Olympus E-600

The Olympus E600 is a simple to use SLR camera, so moving up from a basic point-and-shoot camera is an enjoyable and affordable experience, and packed with features to meet all of your still photography needs. The Olympus E-600’s high-performance swivel 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD screen helps you compose from virtually any angle; in-camera Art Filters add more pizzazz to your pictures; its four-frames-per-second burst speed won’t miss a moment of the action, and In-body Image Stabilization removes blur caused by camera shake when you’re on the go.

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Our Rating (4/5)

Good: Comprehensive feature set, yet easy to use, solid feel build, Live View with dedicated button for one-touch activation, tilting LCD screen is a further boon to creative compositions

Bad: Some compromises have been made to ensure smaller form factor, such as the fact the E-600 lacks a truly comfortable and firm handgrip, other than that, there’s not much to complain about here

Whether you’re shooting a high school basketball game or capturing a city streetscape, the Olympus E600’s high-performance 12.3-megapixel Live MOS image sensor delivers excellent dynamic range, accurate color fidelity, and a state-of-the-art amplifier circuit to reduce noise and capture fine image details in both highlight and shadow areas. Its Live MOS image sensor is complemented by Olympus’ TruePic III+ Image Processor, which produces clear and colorful photos using all the pixel information for each image to provide the best digital images possible. The new Olympus E600 image processor is noted for accurate natural color, true-to-life flesh tones, brilliant blue skies, and precise tonal expression; it also lowers image noise in photos shot at higher ISO settings, enabling great results in low-light situations.

“With the E-600, Olympus has answered the call for a more affordable and creative DSLR camera that has everything you could need to get great results,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Digital SLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “The new entry-level Olympus E-600 SLR camera offers something for everyone to enjoy, including in-camera Art Filters for expanded creative freedom.”

Life moves fast, so it’s important to have a camera that locks focus accurately and quickly. Whether you choose to use the super fast autofocus technology or focus the lens manually, the Olympus E600 SLR offers the same sophisticated focusing options as higher-end DSLRs. Use the optical viewfinder to track movement like birds or wildlife or your favorite team on the field, or use the large Live View LCD to frame up a flower or a group of friends at the family gathering. Consumers accustomed to composing and focusing using a point-and-shoot camera’s LCD will appreciate that the Olympus E600 offers the same easy, seamless experience (what you see on its LCD is what you get!). Either way, the focus is quick, precise and easy.

The Olympus E-600’s 100 percent accurate 270 degree swivel 2.7-inch Live View HyperCrystal III LCD can be rotated freely so photographers can compose at any angle, including overhead and down low, without getting bent out of shape. This makes it easier to photograph young children on their own level or shoot high above a crowd. Olympus E-600 photographers can compose a subject right on the Live View LCD and review the results of the various creative features – live as they’re happening, before the shot is taken. With Live View, settings like white balance and image brightness can be selected, and the result can be seen instantly on the LCD display. Real-time Live View offers amazing versatility and creative control. The LCD displays 230,000 pixels in vivid color and includes HyperCrystal technology, which offers many times the contrast of conventional LCD monitors for easier viewing in both preview and playback. The Olympus E600 camera also provides a wide viewing angle of 176 degrees, which ensures images can be composed from even the most obscure angles. The 2.7-inch LCD makes icons and text on the camera’s menu easy to view.

The Olympus E600 DSLR camera travels with you to more places, thanks to its compact size and light body. Capture sharp images on the go with the camera’s in-body Image Stabilization (IS), which virtually eliminates blur with any lens attached. Three IS modes handle any situation. The IS-1 mode is for general shooting and adjusts the sensor on both the horizontal and vertical planes to compensate for movement by the photographer so images stay sharp in low light even at slow shutter speeds. To capture the motion of moving subjects, the Olympus E-600 digital camera offers two specialized modes: IS-2 mode is ideal for capturing a runner or cyclist traveling by in the horizontal mode, preserving the sense of motion while panning; IS-3 mode achieves the same effect when the digital camera is held vertically. In either mode, the artistic effects of panning enhance the shot and render the subject in sharp detail with blurred background. Moreover, the Olympus E600 is the world’s smallest DSLR with built-in Image Stabilization, so you’ll feel comfortable taking it on the road with you to capture the action.

The new camera’s Face Detection technology reduces the chance of blurred subjects in photography by distinguishing between people’s faces and the background. The E-600 camera tracks up to eight faces within the image area, even if people are moving, and automatically focuses and optimizes exposure for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures (ideal for large family or party group photos).

The Olympus E600 can capture pictures at the highest image-quality setting at a rate of four frames per second. Whether you’re capturing a soccer game, children playing or a bird swooping through the yard, the new Olympus E-600 ensures that you won’t miss a frame.

Life moves too fast to spend time worrying about dust ruining the perfect image. Olympus’ proven Dust Reduction System produces spot-free photos with the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter. The patented ultrasonic technology vibrates to remove dust and other particles from the front of the image sensor and captures it on a special adhesive membrane every time the camera is turned on. These spot-free photos liberate users from hours spent retouching photographs at the computer or sending their cameras back to the manufacturer to remove dust trapped inside. With Dust Reduction and the new creative features, Olympus continues to liberate users from the computer and editing software, and enables them to have fun capturing it all while on the go.

The HLD-5 Power Battery Holder can hold up to two Lithium Ion BLS-1 batteries to extend the performance life of the Olympus E-600 and its existing BLS-1 battery. The new Olympus SLR also enables effortless vertical shooting with its own separate shutter button and control dial.

Reviews

PhotographyBlog writes:
“Images look very crisp, with good exposure latitude and impressive edge-to-edge sharpness, even at maximum wideangle setting.“
Rating: ★★★★½

Pocket-lint writes:
“Robust yet lightweight and compact model junking a few of the E-620’s less essential features to offer those trading up from their first DSLR a mid range model at an entry level price. Recommended”
Rating: ★★★★☆

Specifications: