By contributor Tom Lacey.

I have always enjoyed the beauty of nature, so taking photos of birds and sea life is one of my favourite pastimes. I needed something to compliment my existing set-up and the answer came in the form of a Sigma zoom lens. Sigma’s APO 150-500mm telephoto lens boasts huge zoom at an affordable price. For what the lens lacks on paper in the way of aperture it more than compensates for with affordability and portability and all round ease of use.

Features and Design

This lens was designed for use on both APS-C and full frame type digital cameras. Sigma’s 150-500mm lens incorporates many features which help create that perfect photo. One such feature is Sigma’s HSM drive which delivers smooth and quick movements, especially when auto focusing. This is a similar technology to Canon’s UltraSonic.

The Sigma 150-500mm is made up of 21 lens elements in 15 groups. Sigma has incorporated a top notch optical stabiliser into this lens which is designed to give an increase in speed of approximately 4 f-stops. This stabiliser came in handy and you see a clear difference between stabilised and non-stabilised photography.

The lens is with Pentax, Nikon, Canon and Sony camera mounts. I coupled this camera up with the Nikon D90 and D70s to get thorough results. Overall the lens was a great match for the D90 but I felt the D70s was out-shined by the Sigma 150-500mm and did not pair up as nicely.

The build quality is exactly to the standard we have come to expect from Sigma. Its metal mounting plate and smart black finish ensure the lens feels solid but not heavy and clunky which can happen with large zoom lenses. The rubberised zoom and focus rings guarantee a sure grip for the user.

Using the lens.

As I enjoy taking photos of nature and sea life I took the lens for a run around Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. The lens was easy to get used to and performed well during day lit shots, even when hand held and at full zoom. At night I would recommend a tripod to ensure crystal clear photographs when the lens is extended fully. There is a tripod mount that comes with the lens which really does come in handy. Weighing in at just under 2kg, I can tell you that your shoulder will get sore if you hand hold this an extended period of time – as is expected with any large zoom lens.

Because of the use of coated elements inside the lens, blemishes such as flares and ghosting are kept to a minimum. Aberration was also well controlled and the edges were very sharp at full crop. Very impressive for a lens at this price point. Vignetting did show itself in a few frames and tended to be more prominent in photos of the sky at lower focal lengths.

The HSM helped with smooth and quick auto focusing. A very small amount of photographs showed a tendency to miss the mark as far as the auto-focus was concerned resulting with the subject of the image coming out-of-focus. This happened mostly when taking a photo of a finch amongst the reeds of a pond in poor light – not exactly an easy focusing situation.  In the end I switched the camera to manual mode and got the photo I was after straight up.

Who would it suit

The sports enthusiast would love this lens. Getting right in close to the subject is what this lens was made for. Whether you want it for sports action, nature or even portrait photos the lens will be a welcome addition to your existing kit. I have used this lens in a church for holy communion photos and it performed beautifully. It would really suit a wedding photographer who is not quite ready to spend the big dollars on an F2.8 lens.

People who are into wildlife photography or bird watching will also love this lens. Set it on a monopod or tripod and you have the perfect kit to take clear, colourful images of everything nature has to offer. The Newcastle beaches were the perfect opportunity for me to test the lens out to try and get the fast moving gulls diving for my hot chips. The lens performed well with all the challenges I threw at it and the results were great. For $1399 you really cant go wrong with the Sigma 150-500mm lens.

Tom is the Store Manager of the Eastmon Glen Innes store and a photography enthusiast.

Related posts:

1. Pentax K200d Digital SLR Camera Review
2. Nikon D60 Digital SLR Review
3. Pentax Optio M60 Digital Camera Review

1. ‘Return this camera or memory card to…’

Small digital cameras are easily lost or fall out of pockets and handbags. Often the loss of a camera can be overcome as long as you don’t lose your precious pictures. While the amateur detective may take great joy in trying to identify the people and landmarks so they can return the camera, often the camera and images are lost forever. This little trick offers you a greater chance of at least getting your images back, even if the camera does not come with it.

Many cameras allow you to lock a photo on the memory card usually when reviewing your images and opening your menu . Take a photo of your name and phone number on a piece of paper. I recommend locking this photo so that it is always your #1 photo to appear and regardless of whether you delete all photos this one doesn’t get cleared like the rest of the images because you have cleverly locked it.

2.Maps

Unless you carry around a portable GPS or one of the new iPhone style phones you can get a very good substitute with your camera. Modern high megapixel digital cameras pack a lot of information and detail in a single photo. Most cameras allow you to zoom up on your image for greater detail.

Often new airports, underground railway systems can be very confusing, so grab a quick shot of their floor plan in case you have to find gate K23 in a hurry.

You may also like to try snapping a shot of Google maps of your address, particularly if your traveling so you can show people where you live. This may also be useful when trying to explain where Australia is on the planet.

