Olympus E-420 Expert Reviews

alaTest has collected and analyzed 2085 reviews from magazines and websites. Reviewers really like the screen. The price also impresses, but many are less positive about the image.

Screen, Price, Design, Performance

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Experts rate this product 78/100 and users 86/100. We analyzed these ratings, the product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital SLR Cameras, the Olympus E-420 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 87/100 = Very Godd quality.

The Olympus E-420 makes an excellent choice for an entry level DSLR, and it's available at a price that's just a little higher than most advanced SLR-like compact point-and-shoots. When coupled with the excellent kit lens, it produces surprisingly ...

10 megapixel resolution, 2.7 inch HyperCrystal II 230,000 dot LCD, Built-in dust reduction, Live View and Face Detect autofocus

The Olympus E-420 Digital SLR is the world's smallest DSLR camera...

The Olympus E-420 is a compact digital SLR that offers a host of nice features, despite being priced at just $599. This camera is the follow-up to the venerable EVOLT E-410, offering these new features:

Very good photo quality ; Good value -- starts at $500, body only ; World's smallest D-SLR ; excellent build quality ; Dust reduction system ; Live view with contrast detect AF and face detection (with some lenses) on a 2.7" LCD display ; Full manual ...

Photos are slightly soft ; noise reduction a bit heavy at ISO 1600 (shoot RAW to avoid) ; Slow contrast detect AF, unimpressive face detection in live view mode ; both features only available with a select few lenses ; Low light focusing could be ...

There are two lenses that you can get along with the E-420. The first is the F3.5-5.6, 14 - 42 mm lens, which has a field-of-view of 28 - 84 mm. By kit lens standards, this one is pretty good -- it's well built, and photos are sharp. The other ...

The Olympus E-420 is my first digital SLR experience. Photo-John gave it to me to review because he thought it would provide an interesting perspective for first-time DSLR buyers considering this camera. Previously, I've used film SLRs, compact ...

DSLR performance in a remarkably small, lightweight body., 10-megapixel sensor provides excellent image quality., Ability to shoot in RAW format., 2.7-inch Live View LCD with auto focus., Face Detection technology, Dust-reduction system., Built-in pop ...

No mechanical Image Stabilization., Bigger than a point-and-shoot., Battery charger requires long cord.

Olympus offers two different lens combinations. The ultra-compact Zuiko 25mm f2.8 digital specific lens complements the E-420's small stature, for the ultimate combination of ease of use and portability. This 0.9-inch thick lens offers a fixed 50mm ...

Billed as the "world's smallest digital SLR," this Olympus model is an upgraded version of the E-410 with several benefits.

Autofocus is faster when using the optical viewfinder, but Sensor AF is quite fast and reliable even in Live View. Imager AF is more convenient and versatile but it is noticeably slower anytime, particularly in dark locations. (Do note that Imager AF ...

Entry-level DSLR bakes in PRO features Slackers might chuckle at the numbers in the Evolt E-420's name, but this entry-level DSLR is as hard working as any competitor. Stocked with important features, including a live-view mode to frame shots on the ...

Sharp, detailed close-up pictures. Pleasant colors in average light. Live-view mode allows odd-angle shots. Speedy, responsive action. Advanced manual controls

Photos get noisy at 800 ISO and higher. Viewfinder feels small. LCD stays lit even when sighting camera

The Evolt E-420 includes the features and quality we expect from an entry-level DSLR. While its quirks disappoint, it's a great value for beginners

The Olympus E-420 is the most 'junior' member in Olympus line of digital SLRs. It was announced on the 5th March 2008, exactly one year after the launch of its predecessor, the E-410. Like the E-410 it comes with a 10 megapixel resolution, live-view ...

Very compact and lightweight digital SLR, especially when combined with the 25mm pancake lens, Comfortable to hold despite the lack of a 'real' grip, Control panel display allows quick access to most important shooting parameters, Generally snappy ...

LCD could be a little brighter for outdoor shooting with live view and is prone to smearing, LCD turns monochrome and noisy in low light, Auto white balance and presets not brilliant (but there is a white balance fine tune option), Menu structure a ...

The Olympus E-420 DSLR camera follows the recent trend of updating an existing design with a smattering of new features. Successor to the E-410, the new E420 model takes over the mantle as the World's most compact DSLR, weighing less than 400g and ...

From close examination of the Olympus E-420 it's fair to say that owners of the previous E-410 have little to feel threatened by. Doppelganger control layout aside, operationally too the E-420 delivers a performance that's nigh on identical, though if ...

The Olympus E-420 is an unusually small and light 10 Megapixel DSLR aimed at point and shoot owners looking to upgrade, along with enthusiasts who want a camera they can use in situations where a traditional DSLR would be too cumbersome

Small and light without compromising comfort., Very effective anti-dust system., Live View with contrast AF and face detection., Quick handling and broad customisation., Small and light without compromising comfort., Very effective anti-dust ...

Very limited anti-shake options., Small viewfinder with basic 3-point AF., Body may be too small for bigger hands., E-520 a tempting alternative with anti-shake., Very limited anti-shake options., Small viewfinder with basic 3-point AF., Body ...

Note: where features are identical to the E-410, we've reused some sections of our E-410 review