Author Topic: Canon EOS 50D v Olympus E620 (Read 5419 times)

sponner · « **on:** January 31, 2011, 17:56 »

I have just bought an Olympus E620 with two kit lenses 14-42 and 40 - 150mm to replace an E510 that I liked.

I haven't had time to really play with it but the few images I have taken haven't fared well at FT (I think sharpness is the issue even with the 50mm f.2 lens, probably user error though.)

I have the opportunity to buy a second hand Canon 50D with an 17-85mm IS lens from a trusted source for about the same money I would get for my nearly new olympus and the two kit lenses.

I would get decent money for the 50mm f2 prime that I have for the Oly allowing me the option to buy a similar lens for the Canon (i'm guessing).

The question is from an image quality pov is this a wise move?

Anyone who isn't as clueless as me have an opinion?

borg · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2011, 18:46 »

E-620 is semi pro entry level SLR, but with some professional "opportunities" (image stabilization, anti dust sytem etc.)
Olympus gives excellent optics in kit offer, 14-42mm is very sharp, 40-150mm is also very good but not as 14-42mm...
Because smaller sensor you will have more noise on higher ISO but ISO 100 or 200, even 400 is enough good for microstock...
So, you will have sharp images but you have to shoot with good light conditions...
I heard that Canon is not so good with cheaper optics as Olympus....

shiyali · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2011, 19:23 »

I have been using a e-620 for stock for the last year and a half. It is perfectly adequate for stock including Alamy. I submit to all the major micro sites. One thing that helps with sharpness is turning off the IS when the shutter speed is sufficiently fast. The two kit lenses are excellent.

MicrostockExp · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2011, 22:34 »

I still shoot with the E-510,I heard E-620 is very good and very cheap to get now. As E-510 you will have to keep the ISO down for noise. I wish Oly came up with an upgraded version of the E-620 with more MP but looks like it is not going to happen since they will offer pro micro 4/3 instead.....
I have the 9-18 mm Zuiko it is affordable and very sharp, the 50 mm f:2 is a very good lens also but slow to focus...
I think you can stick with the E620.

I am thinking about going for the Canon 7D now as main body, Olympus does not really offer something interesting at this level, E-5 is only 12MP

travelstock · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2011, 00:39 »

Quote from: sponner on January 31, 2011, 17:56

I have just bought an Olympus E620 with two kit lenses 14-42 and 40 - 150mm to replace an E510 that I liked.

I haven't had time to really play with it but the few images I have taken haven't fared well at FT (I think sharpness is the issue even with the 50mm f.2 lens, probably user error though.)

I have the opportunity to buy a second hand Canon 50D with an 17-85mm IS lens from a trusted source for about the same money I would get for my nearly new olympus and the two kit lenses.

I would get decent money for the 50mm f2 prime that I have for the Oly allowing me the option to buy a similar lens for the Canon (i'm guessing).

The question is from an image quality pov is this a wise move?

Anyone who isn't as clueless as me have an opinion?

If you're not getting sharp images from the E620 and 50mm, there isn't any camera available that will help the situation, and many will make it much worse. To get an equivalent quality macro on the 50D you'd be looking at the 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS which is a big step up in price and weight, and on APS-C the IQ difference would be minimal.

Things to keep in mind with the Olympus:
- Shoot at f6.3 or below (around f4-5 is usually optimum - don't be afraid to go down to f2 on the 50!)
- Keep ISO at 100 for minimum noise, not 200 which is the Olympus default now
- Shoot RAW and process in Lightroom 3 (not older versions of ACR)
- with the 50mm, give it some time to focus

If you want a noticeable improvement in IQ from what you have, you'd really need to go with a full-frame system. That said if you're results are not sharp now, they're probably going to get less sharp with the bigger system because the "user error" component will just get magnified.

basti · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2011, 02:36 »

50D is definitely more durable camera then E-620 but it doesnt help much as it is NOT weather sealed (Canon claims it is but just in advertisement, Canon service says something else). E-620 has some pro functions which are not even in some cheaper FF cameras - as I already discovered functions like mirror lock-up with custom timing, pixel mapping, exposure bracketing with customizable steps and frames etc. are not included in most competitive models.
The be honest 50D has much better ergonomics then E-620, depends which lenses you have. For larger lenses from high-grade line is the E-620 a bit too small. For kit lenses or other smaller lenses like 9-18 is very good.

Zuiko optics is superb, if you dont go for really pricy Canon lenses you cant get better lenses then on Oly. Canon sensors are fine but the 50D wasnt the best model and E-620 was one of the Oly best pieces. Iso up to 400 is pretty ok for micro and with proper editing you will hardly notice any noise at iso 100.

Im using Photoshop CS3 for RAW conversion, in my opinion denoising in CS5/Lightroom 3 is too brute and makes "plastic-like" pictures. The Camera RAW 4.6 which I have in my CS3 works very good - it can denoise very well and the loss of sharpness is very small.

sponner · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2011, 03:51 »

Thanks for your opinions folks, looks like I'll stick

shiyali · « **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2011, 04:45 »

Most reviews agree that Olympus has the best JPEG engine, so many times you will be fine going with the jpeg rather than the raw.

borg · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2011, 08:21 »

I expect one day full frame Olympus, with less noise and more pixels.... Than I will stay with sharp Oly...

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Author Topic: Canon EOS 50D v Olympus E620 (Read 5419 times)

sponner

borg

shiyali

MicrostockExp

travelstock

basti

sponner

shiyali

borg

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