does Canon have anything like the Olympus E420

[winterstar]

does Canon have anything like the Olympus E420?

[inkista]

Depends on your definition of "like". The closest analog is probably the XS/1000D/Kiss F.

But Olympus dSLRs use the 4/3 sensor size (smaller than the APS-C sensors in Canon's crop bodies) and offers in-body stabilization which Canons do not. And their lens selection is smaller than Canon's. While Canon may not offer as low-cost a camera body, the overall system is, in some ways, more limited and potentially more expensive, depending on the lenses you may need.

[winterstar]

Originally Posted by inkista

Depends on your definition of "like". The closest analog is probably the XS/1000D/Kiss F.

But Olympus dSLRs use the 4/3 sensor size (smaller than the APS-C sensors in Canon's crop bodies) and offers in-body stabilization which Canons do not. And their lens selection is smaller than Canon's. While Canon may not offer as low-cost a camera body, the overall system is, in some ways, more limited and potentially more expensive, depending on the lenses you may need.

I was thinking size wise DSLR, with similar specs.

Which one are you saying would be more expensive (Canon or Olympus?)

Mostly, I like shooting my kids, birds and landscapes. (I'm enchanted by tree's. )

Oh, and I'm starting a real class soon, so I want a nice DSLR to learn to use.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by winterstar

I was thinking size wise DSLR, with similar specs.

E-420 would be smaller and less expensive. On Amazon, the E420 is about $380, the XS about $450.

Mostly, I like shooting my kids, birds and landscapes. (I'm enchanted by tree's. )

Bird-wise, is where the lenses get expensive. Kids, outdoors in the daytime, can be done relatively cheap. Indoors without a flash, it's a slightly different matter. Landscapes...the 2x crop factor of 4/3s puts you at a slight disadvantage in finding wide angle glass, but probably not enough that you'd notice.

But I would suggest doing some searches on lens prices on Amazon, Adorama, or B&H, just to get a ballpark figure. dSLR bodies are like most other digital equipment: you get a yen to upgrade after five years. Your lenses are actually going to be a more permanent (and probably more expensive) purchase.

Where Canon has it over Olympus is in fast prime lenses for portraiture and low light. Where Olympus has it over Canon is extended zoom ranges from the 2x crop factor, in-body stabilization, and f/2 zooms. But the four-thirds format being so much newer than EOS, there are decidedly fewer lenses, even if you count both Panasonic and Olympus together. And Sigma makes far more lenses for EOS than it does for 4/3.

The 4/3rds sensor size thing has a slight impact. The high iso noise performance, and the ability to get a shallow depth of field is just a bit less with 4/3rds than with APS-C--similar to how a P&S camera has less high iso performance and way more depth of field. A typical P&S camera has a 5x or 6x crop factor. The 4/3rds has a 2x. Canon's APS-C is 1.6x, and Nikon's is 1.5x.

Oh, and I'm starting a real class soon, so I want a nice DSLR to learn to use.

Well, if you get an Olympus, chances are smaller that you'll be able to swap/trade/share equipment with other folks in the class. Nikon and Canon tend to be more popular. Doesn't mean they're necessarily better, but they are more widespread.

[johndavid]

Yeah the 1000D is probably closest

[winterstar]

Thanks you soo much for the info!!

TI found a Canon Rebel T1i, and I did like how it felt holding it. I'm going to be doing more reading.

Quick question for anybody that studied photography in college... do I need to purchase a camera before starting or can it wait a bit?

Thanks!

[Raoul Isidro]

Originally Posted by winterstar

Thanks you soo much for the info!!

TI found a Canon Rebel T1i, and I did like how it felt holding it. I'm going to be doing more reading.

Quick question for anybody that studied photography in college... do I need to purchase a camera before starting or can it wait a bit?

Thanks!

Your question deserves to be in a new thread as it will elicit more responses on it's own.
It would be desirable to have a proper camera before going on a photography course.
Cheers!