3. Parking Lot

Have you ever been completely disorientated when returning to the car park. It becomes particularly unnerving when you are in a strange city and as you wander aimlessly looking for your car, others are convinced you’re either a stalker or car thief.

If you have ever lost your car and landmarks like B12 and L51 don’t stick in your memory, take a photo of the parking lot signs near your car, you may be able to include your car in the photo. You could even possibly shoot a wider angle shot with identifiable landmarks to help orientate you.

4. Mechanisms you are repairing

This is a great tool and insurance policy when you are about to pull apart the Lawnmower throttle linkage, Clothes dryer with the lost socks, or replace the headlight in your car. Take a photo of what it used to look like, just in case you need it.Often if you get interrupted for a few days before completing the task a quick visual refresh will let you see what it was like when it was only a little bit broken.

I used this method once when repairing a part on a car I was unfamiliar with and was very grateful to look at the images as I reassembled it.

5. Number Plates

If you have ever been tailgated and have another person in the car shooting off a snap of the vehicles number plate allows you to report it later.

What about the carpark when you are sure your car will not escape unscathed because of close parking, baby capsules or bull bars. For your peace of mind and the possibility of door dings grab a shot of your new neighbours.

6. Yellow Pages

Need to take a little bit of info on the road? Rather than destroying your directory and tearing out a page snap a photo of the landscape and nursery supplies or the home brewing shops, not the pubs… you must drive home!

7. Evidence for your defence

Have you ever pulled up in the only carpark only to find the parking meter broken. Occasionally you will end up in situations which may require you to explain your action or presence and a carefully captured photo may come to your defense.

Some other situations may be;

• Ticket machine broken
• Taxi driver taking you on circuitous route
• Impediments left on paths and access routes
• Damage by tradesmen

Certain cameras with date stamping ability help your defense even further. Still, might be best to consult your lawyer first before relying too heavily on your photograph.

7. The old Chinese menu

You know you bought one home and now you can’t find it. You could just ring up and order number 7, 28 and 63 but you have forgotten the phone number as well.

This is a great idea for all those written menus you can never find or even the boutique blackboard pizza shops and other takeaway menus.

8.  Recipes

If you have got to take a special trip to the markets or  deli for ingredients for a recipe, don’t write down the recipe. A quick snapshot and you can refer to it any time if the odd or different ingredient slips from your mind.

9. Rental Dings

Part of your process before you hop in any rental is to check it for dings. if you are worried about getting charged for something you didn’t do then you should do a thorough examination of the car and take photos of any damage. If you are concerned you should go back and show the rental clerk before driving off.

This is also good practice if renting a holiday apartment or unit and you find mould growing in the bathroom or marks on walls.

10. A Mirror?

Yes a mirror! No need to worry about the parsley between your teeth or leftover soup in your moustache, take a picture.

What about those new sunglasses, hat or outfit, remember the camera doesn’t lie, well maybe it doesn’t know you well enough.

So if you want to check your lippy or perform a mole check, the camera makes a convenient mirror.

11. What plant is that?

Do all leaves look the same to you when you go to the nursery or latin wasn’t your strong point at school, then a quick snap of your favourite plant will help at the nursery. You can almost here the nurserymen say ‘Oh that’s a Latinigula Guessagain leaving you none the wiser but with the correct plant.

You may want to take a picture of the landscape or garden bed you will be planting it in to see it it is suitable for that position.

12. What part is that?

You know your not a mechanic that knows every make and model of car, so before you go into get that part grab a quick shot of the model plate and the part if it’s too big or awkward to carry. That way when you are asked is it the TF G series or the L you can show them you camera and let them work it out.

The same rule can be applied when reordering a paint mix from the code placed on the tin or other bits and pieces you may not be familiar with.

Related posts:

1. Digital Camera or Video Camera?
2. Olympus E-520 Digital SLR Review
3. Sigma 150-500mm APO DG OS HSM Lens

Grace is a casual team member of our Inverell store and a full time school student. Grace’s article demonstrates the ease with which a novice photographer can pick up a modern Digital SLR and take great photos. It is easy to forget that we all start somewhere and through this review by Grace you can see her hesitation at first turn into surprise and confidence to get great photos with ease. Happy reading, Warren Wilson – Editor!

I enjoy photography and I was asked if I would write a review for a Digital SLR camera.

To start with I was very nervous as I had never used a camera of this size or with these features before.  My first impressions of a Digital SLR was that they were not very modern and that it would be complicated, But the Olympus E620 I chose was lighter and easier than I had expected.

Macro mode using 14-42mm Lens

Features

I started taking photos on the automatic settings, experimenting with Portrait, Landscape and Macro modes.  I found them quite easy as the camera did everything for me all I had to do was zoom in.

