Olympus E-510 EVOLT Review

Just before PMA in March 2007 Olympus introduced two new Four-Thirds system compact digital SLRs, the E-410 and this model, the E-510 (which is essentially a replacement for the well regarded E-500). Although the E-510 has much in common with its little brother, including an all-new (Matsushita) Live MOS Image Sensor that can provide Full Time Live-View on the LCD monitor and an updated TruePic image processor, it is a considerably more sophisticated tool with some important extra features. Key amongst these is a sensor-shift image stabilization system and more sophisticated external controls, though are also numerous minor feature differences too. Note that some of the text in this review (when describing identical functions) is repeated from the E-410 review.

Compared to E410 - key differences

Once you start to look under the hood there are actually a surprising number of differences between the E-410 and the E-510, even putting aside the obvious; the latter's CCD-shift image stabilization system and bulkier design (the E-510 has a true 'grip', something the E-410 does without). This is obviously a camera aimed far more squarely at the 'enthusiast' market than its kid brother, and it offers a far more sophisticated level of control and customization. Below is a far from exhaustive list of the key differences:

• Larger and heavier
• Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
• Dedicated buttons for WB, ISO, Metering and AF mode
• Dedicated AF area button
• Customizable Fn button
• Two 'MyMode' custom modes
• Finer, customizable EV steps (1/3, 1/2 and 1 EV)
• Wider range of custom settings and minor extra features (e.g. file naming options, customizable HQ mode, Auto ISO limit etc)
• Very slightly different continuous shooting / buffering (6 raw frames vs 7 on the E-410)
• Optional wireless remote control

Nikon D40 Review

The Nikon D40 is an all new affordable, compact, point-and-shoot digital SLR from Nikon, it follows on from the D50 but at a significantly lower price point and with a subtly different feature set. The biggest news however is probably fact that Nikon resisted the temptation to keep chasing megapixels (hooray for that) and instead appear to have concentrated on what makes a good camera, a decent viewfinder, short shutter lag, very short viewfinder blackout. They've trimmed some of the 'less important features' (you can't change the exposure steps for example) but have squeezed a range of new features such as custom Auto ISO which we welcomed with the D80.

Auto Focus only for AF-S or AF-I lenses

Perhaps the biggest negative on the D40 is that it doesn't have an internal focus drive motor and hence no mechanical focus drive pin, instead it only has CPU contacts which means it can only Auto Focus with AF-S and AF-I lenses (those with built-in focus motors). Indeed our 'standard' lens the Nikkor 50 mm F1.8D (and the F1.4D) are manual focus only on the D40. The images below show the difference between the mount on the D40 and D80, the D80 has a mechanical focus drive pin at about the 7 o'clock position.

Key features

• 6 megapixel DX format CCD (1.5x FOV crop, as D50)
• Nikon Image processing engine (as D80 / D200)
• 3D Color Matrix Metering II, 420 pixel sensor (as D80 / D50)
• New Multi-CAM530 three area AF sensor
• ISO sensitivity range 200 - 1600 plus HI 1 (3200 equiv.)
• Custom Auto ISO (selectable maximum ISO, minimum shutter speed)
• 2.5 fps continuous shooting (as D50), unlimited in JPEG
• No status LCD, new LCD monitor based status / settings screens
• Help suggestions on LCD monitor (eg. scene too dark, try using flash)
• Large 2.5" 230,000 pixel LCD monitor
• Bigger viewfinder view (x0.8 magnification, 95% coverage)
• Short shutter lag and viewfinder blackout
• Support for SDHC (SD cards over 2 GB in capacity)
• In-camera retouching
  • D-Lighting (shadow / highlight enhancement)
  • Red-eye reduction
  • Trimming
  • Monochrome
  • Filter effects
  • Small picture
  • Image overlay
• USB 2.0 with PTP and Mass Storage device support
• Very compact, light body (smaller, lighter than D50)
• Improved menu user interface (as D80 / D200)
• New EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion battery (7.2V, 1000 mAh)
• New 'Version II' AF-S DX 18-55 mm kit lens

Sony DSC-S730 review

Light, compact and easy to use, the new Cyber-shot S730 presents a great-value entry point to the world of digital photography.

While it’s remarkably affordable, the Cyber-shot S730 doesn’t compromise on imaging quality. There’s a Sony 3x optical zoom lens to bring distant objects closer, while pictures captured with the 7.2 effective megapixel sensor look crisp with superb detail – even when blown up to A3 size.

The Cyber-shot S730 lets you grab clear, blur-free pictures without the aid of flash if you’re shooting in low light or on cloudy days. Selecting ‘High Sensitivity’ mode on the easy-to-adjust mode dial boosts sensitivity to ISO 1250. This allows shooting at faster shutter speeds to reduce the risk of camera shake, even with moving subjects.

A new multi-point autofocus mode ensures pin-sharp images, even when your subject is moving or isn’t in the centre of the frame.

Pictures and camera settings can be viewed clearly on the large 2.4-inch screen. Touching a button switches instantly to Playback mode, making it quick and easy to check pictures during shooting. There’s also an on-screen Histogram mode that displays image brightness in graphical form – useful if you’re fine-tuning exposure settings for the best possible results.

Even if you’re new to digital photography, the Cyber-shot S730 guides you with a handy display of functions like flash, macro and self-timer settings. There’s also on-screen advice to help you select the right settings for your chosen subject as selected with the Shooting Mode dial.

The Cyber-shot S730 can even help beginners pick the optimum image size for shooting, depending on your preferred printing paper size and the amount of memory space remaining.

The Cyber-shot S730 will be available from January 2008.

• 7.2 effective megapixels
• 2.4-inch LCD screen with wide viewing angle
• High Sensitivity ISO 1250 for reduced camera shake
• Easy-to-use on-screen function guide
• 3x optical zoom lens