The possibility to use the monitor of a digital reflex camera during the recording as a motif searcher had so far had only an episodic character: Time-limited Canon produced, for example, the EOS 20Da, an astrophotography-specialized camera, the CMOS image sensor after flipping the mirror To produce a live image on the monitor. For general photography, because of its modified low-pass filter, the camera is not meant to be much more expensive than the standard model – a tool for specialists – at a price of more than 2000 euros.
Thus, the Olympus E-330 is actually the first DSLR with a real live-view mode, which is also available in two versions: For mode A there is a dedicated CCD in the beam path of the reflex search near the eyepiece; A semi-transparent deflection mirror supplies the sensor with light. When the Live View is activated, the sensor generates the signal for the monitor image that shows 92% of the actual image field and can be viewed as an alternative to the viewfinder image (95%). The eyepiece cover should be closed to allow an accurate exposure metering. For live mode B, the mirror is flipped away and the main sensor of the E-330 is used for the live view on the monitor. 100% of the actual image field is displayed. In the reflex viewfinder there is then dark night, and the autofokus says goodbye, but the live image in this case can be used for precise focusing. The 10x magnifying magnifier, which can be moved to any detail within the image field, helps. It makes sense primarily to take pictures of the tripod, because the focus from the hand over the monitor to the tremulous part. In addition, there is the considerable triggering delay in mode B, since the mirror snaps into the initial position before exposure before it is brought out of the beam path again. Mode B is therefore only used for static motifs - practically for macros of immobile objects or in astrophotography.
At the end, however, the Olympus Live View idea does not yet appear: A really realistic image preview is not possible in mode A, because the signal from the auxiliary sensor does not pass through the image processor, which processes the signals from the main sensor. The brightness of the monitor therefore does not necessarily correspond to the later picture. In mode B this works better, but the white balance (which is finally calculated after shooting) ends with the predictability, and you have to go without autofocus. In addition, increased noise can be expected if the image sensor has a long live-view phase to cope with and is thereby very heated. Optimal results are then expected only after cooling. If you do not want to experience unpleasant surprises, you should check the results after the recording on the monitor.
The body of the E-330 is formally oriented to that of the lower-priced E-300 without a live-view function. The flat and width-shaped housing shape results from the fact that the mirror is not placed "lying", but is positioned on an edge and deflects the beams laterally in the direction of the viewfinder. The 2.5-inch TFT monitor is not only significantly larger than the E-300 (1.8-inch) but can also be swung out of the case and tilted horizontally, making it easier to take pictures near the ground or overhead.
From the top, the new features the E-300's familiar image, with a program dial as a switching center and a front wheel for settings. Directly next to it, a blue LED flashes, which signals a typical function for Olympus cameras - the Supersonic Wave filter, which sits in front of the image sensor, in order to capture dust particles and to shake them off by ultrasonic vibration. The dust trickles over an adhesive film in the camera floor, where it no longer disturbs.
The E-330 is used to select the E-330 shutter speed and aperture as the center-weighted-integral and spot, based on approximately 2% of the viewfinder field. In addition to program, time and aperture control, the camera offers manual mode and a wealth of creative programs. Five of them can be reached via the mode dial, another 20 are hidden under the keyword "Scene". These special motif programs are explained to the user using sample images and text.
The autofocus operates as with the sister models with three measuring fields, the middle of which is a cross sensor. The measurement fields can be individually selected, but are grouped closely around the viewfinder center. If one wants to focus on highly decentralized motif parts, either the AF storage has to be tried or changed to manual focusing. When shooting manually, it is noticeable that a motor is in play: the feeling of direct control does not want to adjust as with a conventional lens.
A useful function for photographing the tripod can be found in the recording menu under the term "anti-shock": Here, a delay for the shutter release can be set in order to eliminate vibrations caused by the mirror impact. Depending on the setting, it is possible to allow the shutter to elapse between 1 and 30 seconds until the shutter opens after the mirror has been folded.
A slight pressure on the trigger lets the TFT monitor display the recording-relevant parameters, with the enlarged image area serving the clarity and clarity of the display. Especially frequently used settings such as the ISO number, type of the white balance, measuring method, AF mode or exposure correction are by the touch print in the direct access. After pressing the relevant button, a window opens in which you can navigate using the arrow keys or the rotary wheel and make settings. The fact that four of these keys are realized as double assignments on the 4-way switch with integrated confirmation key does not interfere. More complicated: The flash exposure can only be corrected via the menu, but you would also like to have a direct access to the buttons.
The menu structure is complex, with five submenus with more than 70 entries, one of which is "Edit" in the playback menu. Already recorded JPEGs and TIFFs can be reduced by this function or converted into a black-and-white or sepia image, whereby the original file is not touched. RAW files are converted into JPEGs, but they are also preserved. Using the "Edit" menu, "red eyes" for portraits can now be minimized and color saturation can be corrected in five steps to the plus or minus. The result is a new image file, which is stored on the memory card.
The camera records images on CF or xD cards, with the resolution slightly reduced from 8 to 7.5 million pixels compared to the sister models. The reason for this is the new 4/3-image sensor - no CCD as in the previous model, but a live-MOS variant of a CMOS sensor. This also costs a few points of the measured resolution, but the noise was significantly improved at ISO 100. Even with ISO 400, the camera is now less clear, but still significantly more than the leading models with APS format sensor. For a point, the new color accuracy can be increased by two more points for the object contrast in relation to ISO 100. In the bottom line the E-330 decides the race among sisters with a plus of 2.5 points for the picture quality 400 by a single point. With 77 points in total, the camera is between Nikon D70s and D50.
Olympus E-330
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