ year old lenses - a testament to Olympus equipment. I was even able to use the Quick 310 flash & bounce grip (though limited and mostly in reverse bounce due to the intensity of the flash) to take some striking photographs.

Past the legacy issue - this camera is all it's advertised - and more. Long battery life, incredible flash mode array, image stabilization, multiple built in filtering - including B&W color lens filters, monotone colors (blue, purple, sepia & green) - and to top it off 19 art/scn modes that others have talked about that truly are amazing.

Yet that is only the beginning. The articulating display - including 180 degree viewing (from the front of the camera) makes this a top contender in the DSLR world. For previous Olympus owners - and before considering other DSLR cameras - put all the other brands in your hand and compare it to the E620. The ergonomics of size, weight and control functionality may very well make your decision for you.

NOW FOR THE OLYMPUS MANUFACTURER:

I have only one major issue - could you please make a high quality camera bag (not a backpack) with enough room for this camera and its lenses? It is rather embarassing to have to consider buying a Nikon or Cannon bag to carry Olympus equipment!!! ;-)

Rating :

A camera that has it all (almost)

I bought the E-620 as a Christmas present to... myself in December 2009. I went the Olympus way basically because of sentimental reasons: an old guy I used to know was a World War II photographer who shot Olympus until the day he died; he was the one who introduced me to the brand back in 1982.

Quickly after I set my hands on the E-620 I knew that this was a compact powerhouse. I am an amateur enthusiast with unfortunately too little time to pursue my passion for photography, but even without too much familiarization with the E-620 I was able to shoot some incredible photos right out of the gate and with the kit 14-42mm, which is a little gem if you get to know how to use it.

What I truly like about this camera:

1. Body built like an armored car; I've used much more expensive cameras that feel "flimsy" in comparison to the Oly.
2. A Super Control Panel with tons of information.
3. Excellent Live View.
4. Swing and tilt LCD monitor -- one BIG plus in my book!
5. In-body image stabilization that the competitors should really study and adopt, too!
6. Dust-removing system that WORKS...
7. Power Grip HLD-5 that offers endless battery life and balances the camera wonderfully in both larger and smaller hands ( I have smaller hands).
8. Without the power grip, I can comfortably and steadily hold the camera like my much smaller Canon point-and-shoot.

What I slightly dislike:

1. Viewfinder is a bit smaller than in other comparable cameras; I wear glasses and using the viewfinder requires some getting used to.
2. If you do not use the battery grip, the single battery will drain rather fast, especially if you decide to tweak with the Art Filters and Scenes.
3. LCD not as crisp and bright as the competition.
4. Menu system that is often a bit confusing and takes a lot more effort to learn than the competition.

That this Oly does not offer video recording leaves me unconcerned. I never really understood why I should be buying a still photo camera in order to shoot video, but this is another story. Don't let the absence of this rather useless function deter you from VERY seriously considering the E-620.

Image quality: I have shot some 10,000 pictures with this camera, mostly during experiment runs. Without too much digging into the menus and various fine tuning choices, output from the E-620 ranges from excellent to truly stunning. In fact, one of my routine complaints (to myself) is that I just don't know how I got to shoot the stunning ones! My next step is to get a notebook, set the camera in a particular way, make an exact notation of the settings, shoot, say, 50 photos, and mark the end of the run so that I get to know exactly how a series of photos was produced. I am convinced that once I get to know the Oly beyond the rudimentary, results will be consistently pretty amazing.

By way of comparison, I recently purchased a Nikon D5000 which, right out of the box, has pleasantly surprised me with incredibly sharp, beautifully colored images. Adding a Sigma 18-50mm to the package has produced even greater output. I know the Oly is quite capable of similar performance, but it needs nudging and tender loving care.

Another thing is that Olympus offers a limited choice of lenses that won't break the bank plus finding non-Oly lenses for the Four Thirds system is a bit of a challenge. In contrast, with the Nikon you are almost spoilt for choice; I have already bought two lenses beyond the two included in the kit, whereas with the Oly I have practically run out of choices after the kit lens, the 35mm macro, and the 70-300mm, both by Olympus.

I never shoot RAW; the Oly's JPEG engine seems entirely prepared to meet the crunch with aplomb. I rarely need to post process.

