Digital SLR

Announced early in March, the Olympus E420 replaces the E-410 model at the entry level in the Olympus DSLR line-up, providing several worthwhile updates and a lower price tag. Like its predecessor, it's claimed as the world's smallest and thinnest interchangeable-lens DSLR camera and sports a 10-megapixel Live MOS sensor. As such, it will appeal to photographers who wish to upgrade from a compact digicam.

One of the most attractive features for the target market is the replacement of the E-410's 2.5-inch LCD monitor with a larger, 2.7-inch HyperCrystal II LCD screen. Like its predecessor, the E-420 uses the same LCD screen for its Live View mode, as well as for menu displays. The new screen offers a viewing angle of 176 degrees in all directions, along with improved contrast and an expanded colour reproduction gamut.

Brightness is adjustable through 15 steps. Image playback is enhanced by an anti-reflection multi-coating and colour temperature adjustment that works the same way as a traditional brightness adjustment control. However, the screen is quite prone to finger-marking.

The camera body has also been redesigned to provide a slightly larger, more comfortable grip. But the E-420 remains very small and may not suit users with larger hands or limited dexterity. A new initiative has been to change the colour of the labels on the control buttons from green to blue to make them easier for colour-blind users to identify.

Front view of the E-420 with the new 25mm prime lens.

Rear view showing the larger LCD monitor and colour-coded button controls.

Top view with the new 25mm prime lens.

The E-420 comes with Olympus's tried-and-proven SSWF dust reduction system. However, the sensor-shift stabilisation provided with the E-510 and new E-520 models remains absent in the entry-level camera. Other features unchanged from the E-410 include the sensor resolution and the top sensitivity setting of ISO 1600.

The menu interface on the E-420 has been refined with a re-designed Super Control Panel that makes it easier to change camera settings. Although on first glance it looks complex and cluttered, once you've learned where everything is, using the Super Control Panel becomes quick and intuitive. To launch the Super Control Panel you simply press the Info button beside the LCD.

This displays the following information: shooting mode, ISO, flash mode and compensation, memory media installed/selected, image quality, AF mode and area, metering, continuous shooting status, white balance and compensation, picture mode, sharpness, contrast, gradation, saturation, color space, face detection status, and number of shots available on the memory card. To adjust a function, simply press the OK button on the arrow pad then use the arrow buttons to navigate to the setting you wish to change. Press OK again and make the required adjustment using the arrow buttons. Another press of the OK button locks in the new setting.

Eighteen scene pre-sets are provided to help novice photographers who are transitioning from a digicam to a DSLR. Shutter speeds range from two to 1/4000 second in Auto mode or 60 to 1/4000 second in the P, A, S, and M modes and you can set Bulb exposures of up to 30 minutes in Manual mode for night photography.
Dark-frame-subtraction noise reduction kicks in automatically for shutter speeds of four seconds or slower, doubling processing times. You can set the processing level to either Standard or High with the Noise Filter control. No specific high-ISO noise-reduction control is provided but the High setting is recommended for high ISO shots. 

In other respects, little has changed from the E-410 model. Like its predecessor, the E-420 has dual memory card slots and accepts CompactFlash cards (and Microdrives) and xD-Picture Card media. It is compatible with the growing range of Olympus accessories, which includes Zuiko Digital lenses and flash units. 

Sensor and Image Processing
Although its resolution is unchanged, Olympus claims to have improved the performance of the 10-megapixel sensor in the new camera. The new LiveMOS sensor, which is manufactured by Panasonic, promises a wider dynamic range, better white balance performance and greater colour accuracy than the sensor in the E-410. With a maximum image size of 3648 x 2736 pixels, each photosite measures approximately 4.7 microns square.

The TruePic III image processor was developed for the top-of-the-range E-3 model but is also used in the new E-420 and E-520 models. It takes advantage of the latest chip processing technology to reduce power consumption and includes noise filtration algorithms and edge detection and smoothing along with improves colour processing algorithms.

The E-420 supports a faster sequential shooting speed than its predecessor of 3.5 frames/second instead of 3 frames/second. The buffer has a limit of eight ORF.RAW frames but only slowed after a burst of 16 JPEGs in our tests. Raw files are losslessly compressed. Typical file sizes are the same as the files produced by the E-3, as shown in the table below. 

