Olympus will probably go down in history as the company that dared to be different by introducing a completely new camera standard at a time when the digital camera market was already starting to show signs of becoming overcrowded. The FourThirds system, which was introduced as early as 2002 as a co-development between Olympus, Fuji, and Kodak, materialised in late 2003 as the 5-megapixel Olympus E-1. For more background information about the FourThirds system, reread our test of the E-1. This model, which Olympus classified as a professional camera at the time, has now been followed up by an affordable ‘consumer-level’ digital SLR, the Olympus Evolt E-300 (or simply E300 as it is called outside the U.S.). The new model features an 8.0 (effective) megapixel Kodak CCD with supersonic wave filter delivering a maximum image size of 3200 x 2400 pixels. It has many advanced features together with full automatic and manual control over exposure, white balance, and flash, to name a few. Based on the FourThirds standard, the E-300 SLR model is compatible with Olympus full range of Digital SLR-System accessories. And with shutter speeds from 1/4000 to 60 seconds and ISO settings from 100 to 1600 plus the option to shoot RAW and JPEG images simultaneously and TIFF, it could well have a promising future.

Using the camera
The shape of the Olympus E-300 is unconventional, to say the least. This is the result of the fact that Olympus has chosen to replace the pentaprism by a TTL Optical Porro Finder, resulting in a flat-topped camera that looks wider than it is. The body is built around a sturdy, die-cast aluminium chassis and made of strong polycarbonate with an aluminium top cover. Finish is first-class. The steel reinforced lens mount and tripod bush are further proof that this is a rugged, durable camera. In fact, the whole feel of the camera is very solid. Due to a newly developed “floating” mechanism, focusing is exceptionally smooth and quiet across the entire range. The zoom ring turns tightly and smoothly and a substantial, rubberised handgrip on the front and chunky thumb grip on the rear make for secure and perfect handling with all controls readily to hand. The on/off switch is located to the right of the program dial which partly overlaps the selection wheel. The shutter button, which only needs light pressure to take an image, is located to the front of these. The E-300 may not have the weatherproofing of the E-1 but otherwise its built seems to be just as durable, with no play in any of the controls and a confidence-inspiring feel to them.

[Continue reading Olympus E-300 Review at DC Views]