Bottom line: the Oly E-620 is an extremely attractive package, tightly manufactured, well calibrated, more than reasonably priced, and expertly equipped. It feels "snug" and "natural" in one's hand and this is the kind of feeling that, to me at least, adds significantly to the pleasure and comfort a photographer gets from a camera. Give the E-620 the utmost serious consideration. If you decide to buy it, you won't be disappointed (but you NEED to devote significantly more time to getting to know it well).

Rating :

Great Entry Level DSLR

I am an amateur photographer, not a professional by any means. But I've been using an old Canon AE1 35mm film camera and/or a point and shoot digital for a quite few years and wanted to upgrade to a DSLR. After doing the research, I went with the Olympus. Everybody has their own preferences, so that plays into the equation. My friends with Canons say that Canon is the only way to go and every other brand sucks. My friends with Nikons say that Nikon is the only way to go and every other brand sucks. I compared this camera with the comparable Canons and Nikons and when it all played out, the Olympus was the camera that best matched my wants/needs.

The Pros:

One of the main selling points to the Olympus is that it has in body image stabilization, so you don't have to worry about buying lenses with IS vs. without. Pretty much, you can slap any lens on it and get image stabilization. This also cuts down on the weight of the lenses. This is something my Canon friends bitch about. They have lenses that do not have IS, so they get some blurred shots from time to time. Buying the lenses with IS is a lot more expensive. With the Olympus, you don't have to worry about it. For most amateur photographers, this is a big plus.

The Zuiko kit lenses are top notch. I've got the 14X42mm, the 40X150mm and the 35mm Macro lenses, and they are all very impressive.

The other Zuiko lenses are all great quality and get great reviews, while Canon and Nikon lenses tend to either be damn excellent or nearly crap. Plus, since the E-620 has in body image stabilization, you can simply buy an adaptor and use Canon and Nikon lenses (the ones without image stabilization), or other old prime lenses (though, the autofocus will not work with these 'other' lenses).

The live view function is excellent, even though I hardly ever use it. I always use the viewfinder, but in playing with the live view, it rocks for what it is. If you are gonna use the live view function a lot, this camera has a very good one.

The rotating/swiveling LCD display makes it easy to use the live view function (or the menus in my case) from odd angles if/when necessary. This is really helpful when taking macros, or using a tripod, or any other time you may need to be at an odd angle or attitude to the camera.

Built in dust reduction system. This is a very handy feature to keep the sensor clean without you having to do anything but turn the camera on.

The built-in art filters are excellent.

The image quality is excellent. You have to play with the camera settings and learn how to get what you want out of it. It will produce stunning pictures, once you get the hang of it. This is true with any higher line DSLR. Right out of the box on "Auto", this camera produces nice images. But take the training wheels off, and this camera quickly gets even better.

The controls are well laid out and pretty easy to use, plus they are programmable. So if you want to 'customize' the buttons for certain features that you use often, you can easily do so.

The body is smaller, compared to other comparable DSLRs. I also find it to be very comfortable to handle. This is nice because you can carry the E-620 around without too much hassle. It is still a full size unit, but less size and weight are a plus if you are gonna lug the thing around all day.

The basic functions are pretty easy to learn/use with a little practice. But as with anything else, RTFM!

The price. If you shop around, this camera is a LOT cheaper than the comparable Canon (50D) or Nikon (D5000). You can get the body, 2 kit lenses and a few accessories for what it would cost you to get the comparable Canon/Nikon body and maybe one kit lens. Why pay a lot more $$$ for the Canon/Nikon name, when the odds are, you'll never notice a difference anyway? Sure, the brand snobs will point out all kinds of things that they say make their brand of choice "better", but unless you are a pretty serious photographer, it won't mean a thing to you. And if it does, you are probably gonna buy a much more expensive/sophisticated camera anyway. If you are looking for the most "bang for your buck", this camera delivers.

The Cons:

Overall, the Canon 50D and the Nikon D5000 will have a slightly better picture quality at high resolution; but the difference is not really noticeable unless you are a professional or otherwise have a lot of experience in the field. Most entry level buyers will never notice the difference anyway. Or, they'll cover the difference in Photoshop/Lightroom, etc. If you ARE sophisticated enough where these minor differences are going to make or break your selection, the odds are that you probably were not going to buy into this price range anyway.