Live View
The E-420's Live View function is an improved version of the flip-up mirror system used in the E-410. Accessed by pressing the Display button, it has the same three-point, phase-detection autofocus system as its default mode. This requires the mirror to flip down for focusing then up again for the Live View and down and up again to take the picture and noticeably extends capture lag. 

Fortunately, Olympus has added a new "High Speed Imager AF" system based on contrast detection (rather than phase-difference detection). It's activated when the shutter button is pressed halfway down in Live View mode. Contrast values are detected at the image sensor and focusing is adjusted at the peak contrast position without interrupting the Live View. The mirror will drop and lift again when the shutter button is pressed but does not need to drop for autofocusing.

A third (Hybrid) AF mode combines both AF types, obtaining a rough focus with contrast detection, which kicks in when the shutter button is half-pressed. However focus is fine-tuned with the phase detection sensor just before the shot is actually captured. 

Another new feature associated with the Live View mode is the addition of Face Detect and Shadow Adjust Technologies. The face detection system can distinguish up to eight faces in a frame. It will automatically adjust focus and exposure to provide an optimal balance of brightness and sharpness, even for backlit shots.

Users can also take advantage of a new Perfect Shot Preview function, which displays four images with different exposure compensation, white balance and picture mode adjustments on the LCD monitor.  Users simply choose the image they like best and save it on the memory card.

This system should overcome much of the reluctance novice photographers have about changing camera settings and encourage them to use more of the camera's many adjustable controls. It's a great 'learn-as-you-shoot' feature.

Wireless Flash
Another noteworthy new feature in the E-420 is support for the Olympus RC wireless flash system. The built-in flash includes the same a commander function as offered on the E-3 model for wireless flash support. When the FL-50R and/or FL-36R external flashes are used, multiple flashes can be controlled without either connection cables or an external commander. Settings (including flash mode and intensity) for up to three groups of remote flashes can be adjusted on the LCD panel on the back of the camera.

The system is simple to understand. The camera's flash sends out short pulses to activate the remote units and set them up with the correct configurations. Next it triggers a flash burst from all the remote units and measures the light it receives. The camera's on-board computer calculates the exposure and sends information to the on-board flash to adjust each remote group accordingly. Finally, a pulse from the camera's flash triggers the entire group.

Triggering a group of flash units gives photographers enormous flexibility for shooting. As well as enabling amateur photographers to assemble affordable lighting kits that will simulate studio set-ups, it also lets them place flash units in difficult-to-access situations (such as behind a closed window or high above a subject). The ability to adjust flash settings from the camera makes complex flash set-ups a realistic proposition for all photographers.
We were unable to test the effectiveness of this system as we had no compatible flash units. 

Software
The software bundle contains Olympus Master 2 for Windows and Macintosh plus QuickTime 7 for Windows and a 15-day trial version of Olympus muveetheaterPack. Unfortunately the copy of Olympus Master 2 supplied with the review camera would not convert the raw files we took as part of this review so we had to download the updated 2.05 version from the Olympus website.

Master 2 version 2.05 is a fairly basic raw file converter that lacks some of the more useful functions and fine-tuning that Adobe Camera Raw provides. Highlight and shadow adjustment are not provided and adjustments for contrast, sharpness and saturation are in steps, rather than continuous. However, its user interface is pleasant enough and reasonably straightforward as you can see in the screen grabs below.

The browser window in Olympus Master 2.

The raw file adjustment window.

'Developing' a raw file, a process which took 7.45 seconds on average.

Raw file 'development' options.

Page 1 of the two pages of adjustments that can be applied to raw files before 'development'.

The second page of raw file adjustments.

 Higher levels of control are provided through Olympus Studio, which will cost you an additional $199. We reviewed this application when we reviewed the Olympus E-410.

Olympus muvee theaterPack allows users to create a 'muvee' (movie) from images and movies shot with digital cameras. Targeted at entry-level photographers, it is highly automated. Users simply select their favorite images and video clips, insert music and specify a style. The software analyses the contents, extracts the parts to use, adds in transition effects, and makes a 'muvee', synchronising images with music.

