Olympus e-420 vs Canon Rebel XSi

[michael j hoffman]

I'd like information from photographers familiar with both Olympus and Canon

DSLRs.

 

I am in the market for a new DSLR to use as my primary street photography

camera. I currently shoot with a Canon EOS 10D, but I want to upgrade. My

normal ISO shooting speed is 200, and I never use the ISO sensitivities above

400. Occasionally, I use the on-board flash for fill. I convert all images to

black-and-white, and print them out on an Epson 2200, using black ink only.

 

I am intrigued by the compactness of the e-420 with the 25/2.8 pancake lens;

its roughly the same size as a trusted colleague's Contax G2. I may want to

eventually add the Olympus 50/2 lens if I go with the e-420. I don't mind

going out of the Canon system if the Olympus will deliver performance and image

quality that is at least equal to what I have enjoyed with the 10D.

 

The Rebel XSi offers a bit depth of 14; the Olympus bit depth is 12; the 10D

also has a bith depth of 12. The XSi has a 12.2 MP sensor and the Olympus a 10

MP sensor. The sensor dimensions are smaller on the Olympus than on the

Canon. I am hoping for some improvement in image detail over and above my 10D,

but am generally satisfied with the images the 10D produces.

 

I don't need a new camera, really, but I am itching to buy a new toy. The

Olympus with the 25/2.8 lens is $100 less expensive than the XSi, but price is

not a major concern, as both are pretty close there, too. I want a camera that

will provide images that are printable up to the 12X18s (or 12X16s for the Oly)

I currently get out of my 10D. I'm curious how the viewfinder of the e-420

will compare to that of my 10D.

 

Image quality and usability are my main concerns, but I appreciate any and all

opinions you may have to offer. Thanks!

 

Michael J Hoffman

[r.t. dowling]

The image quality of the E-420 compares quite well to the image quality of the various 10MP DSLRs, so it should be at least as good as, and most likely better than, your 10D.

 

The viewfinder may be a bit smaller than the one in your 10D but the difference isn't drastic. Brightness should be similar.

 

DPReview hasn't yet done a review of the E-420, but you can check out their review of the E-3; the E-420 and the E-3 share the same sensor. Specifically, take a look at the side-by-side comparison of the E-3 and the Canon 40D:

 

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympuse3/page25.asp

 

I would say that the E-3 (and presumably the E-420) is able to compete quite well with the 40D in terms of image quality, despite having a smaller sensor.

 

On the next page, they compare the E-3 to the Nikon D300:

 

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympuse3/page26.asp

 

Despite the Nikon's larger sensor with higher pixel count, the E-3 is still able to hold its own in regards to image quality.

[manut]

Another 2 cents.

 

If your style of photography does not ask for more than ISO 400 as you said, then maybe E420 is a more comapct camera than others, if this helps. Some images posted of E420 and the pancake combo are very good.

[akochanowski]

Bit depth and the difference between 10 and 12 MP are completely irrelevant in a field like street photography, don't you think? What really matters is the ergonomics, whether you want/need low light capability, to some extent size, shutter responsiveness and overall speed of operation. As a matter of fact I use both an Olympus E-400 (the original 400-series body with a CCD sensor) and a Nikon D300 for street shooting (you can take a look at my portfolio here, there is some of both as well as film) and if there is anything I know it's that there is no difference whatsoever in whether I've captured a decent shot or not between the 10MP Oly or the 12 MP Nikon. FWIW, the E-400 has been a great little camera for me, and it outputs beautiful files so long as you don't shoot over 400. From what I see of the E-420, you are good to go to at least 800.