help! important camera decision

[oprwtos]

Hi all!

Im going to buy a camera but im stuck between two choices and i need opinions!

The olympus E30 with the zuiko 50-200mm SWD lens OR the Canon 550D with the Canon EF 70-200mm f4L IS USM lens

I can get either camera + lens for £1500

Which do u think i should go for

thank you
-christopher

[ianpinion]

Hi Christopher and welcome to the forums.

Well let's clarify something before we go any further. These two cameras are aimed at photographers with two entirely different levels of skill amd understanding. You see, the Canon 550D is an advanced entry level DSLR, ideal for someone to learn the basics of photography with, whereas the Olympus E30 an advanced serious enthusiast's/ semi-pro level DSLR, used by those who understand how to use a camera fully and want to exploit the power of what is possible with the ultimate control. So what has made you choose these two particular camera bodies over all the other possibilities?

Right, I have another question for you. Why have you chosen telephoto lenses to go with either of these two camera bodies? What are you hoping to photograph with your new camera, because a telephoto lens is only used for shooting certain things? It's not what you would class as a universal lens that you would use more generally.

Now to know what camera and lens or lenses to recommend for you we are going to need a little more information from you to help us narrow down the field. We need an idea of how well skilled at photography you are, as in are you a complete novice or have you been using film SLR cameras for the past 20 years and are well versed in the all the terminology and highly skilled in photography? Secondly, what are you going to be photographing? Do you like to take shots of the landscape, or family portraits, or wildlife or perhaps fast moving sports? Or are you going to be doing a little bit of each? Next, if you have been using a film SLR camera for many years, what make is it and have you got a lcollection of lenses for it and finally, what budget have set yourself to get you started?

So before you make your final selection you need to establish answers to all these questions and decide what you camera you will need and what other equipment and lenses you will need to add over the coming years. Take a good look round at what is available within your budget and start to make a shortlist. Then go to a shop, not to buy, but to handle each of the cameras on your shortlist. This is fundamental in the decision making process, because each camera will handle differently. With some cameras, you will find the controls are just all wrong for you, as in becuase of your particularl hand size some buttons or dials will just be badly placed or too small or fiddly that you can't operate the camera with ease. However, another may just perfect and you will also like the way the camera's menu sytem is set out too, because the less you have to think about how to set up the camera for each shot, the more time and effort you can put into capturing the perfect shot. Once you've found a clear favourite, then have a look round to see what deals and bundles are available and if you're happy with the vendor, then it's time to make your purchase and get out there and start shooting.

I must emphasize though, that we can not tell you which camera should go and buy, because all our needs are different and only you will ultimately know which camera set up is best for you!

One thing I will add though, is that all the current entry level cameras offered by the major manufacturers are capable of taking superb quality still images, once you know how to get the best out of it, so don't be put off by any particular brand for the moment. You will generally find that if you choose an Canon or Nikon camera you will have the greatest choice of additional lenses, though you will still be able to cover the entire focal length range with the likes of Olympus, Sony and Pentax too.

So best of luck and we look forward to reading the answers to the questions above.

[oprwtos]

firstly thank you very much for the long reply!!

Now, let me just clear up a few things

The reason why i have picked these two particular cameras and lenses is because i have been looking around for the best cameras at this price range and i have found many many good reviews about the Canon 550D and tried to get the widest range of opinions from people and also, comparing many images my self (images taken by the canon 550D) and i must say that, it looks like everything i need from a camera, the image quality seems really good. On the other hand i found olympus to have really good lenses such as the 12-60mm swd and the 50-200mm swd. The image quality from these lenses looks fantastic and ive also read many reviews of the quality too. So i picked the olympus E30 mainly because its the best camera olympus have made (of what ive herd) and the price is just right (on ebay for £700).

Now you've wondered why i have picked telephoto lenses . Well the cameras already come with lenses 14-42 mm (olympus) and 18-55mm (canon) and i will use this lenses for general purpose but i really want a nice telephoto lens to allow me to take close ups of birds and other distant things and i found the telephoto lenses i mentioned to be the best for the price.

Also I'm not much a photographer but i do know how to take reasonably good looking photos (at least i think!)
Ive been taking pictures with my brothers canon 1000d but i want my own camera.

Just to clear things up this is only a hobby. I know you are probably thinking - "what is he doing! spending that kind of money when he isn't even serious about photography" but my hobbies i take very serious! and when i have the best equipment i am able to accomplish what i want! which makes me happy

so anyway if i get a camera it will be either 1 of the 2 that i have mentioned because once my heart is set for something - i find it hard to change what i want lol and anyway they fit me perfectly

so thank you for reading my reply (i hope u didnt sleep half way through it!)

-chris

[Oly Paul]

Ian is correct we cannot tell you which camera to buy idealy you need to handle both these models to see which you prefere.

I can say that I own a E-30 (amongst others) and it is very well made and does everything I want of it, of course this does not mean it is the camera for you.