The viewfinder is a bit small. This takes a little getting used to and is something Olympus could (and should) improve upon. This is a minor inconvenience, but still, it could (and should) be better.

The camera does NOT have video recording capability. For some people, this is a problem. For me, it is not. I already have an HD camcorder that I like, so I didn't want (or need) one in my still camera. Plus, for me, it just seems wrong to be taking videos from this type of camera. But that is just personal preference. If I'd wanted a camcorder/DSLR hybrid, I'd probably have considered the Olympus PEN. But in any event, if you want a camcorder function, the E-620 doesn't have one.

The XD memory card. This camera uses both XD cards and CompactFlash cards (one slot for each). I like the CompactFlash cards, but the XD is not ubiquitous. Plus, the panorama function on the camera will only work with an XD card installed. If you are switching from a point and shoot, unless you have a Fuji or Olympus (about the only two cameras that use the XD cards), your existing memory cards (SD, etc.) will not work. And here is a tip: Buying high quality CF cards will speed up the write times. So don't skimp.

Selection of lenses/accessories. There are a lot more kit lenses and accessories for Canon and Nikon. Not all of them are necessarily good or useful, but they are out there. So if you want the widest selection of aftermarket goodies, Canon or Nikon is probably gonna win that race. Yes, you can always buy an adaptor to use other manufacturer's lenses, but this is not exactly the same as purpose built accessories because not all of the lens functions will work with an adaptor (autofocus, etc.).

The autofocus can be a bit fickle in low light. If you use the built-in flash with the auto-focus in some low light situations, it will still sometimes take the camera a while to dial in the focus. This can be pretty damn frustrating. Using manual mode and manual focus solves this problem. Since I have progressed to using manual mode with manual focus almost exclusively, this is no longer an issue for me. But it is an issue that Olympus should work on improving. I am told that the Canon/Nikon cameras can also have this issue, but that they are less temperamental about it than the Olympus.

Battery life. Personally, I think the battery life is fine. However, if you use the live view function, it drains the battery a lot quicker. I seldom use the live view function, so I don't notice much of a problem. However, I bought a spare battery to keep in the bag anyway, so this is moot for me. If you are gonna spend $500-$600 on a nice camera, go ahead and drop the extra $10 for a spare battery, no matter what brand you buy.

Brand recognition. People know the names "Canon" and "Nikon" very well. Olympus, not so much. So if you are a 'brand conscious' consumer who needs to go along and fit in with the crowd, then play it safe and buy a Canon or Nikon, and you'll be happy.

The Bottom Line:

I LOVE this camera. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. It is a pretty sweet rig. The truth is, at this level, you will probably be satisfied with whatever you buy. But for me, for the money, this is the best value for what I wanted in a camera. As with any DSLR, there is a learning curve. You HAVE to put the work into learning how to use the camera. If you are just gonna set it to "Auto" and snap pictures, then you may as well save the money and just buy a nice point and shoot because you are not going to enjoy or appreciate ANY complex DSLR. But if you are willing to put some time and practice into it, this camera will do whatever you want and more. It isn't a perfect camera, but none of them are. Do your research and make your decision based on the features and functions (and budget) that YOU want out of a camera. If the E-620 meets the criteria for what you want/need in a camera, then buy one and you will not be disappointed.







Rating :

Wonderful Camera for both beginners and enthusiasts!

I love this camera! It is my first real DSLR and as an utter beginner I've been able to produce some amazing pictures with a little bit of research - Mostly done with the manual that comes with the camera.
Since I'm no expert, I can't compare between cameras or really go into detail on the features, but the camera feels nice in the hand and takes great pictures.

Image stabilization wasn't automatically 'on' when I first got it though, my only real complaint with the camera. the IS works great though, though in lower light obviously it's harder to get a steady shot hand-held.

Rating :

More reviews...

1. 10-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints
2. 2.7-inch Live View HyperCrystal II LCD screen
3. TruePic III for superior image quality in all lighting situations; exclusive dust-free technology for spot-free photos
4. Lightweight ergonomic design; kit includes 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko lens
5. Stores images on CF, Micro Drive, or xD Picture Cards (not included)

Editorial Review :

CAMERA, EVOLT E-420 W/14-42MM, 10MP,

Customer Review :

My first digital SLR

... and I'm very happy with my purchase. One of the least expensive out there with 10 megapixs or more and it does everything. This will keep me happy for quite a while. If you want to start out and not spend an arm and a leg, this is for you.