I experimented with the manual settings and even though I did not fully understand what I was doing it was a lot easier than I expected. I could set the aperture ( this allowed me to decide what I wanted in focus and create depth of field ). The camera then set its own shutter speed. This also works the opposite way around if you want to set the shutter speed, for sports action shots0o, it will select the aperture for you. I had a lot of fun experimenting with these settings.

The Olympus 620 has an exciting range of filters for special effects, including pop art, soft focus, light tone, grainy film (my favourite) and pin hole.

Who is it Suitable For?

The Olympus 620 is suitable for anyone that has a keen interest in photography. Whether you would like learn more about photography and take more ‘professional’ photos, or just be more creative with your pictures, this is the camera for you. Because of its light weight, it is ideal for travelers who want to take postcard style photos or giant enlargements with ease.

Art Filter - Grainy Black & White

Conclusion

This camera is very easy to use and learn. Its guide makes it possible for first time users to follow step by step instructions to help you take fantastic photos and develop your skills as a photographer.
The features on this camera really make it possible to vary your own style of photography and creativity in your photos. I loved using this camera in the end and was reluctant to give it back.

Grace is a full time student and  currently completing yr10 at Inverell High School. Grace works Saturday mornings and some school holidays at the Inverell Eastmon Store.

Related posts:

1. Olympus E-520 Digital SLR Review
2. Olympus Pen EP-1 Pre Release
3. Olympus MJU 9000 Digital Compact Camera Review

By guest contributor Lisa Reece
As a mother with a young family I have learnt to always have a camera on hand to capture those memorable, unexpected moments. I have a Digital SLR0 but was looking for something small and light to carry in my handbag that was relatively inexpensive.

First Impressions

The Pentax M60 looks good and is really thin, only 21mm, has a 2.5″ large LCD screen, 10mp and a 5x optical zoom and is under $300.

Features

I was surprised that this little camera is packed with so many features. The extra zoom was very useful, I was able to take some good shots of my 2yr old son while he played in the backyard and did not have to be right in his face. This eliminated the fake smile that he pulls when I try and get him to smile for a picture.

Auto picture modes were great, the camera automatically selected the best mode for the situation, changing from portrait to macro in a fraction of a second. Face detection and smile capture is a must with a 2 year old.

Smile mode captures the instant a smile is detected

How many times have we taken a movie and got the perfect shot, wishing it could be turned into a photo. Well now you can using the movie edit mode. This camera also has a built in photo recovery for when little hands (or big ones) delete images by mistake. My creative side came to life when I discovered the Pentax M60 has a whole range of editing features, from the standard cropping and redeye removal to colour extraction, (My Favourite).
Colour extraction is where the  camera will add a Black and White filter to your image, but extract either red, blue or green, so you end up having a black and white image with some parts left in colour.  A lot of fun!

Auto Modes change between portrait - macro - landscape instantly

I had a play with the panorama mode and it was so easy, no more taking a series of pictures and having to stitch them together on your computer. This is fully automatic, you take your first image, the edge of the first frame will appear semi-transparent on the side of the screen. Move the camera so the semi-transparent image and the actual view line up and overlap. Continue this for the third frame and just like magic you have the perfect panoramic view!

Colour extraction mode retained the blue colour

I can’t wait to go on  holidays again to try it out on a magnificent view.

Overall

This is a great, easy to use camera. Perfect size to take anywhere, and is packed with mountains of features if you feel like being creative.  It is quick to focus and take the photo.  I was surprised how well it coped with movement compared to the compact cameral I had a few years ago, because anyone who has kids will know they never stay still.

How do I rate it?

The M60 is great family camera but also good for those wanting to get creative with their images as they learn more.  I would rate this camera 8/10, with a Pentax M60 now living in my handbag I will be able to capture every moment of my family’s life together.

Lisa is the manager of the Eastmon Inverell store and takes some beautiful photographs of her son as she documents his growth.

Auto macro mode

Related posts:

1. Pentax K200d Digital SLR Camera Review
2. Canon IXUS 95is Digital Camera Review
3. Olympus E620 Digital SLR Review

The Fujiflim J20 Digital Camera

I live in Tamworth (yes…the country music capital) but my work often takes me through the beautiful New England region, towns like Uralla, Armidale, Guyra, Inverell and Glen Innes, it’s a pretty area but for me Autum is the best. The area also has some beautiful old churches and the combination of the Autum color and the churches made for I think an interesting combination.  On a trip in May I took the Fujifilm finepix J20 compact digital camera for a test run. I’d purchased the previous model the Fuji J10 for my son for Christmas, the main difference between the two models was the Fuji J20 is a bit slimmer (only 17.4mm thick) than the J10 and the J20 is 10megapixels rather than 8megapixels in the older model.

While I was taking one of the photos in Uralla I commented to an old bloke who was walking past how good the color was and his reply reminded me of the last time I went fishing, he said I should have been here last week!