[oprwtos]

well i think im gona go for the Olympus E30 mainly because i like the name "olympus" hahah yh but anyway i dont think ill be disappointed with any, so yh ill probably just go for the olympus

[ianpinion]

The reason why i have picked these two particular cameras and lenses is because i have been looking around for the best cameras at this price range and i have found many many good reviews about the Canon 550D and tried to get the widest range of opinions from people and also, comparing many images my self (images taken by the canon 550D) and i must say that, it looks like everything i need from a camera, the image quality seems really good. On the other hand i found olympus to have really good lenses such as the 12-60mm swd and the 50-200mm swd. The image quality from these lenses looks fantastic and ive also read many reviews of the quality too. So i picked the olympus E30 mainly because its the best camera olympus have made (of what ive herd) and the price is just right (on ebay for £700).

The E30 is a good camera, but I'll reiterate that it may not be the best camera for you and I would urge you to be a little more openminded until you've at least had a go with one. What would happen if you bought it and then found you didn't like it, for whatever reason? Would you try to exchange for the Canon, because you could come unstuck. The problem is there are so many great cameras available at the moment you are rather spoilt for choice. So the only way you can seriously narrow down your options is by handling them and getting an overall feel for them before you make your final selection.

I myself, have an Olympus E620 with the 12-60mm f/2.8-f/4 swd lens , because that's what suited me. The lens by the way is a cracker! I'm slowing saving up for the 50-200mm lens and a fast prime macro lens to add to my collection at the moment, because like you've I've heard good reports about them. I also liked one of the Canon cameras and one from Nikon, but didn't like the Pentax and Sony's offerings I was neither really for or against. I chose Olympus though because I firstly had one of their compacts and was familiar with the menus and their guide. I also had purchased a few accessories for my compact that I could also use with their DSLRs which helped influence my final decision.

Just to clear things up this is only a hobby. I know you are probably thinking - "what is he doing! spending that kind of money when he isn't even serious about photography" but my hobbies i take very serious! and when i have the best equipment i am able to accomplish what i want! which makes me happy

You can have the best camera money can buy and still not necessarily take photographs that are any good. You need to learn how to get the best from your camera, by either trial and error, but this only works if can learn from your mistakes and to do that you have to know what mistakes you made to be able to correct them. Or you can read books that explain the rules and relationships between the aperture, shutterspeed, ISO, depth of field, white balance and field of view. Or you can watch tutorials on the internet to help you understand this or take a course in photography.

Anyway, whichever camera you finally choose, whether it be the Olympus or another brand is not important, just make sure you pick the one that you find easiest to control.

[oprwtos]

haha E620, u know after i wrote my last comment i was thinking W8! the E620 looks just as good as the E30 and the price £440 with the 14-42mm lens.

So u know what i might save some money and go for the E620 and btw u think i should get the 12-60mm swd lens with it or the 14-42mm and also get the 50-200mm swd.

because if i get the 12-60mm swd lens with it i cant afford the 50-200mm swd

Also when i said "when i have the best equipment i am able to accomplish what i want", i didnt say it very well loll; it sounded like i was saying im limited to what i can do if i dont have a very good camera but in truth u can take good images with a standard camera or you can say it in the negative way; how you put it - even if i have the best camera it doesnt mean i am going to be able to take good photos.

Yep so anyway thx for the help

[Oly Paul]

If you go for the E-620 then get the HDL-5 Handgrip to go with it as it will make handling with long heavy lenses better.

There are some good prices here.
I had my E-30 and E-620 from these people and no complaints with the service.

http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/c/3...R-Cameras.html

[oprwtos]

that website looks good man thank you

[ianpinion]

Originally Posted by oprwtos

haha E620, u know after i wrote my last comment i was thinking W8! the E620 looks just as good as the E30 and the price £440 with the 14-42mm lens.

So u know what i might save some money and go for the E620 and btw u think i should get the 12-60mm swd lens with it or the 14-42mm and also get the 50-200mm swd.

because if i get the 12-60mm swd lens with it i cant afford the 50-200mm swd

Also when i said "when i have the best equipment i am able to accomplish what i want", i didnt say it very well loll; it sounded like i was saying im limited to what i can do if i dont have a very good camera but in truth u can take good images with a standard camera or you can say it in the negative way; how you put it - even if i have the best camera it doesnt mean i am going to be able to take good photos.

Yep so anyway thx for the help

Well again, try before you buy! The 14-42mm is pretty good for a kit lens and will perform quite adequately in most situations, but the 12-60mm is a definite step up in class. You'd expect that though, as it is from Olympus' Pro Lens Series. The build quality is certainly better and it has a few more dense glass elements to help control some distortions and this does show in the results. If you don't buy it straight away, then I'd certainly add it to your wishlist and start saving. The 50-200mm would also be a great addition, but I would ask have you thought about what other equipment you might need when you start out?

Have you budgeted for a tripod, a camera bag, a remote release and either skylight or UV filters to protect the end of your lenses with? I'd say that these were other essentials bits and pieces you will need for taking photographs in certain conditions and possibly a higher priority than a clutch of expensive lenses to start with. You can sometimes find deals where you can buy an E30 or E620 with two lenses, the 14-42mm and 40-150mm, which would probably be ok to begin with. You could then start saving for these other two better lenses and sell your starter lenses to help fund them when you upgrade. You'd also have a bit of money left in your pocket to help you buy these other items. Just a suggestion.