Rating :

Wanted to love it

I really wanted to love this camera, despite not being impressed at all right out of the box of the plastic body that to me seemed cheap-looking. The features were outstanding and the menus were easy to navigate. I loved that it takes two different kinds of memory cards. I just wasn't happy with the picture quality in the auto mode... the lighting always seemed to be off, whether I tried shooting indoors or out. I was spending more time editing & adjusting the pictures than it took to download them off the camera. I had problems with over AND under exposure. Details were not as sharp as my little point & shoot Canon (which I was upgrading from). Plus, it was on sale at Walmart and the price was phenomenal.... but I just couldn't get past the lack of quality on the images. I finally returned it and opted to stay with the tried & true Canon brand and ordered an XS instead, and this will be my 5th or 6th Canon... I should have just stuck with what I know.

Rating :

Takes great pictures if you learn how to use it

I have owned this camera (Olympus E-420) for over a year now and have been very pleased with its performance.
The picture and color quality is FANTASTIC and digital noise is very very low in conditions with low light, so long as I stick to the 'low key' constrast setting.
I share the same complaint of the user giving this camera 1 star...the autofocus fails to focus at times if I'm shooting in a dark setting. I work around this problem by keeping the camera on a single point autofocus setting and - gasp - just pointing the camera at the thing I want to focus on. In other words, the multipoint autofocus is slow but not usually necessary, especially if you're used to using an SLR.

Rating :

Small enough with bold pictures

I love this camera its compact light and easy to use. I have nothing to say about it other than the options could be a bit greater but the price versus the options is really exceptional.

Rating :

The world's smallest (and cheapest) digital SLR.

I bought this refurbished camera with the kit lens for $320 from Amazon/Adorama. It arrived in five days.

First, the bad news...

--Saying the E-420 is the world's smallest dSLR is like winning the prize for "the world's lightest 200 pound supermodel". This is not a small camera. Play with one before you buy it because there is no way this camera is fitting into any pocket.
--Image quality is slightly soft (but can be turned sharp by turning off the noise filter).
--Very cramped viewfinder at about 50% magnification (apparent size of things is halved). In addition, critical info is places to the right of the viewfinder.
--Poor ergonomics between shutter, aperture, ISO via a single multifunctional dial. Please, Olympus, give us two dials.
--Somewhat slow autofocus in poor light (but very fast if you know what you're doing and read the helpful instructional manual).
--Poor resolution LCD but if you're like me you just use the LCD to check highlights then you won't care.
--No mechanical image stabilization. IS is most useful in the critical 1/4 to 1/125 shutter speed. I find myself there a lot so it would be nice to have.
--Compactflash only.
--Poor battery life at ~150 shots (but can be doubled with $10 aftermarket rechargeable).

Now for the good news...
--Its a real dSLR! You're just not going to find any dSLR at this price range and its build quality absolutely doesn't feel cheap.
--Smaller than any other dSLR. Other dSLR's feel enormous.
--100% viewfinder coverage? You take the picture and there's no cropping. You get what you see.
--Really good kit lens.
--Very fast operation...if you read the manual and practice. Otherwise, like most cameras of this sort, if you don't have a fundamental understand of the compromises between shutters speed, aperture, and ISO then the camera just pukes on you if you ask it to do something unreasonable.
--Smart flash with a great number of options. I'd still recommend a more powerful external flash (I use a tl20) for daylight photography.
--Super-fast and easy adjustable exposure compensation.
--Fast white-balance adjustment (but might take two button clicks and eyes off the prize to set it).

If you're getting into SLR photography and you don't want to spend a lot of money then this is the camera to get. This is not an easy camera to use but if you read the manual and practice with it then the camera is very fast. You can work really fast with the buttons...there's no delay at all.

Rating :

More reviews...

