E-Volt E-300 Decent Package Deal? Decent Camera?

[trikster2]

So what's the deal with the Olympus E-Volt E-300?

I always thought it was a little pricey compared to the bargains that the XT has been having but now there are some package deals with an extray 40-150mm lens. Froogle is showing the 40-150mm lens for $250 alone.

Reputable dealer, Costco, is charging $950 for the package.

Olympus Evolt E-300 8MP
Digital SLR Camera
40-150mm Lens
14-45mm Lens
256MB CF Card

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?prodid=11043757&whse=&topnav=&cat=&s=1&cm_mmc=Olympus_100-_-Cameras-_-31-_-Camera_100

For some reason I like the funky feel of the Evolt but have not actually tried the camera.

Is it decent? Is the above package a good deal or is the rebel XT a better value?

I can't find the reference now but for some reason I recall that the evolt uses a small (relative to other DSLRs) kodac ccd? Is that an issue?

I know Jeff's take on the camera was so-so image quality, not good at high ISOs and slow startup time.

Any owners/users out there have a different opinion/take on the camera?

Thanks!

[Rhys]

I had a look at the E-300 and chose the XT instead.

[D70FAN]

So what's the deal with the Olympus E-Volt E-300?

I always thought it was a little pricey compared to the bargains that the XT has been having but now there are some package deals with an extray 40-150mm lens. Froogle is showing the 40-150mm lens for $250 alone.

Reputable dealer, Costco, is charging $950 for the package.

Olympus Evolt E-300 8MP
Digital SLR Camera
40-150mm Lens
14-45mm Lens
256MB CF Card

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?prodid=11043757&whse=&topnav=&cat=&s=1&cm_mmc=Olympus_100-_-Cameras-_-31-_-Camera_100

For some reason I like the funky feel of the Evolt but have not actually tried the camera.

Is it decent? Is the above package a good deal or is the rebel XT a better value?

I can't find the reference now but for some reason I recall that the evolt uses a small (relative to other DSLRs) kodac ccd? Is that an issue?

I know Jeff's take on the camera was so-so image quality, not good at high ISOs and slow startup time.

Any owners/users out there have a different opinion/take on the camera?

Thanks!

The E-300 would not be my first pick although I think Norm has one and the results are pretty good. Give the new Nikon D50 kit a run. Because of ergonomics the XT would be my next to last choice. Give them a try, and see which you like.

[Rhys]

The E-300 would not be my first pick although I think Norm has one and the results are pretty good. Give the new Nikon D50 kit a run. Because of ergonomics the XT would be my next to last choice. Give them a try, and see which you like.

Yes. Norm has one and produces excellent results. I do prefer the fact I can get an AA battery grip for my XT though. I quite like the 4:3 format but it seems easier to get a more level horizon on 2:3 (the only advantage of 2:3).

Both are quite light. I feel the Canon lenses have an edge over the Olympus lenses by virtue of the fact I can get fixed focal length lenses all the way from 14mm to 6000mm.

[jeisner]

I quite like the 4:3 format but it seems easier to get a more level horizon on 2:3 (the only advantage of 2:3).

I find focus screen gridline aids do the best job of this, such as the LL-60 focusing screen for the Pentax DSLRs, or the gridlines that the D70 has as a standard feature..

[Rhys]

I find focus screen gridline aids do the best job of this, such as the LL-60 focusing screen for the Pentax DSLRs, or the gridlines that the D70 has as a standard feature..

Yes. It's a feature that's sadly lacking from the XT. I bet the 20D has it. Actually, it's one of the nicer features of my Nikon 3100 that I can use architecture mode to put grid lines on the LCD.

[jeisner]

Yes. It's a feature that's sadly lacking from the XT. I bet the 20D has it.

Sadly I believe you bet wrong, although some people have 'modified' there cameras to get different focus screens, but they are not 'user' removable...

[Rhys]

I must admit I love a lot of the specifications of the Pentax and the fact it takes all Pentax lenses. My personal experiences of Pentax though mean I would not be happy with anything that said Pentax on the label. If only Nikon would have done something similar. Because they wouldn't fully support my MF lenses on their less expensive cameras, they lost loads of sales to me - they lost the potential sales of new bodies. They lost the sales of upgrade lenses but Canon gained. Silly marketting policy isn't it?

[speaklightly]

The E-Volt 300 is a competent dSLR if you are not going to attempt to use high ISO numbers. At higher ISO's, above 400, I am told.) it tends to have problems.

I am using a Pentax 1stDS and I really like it a lot. I used it in China, along with the Fuji F-10. I had a Sigma 28-300mm lens mounted on the Pentax and was impressed by the photos.

Sarah Joyce

[Rex914]

You say you like the look and "feel" of it. Be sure to actually hold it in store. Although I doubt it's actually heavier than the 20D, it sure felt very dense and heavy in my hands, even more so than the heftier 20D. I don't know what your preferences are, but if ergonomics are important, you'd feel a lot better with a Nikon or a 20D.

[scalia]

So what's the deal with the Olympus E-Volt E-300?

Any owners/users out there have a different opinion/take on the camera?

Thanks!

maybe some links to offer another point fo view :
Wrotniak's E-300 review (http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/oly-e/e300-rev.html) on Wrotniak's E-system page (http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/oly-e/index.html)

photozone.de test & review on E-300 + zuiko digital lenses (http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/index.html)

and maybe you want to browse myfourthirds.com (http://www.myfourthirds.com), plenty of E-300 users and info

just give it a try. have fun.