As far as the megapixel race goes I’d be just as happy with an 8mp sensor as a 10mp in a compact camera like this, I’m not likely to enlarge my “happy snaps” up to bigger than 10”x8”. I really can’t see the difference between 8 and 10 Megapixels at that size print. The quality of the lens is more important now than the amount of pixels and the lens in this little Fuji is very good, especially for a camera that retails at a touch over $200.

Shot using face detection mode

I was quite happy with the performance of the Fuji J20 taking the Autum scenes in New England a few people shots and some shots taken in macro mode, the only time I wished I had a camera in my hands with more features was when an echidna  visited my back yard and I didn’t have quit enough zoom to get in close enough to fill the frame with him.

Overall I was very impressed with the Fujifilm Finepix J20, it’s very good value for money in my opinion.

Geoff Porter is the product manager for the Eastmon group and is an associate of the Tamworth store

Related posts:

1. Fujifilm Finepix S2000HD Digital Camera Review
2. Pentax Optio M60 Digital Camera Review
3. Olympus MJU 9000 Digital Compact Camera Review

Why the look?

Once your surprise dies away your left looking at a camera that someone could well have pulled out of their dusty old drawer. In that respect you would be right because the look and design is based around the very popular Olympus Pen, 35mm half frame camera first launched in 1959. The Pen was designed to be a simple, high quality precision made camera to be taken with you everywhere, much the same as a writing pen in those days.

Major Changes

Trying to recreate history is a difficult task for anybody and Olympus have tried very hard to capture the essence of the old in this new camera. The major change in thought for this new DSLR is that, it is not really a DSLR. It is SLR like in many of it’s features, however the characteristics have changed. At the most basic level, gone is the viewfinder to be replaced by a LCD screen only, unless you purchase the optical viewfinder that sits on the accessory shoe. The LCD screen is quite impressive being a giant 3″ with a 176° viewing angle. The lack of a viewfinder means the physical size of the camera can be greatly reduced in size, a good thing if your travelling light, but it is not going to appeal to the purists.

Lens System

Interchangeable lens are still part of the deal with this new design although there will be a new range of M.Zuiko lenses made specifically for this camera. Coming standard with the camera will be the new M.Zuiko 14-42mm zoom (28-84 35mm equiv). You will also be able to purchase a MMF-1 Lens Adapter that enables you to use all the current Olympus E-System SLR lenses with full functionality.

New Sensor options

E-Series lens with MMF-1 adapter

The sensor is a 12.3 megapixel 4/3rds sensor similar to the sensor used in the Olympus E-620 and uses the new Trupic V image processing engine. Capable of shooting up to 6400 iso, you can also select the image format shape from 4:3 standard, 16:9 widescreen, to the unusual 6:6 square and 3:2 35mm shape.

The Olympus Pen EP-1 also comes with the usual array of Olympus DSLR features, such as creative ART filters, 14 scene modes, manual, aperture priority, shutter priority and program. Intelligent Auto (iAuto) makes its introduction into SLR photography and teamed with face detection and built in sensor image stabilisation, the Pen starts to become a formidable opponent to many big zoom compacts or introductory SLR’s.

Continuous Shooting & HD Movie

Continuous shooting at 3 frames per second as well as continuos AF for the action photographer makes it fast enough for most of us to capture those fleeting moments. HD Movie recording with stereo sound and autofocus is new to the Olympus range of SLR’s and is a welcome addition for those looking for a high quality hybrid camera you can take anywhere. Combine that with a built in HDMI interface and you can watch your movies or stills in high definition straight from the camera.

Summing up

E-Series lens range

While we all wait to get our hands on this new camera, it won’t be the professional reviewers that create the success or failure of this new camera. It will be the normal person trying to find a camera that adequately fill their needs and produce the results that let us remember those great moments and captures the expression of our talent in taking great photos.

The Olympus Pen F, introduced in 1959 went on to sell millions of cameras around the world and if you know anyone that owned one they will speak of it with great delight as it really was one of the great cameras. The new Pen EP-1 has big shoes to fill, it may just be pointing to the future of cameras, however I think it would speak louder if it looked a little more modern, after all the Olympus Pen F was very modern for its time.

Related posts:

1. Olympus E620 Digital SLR Review
2. Olympus E-520 Digital SLR Review
3. Olympus MJU 9000 Digital Compact Camera Review

First Impression

The Nikon D60 fits nicely in your hand, a smaller and lighter body then its big brothers which is a welcome relief. My first thought was at least I will not get a headache from hanging a brick around my neck or tire from just holding the camera up. It is possibly just the right weight and size to take travelling with you and the grip size feels very comfortable and secure to hold the camera

Switching the camera on and the 170° viewing angle LCD bursts into life and the camera goes automatically through a sensor clean, then displays the current setup of the camera in the mode you have selected. Place the camera against your eye and a sensor turns the LCD off to conserve battery power until you take it away from your face. A quick look over the camera and it looks very clutter free and easy understand with a large easy to rotate mode dial.