1. 10-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints
2. Lightweight ergonomic design; kit includes 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko lens
3. Enhanced in-body Image Stabilization with Supersonic Wave Drive technology
4. Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment technologies; Perfect Shot Preview
5. Compatible with CompactFlash Type I and II, Microdrives, and xD-Picture Cards (not included)

Editorial Review :

D1) OLYMPUS E-520 W/14-42MM LENS

Customer Review :

Olympus-E520

Hola Gente:

My only concern? Only have one format picture relation of 4:3 and I take all my pictures in 3:2 format, so I'll go for the E620.

If you buy the body and the 9 to 18mm Zuiko lens you'll ready for panoramic, and is just great!

Saludos, Allan.

Rating :

Best camera under $600...

This camera is perfect if you are on a budget and want a digital SLR. Everything so far works great, easy to use, takes crisp and clear pictures. If I had one complaint it would be that the focusing system can be slow at times. I am used to a Canon Rebel and if you have ever used a Canon you'd know what I mean. There is a reason why most sports photographers use Canon, they are lightning fast when it comes to focusing and frames per second. Anyway it is definitely worth the money.

Rating :

Olympus e-520 - User Review

I purchased the Olympus E-520 about 6 months ago after researching cameras for about 3 months. I looked at the Pentax K200D, Canon XSI, Nikon D40, Nikon D40x, Nikon D60, Sony Alpha 300 as well as the Olympus E-420 and the Olympus E-510.

I read all sorts of detailed reviews ([...] has some of the best ones), watched video reviews and product demonstrations on YouTube, spoke to friends and family that owned some of the cameras mentioned above and most importanty, I went to camera stores and actually held (and worked with) the cameras in my hands.

This is my first DSLR camera and compared to the competition, I'm very happy with my selection. I wound up buying the camera body with the 2 kit lenses. Originally I planned to only buy the body and then either the 14-54mm or 12-60mm higher end Olympus lenses but I decided that having two (lower quality) lenses would give me a nice range to work with as I learn different techniques. Also I like to take pictures outdoors and am very happy with the pictures I've taken so far. This is not to say that I haven't taken great pictures at night or indoors, I have and I will say that you can too but you have to learn how to use the camera. I took loads of horrible pictures at first, lucky for me, my dad (who owns the Sony Alpha 300 and has been taking beautiful photos with SLRs for years) helped me to understand that most of my bad pictures were my fault and not the camera.

I'd also like to recommend a book or series of books, "The Digital Photography Book," written by Scott Kelby. In this series Scott tells you exactly how to acheive a various effect without really explaining the theory behind it. He will say something like if you want to get that silky warerfall or stream effect this is what you need to do: Switch your camera to Shutter priority mode, an set the shutter speed to 1 or 2 seconds. To avoid getting a picture that is blown out (because of all the light your slow shutter speed is letting in) it is best to shoot around sunrise or around sunset. Since the shutter is open for 1 or 2 seconds use a tripod. Since the water is moving it will be blurry and the surrounding area will be sharp.

Books like the one mentioned above will help you to realize that there is a lot you can do with your camera if you only take the time to learn.

I read all of these Amazon reviews months ago and really like how people can comment on a someone's review and I recommend that you check out the comments that appear on 1 and 2 star product reviews, sometimes the comments reveal that the user incorrectly reviewed a product and that is helpful to know!

All of the cameras above take good pictures. It's important to feel comfortable navigating the camera menus, you should feel comfortable holding and taking pictures with the camera and you should think about what you'll be using the camera for.

I actually just purchased the Olympus MF-1 OM Lens Adapter ($82 on amazon), which allowed me to buy an old Olympus OM 50mm f 1.8 prime lens. Good glass will help me take better pictures and this adapter helped me to get a good quality lens for a ridiculously cheap price (I got the OM 50mm f 1.8 prime on ebay for $20).

The more I use my E-520, the more I love it. I'm learning so much and appreciating all that Olympus packed into this lovely camera. You can check out to pictures that I submitted in online photo contests ([...]) by clicking on the following link:

[...]

Good luck in your search!

Joe

Rating :

Broken

The XD picture card would not stay (click inside) in the camera therefore the camera would not recognize it had a picture card inserted and I couldn't use the camera at all!!

Rating :

Wonderful camera

This is my 28th digital camera and I love it. I had the Canon SXI for a short while and it was good but did not impress me. This SLR does impress me. It is wonderful for scenic work and for studio work. It is the best buy in a dSLR by far.

Rating :

More reviews...