The results can be viewed on a computer screen, digital camera monitor or portable video player. You can also send a 'muvee' via e-mail or burn it to DVD. 

Performance
Shots taken with the test camera were bright and colourful with a slightly more restrained contrast and wider dynamic range than our test shots from the E-410. However, in very contrasty situations and for subjects with a wide dynamic range, highlights were frequently blown out and shadows blocked up. In neither case were details recoverable with the bundled software.

 Exposure metering appeared to be more accurate in the new model and there were fewer occasions when we had to use exposure compensation to obtain good results. However, the overall colour balance in our tests shots was slightly warm which, although producing attractive skin tones, tended to render dark greens as brownish and bright greens as yellowish. We were able to correct this problem in test shots taken in ORF.RAW format and converted with Olympus Master 2.

Imatest showed some interesting differences in the test camera's saturation, depending on whether JPEG or raw files were analysed. With JPEGs, saturation was slightly below average, whereas raw files had slightly elevated saturation. In neither case was the difference significant for normal photography. Both file types showed slight colour shifts in several hues but skin hues were close to the mark.

JPEG resolution was slightly below expectations for a 10-megapixel camera with the 14-42mm lens. However, when we compared ORF.RAW and JPEG images captured simultaneously with the 25mm prime lens the superiority of the raw files was revealed and the resolution capabilities of the E-420's sensor were to our expectations. We obtained the highest resolutions for each lens when it was stopped down a couple of f-stops. The graphs below show the results of our Imatest tests.

 
Imatest resolution results for the kit 14-42mm lens at different focal length and aperture settings. These tests show the results for JPEG files.

A comparisong of Imatest results for ORF.RAW files and JPEGs that were captured simultaneously using the 25mm prime lens.

Imatest also showed a gradual decline in resolution as ISO sensitivity was increased, although there was little difference between the ISO 100 and ISO 200 settings and raw files maintained their higher resolution right up to ISO 1600. The results are shown in the graph below.

 
A comparison of ORF.RAW  and JPEG files at different ISO  settings.

We found traces of coloured fringing in outdoor shots taken with the kit 14-42mm lens. However they could only be seen when test shots were enlarged to 100% so they would be unlikely to affect normal photography. Imatest showed lateral chromatic aberration increasing with the focal length setting. It only remained within the 'low' band at 14mm and was 'moderate' for all other focal length settings. The results of our Imatest tests are shown in the graph below.

 
Lateral chromatic aberration results for the kit 14-42mm lens, based on JPEG images.

Image noise remained low in long exposures, right up to ISO 1600. The default noise reduction setting tended to produce slight image softening at high sensitivity levels. Because it involves dark-frame subtraction, applying noise reduction processing roughly doubled the time to complete the shot. Flash exposures were competently handled and exposure levels were even throughout the test camera's ISO range.

Close-ups were similar to those from the E-410 camera. The auto white balance failed to correct the colour casts produced by incandescent but came significantly closer that the E-410 we reviewed. A neutral colour balance was obtained with fluorescent lighting but the pre-set fluorescent mode added a slight green cast. Manual measurement produced close to true neutrality. Flare and ghosting were negligible with all three of the lenses we used in our tests.

The test camera took 1.5 seconds to power up and we measured an average capture lag of 0.25 seconds, which was totally eliminated by pre-focusing. It took 5.6 seconds to process an ORF.RAW file, a high-resolution JPEG or a RAW+JPEG file. Shot-to-shot times for both JPEG and raw files averaged 0.63 seconds without flash and 0.9 seconds with flash. The continuous shooting mode can record JPEG shots at 3.5 frames/second for about 16 frames before beginning to slow down. It took just over six seconds to process a burst of 10 JPEG images and six seconds to process eight raw files. 

Conclusion
If you're looking for a small digital camera with high performance, the Olympus E-420 knocks the socks off all the compact digicams we've reviewed that are of a similar size and resolution. Not only does it have a much larger sensor, it is just as easy to use, while providing more adjustable functions and superior performance across a wide range of shooting conditions.