When using the 'info' & 'help' buttons picture and text descriptions give visual prompts so you can understand the application of a chosen setting

If your new to Digital SLR’s and you feel like you will need to carry the manual around with you everywhere you go then fear not. To the left of the LCD panel there is the ‘info’ button and ‘help’ button. Both of these buttons make life very easy for the beginner to become familiar with the camera and understand what happens when they make selections from the menu. The menu is realy well laid out and easy to navigate, but the ‘help’ and ‘info’ buttons are worth their weight in gold.

As I played with the controls I was to learn that the camera will not release the shutter without the SD memory card installed this is a great feature. You may think ‘who would take photos with out a memory card in their camera’, let me assure you there are many, they just don’t tell everyone.

A quick review of the manual and I find I can get approx 500 shots from a battery charge, so charge the battery, install the memory card and I am ready for a weekend shooting with the D60.

Camera Controls and Features

Easy access mode dial, and between the mode dial and shutter button is the active D-Lighting button

The mode dial on the top of the camera shows the usual array of modes from the simplest auto mode, creative scene modes, right through to the advanced PASM shooting modes. Within any of the modes you can override or customise various functions using the menu and four way controller on the back of the camera.

A nifty little function I found useful the more I used the camera was that as you rotate the camera from landscape to portrait the text and image rotate to the correct orientation making menu selection very easy.

Active D-Lighting features on the D60 and is easily activated by pressing the D-Lighting button near the shutter button and rotating the command dial. This feature adjusts the tonal range in high contrast shooting to preserve detail in the shadows and highlights, giving a more natural rendition of your images.

Beautiful detail and colour saturation

The greatest benefit for this may be in shooting portraits, however it could be applied equally well in many other situations. A word of caution, it does slow down your photography as the camera processes the image, once you use it though you may never turn it off as it really does produce a better result.

One thing to note about lens compatibility is that while the D60 will accept older Nikon lens, those people hoping to use their old film AF lens will be disappointed as the autofocusing is driven by a motor in the lens, unlike the older body driven lenses and are marked as AF-S lenses.

The D60 introduces ‘Stop Motion Movies’ to Digital SLR’s. This mode allows budding animators to capture a number of stills, up to 100 in one go and create a movie from it.

Using the camera

Shot during the golden hours with the 55-200VR Lens

Well my expectations were high and I was using the 18-55 non VR and 55-200VR lens kit. I was impressed by the very quick startup, but if the start up was quick so is the autofocusing and shutter release. You can feel your confidence grow the more you use this camera and it’s speed and the assurance that you won’t miss a shot makes it even more enjoyable.

My first shot was a scene that was heavily shadowed and I must admit I was not that impressed. However using the D-Light function in the retouch menu really salvaged a shot I was about to discard. After that I made sure I had active D-Lighting set for my subsequent pictures

As we travelled along and the sun got lower there were a number of opportunities to capture some great images with difficult lighting using various different modes. That night as I sat down and looked over the images I was over the moon with the colour and detail of the images.

Sunrise, you can see minor lens flaring in the foreground

The next day opened with a brilliant sunrise captured beautifully with the 55-200VR lens with just a little bit of lens flare.  As I was shooting mainly scenery I had the colour tone set to vivid to get a little more punch to the images. Waterfalls always present an opportunity and challenge. Using Vari Program or aperture priority you can reduce your shutter speed to capture the effect of moving water. It was the only time I wished the 18-55 lens was a VR as I did not have a tripod with me.

Over the course of the weekend I had the opportunity to use the continuous shooting mode that can capture up to 3 frames per second for up to 100 images in jpg as well as various scene modes and mixes of flash and available light. There is a myriad of different functions and customisable features that require a lot more time and exploration, but what is enjoyable is that it takes brilliant photos without needing the knowledge of the professional.

Conclusion

Taken with the 18-55 non VR lens. When you forget your tripod and you don't have a VR lens, handheld is the only option

Great! The Nikon D60 is a delightful DSLR to use. The camera was just very comfortable to hold and use. The menu is well laid out and the help and info buttons make the choice of how to set your camera a dream to use.

How did the camera perform?

Crisp, clear high resolution images with great tonal range and saturation! The focusing was always accurate and fast, just the sort of thing you need for photographing kids on the move or playing sport.
If I have any criticism it is that I wish Nikon would adopt an antishake mechanism in the camera body like some of its competitors, that said the VR lens perform admirably.

Who is it suitable for?

Nikon have aimed this camera squarely at the beginner. I think it would be the ideal camera for anyone stepping up to their first Digital SLR. It would be a great choice for a family camera as it would have the convenience of no fuss auto for the person that just wants to take nice pictures, but would also give plenty of scope to the member of the family that is passionate about their photography and wants to grow and learn more.