1. 14.2-megapixel resolution for incredible detail; new Sony Exmor CMOS image sensor
2. Included 18-55mm lens covers everything from wide angle to midrange telephoto shots, features Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) for silent operation
3. Quick Auto Focus Live View for composing shots in the LCD monitor; Manual Focus Check Live View enables critical focus in macro and tripod shooting
4. Auto HDR (High Dynamic Range) captures more scene contrast than a single exposure can handle by combining two exposures into one shot
5. Dual media slots for Memory Stick PRO Duo/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo and SD/SDHC media (sold separately)

Editorial Review :

Step up to the Sony® a550. Enjoy the spectacular imagery of 14.2 megapixels with ISO 12800 sensitivity. Experience the versatility of Quick Auto Focus Live View or MF Check Live View on the tiltable 3.0" LCD screen4. Discover the superb response of up to 7 fps of continuous shooting.14.2 megapixels; amazing pictures This camera's 14.2 megapixel resolution makes for incredible detail and gorgeous enlargements. The all-new Sony® ExmorTM CMOS image sensor ensures state-of-the-art response. The large, APS-C format means high sensitivity, powerful depth-of-focus control. Superb in low light (ISO 12800) An all-new Sony's ExmorTM CMOS image sensor employs new low-noise processing, for uncommonly clear pictures. The BIONZTM image processor with chroma noise reduction helps achieve low noise all the way up to ISO 12800, without sacrificing resolution. More responsive Live View All DSLR Live View systems enable you to compose shots in the LCD monitor, just as you would with a point-and-shoot camera. But not all Live View systems are created equal. Some take a painfully long time to focus. Some even black out the LCD before focus. Either can cause you to miss shots. Sony's Quick Auto Focus Live View solves these problems, making it easier to get the best shot. Quick Auto Focus Live View Unlike competing cameras, the DSLR-A550 is just as responsive in Quick Auto Focus Live View mode as in optical viewfinder mode. That's because, unlike the others, the ?550 uses the same "phase detection" auto focus for Live View as for the optical viewfinder. While other Live View systems are severely restricted, Sony's performs superbly any time-even if you're shooting handheld or chasing after moving subjects like kids or pets.

Customer Review :

A Fun Step-Up From Entry Level DSLRs

Since the other reviews have quite a bit of practical information in them, I thought I'd post one that was more of a gut reaction from a new user. What it lacks in detail, it more than makes up for in brevity.
I own an A700, and love it, but wanted a good back-up camera/second body. Naturally, I kept going back to Sony, since I have quite a bit invested in glass and gear.
Unfortunately, none of the previous models felt quite right in my hand. The grips all seemed too slight and uncertain. I have big hands and long fingers (perfect for a pianist or strangler, not so hot for a DSLR shooter,) so finding a camera with a "good feel" is a bit tricky. The A550 fits the bill (and my hand,) quite nicely. For me, it's a great second camera. I also found it be fairly responsive and easy to use, as well as alot of fun. I may never take full advantage of all
the "bells and whistles," but they're alot of fun to play with, and may come in handy from time to time as well (a bit like an amp that goes to 11.)




Rating :

Has Bells, has Whistles & Delivers too

I can remember sitting in an outdoor cafe in St. Martin on the French side with my Canon EOS film camera on the table. I was alone, looking out over the bay in Marigot, wishing I was on one of the sailboats going out to sea, when a man asked if he could join me. It's not what you think, all the other tables were full with couples or more. I was the only one dining (actually drinking) alone. So I told the portly Dutch guy, "Sure, no problem."

He sat down, immediately pointed a small digital camera out to sea and snapped a few shots, then he showed them to me on a small LCD screen. Damn, I thought. Digital photography just might catch on.

And it did, but I didn't make the jump from film to digital until the the summer of 2006, six years after I'd met that guy in Marigot. Why, it took me so long, I don't know. The laundry room I'd converted into a dark room, maybe. I was a pseudo, photo taking stuck up snob, who thought film was better, probably. I was an idiot, certainly.

My ex, also a photo taking snob, got the house, the darkroom, my heart in the divorce and I threw in all my gear and moved to a condo by the beach. Huntington Beach, where I could see the ocean from my front door. Lots of surf there. You can see Catalina on a clear day and the pollution makes for gorgeous sunsets. The sunrise on the water is gorgeous, too.

