The Olympus E-330 - Again

2006.03.25

This camera which has generated a lot of buzz, is now generating quite a few heated debates. One one side, there are those who understand that this is a fairly typical camera. One the other side, there are those who see the E-330 as a pioneering camera with a brand-new feature. Just like all heated debates, this one exists because both sides are right.

The Olympus E-330 is quite similar in features and performance to the E-500, which is a more-or-less average DSLR camera. DSLR cameras have always been known for their low image-noise and this has become the primary reason for choosing one. Having more noise than competing DSLR cameras, the E-330 finds itself at a disadvantage. Even with its extra not-so-useful and poorly implemented feature, the E-330 has trouble competing with other DSLR cameras.

The novel feature of the E-330, called "live-view" by Olympus marketing, is unique and different from what other current DSLR cameras offer, with the exception of the recently announced Panasonic Lumix L1. That does make it pioneering, but it doesn't make the feature any more useful than it is. Those acclaiming the E-330 say that one day every DSLR camera will allow its LCD to be used as a viewfinder. Most likely, they are right. When that day comes, DSLR cameras will have true live-view displays and people won't deal with all the inaccuracies of optical-viewfinders (OVF).

In so much as what each side sees, they are both right. The Olympus E-330 is an average performing DSLR camera with the ability to preview images on its LCD. Those are the facts. As for the future, DSLR cameras will greatly benefit from having an accurate live-view finder, with 100% coverage, accurate colors and exposure. In other words, a true WYSIWYG image, thus bringing to DSLR cameras what word-processors and fixed-lens digital cameras have for years already.

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