D60 with 18-55 non VR lens on Landscape mode

How would I rate it?

This is the third incarnation of this camera body that started with the D40. The Nikon D60 continues the Nikon tradition of making a great camera that takes brilliant images. The 10 megapixel sensor captures images capable of being enlarged to poster size with superb detail and tonal range.

My Rating, 8 stars out of 10

Related posts:

1. Olympus E620 Digital SLR Review
2. Pentax K200d Digital SLR Camera Review
3. Olympus E-520 Digital SLR Review

It was therefore with a strong sense of anticipation that I held the Olympus E-520 DSLR in my hand just hoping that this would be the camera. The little outfit I had was the E-520 twin lens kit comprising the 14-42mm standard lens and 40-150mm telephoto lens.

First Impression

Holding the camera in your hand evokes images of old with a compact body that feels quite comfortable to hold onto and the small lightweight lenses make for a package that would be good to travel with. Some people may find the camera just a little too small if they have large hands, my wife however, who has never forgiven me for selling her OM-1 camera, loved the size, she in fact said it makes the perfect Digital SLR camera for every mum!

As we were going away for a few days, a quick look at the manual and I found the battery should last for approx 650 shots, so charge it up before I go and no need to take the battery charger. A quick flick of the on switch and you can feel the camera vibrate in your hand as the supersonic wave dust reduction filter is activated making sure your images remain dust free, this is a great Olympus innovation.

A quick look over the camera and all the buttons look familiar to most digital cameras, whether it’s a compact digital camera or a DSLR there tends to be a bit of uniformity amongst a lot of cameras now. This makes it easy for anyone who is thinking about the move to a DSLR. The big 2.7″ LCD screen is bright and a quick press of the info button brings up the current settings on the camera. There was a little bit of apprehension as I looked over this as some of the terms and icons were familiar and others, well…. they probably required me to get the manual out to find out exactly what they meant, but I am a man, so I don’t read manuals. I will just figure it out myself…. eventually.

The thing I really enjoyed though, was that when I pointed it and pressed the button it was quick, really quick. Zoom it in and out, change lenses, whatever it was really impressive. I remember thinking that this would be a great camera for some with young children that move around a lot and you’ve got to grab that moment instantly.

Camera Controls and Features

Mode Dial

A quick inspection of the mode dial shows the usual choice of the most commonly used modes for quick access. Advanced modes such as Program, Apeture and Shutter priority as well as Manual. The quick access scene modes available from the mode dial represent frequently used settings, however flicking it around to the Scene setting brings up another 15 modes from underwater photography to fireworks.

A feature I really enjoyed about the camera is the built in image stabilisation. As it is built into the camera body, it does not matter what lens I have on, it could be an older Olympus lens or an aftermarket lens made by another manufacturer. The benefit for Olympus owners unlike some competitors that only have image stabilisation in certain lenses, which are usually more expensive. Is that you can pick and choose what ever lens you want and you get 3 different types of image stabilisation built in to the camera for different types of photography.

Something really innovative is the way Olympus use live view on this camera and how easy it is to activate it. The E-520 unlike its direct competition does autofocus in live view mode, not only does it work like a normal compact digital camera, but if face recognition is turned on it immediately becomes active in live view and can detect up to 8 faces in the one picture and applies shadow adjustment technology which adjusts the detail in the shadows while retaining detail in the bright areas.

Using the camera

Handheld resting against the bridge 1/4 sec with Image Stabiliser 1

I really wanted to be impressed with this camera and the more I discovered, the more I liked it. Walking around Melbourne for a few days gives you plenty of opportunity to shoot fast and frequently. A casual stroll over to Southbank found a group of photographers shooting the night scenes, and everyone except me had a tripod. This was an opportunity to put the E-520′s stabiliser to the test, and I must say I was rather impressed.

The next day was an opportunity to experiment with Live View on the E-520. I have never been a great fan of live view, but I think Olympus have done a pretty good job of it on the E-520. Olympus is possibly the first to put face detection into a DSLR in live view and make it work. The other lovely aspect of Live View is Perfect Shot Preview which provides the learner photographer with a ‘four in one’ on screen preview allowing you to scroll through either exposure compensation or white balance settings and select the best picture.

Handheld 1/30sec using 40-150mm lens

I spent a bit of time taking pictures in the different scene and program modes available on the camera as well  the different colour modes or picture modes as Olympus call it.

The one thing you learn with this camera is that there is an almost endless amount of ways you customise this camera to the type of photography you want to pursue.

The other surprise was that after 3 days of walking almost everywhere we went the camera had not become cumbersome or too heavy. I imagine it would make a great DSLR to take away on a long trip.

Conclusion

handheld with image stabilisation 14-42mm lens

How did it match up to my beloved Olympus OM-1? Well it was certainly a pleasure to use and so easy as well. It has a lot of great features and is impressively compact and lightweight.