And because there was no room for a darkroom in my small condo, I decided it was time to go digital and I bought a new Sony Alpha 100. And I liked it. Rather than upgrade the body year after year, I concentrated on lenses and I have a lot now. But my Alpha 100 body got long in the tooth, so I upgraded to an Alpha 550 and wowza, this is a camera.

Bigger pictures, 14.2 megapixels, a bright three inch LCD. The resolution is so good you can even read it in bright sunlight. The live view is great, but there is no video which you can find on Canon and Nikons, but I don't do video, so I don't miss it. The camera accepts both SD cards and memory sticks.

This camera has bells, it's got whistles. Built in IS, which helps keep the price of the lenses down, five frames per second shooting with auto focus, seven without. Want face detection? This camera has it. Smile detection too, though I believe that's overkill and I don't use it. I could go on and on about this cameras features, but all the bells and whistles in the world wouldn't be worth a hill of beans if it didn't deliver and this camera really delivers. For me it comes down to noise, because I do a lot of low light shooting. I got noise at 800 ISO & above on my Alpha 100, but not now. Shooting at 6400 ISO and you don't see any noise. You can shoot 12.800 and it's barely noticeable, depending what you're shooting.

And this camera just feels right in your hands. They say this isn't a professional camera because it's not full frame. Well, that's just crazy talk, because if you can't full fill your photographic dreams with this camera, you can't call yourself a pro.

Rating :

A very responsive DSLR with clean pictures

Sony has been trying really hard to compete with Canon, Nikon, Olympus and other major DSLR players since the release of the alpha 100. The 550 along with 500 are the latest additions to Sony's already very crowded DSLR line-up.

On the outside, the 550 looks just like the recently released 380 and 330, and some might even mistaken it for the entry level 230 at first glance. However, everyone knows that appearance can be deceiving.

Unlike its other live-view siblings, the 550 is a very fast live-view enabled DSLR. Clocking at 4 frames per second under live-view (with continuous focusing), the frame rate surpasses many of the earlier Sony DSLRs, trailing behind only the alpha 700 and 900. None of these models are live-view enabled. There are a few options for continuous shooting for the 550 here: Hi, Lo, and speed priority. At "Hi" mode, the DSLR blasts away at 4 fps while it tracks the subject's movements. There are few instances of hesitation here, where the camera slows down a little, but the bottom line is, Sony did not lie about the 4 fps capability. Switching to speed priority, however, was a bit of a let down for me. Although the continuous rate immediately went up to an amazing 7 fps (you can literally hear the shuttle slamming away like mad at 7fps), the live view was disabled and the screen went dark. Therefore, you can't track the subject while you're firing at 7fps with the live view mode turned on.

The maximum number of continuous shots according to the manual is as follows: Fine (JPEG) = 32 shots, Standard (JPEG) 116 shots, RAW & JPEG = 7 shots and RAW = 14 shots. One good thing about the camera is that it does not slow down as you're reaching toward the limit of these figures, so far I've tested Fine and Standard mode, and the camera does not disappoint.

The Exmor sensor is impressive, although it won't impress Canon DSLR owners (Do refer to the sample images on top, and observe how the noise level of this new sensor increases with the increase in sensitivity). Maintaining details and color all the way up to ISO 1600 is no easy feat, but the 550 does it well with the new APS-C CMOS Exmor sensor. There is unfortunately still enough chroma noise visible at full zoom, probably due to the fact that Sony's noise reduction engine has never been great to begin with (all their earlier alpha models had alot of chroma noise at high ISOs), but the Exmor sensor helped alot in bringing the 550's sensitivity up to 12,800. Granted, chroma noise is really high at that ISO and details are being sacrificed with the noise reduction engine aggressively filtering out those stray signals, but when you really need to shoot at that sensitivity, you'd be glad that the 550 actually gives you the option to do so. Earlier alpha models maxed out at ISO 3200, with heavy noise reduction that had no effect whatsover on chroma noise.

The Auto HDR should only be turned on during really severe back-lit conditions. When applied, it brings the shadows out of the dark and produces a well balanced image without the use of fill-in flash. However, when used under normal conditions, the Auto HDR will over-compensate the shadows and produces a dull and "flat" image. The Auto HDR should also not be used for capturing moving objects, as two consecutive frames will be captured and overlapped against each other to produce the final image. A football flying across the football field will turn into two footballs in the final image. Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO, 5 different selectable levels) should be used under normal shooting conditions and when shooting fast moving subjects. However, do note that as the DRO function pushes the shadow areas out of the dark electronically, the noise level in those dark areas will increase along with the DRO setting. DRO Lv4 and Lv5 produce very noticable noise, so should be used sparingly.

The new DT 18-55mm lens has less zooming power than the DT 18-70mm model that comes with older alphas, but the resolving power of this new lens is somewhat impressive. The DT 18-70 could barely make it past the 10MP mark, whereas the DT 18-55 seems to be able to capture details beyond what the alpha 550's 14.2MP sensor could see. The focusing mechanism is very quiet and responsive, making it easy for you to get close to pets and creatures that are easily startled by sounds. But if you already have an army of alpha mount lenses waiting for the 550, I would recommend that you skip this camera-lens combo and go straight for the body only package.

Another thing to note about the DT 18-55mm lens is that is has an amazingly minimum focusing distance, at 25cm. This is the shortest distance you can place the camera's sensor from your subject. With the zoom dial set all the way to 55mm, this entry level lens is able to capture very impressive macro photos. The DT 18-70mm (bundled with older entry level alphas) had a minimum focusing distance of about 40cm, so this new lens, unlike its older sibling, makes a great macro lens too, if you are not trying to magnify a button or a bead. The actual distance of the subject from the glass of the lens is alot less than 25cm, as the minimum distance is measured from the surface of the sensor to the subject.

I'm still playing with the 550 as I'm typing this review, trying to look for flaws that'll make me regret buying this DSLR to replace my 350, but so far I'm having no luck finding any. Although the screen is a little bit crowded with alot of unnecessary information for the sake of point-and-shoot camera users, the design of the updated graphic user interface is simply sublime. The camera is surprisingly affordable, and yet stands up well next to alot of high-end DSLRs out there.

Rating :

Get the camera but dump the 18-55 lens

I'm happy with this camera. However, the development of digital cameras is very fast so the camera is likely to be behind cutting edge in a couple of years. I bought this camera because it is not that expensive, so one can always upgrade. Some good and bad things:
- Steady shot makes it possible to take very sharp pictures at 1/15.
- Quite decent performance up to ASA 800. I can go up to ASA 12,800, which results in noise, but also sharp pictures in very low light. If you like me hate using the flash, this is great. I'd rather have grain than flat flash light.
- Very sharp live viewfinder. I cannot do without this facility anymore. Not many higher-end DSLR cameras have this function yet.
- The autofocus does not work that well in low light. I don't know if other cameras are better. However, the Manual Focus Live Viewfinder function is very good when using manual focus in low light and low contrast settings.
- The camera isn't well prepared for HDR (high dynamic range). There is a built in function (works just so so), but I'd rater be able to do bracketed exposures in 1 or 2 EV steps. That is not possible. I can do bracketed exposures in 0.3 or 0.7 EV steps but that isn't really useful for HDR. Clearly Sony is holding back on performance for the next model in 2010.
- The camera fits okay in my standard male sized hands. Bigger might fit better but it is also nice that the camera is not bulky.
- Information panel is informative, except for ASA level when using ASA Auto setting. It would have been very nice to know what ASA level the camera decide to use when in Program mode.

If you buy this camera, skip the 18-55 lens and go for the 18-250 lens instead Sony SAL18250 Alpha DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 High Magnification Zoom Lens w/Lens Hood. It just doesn't make sense to buy a USD1,000 camera and fit it with a USD100 lens. The longer zoom is a good allround lens. A bit slow, but with an amazing range, 27-375 35mm equivalent. I actually don't find a 200mm zoom that useful, but when you can go up to 375mm new opportunities open. If you want to spend some more dollars, get the 50mm f/1.4 lens. That lens will function like 75mm, which is not optimal, but that is really the only chance of getting a wide open aperture lens. (Sony also sells a 35mm f/1.4, but that is very expensive and has received poor reviews.) The advantage with the 50mm f/1.4 lens is that it is full-frame so it can be used when you later upgrade to a fullformat camera.

Rating :