However, to get the most from this camera, you must be prepared to shoot raw files and work on them with your computer. You will also need Version 2.05 or later of the Olympus Master 2 software. We hope Adobe will soon update its Camera Raw plug in to give buyers of the E-420 access to adjustments that are not currently provided in Master 2.

IMATEST GRAPHS

The above graphs show the Imatest results from ORF.RAW files converted with Olympus Master 2 software. The graphs below show the results of Imatest analysis of JPEG files.

SAMPLE IMAGES

Auto white balance with incandescent lighting.

Auto white balance with fluorescent lighting.

Close-up showing the 'bokeh' of the kit lens.

Another close-up with the 42mm setting on the kit lens.

An action shot with the 40-150mm lens, taken with a shutter speed of 1/2000 second.

A portrait shot showing the slightly warm colour cast that affected all JPEG images.

A 30-second exposure at night at ISO 200.

The same subject, photographed at ISO 1600 without noise reduction processing. (Shutter speed set at 20 seconds.)

The same subject with the same exposure settings but noise reduction processing has been applied.

Image sensor: 17.3 x 13.0 mm Live MOS sensor with approx. 11.8 million photosites (10 megapixels effective)
Lens mount: Four Thirds System
Focal length crop factor: 2x
Image formats: RAW (12-bit), JPEG (4 compression ratios), RAW+JPEG
Image Sizes: 3648x2736, 3200x2400, 2560x1920, 1600x1200, 1280x960, 1024x768, 640x480
Image Stabilisation: n.a.
Dust removal: SuperSonic Wave Filter
Shutter speed range: Auto mode: 2 - 1/4000 sec. (depends on settings), P, A, S, M mode: 60 - 1/4000 sec. (Bulb: up to 30 min. with limiter), Scene programme/Scene select mode: 4 - 1/4000 sec. (depends on settings). Shutter speed adjustable in 1/3 EV steps
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5 EV in increments of 1/3EV
Self-timer: 12 or 2 sec. delay
Focus system: High speed imager AF, Phase-difference detection AF; 3 AF points
Focus modes: Single-shot AF, continuous AF, manual focusing; (C-AF mode is not available with the contrast detection Imager AF in LiveView mode)
Exposure metering: TTL full aperture metering with 49-zone multi-pattern sensing system; Digital ESP (multi-segment), Centre-weighted, Spot metering (approx. 2%), Spot with highlight/shadow bias
Shooting modes: Auto, Program AE (with program shift), Shutter-priority auto, Aperture-priority auto, Manual; 18 Scene Program/Selection modes, 4 monotone filter effects,  4 Picture Tones
Picture Style/Control settings: Vivid, Natural, Muted, Monotone (default setting: Natural)
Colour space options: sRGB, Adobe RGB
Custom functions: 1 custom setting can be registered
ISO range: ISO 100-1600 (adjustable in 1 EV steps)
White balance: Auto, daylight, shade, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent, flash; colour temperature setting; bracketing in increments of 3 frames
Flash: Built-in flash GN 12 (ISO 100 in metres); wireless flash supported
Flash exposure adjustment: +/- 2 EV in 0.3 EV increments
Sequence shooting: Max. 3.5 fps for up to 8 raw frame (JPEG depends on file size)
Storage Media: CF Type I, II or Microdrive and xD-Picture Card, dual slots
Viewfinder:  Eye-level TTL optical; 95% coverage; approx. 0.92x magnification; 14 mm eyepoint; dioptric adjustment -3.0 to +1 dpt; fixed focusing screen
LCD monitor: 2.7-inch HyperCrystal II LCD, 230,000 pixels
Live View modes: 100% field of view; previews for exposure, white balance, grid line overlay, 7x/10x magnification, MF/S-AF, AF frame display, AF point display, shooting data, histogram,
Data LCD: no
Playback functions: Single-frame, index (4/9/16/25/49/100 frames), calendar, magnification ( 2-14x), slideshow, picture rotation (auto mode available); data & histogram displays
Interface terminals: USB 2.0 Hi-speed, Video Out (PAL/NTSC)
Power supply: BLS-1 Li-ion battery (included)
Dimensions (wxhxd): 129.5 x 91 x 53 mm
Weight: 380 g (body only)