How did the camera perform?

The camera was a dream to use, the little vibration when you turn it on as the dust removal system kicks is very reassuring that you will have clean images. The autofocus appeared a little slower in live view however there are only certain types of photographs you may want to use that for. That said it’s better than the competition.

What were the results like?

Nice natural colour, clean sharp images, I guess what you would expect in a way. I was caught sitting in the hotel room looking through the photos I had taken that day with a smile on my face, which is one way of saying I was pretty happy with my results.

Who is it suitable for?

This camera would make a great step up for anyone wanting to move from a compact digital camera to a Digital SLR. It is certainly a beginners camera, but you would be hard pressed growing out of it as there are just so many ways you can customise it. As my wife says it would make a great camera for a mum or dad with a young family.

If your lost, just stop and look in your guide.

How would I rate it?

Olympus are trying really hard to grab their share of a very crowded market and this camera represents great value for money. My wife still wants her OM-1 back, but I think she would be really happy with the Olympus E-520, it is a great little camera

My Rating, 8 stars out of 10

Related posts:

1. Olympus Pen EP-1 Pre Release
2. Olympus E620 Digital SLR Review
3. Olympus MJU 9000 Digital Compact Camera Review

First Impression

At first impression the camera feels quite good and well balanced in the hand with fingers and thumbs falling comfortably into the correct position. A quick look over the controls and you can see the heritage bought forward from the very successful Pentax MZ series of film SLR’s with the speed selection dial on the top left and the always present LCD screen on the left, which at a glance lets you know the current settings you have selected.

The Pentax K200d I was taking was fitted with a Sigma 18-200mm lens which certainly added to the overall weight of the camera, but the benefit was I didn’t have to carry a second lens as space was an important consideration for my trip. Drop a 4GB SDHC card in the camera, a set of AA  batteries (Pentax claim up to an amazing 1000 images with AA Lithium batteries) and it’s up and ready to go. It’s probably worthwhile pausing at this point to discuss the AA battery issue Vs a Lithium Ion battery. For many the argument is what is best AA battery or Lithium Ion, from my perspective it is a case of the right horse for the right course. In my case I was going to be on the road a lot and I didn’t want the hassle of charging batteries on my trip. This can also be the case for people that do a lot of hiking, camping or other outdoor activities where power becomes a problem, having said that Lithium Ion probably suits the majority of most peoples photographic activity.

Camera Controls and Features

Speed Dial

A quick survey round the Pentax K200d camera shows a number of controls that aren’t that dissimilar to a compact digital camera, very reassuring for any looking to move up to a DSLR. On the back, bottom right hand corner is the shake reduction switch, which I left turned on for most of the trip. Pentax claim an impressive 2.5 to 4 shutter speeds of benefit and as it is built into the camera body all lenses, regardless of brand have the benefit of image stabilisation, something I wish Pentax’s major competitors would do.

Another feature exclusive to the Pentax K200d and K20d is the unique hermetically sealed all weather body with 60 seals on the body ensuring it remains water resistant, dust and sand proof, something to be considered for the conditions I would be using it in. Of course the true benefit of the all weather body is gained when you use Pentax’s matching hermetically sealed lenses, that said it is better than Pentax’s more expensive competitors offer.

The Pentax K200d has a full array of fully automatic scene modes, some of the more common ones directly accessible from the speed dial as well as a larger selection of some of the more obscure modes selectable through SCN on the speed dial. More advanced modes such as Program, AV, TV and Manual as well as another Pentax first SV are also selectable using the same dial. First time users of a DSLR will love the technology of the Auto Picture mode as the camera can independently recognise the conditions and situation your shooting in and automatically select the best mode.

Using the camera

This to me was the real surprise as the camera is a joy to use straight out of the box. The more I experimented with the different settings the more impressed I became. The 11 point auto focusing  was quick, accurate and produced very sharp images.Colour rendition, saturation and exposure was also very impressive, again without making any specific changes or setting from standard.

Recordable Digital Preview

The Pentax K200d, unlike it’s big brother the K20d does not have live view, although I’m not a big fan of live-view it can be useful for some situations. Pentax have tackled it differently on the K200d using a Recordable Digital Preview whereby you can preview the image on the very bright 2.7″ LCD and experiment with various different settings while watching the effect on the screen. You can alter white balance, saturation, contrast and tone to name a few and you can then save the previewed image with the new effects. This was very handy on my trip allowing me to test some settings prior to shooting more.

A very useful mode on my trip was the Sensitivity Value(SV) mode, another Pentax exclusive, that was used to great benefit when an opportunity came up for us to explore a working mine. As soon as I climbed down the shaft and saw the lighting on offer I immediately switched to the SV mode. The benefit of this mode is you can control the ISO sensitivity in low lighting, the objective being that you can use the thumbwheel on the back to shift the ISO while keeping an eye on the shutter speed and apeture. For years people professionals would have to rewind film to use higher speed film or carry mutiple cameras to accomodate different lighting. Old film photographers and advanced photgraphers will love this feature.

Taken using SV mode and setting the white balance using Recordable Digital Preview

During my trip I took several hundred pictures in many different modes, lighting conditions and dusty, rattling, poor camera conditions. Sometimes I took several photos of the same thing and deleted them, but all the intentional shots were just superb. The various modes you can use with the built in flash cater for nearly any situation and it was tested in some funny situations and always came up trumps.

Conclusion

At the time of writing this is Pentax’s entry level camera and competing with some very high profile competition. But all you can go on is how did the camera perform? What were the results like? Is it easy to use? Who is it suitable for? How would I rate it?

How did the camera perform?

Hand held at 1/30th sec

It was a real surprise! It performed faultlessly during my whole trip. I can’t remember ever being frustrated because the camera would not autofocus or the exposure was hopelessly out. The Sigma 18-200mm lens was a pleasure to use and let me capture some great shots I would have missed had I been fumbling around changing lenses.

What were the results like?

I was really impressed with the colour saturation and sharpness of the images, some of this relates to the Sigma 18-200mm lens and the Pentax Prime image processor used in the camera. At least one of the images will be blown up to a large canvas print to take pride of place on my wall.

Who is it suitable for?

The camera is aimed primarily at the person changing up from a compact digital camera and wanting to explore and grow their photography. Previous Pentax film SLR owner will feel very much at home with this camera and a lot of their old lenses will fit this camera, an important consideration for anyone thinking of upgrading to their first Digital SLR.

Selftimer shot on my trip

How would I rate it?

I am a convert after using this camera, when you compare it feature for feature against it’s main competitors it stacks up better without any doubt. I would rate it one of the best value for money introductory DSLR’s on the market.

My Rating, 8.5 stars out of 10

Related posts:

1. Pentax Optio M60 Digital Camera Review
2. Olympus E-520 Digital SLR Review
3. Olympus E620 Digital SLR Review

Keep your camera handy

Often the best family photos come when you least expect them. These are usually captured by someone who just takes a few snaps in a moment to remember. Be ready!!!

• A digital camera, unlike the old camera the gentleman in this picture is holding, can not take pictures without batteries charged and ready to go.
• Leave your camera in a position that is easy to get to, somewhere in a room where you spend a lot of time. The worst possible place is your wardrobe where it is ‘safe’.
• I always found I used the camera more at home if I left it out of it’s bag so I could grab and use it easily, It’s then a simple matter of putting it back in the bag when I was going out.

Can you see me?

When taking a family group photo, always ensure you can see everyone’s face clearly. Ask them to make sure they can see the camera.

• It’s always amusing photographing a group of people only to have a couple of eyes visible form behind someones head or shoulders and they think ‘because I can see you, you must be able to see me’. As gently as you can bring the shorter people to the front or side, or ask the people in front to spread apart to allow the person in the back to be seen.
• Allow a little bit of spontaneity when shooting groups as people tend to gather closer to family members or friends they are more comfortable with.

Photograph life

Take photos of family members doing their favourite things including sports, hobbies and any other recreational activities they enjoy together.

• People are generally more relaxed doing activities they enjoy. Rather than pose people, as a photographer try moving around your subject while they are involved in what they are doing.
• Lens choice, or a big zoom range is very important to capture lifestyle photos. You may use a wider angle to capture your subject in the setting they enjoy or zoom right in to capture the intensity or pleasure in their expression.

Background and beyond

Watch the background. keep it plain and simple if you are wanting to concentrate on the person, or open it up to tell a story.

• When your concentrating on just getting it right it’s so easy to become blind to the background of your picture. As your composing your photo have a quick scan around everything your LCD screen or viewfinder is showing you and ask yourself ‘Do I want this in my picture?’
• Take your time, it may be that you want a particular background in your photo to tell a story. It’s true a picture can tell a story if you get the right background.
• Be careful in placing your subjects in front of backgrounds that distract from your subject or an even bigger no no is the old tree, post or sign coming out of the top of someones head. Remember if you can see it through the camera, than the camera will photograph.

Speed

Work quickly because family patience runs out quickly. Prepare before hand so all you have to do is slot in the people and take the picture.

• If you want to stay on side with your family, then be quick! Everyone can remember the well meaning relative that spent so much time trying to get the photo ‘just right’.
• Make any custom settings you want on your camera prior to gathering everyone together.
• Check out the area you want to take the pictures in prior to shooting, you may find the light is not right or something else is wrong. It’s always better for you to look around yourself then drag a whole lot of grumpy people around.

Related posts:

1. Easy tips to shoot great group photos
2. 10 Tips to take Better Digital Photos
3. 5 Tips to take Better Photos of your Children